I think the fact that Bellarmine incorporates morals, ethics, and values into daily teaching is what distinguishes it from other private and public schools. Personally, I think the best example of this teaching was in Social Justice class where we would discuss current events and attempt to investigate each side of the issue from a moral or ethical perspective. This kind of supplement to our standard, academic education is what makes Bellarmine’s Jesuit education unique.
~ Peter Singh ‘06
A Jesuit school like Bellarmine represents faith, community, and a shared goal of working for the Greater Glory of God. Once you’ve attended a Jesuit school, you share a common bond with men and women worldwide.
~ Justin Lam ‘06
Bellarmine puts a real emphasis on building Men for Others, but it also builds future leaders in Silicon Valley that are self-aware and world-aware. The students and graduates are able to adapt to a rapidly changing world with confidence. They can energize others with heroic ambitions and passion for their work while also treating each individual with respect and integrity.
~ Pat Haines, parent of three graduates
The essence of being a "Man for Others" was captured by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:3 when he told early Christians "in humility consider others better than yourselves". When we, as Bellarmine students, start to think of those around us in these terms, the idea of serving others becomes second nature. Through the Bellarmine Christian Service Program, students are presented with the opportunity to apply this concept in unique and interesting ways. In the process, we learn that there are people in need all around us. By placing them first, we answer Fr. Arrupe's challenge and live out an important Biblical truth. We also experience a form of satisfaction that can't be found in any other place.
~ Caleb Peterson ('12)
It means seeing every person as part of the human family to which we are all connected, and expressing God's unconditional love through acts of service, compassion, solidarity and justice for and with our brothers and sisters in need.
~ Anne Maloney, Assistant Director of Christian Service
Opportunities abound for transporation to Bellarmine.
CARPOOL: We provide families the contact information of other students living in your area, based upon zip code, in order to facilitate the process of finding families with whom to carpool. Bellarmine is less than 2 miles from Highways 87, 280, 880 and 101.
TRAIN: CalTrain stops at Bellarmine’s College Park station four times a day.
♦ If you live north of Bellarmine, the morning train arrives at school at 7:59, in plenty of time for the day’s first class at 8:15. The train leaving Bellarmine after school for the ride home departs at 3:08 pm.
♦ If you live south of Bellarmine, the morning train arrives at 7:58, again in time for the first class at 8:15. The train leaving Bellarmine after school is at 4:32 pm.
♦ For those students who have after-school commitments, Bellarmine provides a free shuttle service to the San Jose Diridon station where students can catch a train home. Shuttle departure times leaving Bellarmine each day are: 5:20 pm and 5:45 pm.
Caltrain offers a 50% discount on monthly and eight ride tickets for student riders, making the train economical as well as convenient.
A full online schedule can be found at http://www.caltrain.org/schedule.html.
BUS: The Route 22 VTA bus stops at the corner of The Alameda and Taylor/Naglee Streets, which is just a few blocks from Bellarmine. The Route 22 bus also services both the Santa Clara and Diridon train stations. Busses run approximately every fifteen minutes. You can view of copy of this bus schedule online at http://www.vta.org/schedules/SCA_22EA_WK.html
Generous alumni, parents and friends make possible the finest financial aid program in the greater Bay Area. Aid is granted purely on the basis of financial need, with the amount of the award being dependent upon the resources available. Current Bellarmine families have priority with respect to aid awards. An important fact to note is that Bellarmine’s tuition is similar to that of other Catholic high schools in the area and significantly lower than other private high schools. Click on Tuition and Financial Aid for more information.
Bellarmine typically receives over 900 applications each year. Most of these applicants are talented and qualified. Bellarmine is able to accept 40 to 45 percent of these applicants.
The Admissions Committee looks at the following criteria:
♦ Grades from 7th and 8th grade classes (“A’s” and “B’s” are encouraged. Each “C” reduces an applicant’s chances of admission. A “D” or an “F” might eliminate an applicant from consideration.)
♦ Committed involvement in at least two co-curricular activities
♦ Standardized test scores from 7th and 8th grade, as well as an entrance exam score
♦ Recommendations
Bellarmine gives preference to Catholic applicants although 25 percent of the student body is non-Catholic.
The only honest answer to this question is “it depends”. The amount of homework will depend on the course load a student takes, as well as on the student’s work habits. Upper division classes usually require additional time due to the level of the classes, but the workload is manageable.
Whatever your artistic talents or interests might be, we have something for you at Bellarmine. We are proud to offer an extensive Arts curriculum covering more than 12 creative disciplines. Classes range from the traditional visual (Art, Ceramics) to the musical (Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Band) to the high tech (Photography, Graphic Design, Digital Video Production).
~ Kevin McMahon ’90, Graphic Design and Digital Video Production Teacher
Yes, all the time - just not in the classroom. You’ll see girls at mixers, games, dances, and on weekends. The amount of contact with girls is up to you.
~ Luke Council ‘04
In reality, Bellarmine is a place where meeting girls is not that difficult. Mixers, track practice, or just hanging around are all examples of seeing girls on campus. The only place where girls are absent is in the classroom.
Essentially, if you can dream it, there’s an activity for it - sports, student leadership, ethnic/cultural, community service. Bellarmine has more than 70 student clubs and organizations in which you can develop your talents and share your knowledge and interests with others