Frequently Asked Questions
for Bridgeport International Academy
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What are BIA’s plans for the future?
BIA’s program for international youth has expanded since it began in 1997 as a college preparatory school for day students. Residential students are housed in recently renovated Seaview House, across from Seaside Park and the Long Island Sound, in dormitory space on upper floors of the newly renovated academic and administrative facility, and with local host families. As the international community of students grows, BIA will continue to accept qualified domestic students from all areas of the United States.
BIA’s new school facility provides for continuous upgrades to provide cutting edge technology and science labs. It also allows for future expansion in student enrollment, though the school’s commitment to small class sizes will be maintained.
BIA is proud of its strong academic foundation and the resulting achievements of its students. As the school adapts to accommodate the changing needs of a richly diverse student body and faculty, core values will be sustained through character education and community service programs.
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What do most students do after high school graduation?
Ninety-five percent of BIA graduates are college-bound, and have been accepted by excellent universities, including:
- Cornell University
- New York University
- U.C. Berkeley
- Georgetown University
- Boston University
- Boston College
- Drexel University
- Tuffs University
- Lehigh University
- Emory University
- University of Connecticut
- University of Bridgeport
- SUNY - Stony Brook University
- George Washington University
Many students with outstanding SAT scores have received college scholarships.
A number of graduates express their ideals by participating in community service projects through nonprofit organizations and internships in the USA, Europe, and Asia for a year or more before enrolling in colleges and universities to which they have been accepted.
How is BIA accredited?
BIA received the status of affiliation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in December 2004 and was granted ten-year accreditation by NEASC on March 15, 2007. This is the most prestigious national-level accreditation given to public and independent schools, colleges and universities. BIA has been approved by the State of Connecticut’s Department of Education (since June 2001) and by the Department of Homeland Security (since December 2001) to issue I-20 forms enabling international students to obtain F-1 nonimmigrant student visas.
What are BIA’s graduation requirements?
BIA students must have at least 23 credits to graduate from high school, as shown in the chart below. BIA also requires a total of 75 community service hours as a graduation requirement.
| Courses of Study |
Required Credits |
| English |
4 |
| Math |
3 |
| Science |
3 |
| Social Studies |
3 |
| Foreign Language |
2 |
| Physical Education |
2 |
| Health and Human Biology |
1 |
| Computer Science |
1 |
| Elective Courses |
4 |
| Total Credits Required for Graduation |
23
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Definition of Credit
- One credit is based on completion of a one-year course of study, defined as meeting 200 minutes per week for 36 weeks.
- One half credit is based on completion of a semester course of study, defined as meeting 200 minutes per week for 18 weeks or 100 minutes per week for 36 weeks.
- Credit for physical Education and Martial Arts: Students receive .25 credits each semester for completing 2 hours per week of required physical education activities, including team sports, individual sports, and martial arts. Students are also encouraged to participate in co-curricular sports, music, and art programs.
- Transfer Credit and Exam Credit: For transfer students with a grade of C or higher, course credit is accepted from accredited high school institutions and from recognized home school and distance learning programs. Credits may be given for any course in lieu of class time if a student passes comprehensive exams in the subject. CLEP examination results, community college or university courses, or independent study may also help to fulfill required high school credits.
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What curriculum is offered?
| Grade 9 - Freshmen Year |
| Abbreviation |
Course Description |
| Elm Writ |
Elements of Writing |
| Earth Sci |
Earth Science |
| W Civ I |
World Civilizations/Geography I |
| Intro Comp |
Introduction to Computers |
| PE |
Physical Education |
| Char Ed |
Character Education |
| Elective |
Foreign Language Elective |
| Elective |
Creative Activity Elective |
| Grade 10 - Sophomore Year |
| Abbreviation |
Course Description |
World Lit |
World Literature/Composition |
| Geometry |
Geometry |
| Biology |
Biology |
| W Civ II |
World Civilixations/Geograhpy II |
| Health/Hum Bio |
Health and Human Biology |
| PE |
Physical Education |
| Char Ed |
Character Education |
| Elective |
Foreign Language Elective |
| Elective |
Creative Activity Elective |
| Grade 11 - Junior Year |
| Abbreviation |
Course Description |
Amer Lit |
American Literature/Composition |
| Algebra II |
Algebra II |
| US History |
US History |
| Col&Career |
College and Careers |
| Comp Appl |
Computer Applications |
| PE |
Physical Education |
| Char Ed |
Character Education |
| Elective |
Creative Activity Elective |
| Grade 12 - Senior Year |
| Abbreviation |
Course Description |
Brit Lit |
British Literature/Composition |
| Precalc |
Pre-Calculus |
| Us Gov't |
US Government |
| PE |
Physical Education |
| Char Ed |
Character Education |
| Elective |
Creaticve Activity Elective |
| Elective |
Elective course, Internship, or
Optional Senior Project |
In addition to courses and co-curricular activities for credit, BIA offers student-run clubs with school advisors in many areas of interest, and provides opportunities for supervised extracurricular activities after school hours.
Are advanced courses available?
Through an arrangement with the University of Bridgeport, qualified juniors and seniors are able to take two university courses per semester; this program replaces Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Students who successfully complete university courses can accumulate high school credits, and up to 3 university credits per course. Students may also take courses at the Housatonic Community College. Examples of university courses taken by qualified BIA students include:
- English composition
- Creative Writing
- Literature and Civilization
- Intermediate Algebra
- College Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Introduction to Statistics
- Applied Statistics
- Pre-Calculus
- Calculus I
- Calculus II
- Calculus III
- Discrete Mathematics
- Introduction to Computing I
- Introduction to Computing II
- Computer Graphics
- Computer Concepts
- Communications
- Economics
- International Business
- Psychology
- Principles of Physics I
- Principles of Physics II
- Fine Arts
- General Biology I
- General Biology II
- Elementary Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Intermediate Chemistry
- World Politics
- American History
- American Government
- Introduction to Psychology
- Child Psychology
- Personality Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Psychology Electives
- Beginners Japanese
- Intermediate Japanese
- Beginners Korean
- Intermediate Korean
- Beginners French
- Intermediate French
- Beginners Spanish
- Intermediate Spanish
- Martial Arts
What facilities are shared with the University of Bridgeport?
- University Library
- Wheeler Recreation Center
- Arnold Burnham Center (ABC Hall) for Performing arts
- Marina Dining Hall
- University Student Center
Are there special programs for international students?
According to assessed need, international students begin with a full English Language Learner program and advance to an intermediate program with content courses in basic English before moving into mainstream coursework.
Can domestic students from other areas enroll at BIA?
Yes! While the dormitories primarily house international students, there is limited dormitory space for domestic students where meals, entertainment, transportation, medical attention, recreational activities, and staff are available. A core of qualified families who live near BIA also host youth from other areas, providing a home-like environment.
Who are your teachers?
BIA has a solid core of full-time teachers, adjunct faculty, and staff, many with graduate degrees, who provide instruction in Math, English, Science, History, Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Character Education. Teachers also support co-curricular and extracurricular activities. A consistent characteristic of BIA teachers is their commitment to core values of the school and to the academic and personal development of each student.
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How is BIA different from other schools?
BIA emphasizes academic excellence, ethical values, and character education, with a unique focus on bringing together people with diverse national, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Students are provided with a healthy and safe environment for gaining academic knowledge, cultural competence, and universal values that prepare them for productive and meaningful lives.
Many BIA students have studied in a variety of languages, countries, and schools with different educational methods. While BIA properly credits students for their past academic achievements, all students must meet strict graduation requirements. To assist its international students, BIA provides a flexible approach to learning, including intensive ESL classes, personalized instruction, and distance learning courses to augment on-site classes.
Adjacency to the University of Bridgeport (UB) provides a unique benefit for BIA students. Qualified juniors and seniors may take a maximum of 4 university courses, receiving 12 college and high school credits, per year. This prepares students for studying in a college environment and extends the high school curriculum available. UB Courses are considered equivalent to AP courses, and subjects include English, science, mathematics, computer technology, psychology, foreign language, music, and fine arts. Students who take advantage of this program may graduate from BIA with nearly one year of college credits, and this often reduces the time and expense required to complete an undergraduate degree. BIA Graduates admitted to UB receive a thirty percent discount in college tuition costs.
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What activities are available for BIA students?
One period each day is devoted to co-curricular activities, including:
- Art. Gathering to express artistic talent.
- Mentoring. Supporting and Teaching children in Kindergarten and first grade.
- Chorus. Learning a variety of music and preparing for performances.
- Drama. Rehearsing for plays and musicals.
- Yearbook. Designing and producing the annual yearbook.
- Martial Arts. Learning exercises and basic kicks and punches.
- Physical Education. Playing sports in Wheeler Recreation Center or on the university grounds.
- Yoga. Learning basic yoga stances and relaxation practices.
Students are involved in a variety of extracurricular clubs and activities after school and during weekends. New clubs are formed based on a petition to the Student Council, and since students live in or near the school, students are able to schedule a meeting at any reasonable time. After-school clubs and activities include:
- Student Council. The Council is composed of elected students who represent the student body and help to manage student activities.
- Volleyball Club. After-school volleyball games are organized for fun and love of the sport. Games are played at the University of Bridgeport’s Wheeler Recreational Center and on beach volleyball courts by the Sound.
- Softball/Basketball Club. Baseball is America's pastime, but it is also popular in many other countries, so this club sparks the interest of many students. Students play baseball and softball on courts in Seaside Park until winter, when they play basketball on Wheeler Recreation Center's newly renovated basketball court.
- Soccer Club. BIA students are enthusiastic about one of the world’s most popular sports. They are able to take advantage of Seaside Park's large soccer fields for play.
- UB Tae-Kwon-Do classes. The University of Bridgeport Martial Arts program is the first at an American Institution leading to a Bachelor’s degree in Martial Arts Studies. Some students have chosen to participate in this fee-based program as an activity which teaches self-defense, self-discipline, determination, and inner peace.
- Music Club. Using the school's drums, keyboards, and many privately owned guitars, students enjoy playing together informally, sometimes supporting school musical performances.
- The University Singers. This mixed-voice chorus is open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni of BIA and UB, as well as community members. The group is a UB student organization, a course for credit, and a community service. The Singers perform four to six times each year for on-campus events such as the International Festival and Commencement, as well as performances in the greater Bridgeport area.
- Community Service. All students provide a minimum of seventy-five hours of community service to fulfill graduation requirements. Students have worked with the Boy Scouts of America, hospitals, elementary schools, and other community projects. Other examples of service include:
- The WAIT Team. Washington AIDS International Teens (WAIT) is a performing arts group that educates youth about the dangers of HIV/AIDS. WAIT team members use their talents to make a difference in the world by modeling abstinence and faithful life partnership. The Bridgeport chapter has been in operation for five years, and many BIA students participate in this activity.
- Service for Peace. This international not-for-profit organization coordinates the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and conducts activities to bring diverse groups together to eliminate barriers created by race, religion, class, creed, or national origin. The organization also works to address various social needs. Volunteers from Service for Peace chapters at the University of Bridgeport provide numerous activities, service opportunities, gatherings, and sports activities in addition to what BIA provides.
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What is the role of BIA’s Student Council?
The Student Council is a group of responsible students who devote their time and effort to organize, discuss, and implement school social functions that encourage a sense of community. Leadership positions include president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, a representative from each grade level, and an international representative. Student Council members are selected by the entire student body through an election process, except for the president who is elected by school staff, based on attributes of responsibility and motivation. Weekly Student Council meetings are held to discuss and organize events. The Student Council has the responsibility of mediating between the administration and students and of leading and listening to the student community. Activities sponsored by the Student Council include:
- Trips to New York City, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, Six Flags, and other destinations.
- Social events, including Halloween Party and Lock-in Party.
- Fundraising activities, including car washes and Mother’s Day flower sales.
Is the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) active in school affairs?
Monthly PTA meetings are held at the school to give parents and teachers an opportunity to discuss matters of concern to the school community. PTA leaders plan meetings, organize events, and engage speakers to address topics such as academic development, school system issues, and financial aid for college. The PTA is also actively involved with student events and activities.
Do you offer scholarships or other forms of financial aid?
Information about limited financial aid is available through BIA administration.
For more information, please contact BIA
BIA intends to hire more teachers in the near future. Our Academy
has a particular need for English and ESL teachers, although we
will consider applications from both experienced and new teachers
in a variety of disciplines.If you are interested in helping to
build a college preparatory school in an exciting, dynamic location
or in attending BIA, please write to Dr. Hugh and Mrs. Nora Spurgin,
Bridgeport International Academy, 400 Linden Avenue, Bridgeport,
CT 06604; phone (203) 334-3434; send an email to hdspurgin@bridgeportacademy.org ;
or consult our website: http://www. bridgeportacademy.org.
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