BUILD

The BUILD program (Bellarmine United in Learning and Diversity) serves low-income middle school students in Silicon Valley.  Our program works with students who are striving to be among the first generation in their family to attend college and in many cases, are striving to be the first in their family to graduate from high school.

The program serves middle school students currently in the sixth or seventh grade and strives to expose students to the academic, social and cultural environment of a college preparatory high school.  BUILD provides a challenging and supportive environment where students can learn how to succeed academically and socially.  BUILD participants are encouraged to consider college preparatory high school as an option.

Summer Program

BUILD participants attend summer school at Bellarmine College Preparatory School and participate in an after-school program.  The after-school program combines academic assistance with discussion sessions provided by high school mentors from Bellarmine.

Cost

There is no cost for the program to families who qualify. Admitted students will receive a scholarship which covers summer school tuition, books and the after-school program.

  • Who Qualifies?

    Applicants must:

    • Be male
    • Be from low-income households or be eligible for free/reduced lunch
    • Have an academic GPA of 3.5 or above in core courses (English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies)
    • Currently be in 6th or 7th grade

    We receive more applications every year than spaces available in the program.  We do strive to offer as many opportunities as possible each year, but holding with the mission of the BUILD program, we award financial aid to families who have the greatest demonstrated financial need.

  • How Can I Apply?

    Bellarmine uses Ravenna Solutions for our BUILD admissions process. Our application is available online. Simply click on the APPLY button in the right-hand column of this page to get started.

    Applications include the following:

    1. Student and Parent Information
    2. Student Essays
    3. Academic Information
    4. Financial Information
    5. Recommendation Form

    The application deadline is April 18, 2019, at 11:59 pm (PST). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

    Students will be notified about their acceptance or non-acceptance to the program by mid-May.

  • Questions?

    If you experience technical difficulties or have questions about the online process, contact Ravenna at help@ravennasolutions.com.

    You can also email cjimenez@bcp.org for more information about the BUILD program.