STRATEGIC PLAN UNVEILED

The 2022-2023 academic year began with the unveiling of the new Strategic Plan. Written by Fr. Guillermo M. García-Tuñón, S.J., ‘87 with the assistance of various committees and under development for one year, the document will serve as a roadmap for the future of Belen Jesuit. The following is an abridged version of the Strategic Plan.

PILLAR I

ENHANCING OUR CATHOLIC-JESUIT ETHOS Belen Jesuit is first and foremost a Catholic school founded in Cuba in 1854 and operated continuously by the Society of Jesus. From the very beginning, and especially since reopening its doors in Miami, Florida 60 years ago, Belen Jesuit provides the local community an option for academic excellence seeped in the rich traditions of the Catholic Church, the educational practices of the Society of Jesus, and the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. For this reason, Belen Jesuit is committed to enhancing its Catholic-Jesuit ethos in order to continue providing for its students, their families, the faculty, staff, and alumni an opportunity to encounter the person of Jesus Christ and to strengthen their relationship with him within the context of the Catholic faith.

Roadmap foR the futuRe: S t R ategic belenjesuit.org/strategicplan p In order to enhance its Catholic -Jesuit ethos, Belen Jesuit must focus its efforts in the following areas: lan 2022 Unveiled h Catholic formation and Ignatian spirituality h Student, faculty, and staff faith formation and development Mission-oriented personnel h Programs that promote family and alumni formation h Our relationship with the Archdiocese of Miami in order to further guide our community through its sacramental journey h Our relationship with the Society of Jesus

PILLAR II ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, CRITICAL THINKING

& INNOVATION With over 60 years of excellence in education in Miami, Florida, Belen Jesuit is committed to remaining one of the premier centers of education in the nation. With the evolution of pedagogical practices that respond to rapid changes in a global-minded workforce, Belen Jesuit must also react to better equip its students, faculty, and staff. More than ever, critical thinking, analysis, technology, and innovation have become a priority. Belen Jesuit will provide an enhanced 8 | Belen Jesuit

academic platform to empower its students to excel as future leaders in our community, our Church, and our world.

In order to strengthen its academic excellence, critical thinking, and innovation, Belen Jesuit must focus its efforts in the following areas:

h Recruitment, development, and retention of high-quality faculty and staff h Curriculum development designed to assure our students are well prepared for life h Graduating students with effective written and verbal communication skills h Prioritize cura personalis in college placement h Collaborative learning spaces to support problem-solving, critical thinking, and project-based work h Internship and externship program opportunities h Clarity and purpose of metrics

PILLAR III FORMATION AND CARE OF THE WHOLE

PERSON At the very heart of Jesuit education is the understanding that the formation of students does not simply focus on the mind, but requires the care of the whole individual. The spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development of its students require an integrated curriculum that extends beyond the classroom and engages every member of the school community. Developing men of empathy must be at the core of our mission.

In order to continue its mission of the formation and care of the whole person, Belen Jesuit must focus its efforts in the following areas:

h Greater opportunities for global experiences h Building character and authentic masculinity h Spiritual development of our students h Social and emotional development h Parents as partners in the formation of their sons

PILLAR IV

BEYOND BELEN Belen Jesuit understands its obligation to continue developing and fostering growth and formation beyond graduation. The success of its past and present has always depended on the active participation of alumni. Therefore, healthy and active alumni engagement is crucial to the continued excellence of the school. Belen Jesuit is committed to finding innovative ways to continue engaging alumni, not only for their own spiritual and professional benefit, but for that of the current student body, faculty, and staff.

In order to continue developing and fostering growth and formation beyond graduation, Belen Jesuit must focus its efforts in the following areas:

h Class representative participation and communication with classmates h Alumni participation in school activities h Professional sections and regional groups h Spiritual and faith formation h Alumni philanthropy

PILLAR V

IGNITE THE BELEN JESUIT COMMUNITY From the very beginning of the Society of Jesus, the mandate of St. Ignatius of Loyola was to “go forth and set the world on fire.” Since the founding of the first Jesuit school in 1548 in Messina, Italy, Jesuits and their schools’ faculties strive to remain faithful to this apostolic zeal. Belen Jesuit understands the importance of engaging all members of the school community to better ignite a holistic education. Belen Jesuit is committed to extending its resources to the broader community to ultimately enrich the experience of its students, faculty, and staff.

In order to ignite the community, Belen Jesuit must focus its efforts in the following areas: h Integration of new families into the community h Supporting families through parent engagement h Alumni parent engagement h Grandparent involvement in the community h Pastoral and spiritual outreach to the broader Belen community

Scan the QR code to read the Strategic Plan in its entirety or visit www.belenjesuit.org/strategicplan.