Cura
Cura: Care for the Whole Person
At Bellarmine, education goes beyond academics. Cura—Latin for “care”—is a unique program designed to support students as they grow intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Grounded in the Jesuit value of cura personalis, Cura helps students build the self-awareness, relationships, and life skills they need to thrive in high school and beyond.
What is Cura?
Cura is a required freshman course that helps students transition into Bellarmine and find their place in the community.
In Cura, students:
- Build strong relationships with classmates and a trusted adult mentor
- Learn practical skills like communication and decision-making
- Develop emotional awareness and strategies for managing stress
- Explore identity, belonging, and the values that shape the Bellarmine community
- Gain confidence speaking, reflecting, and sharing their perspectives
More than a class, Cura is a space where students can pause, reflect, and grow.
A Space to Be Known
Cura classes are intentionally small, creating an environment where students feel comfortable speaking up and being themselves.
Students meet regularly in small groups to check in, reflect, and support one another. These simple but powerful moments help build trust and a true sense of belonging.
“I feel like my Cura teacher cares about me and wants to help me.”— Bellarmine Freshman
What Students Are Saying
Students consistently describe Cura as one of the most meaningful parts of their freshman year:
- “It’s a time where you can express your emotions about anything—school or life.”
- “Getting a moment in the day to step back from everything was priceless.”
- “It helped me understand myself and be more open with others.”
Cura gives students something rare in a high school schedule: time to reflect and be heard.
“I feel like I can be myself in Cura.”
— Bellarmine Freshman
Built on Jesuit Values
Cura introduces students to the Jesuit mission that shapes every part of a Bellarmine education.
Students explore:
- The life and teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola
- What it means to find God in all things
- How to live with purpose, empathy, and integrity
Through Cura, they go beyond just learning about these values. They begin to live them.
Skills That Last Beyond High School
Cura helps students develop skills that matter far beyond freshman year:
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- Communication and public speaking
- Resilience and adaptability
- Leadership and empathy
These are the same qualities colleges look for and the same ones that shape strong leaders.
Educating the Whole Person
At many schools, success is measured only by grades and test scores. At Bellarmine, success includes how students grow as people. Cura is one of the many ways in which we actively support that growth.
