Class of 2030 Enrollment

English 1

As freshmen are coming of age and entering this new environment, they will study literature, finding similar characters who also struggle to discover their identity, to build new relationships, and to form and understand their values in a complex world. In reading and writing about characters and communities representing different voices, students will explore how to navigate their own identity and combat injustice. Ultimately, students will come to an affirmation of themselves and understand and celebrate diversity. Using their analysis of literature, students will begin by focusing on the basis of argumentation. Bellarmine’s English curriculum will be informed by the emergence of generative AI programs, building a strong foundation of personal expression using a variety of both in-class writing and writing at home.

English 1 Honors

Students must select English 1 Honors in their course preferences to be considered for the course. Students who scored in the 96th percentile or higher on the reading section of the HSPT are automatically eligible.

English I Honors is an accelerated course designed for those freshmen who have demonstrated an advanced understanding of English fundamentals. Students will read a number of novels, two plays, a large selection of short stories, and assorted poems. The works are also organized thematically by Bellarmine’s core values: openness to growth/religion; intellectual competence; love; commitment to doing justice; and pursuit of leadership growth. Honors students will move quickly from the basic freshman composition to compose longer five-paragraph essays. Students are expected to compose four to five multiple-paragraph essays per semester. Oral communication will be emphasized through whole class, small group, and formal presentations. Creative projects will also be offered throughout the year. All essays, discussions, and projects will emphasize critical thinking skills and literary analysis.

Bellarmine uses ALEKS, an online assessment tool, to measure math proficiency. All incoming freshmen, including those who intend to enroll in Algebra 1, must complete at least one ALEKS assessment.

Information for All Math Students

• Information for accessing ALEKS will be emailed by Math Department March 30. Be sure to check your spam/junk folder. If you do not receive your information by March 31, please contact deptmath@bcp.org.
• Algebra 2 Honors, Pre-Calculus Honors, and Calculus AB require multiple assessments. The highest score among attempts will be used for placement.
• Assessment period opens at on Monday, March 30 3:00 pm through Friday, April 17 9:59 pm . Each student has up to three attempts to complete each level assessment within this timeframe.

Information for AP Calculus AB

• Students must select Calculus AB in the course preference for Math before the beginning of the testing period March 30
• Students must pass Geometry and Algebra 2 assessments withing three attempts for each.
• Once a student passes both exams they will be contacted by the Placement Coordinator to schedule an in-person assessment, completed with paper and pencil. Different from the previous ALEKS assessments, this final assessment is allowed only one attempt.
• In-person assessment dates will be April 28 or April 30 4:00-5:30 pm in the Lokey Academic Building.

More information about the math assessment and placement process can be found on the Math Proficiency Testing page.

Please select two language preferences from the following:

• Spanish 1
• Latin 1
• American Sign Language 1 
• Mandarin 1

If a student has substantial experience in a language, they can attempt to test out of level 1. Level 2 placement requires high school level proficiency in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. All these will be assessed in the placement test. Test results will determine placement at the appropriate level. 

The test for each language will be offered April 15 3:30-5:00 pm in the Wade Academic Center.

Students are required to have two (2) semesters of PE. All students take a one (1) semester Health and Fitness class during sophomore year. The second semester can be completed with one (1) of the following pathways: 

1. An elective semester PE class during their four years. The optional Introduction to Fitness freshman elective fulfills this requirement. 
2. Athletics Waiver: Three (3) years of Interscholastic Sports at any level meet the requirement
   • Does not require the student to participate in the same sport year after year
   • Multiple sports in the same academic year count only as one year 
   • Students must attend 90% of all sport practices and competitions to earn credit

All students are required to take one semester of Hebrew Scriptures and one semester of Christian Scriptures.

Hebrew Scriptures: The religious studies course during the fall semester of freshman year introduces students to the 
central stories, characters, and themes of the Hebrew Scriptures. Students will study the development of the Bible, 
literary forms in Scripture, and critical reading and contextual interpretation of biblical texts. The fundamental perspective 
of the course is that the Bible is the revealed Word of God written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit—God’s living 
word which speaks to us today of God’s faithful love in our lives. In accord with Ignatian spirituality, this course will 
incorporate prayer and reflection on Scripture so that students may grow in spiritual maturity and better praise and serve 
God and others in their lives.

Christian Scriptures: The Christian Scriptures course is a required one-semester course for Freshmen. It should be seen 
indirect relation to Hebrew Scriptures offered in the Fall. Christian Scriptures employs Historical-Contextual methods 
of Biblical study to introduce the students to the Gospels. The students use these modern tools of Biblical criticism 
to analyze each Gospel’s unique audience, themes, and understandings of Jesus. Besides paying special attention to 
material that is specific to each Gospel, the students will identify and assess the themes common to all the Gospels: the 
ways Jesus interacted with, and was impacted by, the dominant groups and sociological realities of first century Palestine; 
Jesus’ preeminent concern for the Kingdom of God; Jesus’ teachings and acts of mercy; the Passion of Jesus Christ; the 
Resurrection and call to discipleship. Building off the theme of discipleship, the students will assess how Catholic Social 
Teaching connects to modern instances of injustice

All Freshmen are required to take one year of Physics. Students are not able to fulfill this requirement by taking classes off campus.

Physics: Physics is an introductory, year-long laboratory course to develop critical thinkers with a firm foundation in science. Students will explore concepts of physics including Newtonian mechanics, work, energy, and power, mechanical waves and sound; and introductory electricity with circuits through an inquiry-based curriculum. The course is rich in hands-on activities that include a combination of lab experiments, design challenges, engineering projects, computer simulations, while building on curiosity and a scientific community through collaborative learning, demonstrations, and lectures. Course content is aligned to the fundamental principles of Algebra I. Laboratory work, in conjunction with the appropriate mathematical and conceptual reasoning, is an important component used to aid the students’ understanding of the physical world.

All Freshmen are required to take one semester of Ethnic Studies. Students are not able to fulfill this requirement by taking classes off campus.

Ethnic Studies: This course will introduce students to the diverse cultures of the United States and our local community. The impact of race and racism will be examined through the exploration and the understanding of systems of power and the struggles of peoples of color and other historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities. Students will learn about the contributions of various ethnic groups to our rich cultural history and society. They will be enriched with a better understanding of the world and be empowered to work toward a socially just society as aligned with our Ignatian principles.

Students are required to take at least three semesters of art over four years to graduate.

• Students need to complete the corresponding Level 2 to the Level 1 in their sophomore or junior year before selecting a different discipline. The third semester can be in the same discipline (e.g., Photo 3) or in a new Level 1 VPA course.
• A non-music student will take a one-semester Level 1 course during freshman year. 
• Students who choose a music ensemble to fulfill this requirement will complete four semesters, as music performing ensembles are yearlong courses.
• Students not taking music must take two semester-long courses in the same discipline of art (e.g., Photo 1 + Photo 2 or Acting 1 + Acting 2).

Visual Arts:

• 3D Modeling & Animation 1
• Ceramics 1
• Drawing & Painting 1
• Graphic Design 1
• Photography 1

Performing Arts:

• Acting 1
• Chamber Orchestra
• Percussion Ensemble
• Symphonic Band
• Technical Theater: Production

Music Information

Chamber Orchestra

Prior string experience (private lessons or ensemble participation) is required. Submit an audition video to bkim@bcp.org by April 16, including a major scale and one selected piece of your choice. Different from other freshman VPA courses, Chamber Orchestra is a year-long course. As a result, freshman enrolled in Chamber Orchestra will have one semester without a free-period.

Percussion Ensemble

This is a performance-based ensemble for individuals who already know how to read music and are interested in learning percussion instruments or further developing their skills to an advanced level in the study of percussion performance. New students, by default, will be placed in Introduction to Percussion, but you may audition for intermediate or advanced placement. Percussion Ensemble courses are year-long.

Symphonic Band

This is a performance-based ensemble for individuals who have previous experience playing woodwind or brass instruments. Percussion students may enroll by passing the required entrance audition for Intermediate or Advanced Percussion. Students taking Symphonic Band will also have the opportunity to perform in a pep band setting throughout the year to support sporting and special events on campus. Symphonic Band students may audition for Jazz Ensemble in September each year, if they choose.

Intermediate/Advanced Percussion Audition Requirements include:

• Perform a Snare Drum etude or a comparable solo of similar or more advanced difficulty.
• Perform a Timpani solo or a comparable solo of similar or more advanced difficulty.
• Perform either a 2 Mallet or 4 Mallet solo work or a comparable solo of similar or more advanced difficulty.
• Perform all 12 Major Scales on a keyboard instrument of your choice (piano is OK).
• Submit this via video no later than April 16 to dwyant@bcp.org.

This course provides extensive programming experience using the Python programming language. The class begins with a quick review of programming topics including flow of control, conditional expressions, loops, and functions. Then students delve into intermediate programming topics including Lists and Tuples, File I/O, Classes and Objects, and Event Handling. A placement assessment is required for this class. See more information about the assessment here.

A survey of computer technology in society, this course provides an introduction to some essential principles of computers and computer science. Students will gain practical knowledge of various topics as they examine the effects of technology on the individual human as well as society as a whole. (Computer Science Principles is offered in our Summer Days programming as an enrichment course. If a student chooses to enroll during the summer, student still needs to have an elective during the academic year. Please do not indicate this as an elective choice if taking during the summer.) Please note that Computer Science Principles is not required for any future Computer Science or AP/Honors courses at Bellarmine. Computer Science courses available in Sophomore year, pending availability.

Film Appreciation focuses on the first century of cinema, with an overview of film’s evolution from experimental short subjects to narrative features in a variety of genres. Students will enjoy a diverse chronology of films and, in the style of a book club, meet to learn more context about the films and their makers, as well as to discuss their impressions and interpretations.

Students learn how to analyze and identify information and disinformation and how to use the framework of “ethical critical thinking” to become intellectually engaged citizens of the world. Students will leave this class with the ability to not only parse through data but with the capacity to wisely use information praxis for and with others.

Introduction to Fitness is a class designed to orient students to cardiovascular fitness, resistance weight training, and general health and nutrition practices. The goal of the course is to begin building a foundation for lifelong fitness, nutrition, health, and wellness habits that students will carry with them into adulthood. This course can satisfy one of the two P.E. requirements.

This course will introduce students to the fundamental elements of journalism by providing an overview and analysis of traditional print and broadcast media. Activities will include writing news and feature stories, interviewing campus officials, producing mock newspapers and magazines, as well as radio broadcasts of news and interviews.

This is an exciting and interactive course that helps students become confident with their voice by learning the art of public speaking and debate. These communication and persuasion skills are fundamental to becoming an excellent thinker and leader, regardless of academic and professional interests. Students will master the basics of effective delivery, argumentation, research, and persuasion through preparing speeches and debate cases. No prior public speaking or debate experience is necessary; the course is designed to teach students the basics and give ample opportunities within class for students to practice. In addition, the course will provide a great introduction to the co-curricular activity of Speech & Debate for those students who wish to pursue it on a competitive level. Freshman year is the only opportunity for students to take Rhetoric and enrollment is limited. If you are at all interested in the course, it is strongly encouraged that you apply!

Placement into Rhetoric Honors is based on an advanced understanding of argumentation fundamentals, demonstrated in the student’s essay. Please select one of your elective preferences through the Enrollment System. As there is an application requirement for Rhetoric, we will provide information to those interested via parent email on Monday, March 31. All directions for submitting two typed responses will be provided in that email. The final submission date for the application responses is Thursday, April 17 by 5 p.m. Freshman year is the only opportunity for students to take Rhetoric. If you are at all interested in the course, it is strongly encouraged that you apply!

Students will learn how to utilize specific tech tools, how to be an active learner, get support from classmates, time management and organization. There are many benefits for having a designated time to complete homework, work on projects, develop study habits, and prepare for exams to strengthen students’ overall academic performance.