PRINCIPAL
Bellarmine College Preparatory
San Jose, California
Founded in 1851, Bellarmine College Preparatory is among the oldest and most distinguished Catholic
schools in the country. Enrolling more than 1,650 boys in grades 9-12, Bellarmine offers a rigorous
academic program, a rich array of co-curricular opportunities, and a passionate commitment to Ignatian
principles. Above all else, the school is unwavering in its mission to educate “men for and with others” –
lifelong learners who are oriented toward faith, love, justice, and the greater good.
Situated on a stunning, contemporary campus in
the heart of San Jose, Bellarmine College Preparatory
combines strong academics, competitive athletics, a
robust arts program, and a comprehensive Christian
service program to transform young men and prepare
them for lives of reflection and action in college and
beyond.
The school community has embraced the cultural
diversity of the Bay Area and the dynamism of Silicon
Valley, yet in keeping with the Jesuit charism,
Bellarmine is explicitly counter-cultural in its pursuit
of excellence. Rather than accept popular definitions
of worldly success – power, prestige, and selfsufficiency – the school encourages efforts and
celebrates achievements that reflect the core values of
empathy, honesty, self-improvement, leadership, and
service.
For a position beginning in July 2017, Bellarmine
seeks a strong, compassionate, mission-driven leader
to hone the school’s programs – academic, ministerial,
co-curricular, and service-oriented – in accordance
with Jesuit educational values and aims.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 14, 2016
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BELLARMINE AT A GLANCE
MISSION
Bellarmine College Preparatory is a community of men and women gathered together by God for the purpose of
educating the student to seek justice and truth throughout his life.
We are a Catholic school in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Founder of the Society of Jesus. As such, our
entire school program is dedicated to forming "men for and with others" – persons whose lives will be dedicated to
bringing all their God-given talents to fullness and to living according to the pattern of service inaugurated by Jesus
Christ.
ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID
PHYSICAL PLANT
ENROLLMENT, ALL GRADES
1,679
STUDENTS OF COLOR
48%
FINANCIAL AID In 2016-17, Bellarmine awarded $4.2
million to 23% of its students. Admission
decisions are made on merit alone, and aid awards
are based solely on need.
Residential neighborhood two miles
northwest of downtown San Jose and 20 miles
southwest of Palo Alto
FACILITIES Twelve major buildings on a 27-acre
campus, including a chapel, robotics lab,
performing arts center, and extensive athletic
facilities
LOCATION
FACULTY AND STAFF
FACULTY
AT LEAST 3/5 TIME
LESS THAN 3/5 TIME
FACULTY WITH ADVANCED DEGREE
AVG. FACULTY TENURE AT BELLARMINE
122
82
40
66%
14 years
AFFILIATIONS
Western Association of Schools &
Colleges, Western Catholic Educational Association
ACCREDITATION
MEMBER
Jesuit Schools Network
FINANCES
ENDOWMENT
ON THE WEB:
$71 million
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www.bcp.org
ABOUT BELLARMINE
HISTORY
Bellarmine College Preparatory is one of 59 Jesuit high schools in the nation, and the second oldest west of the
Mississippi River. Bellarmine was founded as Santa Clara College in 1851 by John Nobili, S.J., and his companions. In
the early 1920s, Santa Clara College was divided into the University of Santa Clara and Santa Clara Prep. In 1925,
Santa Clara Prep moved to its current location, and in 1928, the school was renamed Bellarmine College Preparatory,
in honor of Robert Bellarmine, a sixteenth-century Jesuit who was canonized by the Church in 1930 and named a
Doctor of the Church the following year.
THE STUDENT BODY
Bellarmine students (who are often referred to as “Bells”) take a great deal of pride in their school. Their love for the
institution is particularly manifest in the close relationships they enjoy with teachers, administrators, and coaches.
While the students are very high-achieving, they also are a group of young men who love to have fun and prize the
school’s relaxed atmosphere. When asking students what they enjoy most about the place, one of the most common
responses is the pervasive sense of “brotherhood.”
The school enrolls 1,679 young men from across the Bay Area, some of whom live as far away as San Francisco,
Livermore, or Santa Cruz. Bellarmine students represent varied ethnicities and interests, yet share a desire to
cultivate their talents and use them for the service of others – to be a part of Bellarmine's strong community and
tradition of educational excellence.
Nearly all Bellarmine graduates pursue postsecondary education, and more than 95 percent attend four-year colleges
and universities. Forty-seven percent of 2016 graduates enrolled at out-of-state institutions, and 28 percent of the
class attended a Catholic institution (including enrollees at 14 Jesuit colleges and universities). Overall, the 383
graduates earned admission to more than 250 colleges and universities, including some of the most selective schools
in the country; however, the school’s college counseling program places a heavy emphasis on individual fit rather
than prestige as students go about the application and selection process.
Bellarmine students perform very well on standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, and AP examinations, and
details can be found on the “Academic Achievements” page of the school’s website. The school recognizes the
importance of standardized tests in benchmarking and accountability, but Bellarmine is seeking ways to
deemphasize their overall significance, with an eye toward alleviating student stress and broadening definitions of
intelligence, potential, and success.
Bellarmine is well known for the rigor of its academic
program as well as the achievements of individuals
competing in everything from water polo and track to
robotics and debate. However, the school makes every
effort to emphasize character and community, keeping
students focused on learning for life, not simply
preparing for the college application process. The
yearbook profiles admirable students who might not be
widely known on campus, and the school’s highest
honor, the Cardinal Bellarmine Award, goes to the
student who best embodies the values of faith, service,
and a commitment to justice.
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THE FACULTY AND STAFF
Dedicated and caring, Bellarmine’s faculty is a mix of seasoned educators and new recruits. Nearly one third of the
teachers, coaches, and staff have earned a degree at a Jesuit college or university, so there is an enormous sense of
pride in the school’s mission and ideals. In particular, the faculty is devoted to employing one of the hallmarks of
Jesuit education, cura personalis – care for the whole person. This motivates members of the community to meet each
student where he is, understand his special circumstances, and support him in all ways – spiritually, academically,
physically, and socially.
ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE
Bellarmine is governed by a Board of Trustees with input from a Board of Regents. The President has three direct
reports: a Vice President for Advancement, who oversees marketing and communications and, in collaboration with
the Development Director, fundraising; a Chief Financial Officer, who is responsible for oversight of all financial
operations, human resources, facilities, and campus technology; and the Principal.
The Principal supervises a faculty and professional staff of approximately 130, including three Assistant Principals.
The Assistant Principal for Student Affairs is primarily responsible for discipline, attendance, all co-curricular
programs (including athletics), diversity, and student government. The Assistant Principal for Instruction leads the
Department Chairs, is responsible for the schedule, and oversees library services. Finally, the Assistant Principal for
Ministry is in charge of college counseling, the school’s registrar, learning support, service programs, orientation, and
adult spirituality programs. Beyond the three Assistant Principals, the Principal has three additional direct reports:
the Director of Summer Programs, an Instructional Specialist, and the Director of Admissions.
SCHOOL SETTING AND CAMPUS
Bellarmine is located in San Jose, the thirdlargest city in California and the tenthlargest in the nation. The School is near the
heart of Silicon Valley, home to hundreds of
dynamic start-ups, and some of the largest
and most influential companies in the world
– Google, Facebook, Oracle, Apple, Tesla,
and Intel.
Not only is San Jose a thriving economic hub
– the city boasts a 3.4 percent unemployment
rate and a median annual household income
of $87,000 – it is also the seat of government
in Santa Clara County, and it offers a full complement of cultural institutions, including museums, galleries,
restaurants, professional sports teams, concert venues, and performing arts organizations. Research and education
are also a strong presence in the region. The region is home to Santa Clara University, Stanford University, NASA
Ames Research Center, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
State and county parks offer countless opportunities to take advantage of the region’s prevailing Mediterranean
climate and explore the rich landscape of the Santa Clara Valley and the Pacific Coast – canyons, estuaries,
mountains, farmlands, beaches, and more. Centrally located in Northern California, San Jose is (by car) thirty
minutes north of Santa Cruz, an hour south of San Francisco, and three hours east of Yosemite Valley.
San Jose is also renowned for its cultural and ethnic diversity, and the influence of large Asian and Latino
populations can be felt throughout the city. Fewer than half of San Jose’s households consider English their primary
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language. Among major cities in the United States, San Jose is considered one of the safest, with crime rates lower
than Denver, Portland, Phoenix, and Seattle.
Bellarmine is located in a residential neighborhood two miles from downtown San Jose and steps from a regional
transit train station. The bright, modern 27-acre campus comprises more than a dozen buildings distributed over four
city blocks. Over the past ten years, Bellarmine has invested more than $80 million in improvements to its physical
plant. The school renovated existing facilities and added three impressive new academic and support buildings to the
campus. The improvements have made Bellarmine one of the most attractive and comfortable schools in the region.
Facilities include a chapel, a robotics lab, a center for student life, a school garden, a performing arts center, and a
bustling quadrangle at the heart of it all. The school’s impressive athletic facilities include a track, baseball field,
outdoor 40-meter pool, multipurpose field, wrestling center, field house, auxiliary gymnasium, and football field.
RELIGIOUS LIFE
Approximately 75 percent of Bellarmine students identify as Catholic, and the Ignatian values of the school are
central to its identity and mission. Bellarmine is fortunate to have a community of 11 Jesuits who live on campus,
eight of whom teach and/or hold administrative positions at the school. Their presence on campus allows Bellarmine
to offer Mass three times a week before school. Many Bellarmine faculty and staff have Jesuit roots, and the school
has made a concerted effort to help employees achieve a deeper understanding of Ignatian spirituality. The aim is to
give every adult the capability to translate the vision of
Ignatius of Loyola into a real and meaningful experience for
students inside and outside of the classroom.
While Bellarmine is an undeniably Catholic institution, it
embraces religious diversity on campus, inviting students
from non-Christian faith traditions to share their beliefs and
rituals with the Bellarmine community. The school provides
prayer space throughout the day for Muslim students, and it
sponsors three holy day celebrations that promote respect
for and understanding of other cultures and religions:
Diwali, the Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass, and the
Lunar (Chinese) New Year.
OUTREACH/DIVERSITY
Bellarmine’s commitment to diversity is based on the core Ignatian value of “seeing God in all people.” Students
come from a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and faith traditions. The school’s need-blind admission policy
and sizable financial aid budget (supported by a special endowment fund) help the school attract and support
talented students who might not otherwise be able to afford an independent school education. Bellarmine strives to
maintain an environment where the talents and abilities of each student are celebrated and maximized. The sense of
brotherhood at Bellarmine is strong, creating a sense of solidarity and equity across traditional social, economic, and
political barriers. A variety of student-run ethnic and cultural clubs are active on campus.
In 1996, Bellarmine established an outreach office to attract and support first-generation, college-bound, low-income
students. Born of the school’s Ignatian mission, the office helps bridge the pronounced economic divide in and
around San Jose. For example, bilingual support (Spanish-English and, to a lesser extent, Vietnamese-English) is
available to students and their families during the application process and throughout their time at Bellarmine. The
outreach program also supports students socially, academically, and materially to ensure they have every
opportunity to succeed at Bellarmine and beyond.
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COMMUNITY
Bellarmine is fortunate to have a highly active, engaged alumni population as well as a devoted parent community.
The Mothers’ Guild plans and executes a number of events throughout the year. Their flagship events are the Fashion
Show for Financial Aid, the mother-son Mass and retreat, and the welcome Mass and picnic as part of freshman
orientation. These events draw between 500 and 1,800 participants. The Dads’ Club has an ongoing booster program,
manages concessions for sporting events, and organizes various retreats and father-son service activities. The high
level of parent engagement has contributed to the success of Bellarmine’s annual fund, which brought in $3.3 million
last year.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Bellarmine’s educational program aims to produce graduates who are open to growth, intellectually competent,
religious, loving, committed to doing justice, and prepared to lead. Common to all Jesuit secondary schools, these
characteristics encompass every aspect of the Ignatian educational experience – religious, social, psychological, and
academic. They are essential to educating young people who are “men for and with others.”
ACADEMICS
Befitting a large, healthy, competitive independent school, Bellarmine’s curriculum features a broad array of
engaging classes, including advanced classes in nearly every discipline. The required courses outline a traditional
liberal arts philosophy. The rigorous college preparatory curriculum requires students to complete four years of
English; three and a half years of social studies; three years each of math, science, and religious studies; and two
years of foreign language (modern and classical languages are offered, as well as sign language). Arts and physical
education are also compulsory. For more details regarding the academic program at Bellarmine, prospective
candidates are encouraged to visit the school’s website: www.bcp.org/academics.
ATHLETICS
While Bellarmine is well known in Northern California
for its winning teams, the school sees athletics as a
means to forming men for and with others. Coaches
work closely with parents to keep athletes focused on
the greater good, learning about resilience, teamwork,
leadership, courage, and compassion.
Bellarmine fields 36 teams in 13 sports. Four of those
sports, and nine teams, are “no cut” sports, open to any
student who is willing to commit his time and energy
to the requirements of the team. Fall sports are cross
country, football, and water polo. Winter sports are
basketball, soccer, and wrestling. The spring season
sees students competing in baseball, golf, lacrosse, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
Bellarmine students also compete at the club level in sports such as rugby, ice hockey, and roller hockey.
Bellarmine is a member of the competitive West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL), which consists of nine schools
that compete in boys sports. The WCAL is a member of the Central Coast Section (CCS). The CCS consists of 12
different athletic leagues and roughly 140 high schools spanning the entire Bay Area from San Francisco to Monterey.
From 2010-15, Bellarmine teams won 26 CSS titles in nine sports. Historically, the school has been very competitive in
swimming, water polo, cross country, football, basketball, and soccer.
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ARTS
Bellarmine’s commitment to the arts flows directly from the school’s
mission. Like athletics, the arts tend to be cross-cultural and can be a
powerful tool in addressing and transcending social and economic
barriers. Bellarmine believes the arts are central to developing
empathy in young men, cultivating creativity, and exploring the
spiritual dimensions of the human condition.
More than 120 Bellarmine students participate in three theater
productions every year, and the school supports two
improvisational comedy troupes. Instrumental ensembles include
symphonic band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, and musical (pit)
orchestra. The school also has multiple vocal groups, hosts an
annual student film festival, and displays student artwork in a
gallery space on campus.
OTHER CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS
Bellarmine offers more than 100 clubs and organizations, an impressive menu that helps each student find and
pursue his passion. The school’s publications – newspaper, yearbook, and political review – are popular options, as is
the student government, which befits a school focused on community engagement. Of particular note are the school’s
nationally recognized Speech and Debate Team, which includes 150 participants and eight coaches, and the Robotics
Team, which was crowned world champion in the FIRST Robotics Competition in 2014.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND IMMERSION PROGRAMS
Bellarmine students must complete at least 75 hours of service work, though many boys easily exceed this minimum.
Service must be completed off-campus in nonprofit agencies outside of school hours. Bellarmine provides
transportation and supervision for students. Freshmen work with
children, sophomores work with the elderly or developmentally
disabled, and juniors work with the socio-economically
disadvantaged. Seniors choose an agency – from a list of more than
100 partners – to focus on for the year. Each student’s service
commitment culminates with a written reflection.
Bellarmine also offers a wide range of immersion programs – usually
to underserved or under-resourced communities – that expose
students to different cultures and help sow the seeds of compassion
that may grow into a life of service. Local immersions may include
working with homeless populations in San Francisco or migrant
workers in Salinas, California. Past domestic immersions have taken
students to the U.S.-Mexico border, Appalachia, a Navajo reservation
in Arizona, and the Mississippi Delta. International immersion trips
take place over the summer and take students as far afield as Haiti,
India, Guatemala, and South Africa.
Since 2009, Bellarmine has hosted an annual Summit on Human Dignity. A theme is introduced at the Mass of the
Holy Spirit, and guest speakers are invited to address the community throughout the fall and winter. The effort
culminates in the spring with Summit Week. Past themes have included Poverty, Hunger, Immigration, Restorative
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Justice, and Environmental Sustainability. This year, Bellarmine is reflecting on “Care for Our Common Home,” and
next year, the school will focus on Equity and Inclusion.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Principal is the educational leader of the school and is responsible for implementing policies, practices, and
procedures to ensure that all students are supported to grow into “men for and with others” in the context of
Bellarmine’s Catholic, Jesuit, college preparatory environment. With the President, the Principal is responsible for
ensuring that the school’s mission is lived in a vibrant and authentic manner. Specifically, the Principal has oversight
of academics, campus ministry, service programs, co-curricular activities, academic personnel management, and
professional development. This responsibility demands a close working relationship with the President, fellow
administrators, faculty and staff, students, and parents.
LEADERSHIP FOR MISSION The Principal will articulate and promote the Catholic and Jesuit mission, identity,
and the Ignatian vision of the school through interactions with faculty, staff, students, and parents, ensuring that the
Jesuit educational charism of the school is developed and nurtured. The Principal will maintain and develop a school
strong in academic achievement, spiritual formation, counseling, Christian service, and programs to meet the cocurricular and spiritual needs of the students. The Principal will support and promote the spiritual development of
the professional staff in coordination with the Office of Adult Spirituality. The Principal also works to maintain a
strong relationship between Bellarmine and the Diocese of San Jose.
SUPERVISORY AND SUPPORT DUTIES The Principal will be responsible for the development of a vibrant,
mission-focused administrative team to include the Assistant Principals and directors of school programs to ensure
the effective operation of the school. The Principal implements school policy, maintains personnel records, and hires
faculty and staff whose values are
compatible with and supportive of the
school’s mission. The Principal supports
and encourages new teachers and staff
members in the integration of the
mission of the school throughout the
school’s programs. The Principal will be
responsible
for
appointing
and
terminating
faculty,
school
staff,
department
chairs,
and
head
coaches/directors of athletic teams and
major
co-curricular
programs
as
necessary, after appropriate consultation
with the President. The Principal will
ensure a vibrant program and culture of
professional and leadership development for the faculty and staff in conjunction with the Assistant Principal for
Instruction, and is responsible for coordinating faculty/staff meetings, in-services, and the creation of the school
calendar.
SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES The Principal will facilitate a Catholic community of
faith and Ignatian spirituality and be responsible for the integration of faith and culture within the school. The
Principal will support and promote annual retreats for faculty and students in conjunction with Adult Spirituality
and Campus Ministry and work closely with faculty and staff in exercising general supervision of student activities
and programs.
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STUDENT RETENTION AND SUPPORT The Principal supports the Director of Admissions in identifying and
attracting a diverse pool of qualified applicants. The Principal supports the Learning Specialists and Counseling
Department in seeking creative and comprehensive means to help ensure the success and support of all students. In
collaboration with the Assistant Principal for Student Affairs, the Principal makes final decisions regarding the
dismissal of students due to academic or disciplinary reasons.
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS The Principal, in concert with the President and Chief Financial Officer, will assist with
financial planning and administer the budget in a fiscally responsible manner, directing the preparation of the
budget for all academic and co-curricular programs.
FACILITIES The Principal will work with the President to ensure that the school’s facilities support the school’s
programs and will make recommendations to the President for building modifications and future needs.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE NEXT PRINCIPAL
Chris Meyercord, a Bellarmine alumnus and
the school’s first lay President, was named
Interim President in June of 2015 after serving
as the school’s Principal since 2009; he was
appointed to the permanent post this year.
The school continues to show great financial
and cultural strength. The school raised well
over $7 million last year and received
approximately 1,050 applications for 420
openings in the freshman class. Bellarmine
continues to hone its commitment to building
a community that will educate young men
who are committed to truth, service, and
justice.
Beyond the core responsibilities of the position (outlined above), the next Principal of Bellarmine will play a central
role in executing the school’s new strategic plan, which was announced in 2016. The planning process identified a
handful of strategic priorities that will guide the school over the next five to ten years. Research ratified a need for the
school to remain focused on financial accessibility, maintaining the school’s commitment to diversity, and improving
faculty and staff retention. Ultimately, the community identified four main areas of focus:
Resilience – Bellarmine aims to help students develop a growth mindset and to embrace confusion, struggle, and
even failure as part of the learning process. The school plans to educate faculty about ways to develop grit and
consider the impacts and benefits of offering students multiple opportunities to meet a given standard. Moreover, the
school is pushing for a cultural shift that will broaden everyone’s understanding of success, including an emphasis
on college fit over institutional prestige.
Mission-Based Experiences – Bellarmine recognizes that many students find experiences beyond the classroom to be
among their most meaningful and enduring. The school is expanding the number and variety of retreat offerings for
both students and staff, including short immersion trips in various communities across the country and abroad. To
support these offerings, Bellarmine is encouraging more staff participation and addressing financial barriers that may
prevent equal access to mission-based experiences.
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Wellness – Bellarmine strives to form “contemplatives in action,” that is, young men who are engaged in the world
but able to step back and reflect on their place therein. To do so requires an educational experience that balances rich
academic and co-curricular offerings with time for family, faith, proper nutrition, sleep, and other elements of a
healthy, well-rounded life. The school is exploring various ways to support the health and wellness of its students,
including reducing homework loads, coordinated testing dates, and additional campus space for rest and reflection.
Servant Leadership – Bellarmine has identified an opportunity to better prepare its students for leadership
opportunities at the school and beyond. In particular, Bellarmine is interested in forming servant-leaders in the mold
of Jesus. The school aims to expand its adult retreat options to develop a common understanding of the servantleader model, and it will encourage students to connect their friend groups with community service and engagement.
Additional opportunities and challenges for the incoming Principal may include:
Faculty
Development
and
Support
–
Bellarmine’s caring, committed teaching corps
includes beloved veterans and energetic
newcomers, all of whom enjoy a great deal of
classroom autonomy. The new Principal will
have an opportunity to explore mentorship and
professional development opportunities for
junior faculty and master teachers alike.
Bellarmine hopes to increase collaboration and
harness educators’ individual passions while
ensuring a consistently excellent academic
experience across disciplines, sections, and
grade levels.
Academic Program – As Bellarmine faces increasing competition from forward-thinking schools in the Bay Area,
some feel the school could be doing more to build on its strong academic foundation. In the fall of 2017, the school
will introduce the hands-on, Physics First curriculum. This is optimistically viewed as the first step in a broader effort
to rethink the scope and sequence of the school’s science curriculum. The incoming Principal will have the
opportunity to lead this effort. The Principal will work with faculty to explore project-based learning,
interdisciplinary courses, design thinking, and other contemporary pedagogical approaches – particularly in STEM
fields – that maximize engagement among boys and support the school’s well defined portrait of a graduate.
Culture and Values – The growth of Silicon Valley around Bellarmine has brought exceptional resources, energy,
and creativity to the school and its environs; however, the global success of the region has stretched the traditional
norms of competition, achievement, material wealth, power, and prestige. Despite the influence of Silicon Valley on
the values, attitudes, and pace of life in the South Bay, Bellarmine is determined to remain truly counter-cultural. The
school’s next Principal will face the challenge of balancing the best of the region – hard work, ambition, optimism –
with a steadfast commitment to mindfulness, humility, cura personalis, and the greater good.
Community and Communication – While Bellarmine remains united in its mission and vision, the sheer size of the
institution has elevated the importance of efficient, effective communication among all constituents. Parents
sometimes feel disconnected from the daily life of the school, and faculty time is stressed by meetings and emails.
The school’s new buildings are a phenomenal resource for everyone at the school; however, the collegiate feel of the
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campus has isolated some departments and hurried everyone at the school. Bellarmine successfully addressed the
latter concern by extending the passing time between classes, but the incoming Principal will need to pay close
attention to the many ways in which the sense of community at Bellarmine – which is essential to the school’s
mission – can be maintained and even improved.
Demographics and Economics – The rise of Silicon Valley has made San Jose a very desirable place to live, sharply
driving up the cost of living in and around the city. The median home price in San Jose recently surpassed $1 million,
and rental properties cost several times the national average, even when compared to other major metropolitan areas.
Disparities in wealth are stark. Many families in the area are seeking relief while others have been buoyed by the
economic tide. Public schools vary widely in quality; some enjoy excellent reputations while others are clearly
underperforming. The number of
families choosing Diocesan grammar
schools has fallen off in the past
decade, but enrollment at Catholic
high schools in the area has never been
higher. Overall, these trends have
complicated Bellarmine’s ability to
recruit and retain a diverse student
body, talented young faculty, and top
administrators. Whether or not the
next Principal is personally affected by
these considerations, he or she will at
least be challenged to help consider
their impact on the people and
programs at Bellarmine.
WHO SHOULD APPLY: IMPORTANT QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
As a mission-driven school, Bellarmine is, first and foremost, looking for an educational leader with a deep
understanding and respect for Catholic, Jesuit education. She or he must fully embrace the vision for the institution
and be guided personally and professionally by Ignatian values and beliefs.
Additionally, Bellarmine seeks an approachable, inspirational academic leader who can continue the school’s legacy
of excellence and balance in academic, athletic, spiritual, and social education. Ideally, the next Principal of
Bellarmine College Preparatory will be:

Able to inspire and motivate an academic
community.

An expert manager of systems, people, and
resources (human, physical, financial, etc.).

Passionate about educating young men.


Warm, accessible, and outgoing.
An excellent listener who eschews a top-down
leadership approach.

Able to define clear expectations, hold people
accountable, and be firm and decisive when
necessary.

Eager to understand the people, cultures, and
attitudes of San Jose and Silicon Valley.

A strong manager who is able to encourage
and drive change while still respecting the
school’s rich history and tradition.

A confident, knowledgeable school leader
with a firm grasp of best practices in teaching
and learning.

A visible, engaged leader.

Highly organized and efficient.

A superior communicator with the ability to
write and speak effectively.

Patient, compassionate, and kind.
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ANTICIPATED SEARCH CALENDAR
Application deadline:
November 14, 2016
Selection of semifinalists:
November 29, 2016
Semifinalist interviews:
December 10-11, 2016
Finalist visits:
December 2016 / January 2017
Appointment:
January 2017
Starting date:
July 2017
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SEARCH PROCESS
Acting on behalf of Bellarmine College Preparatory, Wickenden Associates is actively recruiting talented academic
leaders for this unique leadership opportunity. The lead consultants are Jo Butler ([email protected]) and
Pete Gillin ([email protected]). Both may be reached at (609) 683-1355.
Candidates should submit no later than Monday, November 14, 2016, an application package including the
following:

A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position.

A current résumé.

A statement of educational philosophy.

The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references. (We will obtain permission from candidates
before contacting references.)

Optional: Other supporting material (e.g. articles, speeches, or letters of recommendation) that would be useful to the
Search Committee.
These materials should be transmitted via email attachment to [email protected]. Candidates who are new to
Wickenden Associates are particularly encouraged to initiate the application process well before the deadline.
After an initial review of applicants, the Search Committee will interview semifinalist candidates on December 10-11,
2016. Shortly thereafter, finalists will be invited to Bellarmine for a more comprehensive series of interviews with
representatives of the school’s constituencies. A January appointment is anticipated. Wickenden Associates will keep
all applicants informed of their status throughout the process.
1000 Herrontown Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540-7716 Tel: (609) 683-1355 Fax: (609) 683-1351
www.wickenden.com
[email protected]