Class of 2026 Enrollment Manual by Bellarmine College Preparatory

CLASS OF 2026 Enrollment Manual bcp.org/admissions

Welcome from the President Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam • For the Greater Glory of God

Welcome to Bellarmine College Preparatory!

Congratulations on your son’s acceptance. We are looking forward to partnering with you in the education of your son. The 470-year-old Jesuit educational tradition seeks to educate young people’s minds, hearts, spirits, bodies, and imaginations according to the values of the Gospel. We take the responsibility of our mission and our partnership with you seriously, and we are grateful for your confidence in us. Your son and you now become part of the 171-year-old tradition that is Bellarmine. Throughout that long history, Bellarmine has a proud tradition of helping to form some of the leaders of tomorrow – doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, public servants – people who are committed to making their communities and our world a better place. The hallmarks of a Bellarmine education continue to shine through as we seek to foster a faith that does justice. Whatever the circumstances, we place an emphasis on a key aspect of Jesuit education: cura personalis – care for the individual. Doing so has been challenging during the pandemic, but also has never been more important than it is now. I’m extremely proud of how well we have adhered to our mission during these very trying circumstances. At their February meeting, Bellarmine’s Board of Trustees set the tuition for the 2022-23 academic year at $24,890. Over the past decade, annual tuition increases have ranged from 3.5% - 5.6%. This year’s increase marks a 3.8% adjustment. While we do not know what tuition will be in future years, we can tell you that it will be higher due to local inflation and our commitment to fairly compensating our outstanding faculty and staff. We never want to lose a student due to finances, so if these increases in the future will put tuition out of your reach, you will have the opportunity to apply for our tuition assistance program each year. If you have applied for tuition assistance this year, a letter has been released through the FACTS application system. To secure your son’s place in the freshman class for the 2022-23 academic year, please pay your deposit through the online enrollment system by Wednesday, March 30th. To access the enrollment system, just go to the Class of 2026 website at bcp.org/bell2026. It is a pleasure to welcome you and your son to the Bellarmine family. We certainly want to make him feel at ease with the knowledge that he will find our Jesuit education a life-changing one with faculty and staff who are excited to be part of his life and who will guide him in a nurturing, supportive, and effective manner, accompanied by other students who will become his lifelong friends. I look forward to getting to know you in the coming years. Thank you for saying “yes” to Bellarmine and, as always, Go Bells!

Sincerely,

Chris Meyercord ‘88 President

Welcome from the Associated Student Body Ryan Milligan ’22 and Joshua Darlucio ’23 Congratulations on your acceptance to the Class of 2026 and welcome to the Bellarmine Community! Your hard work and dedication have paid off and you are now have a remarkable opportunity to be a part of a community that will support you throughout your next four years. At Bellarmine, you will find that the Jesuit tradition is as much dedicated to shaping each student’s hearts as it is to forming young minds. We share a dedication to embodying the values of St. Ignatius of Loyola. These principles of justice, Cura Personalis (care for the whole person) and Magis (doing more) will set the foundation for your success and call you to embrace what it means to be “men for and with others.” Upon stepping foot on campus, you will begin to discover how these words manifest themselves in your daily life. Every day we dedicate ourselves to nurturing our God-given talents and discovering new ways in which we can, in the words of St. Ignatius, “Go forth and set the world on fire.” As a Bellarmine community we come together to form a brotherhood driven to

execute the mission through acts of compassion and kindness towards our peers, friends, and community. As you embark on your high school experience with these words and values in mind, you will quickly notice the vast experiences and opportunities you will have throughout your four years on campus. From trying out for a sports team to joining a new club to serving the community through our service program, there are multiple ways you can involve yourself and bring you talents to fullness. Each new opportunity will help you find your passion and motivate you to succeed. You will create new friendships that will last throughout your time at Bellarmine and you will have the full support of your Bellarmine brothers forever. So, take chances and be open to growth as that is the most exciting part of the Bellarmine experience. Class of 2026, we are proud to call you fellow brothers and we cannot wait to see what you accomplish during your four years and beyond!

Welcome to the Bellarmine Brotherhood and Go Bells!!

Mark Your Calendar! MARCH 18th: Online Course Request (OCR) system opens 22nd: New Bell Welcome on campus, registration required 30th: Deposit due to secure enrollment 30th: Online Course Request (OCR) system closes

MAY

APRIL 4th: Math ALEKS assessment period begins 5th: French 2, Latin 2, & Spanish 2 Language placement exams 6th: Mandarin 2 Language placement test 6th: Registration for Welcome to Bellarmine meetings (Pick one date - see step 7) 7th: English 1 Honors placement exam 12th: Final day to submit Percussion Audition video 12th: Mothers’ Guild Fashion Show Kickoff 13th: Rhetoric course placement essays uploaded to Canvas 15th: Math ALEKS assessment period ends 24th: Parent/Son BBQ 28th: Welcome to Bellarmine meetings 29th: Welcome to Bellarmine meetings

3rd: Welcome to Bellarmine meetings 4th: Welcome to Bellarmine meetings

JUNE

JULY

8th: Freshmen Surface Pro pick-up 9th: Freshmen Surface Pro pick-up 14th: First Day of Summer Programs 17th: Final 8th grade report card due 30th: All Health Information Due

19th: Schedules released (if health forms have been submitted) 22nd: Last day of Summer Programs

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

12th: Freshman Orientation 14th: Get Acquainted Picnic (GAP) & Mass 15th: First Day of Classes

1st: Back to School Night

To confirm dates and for more details on these events, go to bcp.org/bell2026

7 Steps to Enrolling

READ ME

You can now enroll as a student at Bellarmine! Let the following pages help you navigate the process.

Bellarmine uses online enrollment and tuition management systems. The $1,650 non-refundable deposit (which is part of the $24,890 tuition fee) is due Wednesday, March 30th, and must be paid using the process outlined below to secure your son’s place in the freshman class. As part of Bellarmine’s 1:1 program, the school will issue a tablet device to each freshman in early June. While the cost of the device is included in the cost of tuition, there is an annual fee of $80 for the tablet insurance program. This fee is due with the first tuition payment.

Go to bcp.org/bell2026, click on the “Enroll” button and use your Ravenna account information to log in.

Update your contact information and choose your student’s email address.

Acknowledge the Tuition Management Terms & Conditions.

Pay your deposit with a Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or AMEX. No credit card fees will apply.

Enroll with Tuition Management, our tuition management system, and select your payment option. (If you have a current Bellarmine student, you will bypass this step and your incoming freshman will automatically be added to your pre-existing account.) Select the number of payments that works best (1, 2, or 11) Select payment dates: 1 Payment: due July 5th 2 Payments: due July 5th and November 5th* 11 Payments: due the 5th or 20th of each month, June through April* Select a payment option (personal or cashier check, money order, ACH from checking/savings account, debit or credit card**) * A one time $45 fee is assessed by Tuition Management when opting for 2 or 11 payments. ** Please note Tuition Management assesses an additional 2.85% fee for using a debit or credit card.

Submit course preferences through the Online Course Request (OCR) system, beginning on March 18th. This process also registers students for any exam(s) they will take. We test every student for proper placement in mathematics via ALEKS, an online exam. We also offer placement exams for students interested in advanced English or Classical & Modern Language courses. You must submit your course preferences by 11:59 p.m. on March 30th.

Schedule your virtual “Welcome to Bellarmine” meeting for Thursday, April 28th or Friday, April 29th, Monday, May 2nd, or Tuesday, May 3rd by visiting your Class of 2026 website. Registration will become available on Thursday, March 31st. At this meeting you will receive your courses based on your OCR preferences and placement testing.

Important Questions How many courses do I need per semester? Every student will be scheduled with six academic classes plus a free period (unless you select a music course which will replace the free period in one of the semesters) and a Cura period each semester. The Cura Personalis period is time built into the schedule that is dedicated to the development and wellness of the student as an individual. How many honors/AP courses can I take as a 9th grader? We follow a scaffolding learning model, where students have the ability to take one more AP or honors every year. As incoming freshmen, students are allowed, based on eligibility determined through placement exams, to take up to two honors courses. Do I have to take Physics? Yes, all freshmen take Physics 9. Are there placements exams/procedures? Yes. Placement exams can occur in the following subjects; please review the department pages for more information: English Modern & Classical Language Mathematics Percussion Rhetoric What and where can I study for placements exams? Our exams are based on current knowledge and/or skills in the subject. Because of this, we do not recommend studying for the exams but recommend a good night’s sleep the night before. Please note you are not obligated to enroll in the honors/ accelerated course. How many times can I take the ALEKS assessment? You can take the ALEKS assessment up to three times, and we will take the highest score out of the three. Can I accelerate in the summer? We do not have a summer acceleration program for any department. What is the Art requirement? All freshmen will take one semester of art unless a student takes Chamber Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble or Symphonic Band, in which case they are required to take two semesters. If you select music, you will only have a free period one semester. Is P.E. a requirement for freshmen? Freshmen do not take P.E. Can I take American Sign Language (ASL)? Enrollment in ASL is very limited. Students who select ASL as their first choice of language may be assigned to their alternate language. Students will find out their language and level placement when they receive their schedules. What is the Cura Personalis Period? Jesuit education springs from the fundamental Ignatian value of Cura Personalis, a Latin phrase which means “care of the whole person.” To that end, the Cura Personalis Period provides flexible opportunities for students to pursue personal growth and overall wellness according to their individual needs, usually in areas outside the formal academic environment. All freshman enroll in a Cura class which supports them in their transition to Bellarmine and provides them with tools for their spiritual, academic, social, and personal growth. For the remaining three years, students will often choose for themselves how to spend their Cura Period time. They might catch up on homework, talk to a teacher, or simply take a break. At other times, students will attend a small group meeting led by their personal counselor. The overall goal is that the Cura Period allows and supports students to take the initiative in developing healthy habits and mindsets for high school, college, and beyond.

Course Preference Information

You will submit your course preferences through the Online Course Request (OCR) system. Go to bcp.org/bell2026 to begin the process.

NOTE

Detailed course descriptions can be found later in this manual. Please use these pages to make decisions about the courses in which you would prefer to enroll. You can submit your course preferences anytime from March 18th through March 30th but only once you have completed the preceding steps (i.e., steps 1 through 4 detailed on the 7 Steps to Enrolling page).

Course information, curriculum options, and graduation requirements can be found on the BCP website. Please note that all necessary information for freshmen families can be found in this manual.

Placement Exams

What You Need to Know Everyone Tests for Math Placement Every student will be tested for placement in mathematics - whether he wants to opt for an advanced math course or not. The ALEKS assessment is taken at home between April 4th and April 15th.

Placement Exams for Other Courses For students seeking to pursue advanced courses, placement exams are offered for incoming freshmen in English and Modern & Classical Language. Proficiency in the subject must be shown for placement in a higher-level course. Please note that if you select a higher-level course in the OCR, you are expected to complete the placement exam for that subject. If you have questions or concerns, please email lmadison@bcp.org.

If you are intending to take any subject exam, please complete the OCR as soon as you accept Bellarmine’s offer. See Step 6 of the enrollment process.

Notification Students taking a placement exam will be notified of their placement during their “Welcome to Bellarmine” meeting (April 28th and 29th, May 2nd and 3rd). The Welcome meeting is scheduled in Step 7 of the enrollment process.

Mathematics Bellarmine uses ALEKS, an online, adaptive math assessment tool, to measure math proficiency. The following is our process: • All incoming freshmen must take the ALEKS math exam - even those who wish to take Algebra 1. • Each student has up to three attempts to complete his assigned ALEKS exam. • Assessment period opens at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 4th through 10:00 p.m. on Friday, April 15th. • The highest score among his attempts will be used for placement. • All exams are taken at home. Information about requesting math courses, and the math assessment and placement process, can be found on the “Math Placement” portion of the bcp.org/bell2026. Once you have submitted your course preference through the OCR, and the OCR closes (March 30th), the Math Placement Team will contact you with detaails about the ALEKS exam along with login information. Do not contact the Admissions Office or Math Department until you have received the email that was used for your Ravenna account with your exam information. Be sure to check your spam/junk folder. If you do not receive your information by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6th you may email deptmath@bcp.org.

Social Science The freshman curriculum includes one semester of either World History: 1200-1700s or Rhetoric. Students interested in Speech & Debate might consider applying for Rhetoric, please note it is not an honors course. Rhetoric enrollment is limited and students are selected by the instructor based upon their submitted essay. Students selected for Rhetoric will not be able to take World History. (The other semester of the freshman year is completed with a Visual/Performing Arts class.) World History: 1200-1700 Thematic exploration of world history from 1200-1700 that focuses on the development of close reading, analytical writing skills, and the interpretation of primary documents. Rhetoric This course helps students become comfortable with their voice by learning the art of public speaking and debate. Students will master the basics of effective delivery, argumentation, research, and persuasion. If you are intending to apply for the Rhetoric course, please complete two typed responses and upload them to the Bellarmine Canvas website by April 13th. The Canvas site link can be found on your family BLUE homepage once you have completed your enrollment through the ENROLL button on your new class website. • The first response should be an essay either agreeing or disagreeing with the following statement: Economic sanctions ought not be used to achieve foreign policy. • The second response should explain why you are interested in taking the Rhetoric course.

English 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 world of discrimination. English 1 Honors 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. If you select English 1 Honors, you must take the English exam on Thursday, April 7th from 4-5 p.m. Selection for this exam takes place through the Online Course Selection process as referenced in Step 6 of the enrollment process. The English 1 Honors exam consists of two parts: an objective section and a subjective essay. Students will be asked to examine a poem in detail, answer specific questions, and compose a short essay. The subjective portion is evaluated according to structure, depth of analysis, focus, and style.

Modern & Classical Language (MCL) Bellarmine supports our students’ desire to complete a four year course of study in languages. As they progress in the program, we cannot guarantee the 4th level of ASL, French, Latin, and Mandarin, or a 5th level of Spanish each year. Placement tests will be administered online. Each test will be available during the time listed, but students will have a limited amount of time to complete once started. If you’re planning to take a level 1 language course, you do not need to be tested. In that case, select your desired level 1 course and an alternate from the options below. Select a first choice and alternative: French 1 This is a beginning language course designed to develop all language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing simultaneously. Oral proficiency is emphasized. The phonological, grammatical, and idiomatic features of French are presented in logical progression so that the student learns by practice. Latin 1 This is a beginning language course, the purpose of which is to understand the concept and structure of Latin as an inflected language, to master the basic Latin forms, grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, relating them to English usage. Mandarin 1 This is a beginning language course, which introduces students to the pronunciation and basic sentence structures of Mandarin Chinese, as well as the reading and writing in Chinese characters. Oral proficiency is emphasized. Spanish 1 This is a beginning language course, which is designed to develop all language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—simultaneously. Oral proficiency is emphasized. The phonological, grammatical, and idiomatic features of Spanish are presented in logical progression so that the student learns by practice. American Sign Language 1 This is a beginning language course, the focus of which is on preparation for acquiring a visual gestural language. Students will learn finger spelling, basic vocabulary, and grammatical structures. Enrollment in this course is very limited, please include an alternate language choice. Limited Enrollment. Please note, ASL only offers three years of study. If you wish to consider four years of language, please review our other language options. If a student has substantial experience in a language, he can attempt to test out of level 1. Test results will determine placement at the appropriate level. Placement tests will be administered online. Each test will be available during the time listed, but students will have a limited amount of time to complete once accessed. French 2 (Test: Tuesday, April 5th from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.) This course builds upon the knowledge that the student has acquired in French 1. All four skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—are emphasized. This course also exposes the student to French culture and further develops the student’s communicative skills. Latin 2 (Test: Tuesday, April 5th from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.) This course further develops the concept and structure of Latin as an inflected language. Student will continue to master basic Latin forms, grammar, syntax and vocabulary, relating them to English usage. Mandarin 2 (Test: Wednesday, April 6th from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.) Students will learn more complex sentence structures, expand on vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, and read and write short compositions. The course is also designed to further develop the student’s communicative skills. Spanish 2 (Test: Tuesday, April 5th from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.) Building upon the foundation obtained in Spanish 1, this course is designed to develop in depth the listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills of Spanish. It also is designed to expose the student to the cultures of the Spanish-speaking countries and further develop the student’s communicative skills.

Science All students are required to take one year of Physics. Students are not able to fulfill the requirement by taking classes off campus. Physics 9 An introductory, year-long laboratory course to develop critical thinkers with a firm foundation in science. Students will examine concepts of physics, the study of the fundamental laws of nature and the search to understand the interactions between matter and energy, including mechanics, kinematics (motion) and dynamics (force), the laws of conservation of energy and linear momentum, waves and sound, and electricity through an inquiry-based curriculum. The course will include a combination of engineering projects, cooperative learning, demonstrations, computer simulations, laboratory activities 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.

Religious Studies All students are required to take one semester of Hebrew Scriptures (in the Fall) and one semester of Christian Scriptures (in the Spring). Students are not able to fulfill the requirements for Religious Studies by taking classes off campus. Hebrew Scriptures This religious studies course, held during the fall semester of freshman year, introduces students to the central stories, characters, and themes of the Hebrew Scriptures. Christian Scriptures This course is an introductory study of the Christian Scriptures covering the New Testament literature, the life and ministry of Jesus, characters in the early Christian Church, and essential Jewish/Christian concepts.

Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) Students are required to take at least three semesters of art to graduate. Those students not taking music, must take two semester-long courses in the same discipline of art. (Ex. Photo 1 + Photo 2 or Acting 1 + Acting 2.) A non-music student will take a Level 1 course during freshman year. Students neet 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 (Ex. Photo 3) or in a new Level 1 VPA course. 3D Modeling & Animation 1 In this course students will explore 3D computer-based modeling and animation through Autodesk Maya, an industry standard tool for visual content creation and animation. Students will learn how to create 3D content, including concept art and production assets for character and environmental elements. This is a semester-long course. Acting 1 For the beginning/intermediate actor to learn about and practice the arts of acting and improvisation. This is a semesterlong course.

VPA, con’t.

Ceramics 1 An introduction to the various techniques of ceramics. This is a semester-long course. Chamber Orchestra Performance-based ensemble for students who have previous experience playing stringed instruments. This is a year-long course and will take up a free period in one semester. If this option is chosen, you’ll be asked which instrument you play. Drawing & Painting 1 An introduction to the various techniques of drawing, painting and design, using a wide variety of media. This is a semester-long course. Graphic Design 1 Learn empowering design principles, the design thinking process, professional creative apps, and how to make industrystandard Graphic Design projects including: logos, covers, and infographics. All projects are designed with Adobe’s state-of-the-art software including the latest versions of Illustrator and Photoshop. This is a semester-long course. Photography 1 Students will learn how to use a professional camera (ISO, shutter speed, and aperture) and utilize post-processing photography software. Students will also study composition, the history of photography, prominent photographers, and career options in photography. This is a semester-long course. Percussion Ensemble Performance-based ensemble for individuals interested in playing percussion instruments (including pianists who are interested in learning keyboard percussion instruments). Percussion ensemble has various time commitments across three levels of percussion, but everyone will start in Percussion Ensemble 1. By default you will be placed in Introduction to Percussion but you may audition for intermediate or advanced placement. Previous experience is encouraged but not required. This is a year-long course and will take up a free period in one semester.

Percussion Levels Intermediate/Advanced Audition Requirements include: • Perform a Snare Drum etude from the audition packet found on bcp.org/bell2026 or comparable solo of similar or more advanced difficulty. • Perform a Timpani solo from the audition packet found on bcp.org/bell2026 or comparable solo of similar or more advanced difficulty. • Perform either a 2 Mallet or 4 Mallet solo work from the audition packet found on bcp.org/bell2026 or comparable solo of similar or more advanced difficulty. • Perform all 12 Major Scales on keyboard instrument of your choice (piano is OK). • Submit this via video or audio recording, no later than April 12th to dwyant@bcp.org. Symphonic Band/Jazz Ensemble (Pep Band) Performance-based ensemble for students who have previous experience or are currently learning to play woodwind or brass instruments. All students who play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, or tuba will be concurrently enrolled in Jazz Ensemble and will receive credit for both courses. This is a year-long course and will take up a free period in one semester.

If your son has academic, social, physical, or scheduling accommodations and/or needs in his present school setting, it is important that you confirm availability of necessary adjustments and services to support him at Bellarmine. Please contact Katie Hogan, Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Coordinator, at khogan@bcp.org prior to accepting your offer of admission.

J U N E 1 4 – J U LY 2 2

IN-P E R SO N CO - ED ACAD EMIC AND ENR ICHMENT C LASSES & CAM P S F OR 1ST –12TH G RADERS

Register now at b c p . o rg / su mm e r. Welcome to the class of 2026! We are excited to serve as your official introduction to your new school. The first day can be intimidating, so why not get to know your campus, classmates, and even some teachers before the first day in August? Don’t worry, this isn’t your standard summer school. This summer is all about fun. We offer courses that run for one, two, three, and six weeks which means there’s an option for every schedule. In-person seats are limited so make sure you register today. Not ready to come on campus? No problem! We are offering distance learning options for most of our academic and enrichment classes. Focusing on the pillars of Ignatian identity, study skills, tech mastery, and health and wellness, students will explore what it means to be part of the Bellarmine community. Through the fun, reflective nature of the experience, they will form relationships with their new classmates. Their shared experience will help them to feel more comfortable, excited, and empowered to begin at Bellarmine.

Join us on March 22nd for a New Bell Welcome for the Class of 2026

Register through your new class website by clicking on the New Bell Welcome Afternoon tile to visit campus on March 22nd from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. or 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

We are so excited to be able to welcome you to campus! We look forward to providing you with an afternoon to meet other new students and have a fun and casual introduction to Bellarmine now that you have been accepted. You’ll be able to walk around campus, meet current students and staff, receive some Class of 2026 swag, meet Bellarman, and shop at our campus store.