BCS takes the idea of college preparation very, very seriously. Not only is our school accredited by WASC, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, our high school curriculum has been approved by the University of California. For a complete list of approved courses check with the University of California a-g web page. Many BCS students have been accepted to the University of California through the Eligibility in Context Program. Others have earned academic scholarships.
At BCS, each student can, if needed, take two math classes and/or two English classes through the year and also in summer school. We understand these two subjects to be key to future success. Writing at BCS is an enjoyable activity and typically students who had a very tough time with writing begin to enjoy the process very quickly.
During our extended school year summer program we offer SAT Preparation classes as well as an intensive study of Shakespeare’s dramas through our Shakespeare in the Park program that utilizes all the wonderful facilities of the Old Globe Theatre.
Many students begin their college studies while still in high school. One young man (ADD by the way) became so empowered by studying at the local college that by the time he was 17 he had earned enough college credits to be a college junior!
Other students have studied advanced mathematics at the local universities and still others (a dyslexic young man) have studied advanced music theory and earned very good grades while attending night classes at the local college. One student became fluent in Russian through her university studies. Subsequently she went to a top college, spent a year in Russia, and upon graduating college, moved to Washington DC to work as a translator for a prominent law firm.
BCS has had several students win National Merit Scholarships. Subsequently they were offered full scholarships to college. Still others have earned academic scholarships to UC schools and also very competitive private universities. One student has earned a national writing prize from Scholastic Publishers and a $15,000 cash prize through his essay writing skills. Subsequently, he too earned a full scholarship to college.
How do we do it? We work closely with students and families. We give honest feedback as to how they are doing in basic academic skills. We offer a stress free environment within which to learn. We support student and parent aspirations and have very high behavior expectations of our students.