Bellarmine College Preparatory View Book 2015-16

BELLARMINE COLLEGE PREPARATORY

Bellarmine College Preparatory is a community

of men and women gathered together by God

for the purpose of educating the student to seek

justice and truth throughout his life

We are a Catholic school in the tradition of St

Ignatius of Loyola the Founder of the Society

of Jesus As such our entire school program is

dedicated to forming ldquomen for and with othersrdquo mdash

persons whose lives will be dedicated to bringing

all their God-given talents to fullness and to living

according to the pattern of service inaugurated

by Jesus Christ

MISSION

WE NOT IWe are a community of men and women charged with forming young men who pursue justice and truth throughout their lives We rely upon our Jesuit identity and Ignatian tradition We do all things for the greater glory of God and foster an environment that cares deeply for each individual student as well as the whole community We seek always to follow the pattern of service inaugurated by Jesus Christ We are Bellarmine

I love seeing the ways in which our students live out the mission mdash they are passionate and creative about sharing their talents with others They are truly setting the world on fire with the commitment to helping out the less fortunatemdash Chris Meyercord rsquo88

President

B R O T H E R H O O D + F A I T H + S E R V I C E + K N O W L E D G E + S P I R I T

I never cease to be amazed and moved by the

goodness and generosity of our students and

faculty My Jesuit heart is filled with pride

and joy when I see how our kids are getting the

Mission of our wonderful school and showing it

by their involvement in service activities Saints

Ignatius and Robert Bellarmine would be very

proud of our boys

mdash Mario Prietto SJ

Superior Jesuit Community

1491Founding of the Society of Jesus

1548Founding of first Jesuit school in Messina Sicily

1789Founding of Georgetown College first Jesuit school in the US

We trace our roots back more than 450 years to when St Ignatius of Loyola and his companions founded their first school in Messina Sicily in 1548 Since 1851 Bellarmine College Preparatory has actively participated in a global network of Jesuit parishes secondary schools colleges and universities We are a proud member of the Jesuit Schools Network of North America and collaborate with colleagues across the continent in more than 60 high schools and 30 colleges and universities As a Jesuit school we foster the growth of the whole person We donrsquot just instill knowledge but the spiritual moral and aesthetic virtues that prepare our students for lives of conscience competence and compassion

JESUIT

WE ARE THE

LARGESTALL-BOYS

JESUIT SCHOOL IN THE

COUNTRY

John Nobili SJ and Michael Accolti SJ founded Santa Clara College in 1851 as a combination secondary school and college Nobili usually credited as the founder of Bellarmine has never been positively identified in a photograph Although many believed the new schools should be located in San Francisco Nobili and Accolti favored San Jose ldquoone of the oldest cities in Californiardquo

The schools separated in the early 1920s into Santa Clara University and University of Santa Clara High School (aka Santa Clara Prep) In 1925 during Christmas break we moved to our current location on Hedding Street in College Park the original campus of the College of the Pacific In 1928 the school became Bellarmine College Preparatory in honor of the 16th century Jesuit saint and Doctor of the Church Robert Cardinal Bellarmine Between then and now the campus has modernized and expanded from its original 17 acres to more than 28

1851Founding of Santa Clara College

1925Hedding Street Campus opens

1928School renamed Bellarmine College Preparatory

BCP HISTORY

During my years as a Bellarmine student

(1951 ndash 1955) and as a young BCP

Jesuit faculty member (1962 ndash 1965)

the students remained in the same classroom

for every class period and the teachers moved

around from class to class Thank God times

have changed

mdash Jerry Wade SJ rsquo55

Chancellor and Former President

Our college preparatory curriculum more than prepares students for post-secondary education We develop habits of mind and body that facilitate a life of learning service and health Bellarmine provides a rigorous schedule of required and elective as well as Honors and Advanced Placement courses The use of technologies in the classroom enhances the curriculum and helps students learn present and collaborate more effectively

Bellarminersquos wide variety of academic electives challenges students to grow as learners I love that students can explore classes like Biochemistry Screenwriting World Religions and Financial Analysis all in the same semester

mdash Kristina Luscher Principal

ACADEMICS

Bellarmine embraces the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis the care of the whole person Therefore the education we provide goes beyond the classroom Our program of study seeks to instill the values and skills needed in the 21st century to shape young men of faith and leadership We challenge all our students to bring their God-given talents to fullness through interaction with their peers and faculty in activities immersion trips service to others athletics and the arts The education we provide has a rich history rooted in faith and enhanced by technology with a global perspective provided in the heart of Silicon Valley

279AVERAGE

ACT SCORE

1889AVERAGE

SAT SCORE34HONORS amp

AP CLASSESspread over 96 sections

Brotherhood is something you hear a lot about at Bellarmine It speaks to a camaraderie that develops naturally in our environment It describes one of our deepest aspirations to see and treat each other as brothers as interconnected creatures of a God who loves and sustains us We are not just classmates or colleagues students or faculty We are a diverse community gathered together by God

Students quickly learn that Bellarmine is a place to be themselves play frisbee or a game of pick-up soccer on the Quad They also learn they can break the mold try new things and challenge each other

As brothers we support each other in moments of triumph and tragedy We cheer for each other as fans We collaborate with each other as classmates We support each other as friends We give back as alumni We are bellbrothers

BROTHERHOOD

Irsquom 31 years old and have taught at Bellarmine

for 10 years The godfathers of both of my

children the best man at my wedding all of

the groomsmen at my wedding and 8 out of

8 guys in my fantasy football league have one

thing in common Bellarmine Class of 2002

The Bellarmine brotherhood is for life

mdash Sam Bliss rsquo02

English Teacher

Much of the work of campus ministry is about creating the spaces for silence that are increasingly rare in our modern world That silence might be one minute to begin the day in prayer one hour for our school to celebrate liturgy together or one day on retreat but it all starts with creating a culture that regularly steps back in order to reflect

mdash Nick Creech rsquo03 Assistant Principal for Ministry

Commitment to the total formation of students is a hallmark of Jesuit education The best academic training in the world means nothing without the spiritual depth to use it wisely For this reason Bellarmine strives to enable our students to become ldquomen for and with othersrdquo men who recognize and respond to Christrsquos call to pursue justice and peace throughout their lives

An education that benefits only the self is not worthy of the name ldquoJesuitrdquo Through a program of retreats sacraments and prayer Campus Ministry at Bellarmine empowers students to do all things ldquofor the the greater glory of Godrdquo in order to bring about his kingdom

Fully 25 of Bellarmine students are non-Catholic Whatever your religious tradition we hope students become their best selves while you are here Whether Jewish Sikh or Muslim Jain Buddhist or Protestant you are welcome and will not be alone

CAMPUS MINISTRY

10+RELIGIONS

REPRESENTED

CHRISTIAN SERVICE

ldquoOnly by being a man for others does one become fully humanrdquo

mdash Pedro Arrupe SJ 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus

Our mission is clear to foster students who become men for and with others who live according to the pattern of service inaugurated by Jesus Christ Bells do this in many ways but our Christian Service Program leads the way Over the course of four years all students are called to service where they work directly with younger children with the elderly and developmentally challenged and with agencies that make a preferential option for the poor and marginalized and invited to participate in immersion activities

45000+SERVICE

HOURSYR

Through local domestic and international immersion trips Bellarmine students directly encounter and serve the poor The hope is that an experience of immersion will ensue in a commitment to justice and alleviation of the pain and suffering of others Through the immersion experience a world in which each individual has the opportunity to be fully human and accepts the responsibility of promoting human development in others becomes possible

I take solace in knowing that my ministry at Bellarmine embraces my passion As a community we are called to pursue justice and to act in a compassionate way that

respects the dignity and well-being of all members of our human family

If our students are only concerned about what they can get out of life and donrsquot

reflect on what they are called to give then their education here has been in vainmdash Steve Pinkston

Christian Service Program Director21TRIPS

11COUNTRIES

I try to motivate these men to be the best they can from the weight room to the field court or pool Irsquom one of them and that meanshellip Irsquom a Bell Thatrsquos a spirit that lives in me and no one can take that away Go Bells

mdash Michelle Toy Strength and Conditioning Specialist

13 SPORTS

36TEAMS

Bellarmine has a long and proud athletic tradition that continues today As student-athletes Bellarmine students donrsquot just develop athletic skill and physical fitness they learn teamwork dedication and responsibility They live out the Ignatian mission of the school as they compete fairly and interact positively with each other opponents and officials Each year more than 1100 students represent Bellarmine on one or more of our 36 teams in 13 different sports Four of those sports and nine teams are ldquono cutrdquo sports open to any student who is willing to commit his time and energy to the requirements of the team

ATHLETICS

In addition to a strong sports offering the athletic department boasts tremendous services for our student-athletes Bellarmine provides the highest level of sports medicine care for the student-

athlete with first-class facilities and two dedicated full-time athletic trainers

who provide care and rehabilitation for the entire athletic community Additionally a state-of-the-art fitness center with a full-time strength and conditioning specialist provides a platform

for physical fitness and development for all students

MORE THAN 1100 STUDENTS PLAY ON BELLARMINE TEAMS

My favorite part about walking across

campus during lunch is how the

community engages with each other

In my short journey across the quad I observe

students relaxing and conversing I hear cheers

from intramural games on the field I see

friends helping each other with homework or

studying for a test and I chat with some about

upcoming weekend plans While the activities

on campus always vary individual students

come together to define what it means to be

a Bell and contribute to the vibrant energy of

the school

mdash Katie Passalacqua

English Teacher

Bellarmine students possess a huge variety of interests and talents and we firmly believe that many of lifersquos most important lessons are taught outside the classroom So Bellarmine fosters the total development of our students through a vast array of co-curricular activities From cooking club to robotics speech and debate to theater we have the club for you or can help you start one of your own

STEM-MED bull MICRO-FINANCE bull RUGBY bull WRITERS GUILD bull BCP POLITICAL REVIEW

CO-CURRICULARS

Bellarmine is an all-male school and we are proud and privileged to continue that tradition But girls are on campus almost every day and there are constant opportunities to hang out meet new people try new things or just relax on the quad Bells become friends for life brothers really The bonds forged through four years together last a lifetime mdash just ask any Bellarmine grad Even at their 50th reunion Bells tell stories of their time here and laugh together Bellarmine knows that a healthy social life supports a strong intellectual life

SOCIAL LIFE

STUDENT SUPPORTThe transition from middle school to high school can be difficult and we do everything we can to make freshmen feel at home as quickly as possible This process begins the moment they are accepted and continues throughout their freshman year New family nights the Dadsrsquo Club Barbeque and the Bellarmine Mothersrsquo Guild Get Acquainted Picnic and Mass kick things off With the help of our Big Brothers an entire year of programming and relationship-building mdash The Freshman Experience mdash supports incoming freshmen and transfer students as they integrate into our culture and traditions Freshmen and transfers meet regularly with their Big Brothers to share a breakfast burrito or curly fries ask questions and just hang out

995OF 2015 CLASS

ATTENDING COLLEGE

As personal guidance counselors we promote adolescent wellness mdash a balance of sleep exercise nutrition family time activities friends reading technology school work and FUN

mdash Patrick Taylor Director of Personal Counseling

Bellarminersquos personal counselors advise and guide the academic personal and early college admission planning for their counselees during their first three years at Bellarmine Assigned in the freshman year counselors develop a personal and supportive relationship with their students and parents In the second semester of their junior year Bells are assigned a college counselor who guides the student and his family through the processes of college search application and matriculation

Reflection is the foundation of our College Counseling program College counselors assist students and their families in identifying the college of best ldquofitrdquo and work with parents throughout the entire process from exploration to decision Juniors undertake eight days of study to help them discover their desired characteristics and college matches Services include workshops on essays and applications financial aid scholarship and essay review and final decision-making

Bellarmine offers a nationally-recognized college-style Academic Resource Center (ARC) available to the entire community The center is designed for both individual studying and small group collaboration ARC staff and Bellarmine Alumni Volunteers offer support for everything from learning style and study strategies to subject review and reinforcement Drop-in tutoring is available and encouraged as the center is open before during and after school Monday through Friday

160+STUDENTS

SUPPORTED PER DAY

NATIONALLY- RECOGNIZED

modelOF STUDENT

SUPPORT

Bellarminersquos faculty features over 120 dedicated well-trained men and women who relentlessly focus on student learning and well-being They take the craft of teaching seriously and apply the most effective means of teaching young men to become life-long learners Our faculty fosters an environment of advanced scholarship characterized by curiosity collaboration and problem-solving Teachers encourage students to ask big questions and dare to find solutions to the worldrsquos most pressing challenges

Most faculty members have advanced degrees and Bellarmine supports faculty professional development through courses conferences and workshops Our teachers also get to know students outside of the classroom as coaches mentors and club moderators They strive to fulfill the vision of St Ignatius to lead students to know love and serve God and each other Bellarmine has such an inviting and enduring academic environment that 40 faculty members are Bellarmine alumni

FACULTY

Our teachers have degrees

credentials accolades and

accomplishments to burn but

thatrsquos not what makes them who they are

What separates them and their work is the

care they pour into our students plain

and simple

mdash Matt Haven

Assistant Principal for Instruction

Bellarmine is not a place you go to but a place you come from Four years at Bellarmine is just the beginning A Bell lives out his Jesuit education for the rest of his life and seeks to do all things not for his own benefit but ad majorem dei gloriam for the greater glory of God He knows his graduation is really a commencement the beginning of a life lived in pursuit of justice and truth

Since its founding in 1851 Bellarmine has graduated thousands of young men Many have distinguished themselves in fields as diverse as religion government medicine law engineering sports and education They form a global and inspiring network of men and their families who bring the legacy of a Bellarmine education to all they meet Many are active in the life of their alma mater and support the school in countless ways

ALUMNIBELLARMINE IS NOT A PLACE YOU GO TO BUT A PLACE YOU COME FROM

17000ACTIVE ALUMNI

PARENTSBellarmine actively collaborates with parents in the education and formation of their boys Bellarmine parents are a vital group within our community Not only do they support their sons they give invaluably to the school They donate their skills talents time and resources to organize an array of social and fundraising events as well as service

activities The Bellarmine Mothersrsquo Guild and Dadsrsquo Club are integral in funding our generous financial aid budget so

that need doesnrsquot deter a family from sending their son to Bellarmine

Being a Bell parent has given me the opportunity to watch my two boys learn independence and serve others instead of relying on me I have incredible pride watching my boys turn into lsquoMen for Othersrsquo

mdash Deb Vallner Mothersrsquo Guild President Mother of Jared rsquo13 and Nick rsquo17

As an alumnus of Bellarmine I had an

overwhelming positive and wonderful

experience I knew that if I had sons

I would do my best to share with them the

opportunity to attend Bellarmine Both of my sons

have said at one time or another ldquoI know that

Bellarmine is a good school but you donrsquot know

how good until you have experienced itrdquo The

teachers here are excellent and they are able to

relate to their students to get them to think to get

them to see the world around them and to act on

their thoughts I could not be more pleased with

their educational experience

mdash Dr Ben Chew rsquo82

Father of Nicholas rsquo15 and Matthew rsquo17

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATIONBellarminersquos beautiful campus is located in a valley known for tech firms but rooted in orange groves Long before silicon entered the Santa Clara Valley orchards predominated agriculture was the main industry and it was known as the Valley of Heartrsquos Delight Though some of the countryrsquos most fertile and productive farmland lies just to our South mdash and we maintain our own fertile plot on campus mdash the valleyrsquos identity has changed and Bellarminersquos along with it

CAMPUS TODAY

285ACRES

600000GALLON POOL

360000SQFT OF BUILDING

SPACE

There were no microchips in 1851 but Bellarminersquos founders always recognized the importance of identifying and using tools that support the mission of the school Technology is not an end in itself but Bellarmine embraces various technologies as powerful tools to aid learning increase efficiency and facilitate communication This valley of ours is also remarkably diverse and Bellarminersquos community reflects that We are not just in the valley we are of it fostering positive relationships with our neighborhood city and surrounding communities

We are conveniently located near 4 freeways and have a Caltrain Station in our backyard allowing hundreds of students to take the train to and from school each day Students as far north as San Mateo and south as Gilroy take advantage of this opportunity

ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AIDThe primary concern of the Admissions Department at Bellarmine is fostering the mission of the school through the identification and acceptance of applicants who demonstrate

1 the intellectual capacity to succeed in a rigorous academic environment

2 passionate involvement in at least two activities outside the classroom

3 a history of earning the respect of adults through hard work and good behavior

4 a sincere desire to attend Bellarmine

We determine these qualities as best we can through the collection and review of transcripts test scores essays and letters of recommendation

Preference is given to Catholic applicants especially those actively involved in their parish and school These applicants make up approximately 75 percent of each yearrsquos freshman class We strongly hope that our non-Catholic applicants are also actively involved in their own religion and place of worship

25OF FAMILIES

RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID

Bellarminersquos admissions process is need-blind so the Admissions Committee evaluation is based solely on qualifications not financial need Bellarminersquos educational program is available to every young man who could benefit from it and who fulfills the entrance requirements no matter the financial status of his family Our generous financial aid budget mdash more than 4 million dollars each year mdash is granted purely on the basis of need and includes a work grant component that requires each student receiving aid to work a number of hours at school The number depends upon the amount of financial aid awarded

The full process for applying for admission and financial aid can be found on our website at bcporgadmissions

FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD

AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM

AMDG

GoBells

bellarminebells

bcporg