Bridgeport International Academy (BIA) recognizes academic excellence and the mastery of technical abilities as essential aspects of each individual's education. Equally important is the development of character and the embodiment of integrity and personal ethics. A fully educated person must develop the ability to use knowledge and skills for the benefit of others.
Mission Statement
Milestones
Educational Philosophy
Student Life
Seven Pillars of Bridgeport International Academy
Message from the Principal
Students, Families, and Friends:
Thank you for your interest in Bridgeport International Academy!
BIA is a learning community where students grow in heart and mind as they gain an excellent academic foundation for their college careers. Our holistic approach to education helps students develop the ability to use knowledge responsibly, choose and incorporate information most essential to their life goals, distinguish between useful or harmful exposures, and understand universally-recognized values. The multinational composition of the school community provides students with the opportunity to gain cultural competence and a broad understanding of the world in which they live.
BIA provides a safe and encouraging environment, with a low student to teacher ratio, where students can move freely through their educational experiences. Honesty, respect, and integrity are expected, fostering community spirit based on positive behavior. Because creativity is highly valued, many academic and extracurricular activities provide opportunities for individual expression.
Domestic and international students take a wide variety of college preparatory courses where their creative abilities are challenged, and qualifying juniors and seniors may take four university courses per year for high school and college credit. Some students also complete internships for credit. While the school maintains a rigorous academic curriculum, students are encouraged to customize their educational experience through elective courses and activities.
Please contact me at (203) 334-8651 to arrange a visit to our campus. Interested students are encouraged to apply before June 1 of the academic year in which they plan to enroll.
Nora M. Spurgin, MSW
Principal
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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 interreligious understanding.
BIA achieves these goals by offering a knowledgeable and culturally diverse faculty and staff and a holistic educational experience emphasizing the study of core subjects, oral and written communication, technological skills, character education, physical education, the arts, community service, and extracurricular activities.
Milestones
September 1997: BIA is established as a private college preparatory school on the campus of the University of Bridgeport (UB).
June 21, 2001: Approval is given by the Department of Education of the State of Connecticut.
December 29, 2001: Approval is obtained from Immigration and Naturalization Service to issue I-20 forms, allowing international students to obtain an F-1 nonimmigrant student visas.
2002:
- Character education initiative is launched to teach values through presentations and discussions conducted by teachers, students, and guest speakers.
- Community service requirement of 75 hours is added to school curriculum.
- Intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program is established to prepare international students to successfully participate in regular classes.
December 1, 2004: Affiliation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) is granted in the category of Candidate for Accreditation.
Summer, 2005: ESL Summer Intensive program is established, graduating seven students from Japan, Korea, and Costa Rica.
March 15. 2007: BIA is elected to institutional membership in NEASC and granted ten-year accreditation.
August 2007: BIA relocates to completely renovated new building, the Seaside Institute, at 285 Lafayette Street. With ample room for school expansion, new facility includes major upgrades to science labs, computer labs, and technology systems. Girls dormitory added in Seaside Institute Building.
December 2007: State of Connecticut Department of Education approval of the academy renewed.
September 2009: Additional room made available for assemblies.
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Educational Philosophy
Academic subjects are taught as an integral part of a body of knowledge so that students recognize relationships among the disciplines. The study of world history and culture reflects the international, interdisciplinary focus of the academy. The school emphasizes the importance of effective communication by fostering the development of writing and public speaking skills. Teachers use a variety of instructional techniques to stimulate each student’s creativity and motivation to learn.
As part of their high school journey, students critically explore the spiritual and ethical teachings of the great world religions. Character education and ethical reflection encourage students to nurture their own identities as young men or women oriented toward community service and social conscience. Students are encouraged to obtain the guidance of teachers, parents, and mentors as they develop ideals and values.
Student Life
The Principal and Vice Principal coordinate student life, overseeing student leadership, counseling services, community service, and character education activities. The academy provides opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular events including debate contests, science fairs, athletic events, art shows, and educational outings. Events are scheduled for cultural and educational purposes. Additionally, club and sports activities are available.
Core Values. BIA promotes a social milieu in which students make a commitment to personal growth through positive behaviors and academic achievement. Students are also encouraged to develop meaningful and constructive relationships with peers, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community.
BIA’s policy of abstinence from drugs, alcohol, smoking, and premature sex allows students the freedom to pursue their studies and personal lives unencumbered by excessive peer pressure. Instead of engaging in exclusive romantic relationships, students are socially active in groups, and they are encouraged to relate to each other as brothers and sisters. Each student and his/her parent or guardian must agree to comply with these policies as a condition of entering the academy. Students discuss the school’s core values in various forums throughout the year through the character education curriculum.
Discipline
In all dealings with students, BIA administrators teachers and staff respect the integrity of each student, supporting each one’s personal motivation to maintain a high standard of behavior. Students are expected to respect school rules, teachers, staff, and peers, and a clear set of reasonable rules for classroom and dormitory behavior is provided.
Discipline is applied in an appropriate and lawful manner, according to the seriousness of the offense. The use of ridicule, corporal punishment, obscenities, abusive language, or harsh, humiliating, frightening, or ostracizing treatment is not tolerated. Discipline focuses on the actions of the student, but motivation is also considered. Student rights to make choices, to be respected, and to be treated fairly are observed. Encouragement, problem solving, and patience are used to promote self-reflection.
Seven
Pillars of Bridgeport
International Academy
1
Respect
for God, parents, teachers and humanity.
Always be open to learn. Respect authority and everyone around you. Be courteous, appreciative, tolerant, and accepting of individual differences. Do not abuse, demean, or mistreat anyone, including yourself. Do no 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 by treating others as you would like to be treated. Do not be selfish, mean, cruel, or insensitive to the feelings of others. Be charitable and giving of yourself; volunteer to help your community and school.
3
Respect your
environment.
Whether it is God’s creation, the places you live, or things you use every day, care for the environment around you: Do not deface property. Leave your environment the same or better than it was when you found it. Protect the environment by conserving natural resources.
4
Be trustworthy.
Tell the truth. Be sincere. Do not deceive, mislead or betray a trust. Walk your talk and be your best self by demonstrating commitment, courage, and self-discipline.
5
Be a moral person.
Be aware of fundamental human values and develop conscience, self-control, empathy, and humility. Make decisions based on positive values, not impulses. Postpone exclusive relationships with the opposite sex to preserve emotional well-being and prevent jealousy and inappropriate behavior. Relate to peers as brothers and sisters by treating everyone as equals. Refrain from using substances that are psychologically or physically harmful, such as alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco.
6
Strive for
unity of mind and body.
Be focused and balanced. Play by the rules. Obey laws. Do your share. Stay informed and participate in your community. Protect yourself and those around you. Express an appreciation of community and social values through actions that match your best idea of yourself.
7
Be responsible.
Learn to respond to the needs of others, and 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. Do not take unfair advantage of others’ mistakes. Do not take more than your fair share.
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