Student Life Information
A message from the Office of Student Life to the Parents and Class of 2022,
Welcome to Bridgton Academy! This section of the summer information webpage contains information which parents and students should find valuable in planning for the upcoming postgraduate year. Please take a few minutes to read the next few pages of information, then complete and return any applicable documents. The School Handbook will be available online via the Bridgton Academy website following August 1st. If you have questions on the materials below, please do not hesitate to call the Academy’s Main Office at (207) 647-3322.
All students participate in an extended Orientation Program. The first weekend of the school year is an “Academy Weekend” where students are unable to leave campus, and is designed to introduce students, faculty, and staff to each other, and the students to the Academy. The Orientation Program includes outdoor activities, information sessions, and discussions. Orientation provides the foundation for the shared experience of each class.
BASIC HOUSING AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Many factors are considered in making dorm room assignments. All dorms and all rooms have the same basic amenities, including internet access. Rooming assignments are announced later in the summer. Most students have at least one roommate, since most rooms are set up as doubles, but there are a few triple rooms. All dormitory rooms are furnished with the following for each student: desk, chair, chest of drawers, bed & mattress, and wastebasket. Televisions are permitted but must not be larger than 32″. Cable is not provided in student rooms.
Custodial service is provided for the public areas in dormitories, however students are expected to keep the common rooms, hallways, and stairways free of trash, clothing, shoes, etc. Students are expected to maintain and clean their own rooms. Dorm parents supervise room inspections regularly, and students are responsible for proper maintenance of school property. Thorough inspections for damage are conducted during vacations, and damage assessments will be charged to student’s SRE accounts accordingly.
INSURANCE
The Academy does not carry insurance on students’ personal property and is not responsible for loss or damage of students’ property from any cause. Parents are advised to check with their insurance company regarding coverage of student property while at school or in transit to and from school. All personal property should be marked clearly with identification, and students are advised to make a list of such property, including serial numbers when appropriate, prior to arriving at the Academy (See Security below). A copy of this document should be submitted to the houseparent upon arrival to campus.
CAMPUS CLOSING
Parents and students should take special note that the Academy campus and dormitories are closed and cannot accommodate students at the following times during the year: Thanksgiving break, Winter break, and March break.
LAUNDRY
Students may purchase laundry and linen services from Squeaky Clean Laundry in Bridgton. To learn more about the packages offered by Squeaky Clean Laundry and/or to sign your son up for the service, please click here.
For students who do not wish to use the commercial linen and laundry service, a laundromat is available within driving distance; Bridgton Academy provides transportation to town each weekend.
SUGGESTED LIST OF WHAT TO BRING & PACKING LIST
Students who do not subscribe to the linen services plan through Squeaky Clean Laundromat should bring the following linens: towels, washcloths, sheets (two sets) for dorm mattress size 36 x 80 (extra long twin), two blankets, pillow(s), pillowcases, and a laundry bag.
The Academy dress code is simple and obviously affects what clothing a student will bring. Please see the dress code for specific information regarding what a student can wear during the academic day. The faculty reserves the right to request a student change any offending clothing within the parameters of the school day.
Occasionally, students will be required to wear a dress shirt with tie, suit or sport jacket, dress slacks, socks, and dress shoes for functions on campus. Therefore, all students should bring at least one full set of dress-up clothes and keep it here on campus for the entire year.
Suggested Items: Bedding Twin XL bed sheets (x2) Mattress Pad Comforter Pillows with pillow cases Clothing/Storage Hangers Bed risers Lockable trunk for large valuables and/or lockbox for small valuables Plastic Storage bins Light (cotton) sweater Heavy (wool) sweater Rain coat or water repellent windbreaker Heavy jacket or ski parka Winter hat and gloves Warm, comfortable boots Academic Dress Code Items Collared Shirts -Polo/Golf Shirt -Long sleeve/short sleeved button down shirts Pants -Jeans, khaki pants/shorts, golf pants/shorts Formal attire: Sports coat Dress shirt Belt Dress shoes Neck tie(s) Shower/Toiletries Shower caddy Towels/washcloths Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste etc) Shower sandals/flip flops Other Helpful Items Headphones Alarm clock Reading lamp Extension cord(s) Surge protector Fan (window fan or oscillating) Adhesive material for posters, etc (that can be easily removable from walls) Basic first aid supplies (band-aids, ibuprofen, cold medicine etc) Refrigerator (1.7 cubic ft single door compact mini fridge) Televisions (32” max) Recreational sports equipment Skateboards Skiing equipment (downhill and/or cross country skis, boots, poles, snowboards) ice skates golf clubs fishing gear tennis racquet baseball/softball glove |
Items Not Permitted: Cooking appliances (hot plates, skillets, toaster ovens, coffee pots, microwaves, keurig machines) Space heaters and immersion heaters Candles/incense Furniture (students have school-issued the furniture needed for their living space) Air conditioners Refrigerators larger than 1.7 cubic feet Pets |
Bicycles are allowed, but may not be stored in dorm rooms. A bike lock is advised.
SUGGESTED SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
-4 single subject binders
-4 single subject notebooks
-filler paper
-pens and pencils
SECURITY
Please note that dormitory rooms have a door lock. In recent years, laptop computers, tablets, phones, headphones and video game stations have been at the top of the list of student items that have turned up missing or stolen. The Student Life Office advocates students and parents to consider lockable trunks or boxes for small items such as video game stations and small amounts of cash. If you have something that is valuable, a dorm room is not the most secure space. Dorm rooms should ALWAYS be locked when unoccupied. Students should bring a lockbox for small valuables.
STUDENT MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
Use of a motor vehicle at Bridgton Academy is a privilege. There will be a $250 registration fee for all vehicles. To download a copy of the Bridgton Academy Motor Vehicle Permission Form, please click here. This cost includes a parking space, registration fee and a parking decal. Parking decals may be picked up in the Student Life Office upon arrival. Any violation of the regulations for possession and use of a vehicle at the Academy (listed below) may result in loss of vehicle privileges.
The following regulations apply to motor vehicle use:
-Student vehicles are to be used only during open weekends and breaks. Use of student vehicles outside of those times requires permission from the Dean of Students.
-Any student vehicle must be registered in the Student Life Office and must display a current Bridgton Academy parking decal available in the office upon registration of the vehicle.
-A student must have prior written parental permission to register a vehicle on campus. Parents assume complete responsibility for their son’s use of the vehicle on and around the Academy campus. A vehicle registration form is included in this packet of information.
-Park in Student Parking ONLY. Parking fines are issued from the Office of Student Life, violations are documented in the office and billed to the student’s SRE account. (1st semester = $75, 2nd semester = $150.) Fines will be deducted from a student’s SRE account. Unpaid fines will result in withholding of school transcripts.
A student may lose the privilege of possessing and/or using a motor vehicle at the Academy for many reasons, including the following:
-Driving the vehicle during the school week without permission from the Office of Student Life.
-Unwise use of the vehicle when departing or returning to campus (includes operating at excess speed).
-After-hour use on weekends.
-Inappropriate use of vehicle.
-Excessive parking violations.
-Conviction of driving while intoxicated or any other traffic violation.
-Vehicle involved with an alcohol or drug violation.
-Major school rule violations or probation.
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
Please see the link for School Transportation regarding transportation services.
When families make transportation plans, which include air or bus travel, they MUST BE AWARE OF THE ACADEMY’S VACATION POLICY and its ramifications for academic grading. The school calendar provides the framework within which transportation plans for and around vacations should be established. A student is not released from his obligations until after his last scheduled commitment. When scheduling departure and return flights or buses, parents are urged to pay close attention to the calendar, and to book transportation which does not place the student in academic jeopardy.
During the year, the Academy provides transportation on weekends, at no charge, to the town of Bridgton, church services, the golf course, Shawnee Peak ski area (during ski season), and to such places as the Maine Mall, Freeport, etc., as part of planned weekend activities. Non-emergency medical transportation is available for a fee and can be arranged through the Student Life Office. In order to guarantee transportation, students must sign up in the Student Life Office.
At the beginning and end of the three major vacations, Bridgton Academy provides transportation to and from the Portland Jetport, bus and train stations at set times. This transportation is provided at a charge and students are asked to sign-up in advance.
ATTENDANCE
Productive academic time is critical to both students and faculty if they are to be successful in meeting their goals of learning and teaching. With this in mind, the Academy expects all students to be committed to meeting all of the necessary and set obligations of Bridgton Academy students throughout their year. To this end, the school institutes a stringent attendance policy for all students. In order to uphold the integrity of the school calendar as well as the academic commitment of the Academy, students are required to attend all classes while school is in session. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence, unless prior arrangements have been made through the College Counseling Office or Office of Student Life. Absences incurred due to travel convenience leading up to long weekends and major breaks will be considered unexcused.
CORRESPONDENCE
Bridgton Academy’s mailing address is: P.O. Box 292, North Bridgton, ME 04057. Student mail sent USPS should be addressed to:
Student Name
[Residence Hall]
℅ Bridgton Academy
P.O. Box 292
North Bridgton, Maine 04057
For mail sent via a different carrier than USPS, please use the following address:
Student Name
[Residence Hall]
℅ Bridgton Academy
11 Academy Lane
North Bridgton, Maine 04057
The Advisor Program
Bridgton Academy takes the role of stewarding each young man seriously. During each student’s year at Bridgton Academy, he will form many relationships with both the faculty members and peers within our community that will enhance and enrich his year. An Advisor is a responsible member of the community who serves as your son’s mentor in all aspects of Academy life, and serves as the primary point of contact between the family and the school. We believe that while students are responsible for their own behaviors and education, the Advisor is there to promote independence and self-advocacy within our students, while also teaching them to utilize the resources provided at the Academy.
The Advisor will monitor your son’s progress throughout the year, and will serve as his main support system and advocate. The Advisor is your first point of contact and primary liaison to the Academy should you have any questions, concerns or want to share information that you want someone on campus to know. Your son’s Advisor will provide academic and social support in both formal and regularly scheduled meetings, as well as informal interactions on campus. The Advisor will also be asked to write a personal recommendation for your son’s college application process.
Advisors are grouped in a cohort system for the year. This means that several adults will know your student particularly well, spend time in the dorm with him, and support him in various ways throughout the year. Your student’s advisory cohort could be made up of coaches, teachers, and/or other Academy student-based personnel.