What We Value & How We Live This Out

Learning How to Succeed

Understanding the importance of short, mid, and long term goals coupled with effective long term planning is a crucial element of BA, especially with our new students, as the importance of 9th grade academics is a pivotal foundation for Grades 10-12, and beyond. With a framework built upon self-autonomy, BA students are provided with the ability to learn lifelong skills easily transferrable to furthering success in any college, career or life endeavor. 

Tiered & Intentional Support at Each Level

While we recruit in 9th grade, we know the needs of each grade level vary as our students progress to graduation; therefore, we have designed BA to best address these specific needs for our students on their path to higher education.

• Our program starts with our new 9th Graders going through BA Basics: The Foundation where we break down these important facets, and help students understand the complexities and pivotal differences between middle school and high school: how course grades equate to graduation credits, and, ultimately, how their high school journey  becomes a detailed transcript and vital part of their college application... which an admissions team will review in its entirety "years down the road!"

• • Upon successfully meeting the expectations of BA Basics: The Foundation, our students graduate to BA: The Academy (Grades 10-12), where we continue to refine our focus, engage with support systems, and participate in workshop-style lessons to support important goals and initiatives, respective of each grade-level. 

• • Bearcats Academy student-centered mission culminates senior year as we support students with not only the components of the college application, but for the additional, holistic needs college students must prepare for to sustain collegiate success, such as:

    • • A First Year Budget, where students receive support and guidance on scholarships, financial aid, and actively learn how to create, plan, and manage how they will handle their finances throughout their first year by crafting a usable, detailed budget.

      • Establishing important institutional connections with specific support systems and network circles, like advisors and enrollment specialists, at the students' chosen college; the goal is for these to be active before even arriving on campus, with the baton successfully passed from high school to collegiate support systems and persons.

At all levels, students are able to build knowledge, sharpen independence skills, and fulfill short-long term goals with a strong, accountable system in place to support students' progress and growth. 

Unique College & Career Exposure

Throughout our 4-year program, students will engage in numerous college and career experiences, including on-campus visits to UC. 

During these unique experiences, our students participate in a range of college-readiness events to increase students' awareness of higher education structures and the plethora of supportive networks at their fingertips!  

These include: 

• • • Opportunities for our students to be hosted by various college departments and offices, such as UC Admissions

    • Engaging opportunities to learn from and network with professionals in high-interest industries, such as doctors, professors, alumni, etc.

    • Visits to regional campuses and colleges in the area to provide students with multiple opportunities to see, analyze, and assess what a best fit university may be for them.

Rigorous & Meaningful Support

With Bearcats Academy, we are serious about students, support, and success. Throughout our program, we provide several ways for students to not only be prepared for college, but at ease and excited about this journey too!

• • The BA Squad: We are a team of dedicated educators and student mentors with weekly touchpoints and student sessions to drive the precise objectives and needs for all of the students we serve.

• • UC Mentors: An amazing part of our program is our UC Student Mentors, who are committed to investing in meaningful relationships with our students, and providing support in several areas that range appropriately from Grades 9-12, covering areas such as:

    • • Reading and Math literacy, including accountability in other academic areas, especially as they pertain to students' college and career interests

      • Goal-setting, aligned with employing effective learning strategies, to build strong self-monitoring and efficacy skills

      • Career and college exploration projects that are student-specific with activities to learn and narrow scope

      • The Scope of Senior Year: Completion of the college application, and guided support on important next steps to be successful as a college Freshmen, i.e. a 1st Year Budget

• • On-Campus Colleges & Organizations: We provide a  vast network of experiences, so students can make a well-informed decision for plans post-graduation. With BA, they will have the opportunity to meet professors, admission officers, directors of organizations, and receive detailed information on other important college aspects, such as the Bearcat Promise Career Studio, where UC students can participate in career exploration, planning and development with professionals!