Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba, by Queen Isabel II of Spain. Educating students were assigned to the Society of Jesus's priests and brothers (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the school property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, it continued to grow.
Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 33-acre site in western Miami-Dade County. Students enjoy the rich cultural diversity of a significant metropolitan community, as well as Miami's beautiful weather and beaches. Since its inception in Miami, over 6,000 young men have graduated from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School.
The Society of Jesus is a Roman Catholic religious order founded by Pope Paul III at Saint Ignatius of Loyola's request in 1540. The order's objective is to help all men and women live according to Christ's example of love and service; hence, the motto of the Society, "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam." The Jesuits dedicated themselves to spreading the Gospel in mission lands and the ministry of education very early in their history. The order has been a missionary and a "teaching order" from its origin in the 16th century.
Advanced accredits Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. The School is also affiliated with the National Catholic Educational Association and is a member of the Jesuit Schools Network (JSN) and Jesuit High School College Counselors Association.
Following the Ignatian tradition of excellence, the mission of Belen Jesuit as a Catholic, Jesuit, college preparatory school is to guide and support our students in their process of becoming men who are proficient in both English and Spanish, open to growth, intellectually competent, religious, loving, and committed to doing justice so that they can work as leaders for the defense of the faith and the promotion of justice in a multicultural society. In the context of the Catholic faith and the Ignatian tradition, we believe the following:
- Every human being is uniquely created in God's image and likeness and should be treated with respect and dignity.
- Belen is committed to the service of the Catholic faith and the promotion of justice.
- Faith is developed, and justice is promoted through the examples set by everyone in the school community.
- Developing in the students a heightened awareness of their relationship to others fosters citizenship.
- Character formation takes place through the development of consistent self-discipline, learning the consequences of personal actions, and taking full responsibility for them.
- Students become well-rounded individuals through their participation in curricular and extra-curricular activities.
- A diverse program of extra-curricular activities promotes students' personal growth and development.
- The needs of students are the primary focus in all decisions that impact the School.
- The pedagogy of St. Ignatius of Loyola and his Spiritual Exercises is the basis for the planning and execution of all pedagogical material and faculty training.
- A student-centered curriculum creates an environment where students are taught to learn and continue doing so beyond high school graduation.
- A physical setting that responds to the students and families for safety positively influences student learning and development.
Belen Jesuit students, along with our 5,500 alumni, live by the motto Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam – For the Greater Glory of God. We are aware that it takes a particular type of young man to accept the challenge that a Jesuit School education offers. The advanced and college-preparatory curricula provide a solid foundation and are designed to make students think critically and become productive citizens in today's world.
The foundation of education at Belen Jesuit is based on religious formation, academic excellence, value education, social responsibility, and athletic achievement. The rigorous curriculum and graduation requirements are designed to ensure all students can be admitted to the most demanding colleges and universities in the country.
Belen Jesuit is committed to assisting its students in the college admissions process. To that end, students have access to four full-time college counselors who directly assist students. In the college selection process, their parents work one-on-one with students in the admission process to help them make college choices that meet their academic, spiritual, personal, and financial needs.
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