architectural, acoustic and interpretive feat. It is the first known facility of its kind designed in the Jesuit tradition. Financial assistance Belen Jesuit Preparatory School makes financial assistance available to all students who attend the school regardless of race, color, creed, disability or national origin. The financial assistance program takes the form of hardship assistance. Hardship assistance is determined based on financial need subsequent to the evaluation of the financial assistance application. Belen Jesuit does not award academic or athletic scholarships. The Belen financial assistance program is made possible by contributions of friends and family of Belen. The school's three signature events - Annual Gala, Father Izquierdo Memorial Golf Tournament, and the Annual Fr. Dorta- Duque, SJ Memorial Tombola help fund the financial assistance program. Academics 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 a chance for admission to the most demanding colleges and universities in the country. Academically, every Belen student has the opportunity to strive for the Magis by participating in a challenging college preparatory curriculum. Additionally, honors courses are offered as early as sixth grade. Advanced placement courses are offered starting in ninth grade, and dual enrollment courses are offered starting in tenth grade. All Belen Jesuit students have the potential to graduate with as many as 13 advanced placement courses (over 20 offered), 10 dual enrollment courses, and 35 honors classes offered in social studies, math, English, science, and Spanish. Belen Jesuit has been named one of the top U.S. Catholic High Schools by the Newman Society and has also been ranked as a top all boys catholic school by Niche. Student life As a complement to strong academic rigor, student life is enriched by more than 45 scholastic clubs and 47 sports teams. Each student can explore particular interests and choose from an extensive array of options. Belen students have earned local, national and international recognition through their accomplishments in the band program, model United Nations, speech and debate, Mu Alpha Theta, robotics, chess clubs and various other clubs and honor societies. The Ignatian Center for the Arts The Ignatian Center for the Arts, inaugurated in October 2003, is the hub of the Humanities Department. The department includes the following academic areas: art, art history, drama, music, band, speech and