Bridgeport International Academy
Develops New Programs
As Bridgeport International Academy, formerly known as New Eden
Academy, prepares for its ninth year as an educational institution,
new plans are being made for the 2007-2008 school year. Following
are answers, based on the most frequently asked questions.
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How has Bridgeport International
Academy (BIA) been developing?
Our state approved, college preparatory school began in 1997 and
has had seven graduating classes. In order to focus on academics,
five years ago we rented out most rooms in our dormitory and became
primarily a day school. We now have a core day student population
and have arranged home-stay opportunities for several international
students. This was a successful move. We are proud of the academic
achievements of our students and the quality of our character education
/ community service program. In 2001, one BIA student qualified
as a National Merit Finalist.
Local students from the greater Fairfield County/Bridgeport community
make up the majority of our student body, although there are numerous
international pupils from a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds.
Also, we have established a home-stay program with local host families
in order to accommodate the international students who are enrolled
at BIA. We have found this more stabilizing and economical than
living in dorms; home-stay students have a family environment in
a local home. Volunteers from active World CARP and Service for
Peace chapters at the University of Bridgeport (UB) provide numerous
activities, service opportunities, gatherings, and sports activities
in addition to what the school provides.
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What are the Academy's
plans for 2005-06?
Every year we develop new course offerings, upgrade our computer
technology, and provide teachers with opportunities for professional
development.
Several BIA teachers attended training in Phoenix on how to use a state-of-the-art, computerized curriculum called Switched
on Schoolhouse (SOS) developed by Alpha Omega that exists in paper,
CD ROM and online versions. We are pleased that it incorporates
a general backbone of religious values without impinging on the
specific subject matter of most of the courses, although we will
also continue to use a variety of other educational curriculum.
We have two plans for the SOS distance learning curriculum: (1)
to provide a greater variety of self-study courses for BIA students
who need to take courses that we are not able to offer to them at
the moment; and (2) to provide the foundation for a distance learning
program for students doing home-schooling anywhere in the world.
We intend to expand our ESL program for international students whose
native language is not English. We have new Japanese students coming
from the International Studies Institute in Japan in late April.
We will be developing a family-style dorm house for them to live
in. ESL students can take a variety of courses outisde the ESL curriculum
as they are mainstreamed into the regular curriculum step-by-step.
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Can students who do
not live in Connecticut enroll at BIA?
Yes! We found that running a high school dormitory is expensive
since it requires providing meals, entertainment, transportation,
medical attention, recreational activities and staff on a 24 hour
basis. A core of families who live near UB are willing to host youth;
for those interested in such an opportunity, we will seek a local
family for them. This year we had seven home stay students. We will
continue to open our dormitory to international students whose parents
are willing and able to pay a substantial fee to cover the additional
costs. We are working on the renovation of a large house shich we will call Seaview International House.
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Who are your teachers?
What courses do they teach?
 Bridgeport
International has a solid core of full-time teachers and adjuncts
who teach foreign language, fine arts, and physical education courses.
Most faculty members have graduate degrees.
Marianne Tecun is BIA's own vice principal who rules with an Irish twist. She
recieved her Bachelors Degree in education from Rhode Island College and
obtained her Masters Degree from Seattle University. She studied a Doctoral program
at the University of Bridgeport. With her knowledge and experience under BIA's
belt she hopes to expand enrollment and assist with professional factuality development.
Maya Hodzic was born and raised in Bosnia. She teaches World Literature
1&2, American Short Stories and Britsh Literature. She recieved her
Masters in english and Bachelors Degree in english and communication science.
Maya Hodzic, did not only recieve both degrees from UCONN University but she also taught there
at a college level,and wishes to continue teaching at ass high level here at BIA.
Tatiana Vyazikina, who graduated from a teacher's college in Uzbekistan
and taught there, works as our Modern World History and World Civilization
teacher and monitors self-study, correspondence courses, and distance
learning.
Keith McCarthy is from South Carolina and has been teaching mathematics
for about 4 years prior to graduating in the U.S. with a master's
degree. Keith brings an in-depth understanding to the range of math courses
that he teaches here at BIA. From simple algebra to statics, Keith has proven
himself worthy as a fine teacher with his remarble sense of humor included
in every lesson.
Nora Spurgin, in addition to serving as the dean of students, facilitates
our character education and community service course which includes
25 hours of service per semester and discussions and presentations
on values, ethical issues, and social and religious topics. Recently,
students gave presentations on social issues, and the faculty presented
the lives and teachings of the founders of the major world religions,
including Judaism, Catholicism, and Unificationism. Two months were
also focused on marriage and family life preparation. In addition,
Mrs. Spurgin teaches a course entitled College and Careers to prepare
students to take standardized tests, complete college applications,
and discover their own skills and career interests.
Kenya Sohn, the computer administrator with an M.S. in education,
teaches several computer and computer graphics courses. As a black
belt in Tae Kwon Do, he serves as the instructor for the BIA Martial
Arts course.
Kum Taek Oh, a master ceramist, teaches a much enjoyed, well-attended
Ceramics class in a university studio outfitted with pottery wheels
and kilns.
Along with my duties as principal, I enjoy teaching courses in U.S.
History, American Government, and Modern World History.
For our Korean, Japanese, and Spanish courses, we have three adjunct
instructors Paul Yonshik An, Michiko Kim, and Rolando Tecun respectively.
Students wanting to study other languages are able to enroll in
university courses as well. Robyn Dilg, who has taught English as
a Second Language (ESL) in Spain, is the primary instructor for
our Intensive English program for students whose native language
is not English.
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What are some of the
unique aspects of BIA?
Many BIA students have studied in a variety of languages, countries,
methods and schools. As a small school, BIA can properly credit
students for their varied past educational experiences and offers
students an opportunity to tailor their academic curriculum and
social experience into one in which they will thrive. While students
must meet strict graduation requirements, we are flexible in our
curriculum, offer personalized instruction, and provide opportunities
to make-up courses through correspondence and distance learning
courses.
Our course offerings would not be complete without mentioning the
wealth of opportunities available at the university. BIA has a special
arrangement with UB for juniors and seniors to take a maximum of
four university courses per year which means 12 or more college
credits. This enables BIA students to broaden their horizons with
a variety of English, science, mathematics, computer, psychology,
foreign language, music, and fine art courses. They will receive
both high school and college credit (This may vary by college).
Thus, it is possible for a student to graduate from BIA with nearly
one year of college credits, which is a tremendous financial benefit.
Also, graduates of BIA receive a 30% discount in the costs of tuition
at UB.
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What are some activities
the students enjoy at BIA?
Out of the many interesting courses available to BIA students, Musical
Theatre and Ceramics are the top favorites. Students choose a production
they would like to perform at the beginning of the year, and then
practice for several months, putting in much of their own time and
effort. After hours of hard work and preparation, the show is performed
in Spring, for the students' families, friends, and staff. We also
do charity performances where all profits of the proceeds go to
a non-profit charity organization like Habitat for Humanity. Since
BIA concentrates on Community Service, Musical Theatre is a wonderful,
enjoyable way students have found to serve others.
Ceramics is a course that many students love. They are given the
chance to freely design and make any ceramic figures of their wish:
bowls, dishes, vases, figurines, busts- anything within the boundaries
of the students' imagination. Students love and enjoy the freedom
they have in this course, which they take at a UB ceramics studio
under the instructions of Mrs. Kum Taek Oh, and many who have taken
this enjoyable class graduate capable of creating beautiful and
elegant things in a studio.
There is also a strong sense of service at BIA. Every Friday, there
is a two-hour community service period during which all students
go out and serve the community in some way. They could be cleaning
the park, cooking for veterans, or helping out at a nursing home.
This coming Monday, Martin Luther King Day, the students will be
working with Habitat for Humanity (A non-profit organization which
builds houses for underprivileged families) to finish building nine
houses for families who will be owning their own homes for the very
first time.
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What is the involvement
of the Student Council in the school?
The Student Council is a group of highly dedicated, diligent students
who organize almost all of the school's events and field trips.
The Council is also responsible for organizing and implementing
the fundraisers to raise enough money to support all student activities
throughout the year. All SC members take active parts in the organizing
process, and each are valued for their unique talents. Some of the
events the SC organizes includes: the annual Halloween Bash, NYC
Trip, end-of-the-year trips to Six Flags and Camp Sunrise, potlucks,
movie-nights, and more.
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What is the involvement
of the PTA in the school?
The PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) meets once a month at the school
to give the parents and teachers a chance to meet and discuss the
progress of each student. The PTA leaders, Steven Boyd and Christine
Hempowicz, plan the meetings and organize events. They recently
had a speaker come in and talk about financial aid for college to
the parents of juniors and seniors. The PTA is actively involved
with the students' events and activities and are always willing
to help out in any way.
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What have your alumni
been doing since graduating from BIA?
Graduates of BIA have been accepted by or are attending excellent Universities such as, Cornell University, New York University, U.C. Berkeley, Georgetown University, Boston University, Boston College, Drexel University, Tuffs University, Lehigh University, Emory University and several other
schools. Students with outstanding SAT scores have received a combined
total of hundreds of thousands of dollars in college scholarship
money.
Many recent graduates have chosen to do community service and volunteer
projects following high school and are still in the process of applying
to college. Most former BIA students plan to participate in religious
and other nonprofit organization sponsored post-high school service
internships in America, Europe and Asia.
Do you offer scholarships?
We try to keep our costs as low as possible. At the present time,
we do not offer scholarships although that
is our goal.
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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