Bell Prep - Bellarmine College Preparatory
Source: https://www.bcp.org/summer-program/bell-prep
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:19
Bell Prep - Bellarmine College Preparatory
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Bell Prep
A confident start to your Bellarmine journey.
In a
two-week session over the summer,
Bell Prep gives incoming freshmen a meaningful head start in a more personal setting than the full-class orientation at the beginning of the school year. It helps rising ninth graders feel prepared, connected, and confident before they join their brothers on campus in the fall.
During Bell Prep, students will:
Meet and learn from Bellarmine teachers, coaches, and program directors
Make friends and build community in small-group settings
Learn the ins and outs of daily life on campus
Build confidence navigating academics, technology, and expectations
After completing Bell Prep, students arrive in August already knowing their way around and feeling like they belong.
Register Here
“When I ask new students about what causes the most anxiety during the first week of school, their answer is ‘Not knowing where to go, not knowing classmates, and not understanding the daily schedule.’ These are some key Bell Prep lessons and outcomes: making those connections early alleviates a lot of fear when the school year begins.”
— Russ Marcel ’91, English faculty, Artistic Director of Bellarmine Theatre Arts, and Bell Prep teacher
Community & Connection
Games and small-group activities help students meet peers from a wide range of middle schools with overlapping interests.
Technology & Organization
Students receive their Microsoft Surface laptop ahead of schedule and learn how to use essential tools they’ll rely on during all four years at Bellarmine, including Canvas, PowerSchool, Outlook email and calendar, and the full suite of Microsoft Office applications.
Campus Life
Incoming Bells become familiar with our daily schedule and our many academic, co-curricular, and athletics facilities.
Christian Service Program (CSP)
Students hear from CSP Directors about how to find service opportunities and understand expectations, often getting an early start on required service hours. This headstart is especially valuable for students balancing athletics or co-curricular commitments during the school year!
Jesuit Identity
Students are introduced to Bellarmine’s Jesuit foundation, learning about St. Ignatius, Jesuit values, and how faith and reflection shape daily life on campus.
Classroom Expectations
A dedicated day during Bell Prep focuses on behavioral and academic expectations, including a session with the Deans and teaching faculty about the student handbook, plagiarism, AI use, and similar topics.
Peer Leadership
Student teaching assistants play a key role throughout Bell Prep. They offer guidance and insight from an older student’s perspective and helping new Bells feel welcomed and supported.
“Bell Prep is incredibly valuable for students who are nervous about starting somewhere new – especially if they don’t know many classmates yet. They can ask questions of their teachers and older peers, and they learn a lot of practical skills. It’s also great for more outgoing students who are eager to start building their Bellarmine community!”
— Tina Briceño, Assistant Director of Admissions
REGISTER HERE
Skip To Main Content
Bell Prep
A confident start to your Bellarmine journey.
In a
two-week session over the summer,
Bell Prep gives incoming freshmen a meaningful head start in a more personal setting than the full-class orientation at the beginning of the school year. It helps rising ninth graders feel prepared, connected, and confident before they join their brothers on campus in the fall.
During Bell Prep, students will:
Meet and learn from Bellarmine teachers, coaches, and program directors
Make friends and build community in small-group settings
Learn the ins and outs of daily life on campus
Build confidence navigating academics, technology, and expectations
After completing Bell Prep, students arrive in August already knowing their way around and feeling like they belong.
Register Here
“When I ask new students about what causes the most anxiety during the first week of school, their answer is ‘Not knowing where to go, not knowing classmates, and not understanding the daily schedule.’ These are some key Bell Prep lessons and outcomes: making those connections early alleviates a lot of fear when the school year begins.”
— Russ Marcel ’91, English faculty, Artistic Director of Bellarmine Theatre Arts, and Bell Prep teacher
Community & Connection
Games and small-group activities help students meet peers from a wide range of middle schools with overlapping interests.
Technology & Organization
Students receive their Microsoft Surface laptop ahead of schedule and learn how to use essential tools they’ll rely on during all four years at Bellarmine, including Canvas, PowerSchool, Outlook email and calendar, and the full suite of Microsoft Office applications.
Campus Life
Incoming Bells become familiar with our daily schedule and our many academic, co-curricular, and athletics facilities.
Christian Service Program (CSP)
Students hear from CSP Directors about how to find service opportunities and understand expectations, often getting an early start on required service hours. This headstart is especially valuable for students balancing athletics or co-curricular commitments during the school year!
Jesuit Identity
Students are introduced to Bellarmine’s Jesuit foundation, learning about St. Ignatius, Jesuit values, and how faith and reflection shape daily life on campus.
Classroom Expectations
A dedicated day during Bell Prep focuses on behavioral and academic expectations, including a session with the Deans and teaching faculty about the student handbook, plagiarism, AI use, and similar topics.
Peer Leadership
Student teaching assistants play a key role throughout Bell Prep. They offer guidance and insight from an older student’s perspective and helping new Bells feel welcomed and supported.
“Bell Prep is incredibly valuable for students who are nervous about starting somewhere new – especially if they don’t know many classmates yet. They can ask questions of their teachers and older peers, and they learn a lot of practical skills. It’s also great for more outgoing students who are eager to start building their Bellarmine community!”
— Tina Briceño, Assistant Director of Admissions
REGISTER HERE