Belen Jesuit Admissions Viewbook 2023-24

Lord, teach me to be generous.

Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do your will.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Prayer of Generosity

Letter from the

PRESIDENT Dear Prospective Parent and Student, Since 1983, Belen Jesuit has been a place I call home. As a fourth-generation Belen alumnus of the class of 1987, I am grateful to my parents for deciding Belen was the place for me. I recognize now that at such a young age, I did not have the right tools or level of maturity to make, back then, that decision for myself. My parents’ foresight, experience, and understanding were necessary to ensure the proper decision was being made.

With a rich tradition that spans over 169 years, Belen is not only a school, but a second home to its students and their families. Your journey to find the right school for your son for the next formative years has led you here, where I am confident you will find your second home.

There is much Belen Jesuit has to offer: a campus that houses academic and athletic programs that are second-to-none in South Florida, a highly educated and decorated faculty and staff focused solely on the proper formation of their students, and a holistic program that looks to educate every aspect of a young man’s life. Most importantly, Belen Jesuit offers the opportunity to develop a religious identity specifically grounded in the values of the Gospels in the rich tradition of the Catholic Church.

Let there be no doubt, Belen Jesuit is first and foremost a Catholic-Jesuit school. With close to 500 years of educational experience embodied in schools and universities all over the world, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) has contributed to the formation of great leaders around the world. Our motto of Men for Others captures the Ignatian understanding that there is no true leadership unless that leadership is focused on the needs of others.

On behalf of the Jesuit priests and brothers, administration, faculty, staff, students, and over 7,500 proud alumni scattered throughout the world, thank you for your interest in Belen Jesuit Preparatory School.

Auspice Maria, Fr. Guillermo “Willie” García-Tuñón, S.J., Ed.D. ‘87 President

PURPOSE TO EDUCATE IN THE TRADITION OF ST. IGNATIUS

CORE VALUES AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM TO WORK AS A COMMUNITY FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD

Mission

STATEMENT

F

ollowing the Ignatian tradition of excellence, the mission of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School as a Catholic, Jesuit school is to

MAGIS

guide and support our students in their process of becoming men

TO STRIVE TO DO

who are proficient in both English and Spanish, open to growth,

MORE IN SHARING THE GOSPEL VALUES, LEARNING, AND SERVING

CURA PERSONALIS TO CARE FOR THE ENTIRE PERSON

intellectually competent, religious, loving, and committed to doing justice, so they can work as leaders for the defense of faith and the promotion of justice in a multicultural society.

Catholic-Jesuit

IDENTITY LITURGY & WORSHIP

RETREATS

Belen Jesuit is a Catholic preparatory school missioned to promote Belen Jesuit School provides students the opportunity to grow as a the values of community prayer and worship. All members of our religious person. One of the goals of Jesuit education is to help young school community attend masses and other liturgical celebrations. men deepen their religious formation and make a meaningful choice OUR LADY OF BELEN CHAPEL The chapel is the cornerstone of our community. Monthly masses for the student body and special services such as Confirmation, 8th Grade Pin Mass, and Baccalaureate Mass are held here.

to live a life of faith and service. To this end, Belen Jesuit offers a variety of experiences which help our students grow in their faith and commitment to God.

SPIRITUAL COUNSELORS

CHRISTIAN SERVICE

Each Belen Jesuit student is assigned a Spiritual Counselor responsible The goal of the service program at Belen Jesuit is to promote for accompanying him in the development of his spiritual life in order to experiences that lead students to encounter God in the other, foster strengthen his relationship with Christ.

MISSION AND FORMATION Through this program, we encourage and foster a community of faith and respect. Faith is not merely talked about, but rather it is lived on a daily basis to promote a life of Christian service.

a transformation of the heart, and nurture a deeper awareness of the call to live for “others” in charity and justice. Students have the opportunity to grow in their faith, to become men of virtue, men for and with others, and to become faithful disciples of Christ in the Ignatian tradition.

Educating the Whole Person

ACADEMICS

Our college preparatory curriculum is a rigorous comprehensive program of studies that follows the principles of Jesuit education and emphasizes the importance of research, innovation, global perspectives, interdisciplinary connections, and critical thinking skills.

ELECTIVES With over 35 electives to choose from, such as robotics, engineering, and jazz ensemble, our students have the opportunity to explore different areas of interest.

HONORS CLASSES Students who want to further challenge themselves can take honors courses starting as early as the sixth grade. Honors classes are offered in all core subjects and in the humanities.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES Belen Jesuit Preparatory School offers more than twenty Advanced Placement (AP) courses Including AP Capstone.

1:1 IPAD PROGRAM DUAL ENROLLMENT College credit or dual enrollment courses are offered to Belen Jesuit Preparatory School students through cooperation with Saint Thomas University, Florida International University, and The Catholic University of America.

Belen Jesuit is committed to preparing its students to be leaders in a 21st century global society and provides its students and teachers with the technology to develop and teach the necessary skills. The 1:1 iPad program affords students the opportunity to combine education with technology and creativity. All courses use e-texts and e-books in addition to school approved apps.

CATHOLIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM

CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNSHIPS

This program seeks to build principled Catholic men that innovate, dream big and engage others with an empathetic, loving attitude in the service of their community.

Being able to demonstrate to our young men that they can be a successful entrepreneur and remain faithful to the Catholic Church teachings are essential components of this program. A variety of dedicated courses, dual enrollment opportunities, and offcampus opportunities are elements of this program.

Through this office, students are encouraged to explore and further understand themselves and various career options throughout their high school years. High School students who choose to participate gain valuable experiences, develop as young professionals, and begin making connections within the community. Many specialized services are offered, such as resume building, summer internships and externships, networking, and mentoring programs.

BELEN JESUIT OBSERVATORY AND METEOROLOGY STATION Continuing a tradition of over 140 years, the state of the art Father Viñes Observatory, affords our students the unique opportunity to be involved in the astronomical and meteorological sciences.

RAMÓN GUITERAS MEMORIAL LIBRARY

RAÚL AND NIDIA RODRÍGUEZ SCIENCE PAVILION

Students have full access to the best electronic resources available. The library collection is made up of over 95,000 electronic books and more than 60,000 titles which include 8,000 from the Cuban Collection.

The Science Pavilion includes state-of-the-art laboratories in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth & space science.

CONDE MEDIA CENTER Home to the school’s yearbook staff, as well as the student produced newscast WBLN. The goal of the media center is to keep the community informed.

The Roberto C. Goizueta

INNOVATION CENTER The state-of-the-art Roberto C. Goizueta Innovation Center provides a workspace filled with various tools and resources that expose students to design thinking and allows them to develop the skills needed to thrive in the 21st-century workforce.

The Innovation Center hosts the Engineering courses and provides students with rigorous STEAM instruction that can prepare them to become problem-solvers in a global society. The goal of the space is to introduce students to real-world experiences in a collaborative environment that emphasizes hands-on learning and provides them with unique learning experiences in preparation for college.

Striving for Excellence

ATHLETICS Belen Jesuit has a tradition of excellence in athletics and has repeatedly won championships in a variety of sports. Belen Jesuit athletics is comprised of 48 teams in 15 sports. Interscholastic athletics are an important part of the total curriculum, and we encourage every student to participate.

The athletic facilities at Belen Jesuit are second to none and give our student-athletes all they need to succeed. The Roberto C. Goizueta Innovation Center includes two full-length basketball courts, two full-length volleyball courts as well as locker rooms, and a spacious lobby on the first floor. The outdoor athletic facilities include the Sánchez Field at de la Cruz Stadium, the Hernández Field, a baseball complex, the Nike Hill & Tunnel, and the Gian Zumpano Aquatic Center. Construction is ongoing on a new athletic facility projected to be completed in the fall of 2024.

Our Wolverines strive for excellence and have won a combined 32 state championships and 28 academic state championships.

Nourishing Creativity

THE ARTS

The Ignatian Center for the Arts is the hub of the Humanities Department. It consists of the Ophelia & Juan Js. Roca Theater with a seating capacity of 665, the Olga & Carlos Saladrigas Art Gallery, the Leopoldo Nuñez Rehearsal Hall, classrooms, and the theater’s administrative offices.

The Saladrigas Gallery has several professionally curated exhibits. Examples of previous exhibits include a collection of works by young artists from archdiocesan high schools, a Belen community art show as well as other projects. This year, the gallery is hosting a special exhibition of rare art from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.

The Belen Band Program has received many awards and accolades, including some from the Miami-Dade County Fair and the Festival of Music. The drum line is a source of “mood and spirit” at pep rallies and athletic competitions. In addition we have three high school bands that perform in yearly concerts in the Roca Theater.

Drama classes use the Roca Theater for their performances, which include two high school productions annually and a third from the middle school. Past student productions include classics like “Death of a Salesman”, “A Few Good Men”, “The Sound of Music”, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and others.

Wolverine Nation

STUDENT LIFE HONOR SOCIETIES, ACADEMIC TEAMS, AND CLUBS The various clubs at Belen Jesuit foster the intellectual and moral growth of the students, further allowing them to meet the profile of a Jesuit Graduate at Graduation.

STUDENT COUNCIL The Belen Jesuit Student Council forms extraordinary leaders who are, dedicated, and commitment to campus life. The Council’s main priorities involve planning and funding major school events, providing hospitality for school functions, donating financial and physical resources to various school-wide projects, and providing leadership examples for the entire school community.

SCHOOL COUNSELING The School Counseling Department at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School practices ethical and professional standards in the implementation of a developmental counseling program that promotes Jesuit values and student success. One of the department’s goals is to provide care for each individual student (cura personalis). This approach capitalizes on each student’s individual strengths to attain his academic and personal best.

FACULTY 11:1 our student to teacher ratio

52%

of our faculty have 10 years or more of service at Belen Jesuit

86 of our faculty have advanced degrees

The Graduate at

GRADUATION

OPEN TO GROWTH Belen Jesuit students regularly seek new experiences, relationships, and ideas.

INTELLECTUALLY COMPETENT Wolverines aim to excel not only in school, but in college and throughout their lives.

RELIGIOUS Belen Jesuit students aspire to recognize and appreciate all of God’s gifts.

LOVING Wolverines learn to treat everyone with dignity and respect.

COMMITTED TO DOING JUSTICE Belen Jesuit students strive to be Men for Others in imitation of Jesus.

“G o f or th

and se t the

w or ld on fire” St. Ignatius of Loyola

Where are

THEY GOING? Belen Jesuit is committed to assisting its students in the college admissions process. Students and their parents have access to four fulltime college counselors that help them in the college selection process.

Our counselors work one-on-one with students to help them make college choices that meet their academic, spiritual, personal, and financial needs.

ACCEPTANCE AT

7S C H O O L S

IVY LEAGUE

2018-2023

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES • ALABAMA Auburn University, Spring Hill College, University of Alabama • ARKANSAS Arkansas State University • ARIZONA Arizona State University, The University of Arizona • CALIFORNIA California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, San Diego, Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, Santa Clara University, University of Southern California, Stanford University, Whittier College • COLORADO University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado State University, Columbia College Chicago, Regis University • CONNECTICUT University of Connecticut, Fairfield University, University of Hartford, Wesleyan University, Yale University • DC American University, Georgetown University, Catholic University of America, George Washington University • DELAWARE University of Delaware • FLORIDA Barry University, University of Central Florida, Eckerd College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Flagler College, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida Southern College, Florida State University, University of Florida, Jacksonville University, Lynn University, Miami Dade College, University of Miami, New College of Florida, University of North Florida, Nova Southeastern University, Rhodes College, Ringling College of Art and Design, Rollins College, Saint Leo University, Santa Fe College, University of South Florida, Tampa, University of South Florida, St. Pete, St. Thomas University, Stetson University, Tallahassee Community College, University of Tampa, Trinity College, Valencia College, Warner University • GEORGIA Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Georgia, Oglethorpe University, Oxford College of Emory University, Savannah College of Art and Design • IOWA Grinnell College • ILLINOIS University of Chicago, DePaul University, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, Illinois Wesleyan University, The University of Iowa, Loyola University Chicago, Northwestern University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago • INDIANA Indiana University at Bloomington, University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Wabash College • KENTUCKY University of Kentucky, University of Louisville • LOUISIANA Louisiana State University, Loyola University New Orleans, Tulane University • MASSACHUSETTS Northeastern University, Amherst College, Babson College, Bentley University, Berklee College of Music, Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis University, Emerson College, Emmanuel College, Harvard College, College of the Holy Cross, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Merrimack College, Regis College, Suffolk University, Tufts University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Williams College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute • MARYLAND Johns Hopkins University, Loyola University Maryland, University of Maryland, United States Naval Academy • MAINE Bates College, Bowdoin College, Colby College • MICHIGAN Michigan State University, University of Michigan • MINNESOTA University of Minnesota • MISSOURI Kansas City Art Institute, Missouri Valley College, University of Missouri - Columbia, University of Missouri Kansas City, Saint Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, Webster University • NORTH CAROLINA Elon University, Davidson College, Duke University, High Point University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, Wake Forest University • NEBRASKA Creighton University • NEW HAMPSHIRE Dartmouth College, Saint Anselm College • NEW JERSEY Drew University, Rider University, Rutgers University, Saint Peter’s University, Seton Hall University • NEVADA University of Nevada • NEW YORK United States Military Academy, Adelphi University, Canisius College, City College of New York , CUNY, Colgate University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Fashion Institute of Technology, Fordham University, Hofstra University, Manhattan College, Manhattanville College, New York University, Pace University, New York City, Pratt Institute, SUNY at Purchase College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester, Skidmore College, St. John’s University, SUNY Albany, SUNY Oswego, Syracuse University, Vassar College • OHIO Case Western Reserve University, University of Cincinnati, John Carroll University, Kenyon College, Marietta College, Miami University, Oberlin College, The Ohio State University, Xavier University • OKLAHOMA Oklahoma City University • OREGON Oregon College of Art & Craft, University of Oregon, University of Portland • PENNSYLVANIA Allegheny College, Bucknell University, Carnegie Mellon University, Drexel University, Eastern University, Lehigh University, Marymount University, Neumann University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Saint Joseph’s University, Saint Vincent College, Swarthmore College, Temple University, Villanova University, Washington and Jefferson College • RHODE ISLAND Brown University, Bryant University, Providence College, Rhode Island School of Design, Salve Regina University • SOUTH CAROLINA Clemson University, Furman University • TENNESSEE Belmont University, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Vanderbilt University • TEXAS Baylor University, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Southwestern University, St. Edward’s University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, The University of Texas, Austin • VIRGINIA George Mason University, Old Dominion University, University of Richmond, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Washington and Lee University, College of William & Mary • VERMONT University of Vermont • WASHINGTON Gonzaga University • WISCONSIN Marquette University, University of Wisconsin, Madison, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee • WEST VIRGINIA West Virginia University

Pardon our Dust,

GREAT THINGS AHEAD

Belen Jesuit continues to make great strides in enhancing our campus and furthering the objectives of the vision and direction of the school. In 2022, we completed construction on the Our Lady of Belen Chapel. The chapel is a clear expression of the promise made to every parent of the school that we are a Catholic, Jesuit school above all else.

Over the last few years all classrooms were renovated to create immersive and flexible learning spaces for faculty and students. The new spaces will continue to promote an environment where teachers can actively engage students through project-based learning experiences.

The new Surís Family Athletic Center will be a state-of-the-art facility with spaces tailored to the needs of each of Belen’s 48 athletic teams. The three-story, 52,000 square-foot building will feature a state-of-the-art film room, two weight rooms, a dozen treadmills, a fencing strip, dozens of ERG machines, two golf simulators, and even an altitude/temperature-controlled room. This project will genuinely fulfill all the needs of every sport offered at Belen. After all, it was designed with each studentathlete, faculty member, and alumnus in mind. The anticipated date of completion is the fall of 2024.

Under construction is the new baseball complex which will add enhanced viewing areas and synthenic turf to our fields. The complex will be completed by the spring of 2024. This project will lead into the reimagining of our athletic fields and the consruction of Maury Park. This new area will raise our sports and fan experience to another level.

Also, in development is the new Student Center and redesigned Ramón Guiteras Memorial Library. This area will be a hub for student collaboration and learning designed to offer our students enhanced academic experiences. A new open concept facility will be home to immersive virtual experiences, student counseling areas, workspaces, classrooms, and a redesigned senior section.

Letter from the

PRINCIPAL Dear Prospective Parent and Student, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School strives to educate our young men in the Jesuit tradition. Since 1854 we have instilled in our students three core values summarized by three Latin phrases: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, Cura Personalis, and Magis. Our students, teachers, counselors, staff, coaches, and administrators work to exemplify these core values through our attitudes and actions on a daily basis. We emphasize that the work done in the classrooms, on the fields of play, on the stage, and in the service of others is always for the greater glory of God. This is achieved by educating the whole person (Cura Personalis) and striving for the more (Magis).

On his first day of school, each and every Belen student is assigned a spiritual counselor, a school counselor, and a college counselor (high school level) to support his personal development and assist him in reaching his maximum potential.

Academically, every Belen student has the opportunity to strive for the Magis by participating in a challenging college preparatory curriculum. Additionally, Honors courses are offered as early as seventh grade. Advanced Placement courses are offered beginning in ninth grade, and Dual Enrollment courses are offered beginning in tenth grade. All Belen Jesuit students have the potential to choose from 28 AP courses, 10 Dual Enrollment courses, and 35 Honors courses.

As a complement to our strong academic rigor, Belen offers an extracurricular program that is second to none. Our student life is enriched by 14 honor societies, 36 scholastic clubs, and 48 teams in 15 sports. Each student can explore particular interests and find his own niche by choosing from an extensive array of options. Belen students have earned local, national and international recognition through their accomplishments in our Band Program, Model United Nations, Speech and Debate, Mu Alpha Theta, Robotics, Chess clubs and various other clubs and honor societies.

Over the past nine years, Belen has also been consistently rated as one of the top athletic programs in Florida. Student participation in sports at the middle school level is at 87%, while in high school it is at 69.6%. Moreover, 76.7% of our honor roll students, in both the middle school and high school, are student-athletes. Because of the hard work of our student-athletes and coaches, our student-athletes have earned 32 state championships in various sports (basketball, cross country, swimming, tennis, soccer, water polo, and track and field) and have won regional and district championships in numerous other sports. Furthermore, Belen is one of the only schools in the state to support a full crew team that has garnered success at the state, regional, and national levels.

All of this makes Belen Jesuit Florida’s premier Catholic school. Most importantly, however, we believe that, at Belen, your son will become a man of faith who is open to growth, intellectually competent, religious, loving, and committed to social justice.

God bless, José E. Roca, ’84 Principal

Belen Jesuit Preparatory School 500 SW 127th Avenue · Miami · FL 33184 (305) 223-8600 · WWW.BELENJESUIT.ORG

Accredited by Cognia Member of the Jesuit Schools Network Member of the National Catholic Educational Association Member of the Jesuit High School College Counselors Association