Focused Academic Coaching is a full-year course to support and help ensure a successful college career for students with learning disabilities and/or attention disorders.  The Coaching program combines individual meetings, at least one per week, with participation in the Learning Strategies course.  The combination of individual and class sessions is designed to promote self-confidence, independent learning, and strengthened academic skills.  Application for Focused Academic Coaching is required through the Office of Disability Services.  Tuition for Coaching is $1500 per semester in addition to other tuition and fees of the Academy.  Students who accept an offer of enrollment in Coaching understand that their participation and appointments are treated like any other academic obligation.  However, this course does not count toward the four required academic courses and does not appear on transcripts. 

Writing Program

All courses in the curriculum require written work. English is a required course in both semesters. In addition to the standard English course, Basic Writing is a course offered to students whose background and ability suggest the need for extensive attention to writing fundamentals. At Bridgton, students are required to write regularly; it is not unusual for a student to have written assignments in progress concurrently, just as he may expect in college.

The Writing Center

The Writing Center offers individual consultation for any student who wants additional instruction or help with his writing. Every course in the curriculum requires written assignments from students, and the Writing Center provides support for these assignments in all subject areas.

The Math Lab

Open several days each week, and evenings and weekends at appropriate times of the year, the Math Lab offers individual help for students who have questions about assignments or concepts in mathematics. The Math Lab is staffed by Peer Tutors who are identified through their proven proficiencies in math and science courses.

SAT Preparatory Program

Bridgton offers a thirteen-week course focusing exclusively on preparation for the SAT. This course is offered as a full semester course. The focus is on enhancing test performance through test taking strategy, test familiarity, and test taking practice. It is offered in addition to the existing English and math curriculum, which already include some material covered on the SAT.

Study Skills

Bridgton's academic program is designed to help all students become independent, self-monitoring learners. In each of their academic courses during the first semester, students learn the basic concepts of efficient study skills, proper and effective use of time, note-taking skills, planning and organization of long-term assignments, preparation of major written work, and effective preparation for comprehensive examinations.

Teachers instruct students in subject-specific components about study skills and techniques in their particular courses as they prepare students to be successful in similar courses in college. In this way, study skills are pervasive, as they are integrated into the academic curriculum for all students.

Learning Strategies

 This is a one-semester course offered in the first semester.  This course meets once per week to assist students in determining what specific learning strategies will enhance their individual learning styles and academic performance.  Class lessons include: time management/organization; note-taking/highlighting; effective reading skills; memorization techniques; and test preparation and test taking strategies.   Underlying principles of the course establish a "can do" attitude in the student and increase self-monitoring skills.