On March 9, 2007, BIA was again granted state approval as a nonpublic school by the State of Connecticut. In addition, the academy has approval from the Department of Homeland Security of the U.S. government to issue I-20 forms in order for international students to obtain F-1 non-immigrant student visas. On March 15, 2007, Bridgeport International Academy was elected to institutional membership and was granted accreditation for ten years by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. BIA then moved to the former Seaside Institute at 285 Lafayette Street in 2008 and also developed an English Language Program, taking international students through two levels of English and then mainstreaming them into regular classes by their junior or senior year. International students have already graduated from BIA and are now in colleges and universities in the US.
Facilities
Bridgeport International Academy is located on 285 Lafayette Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut. All classes and offices are located there, including Intensive English or ELL classrooms, English classroom, science classroom and lab, computer laboratories, assembly room, lunch room, and health center. The school has two separate dorms, one for boys and one for girls. Through an arrangement with the University of Bridgeport, BIA students, faculty and administrative staff have access to the following university facilities: The Marina Dining Hall, The Magnus Wahlstrom Library, The Wheeler Recreation Center, The Arnold Bernhard Arts and Humanities Center, and the University Student Center.
Academics
Accelerated Courses
Through an arrangement with the University of Bridgeport and Housatonic Community College, qualified juniors and seniors may take classes at these universities in lieu of Honors or Advanced Placement courses. This is a dual credit system in which a student may receive credit simultaneously from college and high school. Such courses are marked “UB” or “HCC” on a student's transcript. The following are some of the courses that BIA students have taken at UB and HCC:
Students must complete a minimum of 23 credits in order to graduate.
English – 4 credits
Social Studies – 3 credits
Mathematics – 3 credits
Science – 3 credits
Health – 1 credit
Computer Science – 1 credit
A variety of electives is offered, and an English Language Learner program is offered for international students.
Activities
Activities offered include:
Art
Fine Arts
Digital Arts
Chorus
Drama
Yearbook
Basketball/ Volleyball
Contemporary Dance / Hip Hop
Students are involved in a variety of extracurricular clubs and activities including:
Student Council: composed of elected students who represent the student body and help manage student activities.
Volleyball Club: After-school volleyball games are played at the University of Bridgeport's Wheeler Recreational Center and on beach volleyball courts by the Sound.
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.
Music Club.
The WAIT Team: is a performing arts group that educates youths about the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
Film Club: Students are able to use state of the art equipment and make films about the school. The club is largely supported by MSG Varsity.
Athletics
Because Bridgeport International Academy does not have any athletic teams, eligible students are allowed to join the local public school's teams, Bassick High School, and juniors and seniors with the University of Bridgeport.
Theater
At the end of each school year, the drama class of Bridgeport International Academy performs a play in the main theater of the University of Bridgeport's Arnold Bernard Center. This is usually a musical, such as "The Wizard of Oz," or The "Sound of Music." However, in 2011, they performed Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Students receive credit for performing.
The academy is partnered with on Cablevision Channel 14 to cover and promote school activities and events. MSG Varsity is a 24/7 television network dedicated to high school sports, academics and activities throughout the tri-state area. The students and faculty in schools that are working with this service are given access to curriculum and training in multimedia creation and distribution. MSG Varsity has provided HD cameras and video editing software to the academy, in addition to hosting videos made by the academy's students on their website. Also, a crew from MSG Varsity occasionally comes to record special events or for interviews. One student, Daniel Hirano, was interviewed about his hobby, origami. The videos made by the students of BIA are available on the MSG Varsity website, or on Cablevision channel 14.
