Academic Course Load

Bridgton Academy meets the academic needs of students with a wide range of levels. Courses offered through the College Articulation Program (CAP) are regarded as the most challenging, since CAP courses require students to perform according to the demands of actual college courses (see section detailing CAP courses.)  Other courses at the Academy are demanding, but may be more or less challenging depending on the academic background of the student. In order to make the postgraduate year the most meaningful experience possible, a student should carry courses which stretch his ability and force him to work hard to meet their demands. Colleges prefer that postgraduate students take academically rigorous courses that are not a repetition of high school courses already on the transcript.

The minimal course load for all students is four full-credit courses, which must include an English course and a mathematics course. Students enrolled in the Program for Academic Support (PAS), SAT Prep, and/or learning strategies must maintain the four full-credit course minimum in addition to the PAS, SAT Prep course, and or learning strategies. Some students may enroll in five full-credit courses with the approval of the Academic Dean.

The Academic Dean, working closely with a student's faculty advisor and college counselor, offers advice about course selection to a student, and has the authority to deny enrollment in a course which, in his opinion, is beneath or above a student's current ability, or which might weaken his chances for admission to college.

Supervised Study

Throughout the academic year, all students are required to participate in evening study hours. Between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday evenings, every student is expected to be occupied with academic work in a quiet setting.

1. Study Hall
At the beginning of the year, all students are assigned to a specific seat in SUPERVISED EVENING STUDY HALL in the Hamlin Study Center, the Humanities Center, or the Goldsmith Dining Hall. Rules for study hall are simple:

Students arrive before 7:30 p.m., prepared with all necessary books, materials, and assignments, ready to begin the work promptly at 7:30 p.m.,  and to continue to work without interruption for two hours. Students remain in their seats for the full two hours. No food, drinks, headphones, or recreational reading are allowed.

2. Room Study
After the first marking period, the faculty meets regularly to review the list of students to whom the privilege of room study will be granted. Students with an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or above usually qualify for the privilege of studying in their dormitory rooms for the second quarter, but a student's faculty advisor may recommend the student for room study based upon evidence of sincere effort, regardless of the actual GPA.

A student's performance, attitude, and effort have significant bearing upon the willingness of the faculty to grant or revoke room study privileges. Students who earn room study privileges are allowed to complete their nightly supervised study obligation under the following conditions:

Be in one's own room promptly at 7:30 p.m., ready to devote two hours to academic work. No use of telephones, TVs, or showers during study hours. No recreational use of computers (e-mail, netsurfing, etc.). As may be expected of any privilege, room study status may be revoked if a student behaves inappropriately, or if the quality of his academic work declines. After each faculty review of the room study list, a new list of those students who qualify for the privilege is posted.

3. Evening Use of the Library
In accordance with procedures established and reviewed with students, after a few weeks of attending study hall, qualified students may be granted the privilege to use the Library for predetermined academic work between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on study evenings. Use of these facilities is closely monitored.

CLASSROOM AND DAILY ACADEMIC POLICIES

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