Catholic · Jesuit · San Jose, CA · Jesuit · All-male

Bellarmine College Preparatory

960 W Hedding St, San Jose, CA 95126 · Grades 9–12 · All-male · 1,600 students

4.3

out of 5.0

13:1

Student ratio

250+

Public reviews

WASC · WCEA

Accreditor

About Bellarmine College Preparatory

Bellarmine College Preparatory is a catholic · jesuit school in San Jose, California serving grades 9–12. Premier all-male jesuit catholic high school in san jose with 130+ year history. With 1,600 students and a 13:1 student-teacher ratio, the school is accredited by WASC · WCEA.

Ratings are aggregated from 250+ public reviews across Niche.com · Google. The School Navigator does not reproduce copyrighted review text — all summaries are paraphrased from publicly available sources and attributed accordingly.

What parents say

What parents love

Jesuit intellectual tradition, strong college prep, diverse student body, extensive athletics and extracurriculars, 130+ year history in Silicon Valley

Common concerns

All-male only, large school size (1,600 students) may not suit families seeking small community, competitive athletic culture dominates social life for some students

Who this school is best for

Young men who want a structured Jesuit education with strong college prep, diverse community, and extensive extracurricular and athletic opportunities

For families comparing Bellarmine College Preparatory against other Silicon Valley private schools, see our full San Jose private school rankings and our complete admissions timeline guide covering deadlines, financial aid, and shadow day scheduling.

Financial aid and tuition

Tuition at Bellarmine College Preparatory is ~$25,000/yr. This is the headline figure — families should also ask about mandatory fees (registration, technology, activities, books) which add to the total annual cost. The California Department of Education does not cap private school tuition; each school sets its own fees independently.

Need-based financial aid is typically available through FACTS or SSS (School and Student Services). Financial aid applications should be submitted by January 2027 for Fall 2027 enrollment — submit at the same time as your admissions application, not after. There is no single income cutoff for private school financial aid — schools evaluate income, assets, family size, and financial obligations simultaneously. See our financial aid guide for full details.

School facts

TypeCatholic · Jesuit

GenderAll-male

Grades9–12

Enrollment1,600 students

Ratio13:1

Tuition~$25,000/yr

AccreditorWASC · WCEA

Rating4.3 / 5.0

The School Navigator verdict

Young men who want a structured Jesuit education with strong college prep, diverse community, and extensive extracurricular and athletic opportunities

Compare all Silicon Valley schools

See ratings, tuition, and reviews across 23+ private schools near San Jose and Cupertino.

See full rankings →

Frequently asked questions — Bellarmine College Preparatory

How much does Bellarmine College Prep cost?

Bellarmine College Preparatory tuition is approximately $25,000 per year. Need-based financial aid is available — Bellarmine has a long history of making Jesuit education accessible across income levels. Contact the financial aid office for current eligibility, the application platform, and deadlines.

What type of student thrives at Bellarmine College Prep?

Bellarmine works best for young men who are academically motivated, comfortable in a structured environment, and open to the Jesuit educational philosophy — which emphasizes critical thinking, service to others, and forming the whole person rather than just academic achievement. Bellarmine is not just a college-prep school; it is explicitly a school for forming character alongside intellect. Students who thrive here typically have some faith background (Catholic or otherwise), are involved in extracurriculars, and can handle a rigorous workload without needing constant external motivation.

How does Bellarmine College Prep compare to Harker School?

These schools serve different families. Harker is secular, co-educational, and places maximum emphasis on academic metrics. Bellarmine is Catholic, all-male, and places significant weight on character formation and service alongside academics. Both send graduates to elite universities. Harker has a slight edge in national academic rankings and STEM programming. Bellarmine has a stronger athletics program and a more cohesive community feel — the all-male environment creates a specific kind of brotherhood that many graduates cite as the most valuable part of their experience. The choice usually comes down to faith values and whether all-male education is the right fit.

Is Bellarmine College Prep financially accessible for Santa Clara County families?

Bellarmine is more financially accessible than it appears. Annual tuition is approximately $25,000, lower than Harker's $40,000. The school offers need-based financial aid through the SSS application — submit by January 15 for fall enrollment. Bellarmine also has a strong alumni scholarship program. Ask the admissions office directly for the average aid award and the percentage of students receiving aid — these numbers are more useful than the sticker price. Many South Bay Catholic families who assume they cannot afford Bellarmine are surprised by the actual net cost after aid.

Is Bellarmine College Prep Jesuit?

Yes. Bellarmine College Preparatory is a Jesuit Catholic high school operated in the Ignatian tradition. The school is named after Saint Robert Bellarmine, a Jesuit cardinal. Jesuit education emphasizes academic excellence, service, and the development of the whole person — mind, body, and spirit. Students of all faiths are welcome.

What grades does Bellarmine serve?

Bellarmine College Preparatory serves Grades 9 through 12 only. It is an all-male high school. Families with students in grades K–8 typically look at Catholic elementary and middle schools in San Jose before transitioning to Bellarmine for high school.

What are Bellarmine's college placement results?

Bellarmine has strong college placement to UC campuses, Santa Clara University (also Jesuit), and a range of private universities. Ask the admissions office for specific enrolled matriculation data for the most current and accurate picture of college outcomes.

When does Bellarmine application open?

For Fall 2027 enrollment, Bellarmine's open house and information nights begin September 2026. Application deadlines typically fall in December 2026 or January 2027. Financial aid applications should be submitted by January 2027. Contact the admissions office for exact dates for the current application cycle.

Sources & References: