Ignatian schools in the Jesuit tradition benefit from the pedagogy and spirituality of St. Ignatius Loyola. We promote Christ's justice and love for all people and bring the message of the Gospel to future generations, while functioning as apostolates of education.
The Jesuit Pedagogy
Sustaining the Ignatian vision and Jesuit mission of educational excellence in the formation of young men of competence, conscience, and compassion requires the partnership of teachers and students, each striving to fulfill the pedagogy laid forth for all Jesuit schools. The particular way in which Bellarmine, along with all Jesuit schools, fulfills this mission is articulated in Our Way of Proceeding, which indicates the Standards and Benchmarks that are the hallmarks of Jesuit education.
The Ignatian Educator
Ignatian educators serve as guides for students as they continue on their formational journey. In collaboration with their colleagues, Ignatian educators engage in ongoing personal, professional, and religious development in order to grow in their commitment to Jesuit education. The Jesuit Schools Network (JSN) identifies characteristics and practices which describe what it means to be an Ignatian educator in the Profile of an Ignatian Educator. With this document as its basis, Bellarmine drafted Ignatian Educators, Companions in Ministry which employs the standards put forth by the JSN, as well as the California Standards for the Teaching Profession. In the Fall of 2017, the JSN articulated three goals to help schools fulfill their mission which are articulated as Companions in a Mission of Reconciliation and Justice.
The Graduate at Graduation
The JSN describes the most desirable qualities of a graduate, as he moves from the threshold of childhood to young adulthood in five general categories. These same characteristics, which are also perhaps equally as desirable for adult life, are detailed in the Profile of the Graduate at Graduation. Through our WASC accreditation process, we crafted Intended Student Outcomes which summarize the essential characteristics of the Bellarmine student.
Partnering with the California Province of the Society of Jesus
Bellarmine College Preparatory is sponsored by the Jesuits West Province of the Society of Jesus. Sponsorship is the affirmation that Bellarmine is a work of the Society of Jesus, in the Jesuits West and is a Catholic, Jesuit school.