Academics

BDEA is a pioneer in competency-based learning, which is a student-centered educational approach that emphasizes mastery of specific skills and knowledge over traditional time-based progression.

This approach caters to diverse learning styles and abilities, allowing students to progress at their own speed, reducing dropout rates, and boosting engagement. It also promotes deeper understanding and retention of material, as students are not rushed through the curriculum. Our unique learning model empowers students to thrive in an academic environment tailored to their needs, fostering lifelong learning and adaptability.

As a student centered school we know that student relationships with peers and adults are crucial to a students academic and social emotional success at BDEA. Each BDEA student is assigned an advisor who is also a classroom teacher. Advisory meets several times a week and is the home base where students set academic and social emotional goals, review attendance, provide access to resources and supports within the school and build community with other peers and BDEA adults. Advisors are also responsible for reaching out to families and providing them updates on student attendance and academics. Twice a year advisors will host an in-person family meetings to help ensure students are on track and getting the support and resources they need. 

Please visit our BDEA website (BDEA.org) for a list of faculty by content area who also serve as student advisors. If you are interested in contacting a teacher or advisor, please feel free to email them using the email addresses on the website. 

Project Month takes place once/year in late November/early December.  This is a four-week learning block defined by project-based learning and culminating in a school-wide Symposium Event during which students present their learning to the outside community. Project Month allows students to select from a menu of course options, a high interest project that allows them to demonstrate part or an entire BDEA module. The BDEA courses schedule is changed during this project month, so students only attend one course all day long. Part of the learning experience will include field trips and excursions that enhance the learning experience. 

At the end of a student's experience at BDEA (when all other courses are complete), students enter their Capstone experience. This involves a trimester-long, interest-based project that will help each student set their goals for the future. Before a student is accepted into capstone they must complete all of their academic courses and complete a capstone interview. 

Capstone Application 

At the end of each term, students will be asked to demonstrate their learning through a variety of different assessment practices. This could include a presentation, oral presentation, written paper, test etc. The schedule for those days will be modified so that 

When a BDEA student completes all of their academic and post graduate courses, passes the Math, ELA and Science MCAS and completes their capstone paper and presentation they are ready to graduate from BDEA with a high school diploma. Because students may finish their graduation requirements at the end of each term, BDEA holds four graduations per year. Graduations are at 6pm and you can find the date on our BDEA school calendar. On the same day of graduation at 3pm, BDEA staff host an awards luncheon for the graduates where we celebrate each student individually. Graduation Luncheons are for BDEA staff and graduates only. 

The BDEA Summer School Term is a combination of core academic courses (Humanities, Science, and Math), academic support, social and emotional support, and enrichment opportunities for BDEA student. The program targets BDEA students who need to complete unfinished benchmarks/competencies from the school year, or who wish to accelerate their progress through their academic roadmap. Specifically, we target students who have strong attendance records and who have an interest in graduating earlier than targeted at their intake. Students will participate in up to two academic modules, working towards achieving competency benchmarks across core content areas. Additionally, students will have access to an enrichment opportunity taught by one of our Community Field Coordinators (CFCs). Charell Hendricks is the Site Coordinator. The program typically runs the four months of July, 9 am - 2:30 pm.