Going into our ninth year, the Bridge Academy Maine program has developed programs that connect college preparation, early college, wise investment in higher education and career planning. That is because, again, we understand that college and career preparation is not just about the credits! We currently serve students in 6 CTE regions around the state and are looking to add 4 more in 2020-21.
Download/view our full 2020 Program Overview (PDF Format)
THE FACTS
Nationally, 28% of students drop out before they even become a sophomore in college stranding credits and incurring student debt that saddles a student for years.
The top two reasons for dropping out according to an article “23 College Dropout Statistics That Will Surprise You” By Kim P, are:
- Money and
- having to take remedial courses.
According to a study conducted by Public Agenda, the number one reason for leaving college is money. It’s not high tuition bills, though.
Many students work while going to school. They find it too difficult to balance both responsibilities. In fact, only 31% of those citing money as their reason for dropping out did so because of high tuition rates. 54% said they dropped out because they couldn’t balance work and school.”
Bridge Academy students complete college with drastically reduced student debt without having to take remedial courses, and with scholarships available for income qualified students.
``Students in the Bridge Academy had many more people checking-in on them than most students I work with.``
Michelle Macdonald, an English teacher at Brewer High School
``The biggest benefit of the program is that it helps lift students out of poverty.``
Anthony Feldspaucsh, History Teacher, Mt. Blue
Bridge Academy Maine takes great pride in recognizing that the system of supports that are applied in high school is what makes the transition for students to postsecondary smoother.
As the Bridge Academy provides services to students, families and schools:
- Facilitating the formation of postsecondary – secondary partnerships;
- Ensuring fidelity to school and program design principles;
- Providing a range of professional development services, including leadership training and instructional coaching;
- Coordinating and convening networks of teachers and faculty to share knowledge and resources;
- Collecting data and carrying out research;
- Marshaling external support and educating policymakers.
Funding for the Bridge Academy comes from an allocation in the Target Costs line of GPA in the state biennial budget.
Funding flows from the DOE to partner CTE’s and they in turn contract with the Bridge Academy for services. Those contracted funds are used for the implementation of the program and include:
- Summer Academies
- Winter Academies
- Parent Academies
- College Faculty Liaisons
- High School Faculty Liaisons
- World of Work Inventory Assessments
- Digital Badging
- Tuition and Textbook Assistance
- Data Collection and research
- Marketing
- Partner coordination
- Student outreach, meetings and sessions
- Financial assistance to students in unusual situations
- Administration
When family and students enroll in the Bridge Academy, they do so with the understanding that college courses are paid for in a combination of ways:
- Aspirations funding if available/eligible
- Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (income verified)
- Bridge Academy scholarships(income verified)
- Family resources (Contracted 40.00 per credit hour with UMA and EMCC)