The Grad at Grad

What do we expect at Bellarmine of the graduate? Here, in outline form, is a summary of our guiding principles from the "Profile of the Graduate of a Jesuit High School at Graduation, Jesuit School's Network, Commission of Research and Development" - "The Graduate at Graduation," commonly known as the "The Grad at Grad."

By graduation the student has matured as a person — emotionally, intellectually, physically, socially, religiously — to a level that reflects some intentional responsibility for one’s own growth. The graduate is beginning to reach out in his or her development, seeking opportunities to stretch one’s mind, imagination, feelings, and religious consciousness.

By graduation the student will exhibit a mastery of those academic requirements for advanced forms of education. While these requirements are broken down into departmental subject matter areas, the student will have developed many intellectual skills and understandings that cut across and go beyond academic requirements for college entrance. The student is also developing habits of intellectual inquiry, as well as a disposition towards life-long learning.

By graduation the student will have a basic knowledge of the major doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church. Having been introduced to Ignatian spirituality, the graduate will also have examined his or her own religious feelings and beliefs with a view to choosing a fundamental orientation toward God and estab­lishing a relationship with a religious tradition and/or community.

By graduation, the student is continuing to form his or her own identity. He or she is moving beyond self-interest or self-centeredness in close relationships. The graduate is beginning to be able to risk some deeper levels of relationship in which one can disclose self and accept the mystery of another person and cherish that person.

By graduation the student has acquired considerable knowledge of the many needs of local, national, and global communities and is preparing for the day when he or she will take a place in these communities as a competent, concerned and responsible member. The graduate has been inspired to develop the awareness and skills necessary to live in a global society as a person for and with others.