Academics- Incoming Student Information

Dear Member of the Class of 2022:

Congratulations on your decision to attend Bridgton Academy! On behalf of the faculty, I welcome you to a year filled with opportunities, challenges, and hard work. While at Bridgton, you will have the chance to become a more efficient learner and improve your study skills, all with the goal of enhancing your experience in college and beyond. The Bridgton Academy faculty is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals as we work with you in all areas of the school.

As a part of this information, you will find a set of course descriptions for the electives being offered in the fall of 2021, and a link to our online course registration form. You will use this link to register for elective courses. Please note that course descriptions will not go live until July 20th and the course registration link will not go live until July 23rd, just a few days after our Incoming Students Reception. Please read the course descriptions, follow the directions on the form to choose your elective courses, and complete the online selection form by August 6th, at the latest. Certain courses have limited enrollment and will fill up early; your prompt attention to selecting your courses is in your best interest.

Let me offer some advice about course selection: colleges generally expect you to pursue courses in your postgraduate year that demonstrate academic progress and reflect a level of challenge appropriate to your abilities. Unless you did poorly in a course in high school, you should not sign up for a course that duplicates one that you have already taken. Every Bridgton Academy student is required to take one English and one math course. Do not feel that you must take a course in every other discipline; some students will take two social science classes, while others will take two science classes. Typically, the more you are interested in the content of a course, the more engaged you will be with the material. Although it is quite appropriate to seek the advice of your parents, former teachers, or others, it is important that you select your courses. In addition to your course registration, I will review your academic record, test scores, and the letters of recommendation sent with your admission application in determining your ultimate placement in classes.

The standard course load is four full-credit courses per semester. Non-credit courses (Focused Academic Coaching and SAT Prep) do not count towards the load of four full-credit classes. Focused Academic Coaching is taught for the entire year, and is only open to students who have been enrolled into that specific program.

The academic year is divided into two semesters. The majority of our courses are one semester in length, although some courses do run a full-year, notably the required math courses and some science courses. In each semester, you must carry an English and a math course as part of the standard four-course load. Some courses on the “Course Description” page are offered in the first semester, others during second semester; only those being offered in the first semester will appear on the online course registration. Finally, even though some semester courses are offered in both semesters, you may not repeat a course in the second semester.

College Articulation Program (CAP) courses are the most challenging and rigorous in the curriculum. Courses offered under the auspices of CAP are actual college courses that are taught at the Academy. A student may elect to take these courses for the rigor, or he may elect to take them for transferable college credit. In the event a student wishes to take a CAP course or courses for transferable college credit, he would pay an additional fee (which varies based upon the number of credits and the sponsoring institution) to take these courses. If a student earns a grade of C or better, he will receive college credit from our partnering institution. When a student matriculates to a college or university after Bridgton Academy, he may attempt to transfer these credits. Transferable college credit is at the discretion of the school a student matriculates to, not Bridgton Academy.

After July 20th, please read the course descriptions carefully. If a course you wish to take seems very interesting to you, realize that it probably seems interesting to others as well, so be sure to list alternate choices. I will use your alternative course selections if: 1) your first choice is unavailable, 2) I feel that your first choice is inappropriate for your background and/or needs, or 3) the master schedule will not accommodate your selections. Please do not neglect to list alternative selections under the impression that without them you increase your chances of getting your first choice; that is not the case.

Changes to your schedule may be made during the add/drop period at the start of each semester; you will have time to make any necessary changes once classes start. We want you to be comfortable with your academic course selection, but remember that you are coming to Bridgton Academy to stretch yourself and take on some new challenges.

It is incredibly important as we make determinations regarding your academic schedule that we have your final high school transcript. If you have not already done so, please contact your high school and ask them to send us a copy of your official transcript. Doing so will help us create a schedule that best meets your needs. Official transcripts should be mailed to: Mrs. Deb Dutton, Registrar, PO Box 292, North Bridgton, ME 04057.

As a Bridgton Academy student, you will receive an Apple iPad that will serve as your e-reader for classes and help you to achieve success in future college level courses utilizing such technology. Your instructors will require that you bring your iPad to every class. Students should arrive with the following supplies: 4 single subject binders, 4 single subject notebooks, filler paper, pens and pencils.

I hope you have a lovely summer that is restful and safe. I look forward to meeting you and hearing about what you hope to accomplish while attending Bridgton Academy and how I can help you to achieve those goals.

 

Sincerely,

Binaca Hanson
Assistant Head of School for Academic & Student Life

Elective Course Descriptions