Where they fit in
Global Awareness
Opening the door to a
global community
The world is getting smaller. 24-hour news coverage, the Internet and social media are creating a culture of almost
instant communication. St. Brendan understands this new global dynamic and offers many opportunities for students to be
exposed to languages, cultures, and traditions from around the world.
These include:
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International Student Exchange Programs with Spain, Germany, Italy, and China
Family hosting of students from Europe and China
Annual trips to Europe
Courses in Spanish, Mandarin, French, and Italian from basic to AP level
Hosting visits from international dignitaries
Our International Student Exchange Program starte d in 2007. Since then, dozens of teenagers from Spain, Germany, Italy,
and China have created friendships and shared languages, cultures, foods, and traditions. Families have been enriched by
hosting international students and sending their children to families in other countries.
How they are nurtured
Guidance and
Counseling
The goal of our Guidance and Counseling Departments is to support growth in maturity through freedom and responsibility. To
this end, St. Brendan has established a counseling approach to discipline. There are many ways we seek to help students grow
academically, psychologically, and spiritually. Our goal is to guide them on the path that will lead to a fulfilled and successful life. Our
counselors work towards helping students understand their experiences and find their paths in life by establishing a collaborative
relationship between students, parents, teachers, and administrators. We strive to treat students in a manner that promotes mutual
respect, understanding, and acceptance while enhancing self-esteem, self-expression, and self-discipline.
Key components include:
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A Personal Testimonial:
I got involved with the International Student Exchange Program in 2008 because two girls from Italy who
were staying with another family needed a ride to school. I never dreamed that gesture would help my family
grow in so many ways. For seven years now, we have hosted students from Spain, Italy and China, and
developed close bonds with all international students. It has broadened the horizons of my entire family.
We have learned about the Italian, Spanish, and Chinese cultures, which in turn, has made us more aware
and proud of our own culture. We have learned to cook their foods, and speak a little bit of their languages.
My son would even pull out the world map and look for their countries. The experience has been amazing.
It has also given my 3 children the opportunity to go to Europe and spend their summers there with the
families of our Spanish and Italian “children”. When my oldest daughter, Stephanie, returned from her trip
she said, “What I learned the most was that the faith of Papi and Mami was so much bigger than us, than our
family, than Miami. It became more real to be able to experience that same faith abroad, with another family.”
My family’s experience with the International Program has helped us learn more about our culture, our world,
our faith, and ourselves.
Mrs. Miriam Smith, St. Brendan HS alumna, St. Brendan parent, Int. Program hosting mother, and
Theology Department Chair
St. Brendan also offers courses in multiple languages, including Spanish, Italian, French, and Mandarin. Language learning
is enriched through the interaction with native students from those countries who tutor their peers. The fact that important
dignitaries of foreign countries, for example the Italian Secretary of Defense, choose our school for their children, makes us
very proud of our International Student Exchange Program.
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Each student is assigned a grade-level counselor along with a college advisor to work with all four years
Students are advised about course selection, with counselors promoting choices that will prepare them for college and career
Communicating with students and parents through grade-level meetings
Support for students who face difficulties related to low academic performance, poor attendance, standards of behavior, family
matters, peer pressure, social adjustment, self-esteem, and chronic illness
Engagement of students in community service learning programs
Testing site for SAT and ACT
Offering SAT and ACT preparation classes on campus
Communicating with administration and teachers to improve understanding of student behavior and/or academic difficulties
Providing information to students regarding institutions of higher learning, entrance requirements, scholarship opportunities,
college costs, student aid, job opportunities, and career areas
Helping students develop an electronic portfolio during the four years of high school that will be used in their college
application
Coordinating college visitations with a variety of college representatives
Providing visits to Ivy League Schools
Offering Florida College trip to the top six State Universities
Maintaining a College Advising Website geared towards college readiness and procedures
Offering a college fair on campus with more than 100 colleges and universities in attendance