Bridgeport International Academy recognizes academic excellence and the mastery of technical abilities as essential aspects of each individual's education. Equally essential is the development of character, the embodiment of moral integrity and striving for high ethical standards. Upon this foundation, a fully educated person may develop wisdom to utilize knowledge and skills for the benefit of others.
Mission Statement
History of BIA
Special Policies
Educational Goals
Student Life
Message from the Headmaster
 Bridgeport International Academy is a learning community for domestic and international students to grow their hearts and minds as well as gain an excellent academic foundation for future college careers. We believe that a good education enables the student to use knowledge responsibly, prioritize and choose the information which will be most essential to their life goals and distinguish between right or wrong, correct or incorrect and useful or harmful exposures. Therefore, we make every effort to provide a safe and spiritually clear environment where students freely move through the educational experiences. Moral living, honesty, respect and integrity are experiences and expected and foster the truth that builds community spirit while encouraging creativity.
Enriched by the many cultures represented in the diverse and international student body, BIA is a mini global community. As I observe students interacting, I see them as international planners of the future.
The academy is located on the University of Bridgeport Campus and offers the opportunity for qualified high school juniors and seniors to take two university courses per semester, allowing the student to earn high school and college credits simultaneously.
We welcome you visit to our campus. Interested students are encouraged to apply before June 1st of each academic year which, they plan to attend.
Mrs. Nora M. Spurgin, M.S.W.
The Principal, B.I.A
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Mission Statement
Bridgeport International
Academy is a private, college preparatory high school committed to academic
proficiency, moral development, global citizenship, cultural diversity, and the
advancement of international, intercultural, and inter-religious awareness and
understanding.
The Academy seeks to achieve these
goals by offering a knowledgeable and culturally diverse faculty and staff and a
holistic, educational experience, which emphasizes the study of core subjects,
oral and written communication, technological skills, character education,
community service, physical education, the arts, and extracurricular activities.
The History of Bridgeport International Academy
July 5, 2006
In September 1997, Bridgeport International Academy (BIA) was established on the campus of the University of Bridgeport (UB). On June 21, 2001, Bridgeport International Academy obtained state approval from the Department of Education of the State of Connecticut. On December 29, 2001, BIA received approval from the Immigration and Naturalization Service to issue an I-20 form, which enables an international student to obtain a F-1 nonimmigrant, student visa. On December 1, 2004, the Academy was granted affiliation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in the category of Candidate for Accreditation.
Bridgeport International Academy is an independent, college preparatory high school committed to academic excellence, moral development, and the advancement of international, intercultural, and interreligious understanding.
The Academy opened its doors for the 2001-2002 school year primarily as a day school, which also had international students. While most students commuted as day students, those from overseas lived as home-stays with local Connecticut families. The focus was on development of the academic curriculum and of extracurricular programs. The Academy became a member of the Connecticut Debate Association with several students receiving trophies. In 2002, the Academy began a "character education / community service" curriculum which sought to teach values in a variety of modalities including ethical and spiritual presentations and discussions conducted by teachers, students and guest speakers. A community service requirement of twenty-five hours per semester was added.
During that time, BIA developed an Intensive English or English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculum to prepare international students to be mainstreamed into regular classes as soon as possible. Through that program, a foundation was made to expand the international component of the school where foreign students study English until such time as they are ready to mainstream. A Summer Intensive English programm was oficially set up in 2005. The porgramm graduated seven students from Japan, Korea, and Costa Rica. These students now mainstream into the regular school beginning in August 2005.
As a small school, BIA offers students an opportunity to tailor their school curriculum and their spiritual and social experience into one in which they can thrive. Local, domestic, and home stay students were offered innovative academic college preparatory courses where their creative abilities were challenged. Qualifying juniors and seniors were able to take four university courses per year, allowing greater diversity for special interests in course offerings. Some students did internships for which they received credit.
Our Educational Philosophy
Bridgeport International Academy fosters a social, spiritual milieu in which
students make a commitment to adhere to a sexually abstinent, substance-free
lifestyle. The Academy provides a
positive learning environment which seeks to instill in each student a reverence
for God, respect for others, responsibility for the environment, and a sense of
participating in a global community.
Our
Core Values
Students
are encouraged to focus on developing meaningful, constructive human
relationships. Premarital sex,
dating and romantic relationships, as well as consumption of alcohol, tobacco
and illegal drugs, are prohibited. Each
youth and his/her parent or guardian must agree that the student will abide by
these policies, in order to become and remain a student at the Academy.
A student who violates any of these core values will be disciplined in
accord with the seriousness of the offense.
Educational Goals:
Academic Excellence & Value-Centered, Moral Education
All aspects of the educational program are directed
toward students becoming mature individuals who can creatively meet the
challenges of life and make lasting contributions to society. Bridgeport
International Academy offers a total learning environment based on
value-centered education. Drawn from a variety of disciplines and techniques of
instruction, the faculty seeks to call forth the potential within students by
stimulating their creativity and innate desire to learn. Development of writing
and public speaking skills, as well as courses in the sciences and arts, are
emphasized. Academic subjects are taught not in isolation but as an integral
part of an organic body of knowledge. Students learn to recognize salient
relationships among and within the disciplines. As a school that focuses on the development of character students are taught to master kills, facts
and theories, as well as explore the ethical, interpretive, and interpersonal
dimensions of knowledge, history, the sciences and arts.
The study of world history and culture and of a variety
of disciplines highlight the international, interdisciplinary focus of the
Academy. Through the character education program, stress is placed on
cultivating good moral character. Through community service and critical ethical
reflection, high school students nurture their own identities as men or women of high moral
character and virtue.
The Academy life nurtures public mindedness and a
responsible social conscience. Character develops in a spiritually enriched
atmosphere where both a principled, virtuous lifestyle and leadership skills are
nurtured. In developing their own conscience and articulating their personal
journey, students are encouraged to seek the guidance of teachers, parents, and
mentors. High school students will critically explore and dialogue with the religious and
ethical teachings of various world religions.
Student Life
Student life seeks to create an environment
where emotional intimacy, trust, fidelity and responsibility are
honored. BIA maintains a policy of abstinence from sex, drugs, alcohol
and smoking which allows students the freedom to pursue their studies
and personal lives unencumbered by excessive peer pressure. Exclusive
romantic relationships between students are discouraged; promiscuous
behavior and/or premarital sex are not allowed.
The school has a value-centered philosophy of education. In all
dealings with students and staff, the administrators make an effort to keep in mind
the intrinsic value of each person. In guiding students, staff are asked
to respect the integrity of each individual and seek to nurture the
student's own motivation to maintain a high standard of behavior.
Students are expected to show courtesy and respect for school rules,
teachers, staff, and peers. Pupils are encouraged to relate to each
other as brothers and sisters to love and respect all people.
Discipline and correction is be applied to each student in an appropriate and lawful manner; on the
other hand, positive suggestions, encouragement, problem solving and
patience are used as a means to promote self-reflection. Discipline
focuses on the actions of the student, but also takes into account
motivation as well as behavior. When dealing with teenagers, teachers
and staff keep in mind individual personality and free will. Teachers
and staff make a clear set of reasonable rules of classroom and
dormitory etiquette. The student's right to make choices, to dignity, to
a sense of self-worth, and to be treated fairly will be observed.
However, disciplinary action will be applied based on the severity of
the misdeed. Teachers, staff and pupils are involved in the process of
creating a culture of love and learning that nurtures love and
understanding in relationships in an educational context. Ridicule,
corporal punishment, obscenities, abusive language, or excessively
harsh, humiliating, frightening or ostracizing treatment are disapproved
of and discouraged.
Bridgeport International Academy recognizes
academic excellence and the mastery of technical abilities as essential
aspects of each individual’s education. Equally essential is the
development of character, the embodiment of moral integrity and striving
for high ethical standards. Upon this foundation, a fully educated
person may develop wisdom to utilize knowledge and skills for the
benefit of others.
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Seven
Pillars of Bridgeport
International Academy
1
Respect
for God, parents, teachers and humanity.
Always be open to learn by respecting those around you. Respect authority. Be
courteous and polite. Be tolerant, appreciative, and accepting of individual
differences. Don’t abuse, demean, or mistreat anyone, including yourself.
Don’t use, manipulate, exploit, or take advantage of others. Respect the right
of individuals to make decisions about their own lives.
2
Live for the sake of
others. If you can be inspired to give and to be compassionate, you will
experience joy. Show you care about others through consideration, kindness and
sharing. Live by the Golden Rule. Help others. Don’t be selfish. Don’t be
mean, cruel or insensitive to other’s feelings. Be charitable and giving of
yourself.
3
Respect your
environment. Whether it is God’s creation, the places we live in, or the
things we use on a daily basis, always care for the environment around you. Do
not deface property. Leave your environment the same or better than you found
it. Help your community or school by volunteering service. Protect the
environment by conserving natural resources.
4
Be trustworthy.
Tell the truth. Be sincere. Don’t deceive, mislead, or be devious or tricky.
Don’t betray a trust. Walk your talk by being your best self by showing
commitment, courage, and self-discipline.
5
Be a moral person.
Be aware of fundamental human values of good and bad. Have knowledge of yourself
with a conscience, self-control, empathy and a sense of humility. Make decisions
based in positive values, not desires. Exclusive relationships with the
opposite sex are limiting, encourage jealousy and lead to inappropriate
behavior. Keep your relationships as brothers and sisters, and fellow students,
by treating everyone as equals.
6
Strive for
unity of mind and body. Be focused and balanced. Play by the rules. Obey
laws. Do your share. Respect authority. Stay informed. Participate in your
community. Protect you neighbors and those around you. Express an appreciation
for community and social values through appropriate behavior.
7
Be responsible. Responsibility
is to take action. Learn to respond to the needs of others. Treat all people
fairly. Be open-minded. Listen to others and try to understand what they are
saying and feeling. Make decisions which will benefit everyone equally, think
win-win. Don’t take unfair advantage of others’ mistakes. Don’t take more
than
your fair share.
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