FAQs
Admission FAQ
- Bellarmine is a little far away. What are my commute options? Hide
CARPOOL We provide families the opportunity to obtain the contact information of other students living in their zip code area, in order to facilitate the process of finding families with whom to carpool. Bellarmine is a short distance from Highways 87, 280, 880 and 101. TRAIN CalTrain stops at Bellarmine’s
College Park Santa Clara and Diridon train station. 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- What makes a Jesuit school unique? Hide
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 two graduates and one current student.- If I go to Bellarmine, will I ever see any girls? Hide
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.Is it hard to get into Bellarmine? Hide Bellarmine typically receives approximately 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; and recommendations. Bellarmine gives preference to Catholic applicants although 25 to 30 percent of the student body is non-Catholic.
- How much homework is there every night? Hide
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.
- What kind of classes will I take? Hide
Bellarmine offers a broad array of classes for you to take. We have courses in English, Fine Arts, Math, Science, P.E., Social Science, Religious Studies, Foreign Language, and Computer Science. Check out our Course Catalog for specific classes and to see what electives are available. Our goal is to offer an academic program designed to instill in you an intellectual curiosity and a world view that values faith, love, and justice.
- What kinds of opportunities will I have to explore Fine Arts at Bellarmine? Hide
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 (Drawing, Ceramics, Sculpture) to the musical (Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Music Appreciation) to the high tech (Photography, Graphic Design, Digital Video Production).
- Kevin McMahon ’90, Graphic Design and Digital Video Production Teacher Bellarmine has a terrific Fine Arts department. You can choose from so many different classes. And for those who want to go beyond the course offerings, the fine arts teachers are always happy to assist in any personal projects, and will gladly assist those who wish to continue further than the curriculum.
- Dean Clark ’06.- Can I be part of a Bellarmine sports team? Hide
Bellarmine fields teams in 13 sports over three seasons. While there are tryouts for many sports at Bellarmine, each season has at least one no-cut sport. Bellarmine also has an intramural program allowing students to play their favorite sport during lunch.
- What kinds of activities does Bellarmine offer? Hide
Essentially, if you can dream it, there’s an activity for it - sports, student leadership, ethnic/cultural, community service, even clubs that celebrate the Beatles or ping pong.
- Justin Lam ‘06 Bellarmine has more than 60 student clubs and organizations in which you can develop your talents and share your knowledge and interests with others- Will my family be able to afford Bellarmine? Hide
Bellarmine’s tuition for the 2009-2010 school year is $14,450, but financial aid may be available. Generous alumni, parents and friends make possible the finest financial aid program in the greater Bay Area.Aid is granted purely on teh 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.
- What does the phrase "man for others" mean? Hide
Fr. Pedro Arrupe, former Superior General of the Jesuits, coined the phrase “man for others” in a speech he delivered in 1973. The phrase has since become the motto of most Jesuit schools. Arrupe explained that the challenge of Jesuit schools is to foster “men and women who cannot even conceive of love of God which does not include love for the least of their neighbors; men and women completely convinced that love of God which does not issue in justice for others is a farce.” That is the challenge that Bellarmine students rise up to meet: to live in solidarity with the poor, and with a commitment to creating a more just society. Whether it is reaching out to the poor or disadvantaged in the community outside of Bellarmine or helping a fellow student who is struggling in math class, it is in the giving of the heart, whether in matters big or small, that defines being a “man for others. ”
- Michael Lee ’06 It means looking into the face of every man, woman, or child and seeing him or her as my brother or my sister. We are then called to increase our capacity to share God’s unconditional love, to act with compassion, and to stand with our struggling brothers and sisters.
- Anne Maloney, Assistant Director of Christian Service
