Student Life
Welcome to Student Life at BDEA! BDEA students hail from all over Boston, and range in age from 16 to 21.
As a BDEA student, you are on your own unique path towards graduation which includes your Individualized Learning Plan, your Postgraduate Plan, and your own Student Support network.
Academics
Academics at BDEA are rigorous and challenging. The overarching goal of the academic curriculum at BDEA is to find out where each student is in terms of their skills and knowledge, and continue from there. As a result, each student has an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP), which takes into account everything they already have accomplished in school. Every student can log in to a database to view their ILP. That way, each student knows exactly where he/she stands, and how far he/she needs to go towards graduation. Every student's learning plan and goal is different than their classmate's.
Upon enrollment at BDEA, each student will take a comprehensive assessment exam that will measure what they have already learned in Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies and Technology. Once a student has demonstrated that they have the skills and knowledge in a certain subject, they will not have to take that class again, and they will move on. There are three steps to completing BDEA's curriculum and receiving a high school diploma. All students must pass the MCAS exam, demonstrate all of BDEA's competencies, and compete a capstone project.
BDEA's academics are unique because we measure your progress based on demonstration of competency, not hours spent in the classroom. Your academic experience at BDEA will be hands-on: from your first day here, you will be building skills and knowledge you will need for higher learning and a career, and you will begin to plan your life after graduation. You will work with the Post-graduate Planning Center on resume-writing skills, learn about the college application process including the SAT exam, financial aid, and the application process. You will also participate in job shadows and have the opportunity obtain internships. Visit our Curriculum page to learn more.
Enrichment
BDEA officially launched its Enrichment Program in the fall of 2008 with the generous support of the Hestia Fund and the Cabot Family Foundation. With the ongoing support of the Hestia Fund, the permanent Art Studio opened in the fall of 2009, under the direction of Arts Teacher Franklin Marval. A wide array of different media, materials, and styles tap into students' creativity and aligns with classroom lessons. Artist Nora Valdez is also in residence at BDEA creating a sculpture project with students. Through a partnership with Haley House Bakery Cafe, students participate in a cooking class, learning recipes, kitchen safety, and the business of working in a restaurant kitchen. BDEA students also participate in a music production after school program.
