Bergen County Academies facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bergen County Academies |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Address | |
|
200 Hackensack Avenue
, , 07601
United States
|
|
| Coordinates | 40°54′08″N 74°02′05″W / 40.902203°N 74.034742°W |
| Information | |
| Former name | Bergen Academies |
| Type | Public magnet high school |
| Established | 1991 |
| Founder | John Grieco |
| School district | Bergen County Technical Schools |
| CEEB code | 310118 |
| NCES School ID | 340147000250 |
| Principal | Russell Davis |
| Faculty | 90.6 FTEs |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 1,116 (as of 2023–24) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 12.3:1 |
| Color(s) | Black Vegas gold White |
| Athletics conference | Big North Conference (general) North Jersey Super Football Conference (football) |
| Team name | Knights |
| Newspaper | Academy Chronicle |
Bergen County Academies (BCA) is a special public high school in Hackensack, New Jersey. It's a "magnet" school, which means students from all over Bergen County can apply to attend. BCA is free to go to and serves students from 9th to 12th grade.
The school was started in 1991 by John Grieco. It's known for being one of the top public high schools in the United States. In 2021, a company called Niche ranked BCA as the #1 best public high school in America.
BCA is made up of seven different "academies." Each academy focuses on a specific area of study. This allows students to dive deep into subjects they are passionate about.
Contents
History of BCA
Bergen County Academies was created by John Grieco. It first started as a school that helped students prepare for careers in math and science. The idea was to teach students through solving problems and working on projects. Over time, the school changed to focus more on preparing students for college.
The school began with just one academy in 1992. It was called "The Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology" (AAST). This academy shared its campus with another technical high school.
In 1997, more academies opened up. These included academies for Business and Computer Technology (ABCT), Engineering and Design Technology (AEDT), and Medical Science Technology (AMST). The next year, three more programs started, which soon became academies too. These were for Culinary Arts (ACA), Power and Transportation (APT), and Visual Arts and Graphic Communications (AVAGC). All these programs began to focus on getting students ready for college.
Around 2001, there was a discussion about the school's admissions process. Some local school districts wanted the process to be more open. BCA agreed to make its admissions clearer and talk with the districts.
In 2002, some academies changed. The APT academy was removed. ABCT split into two new academies: Business and Finance (ABF) and Telecommunications and Computer Science (ATCS). Later, ATCS changed its name to Technology and Computer Science. The Culinary Arts academy added hospitality and became ACAHA. The Visual Arts academy added performing arts and became AVPA.
The school's name also changed a few times before becoming "Bergen County Academies." In 2004, BCA became certified to offer the IB Diploma Programme. This is a special program that offers challenging courses for high school students.
How BCA Works
BCA has a longer school day than many other high schools. It starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 4:10 PM.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the school day was divided into many short "mods." Now, the day has 9 periods, each lasting 50 minutes. There are 4 minutes between classes for students to move around.
All students at BCA take four years of English, math, social studies, and physical education. They also take three years of science and a world language like Spanish, French, or Mandarin.
Students also spend time on projects and clubs. Projects happen on Wednesdays during periods 2-3. Clubs meet on Wednesdays during period 9. All seniors take part in "Senior Experience." This is an internship program where they work or learn off-campus every Wednesday. Students need to complete 40 hours of community service to graduate.
Students in all academies can work on research projects. They can research topics like cell biology, chemistry, nanotechnology, stem cells, and more.
The Academies at BCA
BCA has seven main academic programs, called academies. Each one focuses on a different field. Even though there are different academies, BCA is considered one high school.
The Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology (AAST) started in 1992. It focuses on teaching science in depth. Students learn how scientific ideas are used in real life. By their sophomore year, students take biology, chemistry, and physics. They also have a weekly lab rotation. Many AAST students do their own research projects.
The Academy for Business and Finance (ABF) began in 2002. Students in ABF learn about economics, marketing, finance, and business law. To graduate, ABF students must complete a senior paper and the full IB Diploma Programme. They can also join DECA and use a special Financial Markets Lab.
The Academy for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Administration (ACAHA) started in 1998. It was first called the "Academy for Culinary Arts." Along with their regular classes, ACAHA students learn about hospitality management and cooking. Students can get certifications from the National Restaurant Association. They also take part in cooking competitions.
The Academy for Engineering and Design Technology (AEDT) was founded in 1997. It focuses on engineering and design. Students learn about computer science, architecture, and biomedical engineering. They often compete in robotics competitions and other projects, like the Solar Car Challenge.
The Academy for Medical Science Technology (AMST) started in 1997. Students in AMST learn about different medical fields. These include epidemiology, pharmacology, neuroscience, and anatomy & physiology. Many AMST students do their own research projects. They can also join BCA's chapter of HOSA.
The Academy for Technology and Computer Science (ATCS) was founded in 2002. It focuses on computers and the internet. Students learn skills for careers like computer programming and software engineering.
The Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA) began in 1998. It was first called "Academy for Visual Arts and Graphic Communications." AVPA has three main areas: Visual Arts, Music, and Theater.
How to Apply to BCA
Applying to Bergen County Academies involves three steps: an application, an exam, and an interview.
Students in 8th grade who live in Bergen County can apply online in December. They need to write an essay and get letters of recommendation from their math, English, and science teachers. They also submit their middle school grades and test scores. Applicants choose their first and second choice academies.
In January, all applicants take an admissions exam. This exam has a writing part and a math part. The essay is 45 minutes long and tests comprehension and writing skills. The math test is 60 minutes long with 40 multiple-choice questions.
Students who do well on the exam are invited for an interview. Teachers and guidance counselors conduct these interviews. The interview might be different depending on which academy a student applied to. For example, AVPA applicants for Music and Theater concentrations have an audition. Visual Arts applicants for AVPA show a portfolio of their art.
In 2021, BCA reported that about 15% of applicants were accepted.
Clubs and Activities
BCA offers many clubs and activities for students. In the 2019–2020 school year, there were over 130 clubs!
BCA has a strong Model United Nations team. They host their own Model UN conferences for high school and middle school students. The team has won many awards at conferences held by universities like Yale and Princeton.
The school's math team is also very successful. They have won first place at competitions like the Princeton University Mathematics Competition. In 2015, a BCA student helped the United States win the International Math Olympiad.
BCA's quiz bowl teams have also qualified for national competitions.
The school used to have a BattleBots IQ team called the Titanium Knights. They won a national championship in 2006. Later, the school started a "MAKE project" for students to work on different science and engineering projects. In 2018, the spirit of the Titanium Knights was brought back by the FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics club.
BCA also has a DECA chapter. This club is for students in the Academy of Business and Finance. They participate in business competitions. In 2021, a BCA team won first place in DECA's "Stock Market Game" competition.
There is also an Amnesty International student group at BCA. They organize events about human rights and attend conferences.
Sports at BCA
BCA shares its sports program with other Bergen County Technical Schools. Together, they are known as the Bergen Tech Knights. They compete in the Big North Conference.
Some athletic achievements for the Bergen Tech Knights include:
- In 2006, the football team made it to the playoffs.
- The boys' soccer team also reached the state tournament in 2006.
- In 2009, the tennis team won sectionals and went on to the semifinals. The baseball team also made it to the playoffs.
School Campus
Bergen County Academies is located on the Dr. John Grieco Campus in Hackensack. The school has a large main building and an Environmental Science Center (ESC) with a greenhouse. There is also a big auditorium that can seat 1,200 people. Behind the school buildings, you can find the baseball/softball field, football field, and track.
In 2008, the school's cafeteria was greatly expanded.
BCA has many science laboratories. The nanotechnology lab opened in 2009. The cell biology lab opened in 2004. The stem cell lab opened in 2006 and has advanced equipment. The optics lab opened in 2008 and has different types of microscopes.
There are also special labs for specific academies. The business academy has a Bloomberg workstation for financial analysis. The visual arts lab has equipment for art and printing. There is a video lab with cameras and a bluescreen. The school also has a professional kitchen for teaching culinary arts.
Awards and Recognition
Bergen County Academies has received many awards and high rankings.
In 2015, the United States Department of Education recognized BCA as a National Blue Ribbon School. This award is given to schools that perform exceptionally well. In the same year, Newsweek magazine ranked BCA fifth among the top 500 public schools in America.
Inside Jersey magazine ranked BCA first among New Jersey's top high schools in 2014. The Daily Beast ranked BCA 15th nationally among magnet and charter schools. The Washington Post also named BCA as one of the top-performing schools.
In October 2020, Niche ranked BCA as the #1 public high school in the nation. They also ranked it as the #1 magnet school and #3 college prep public high school in America.
For the 2019-2020 school year, Bergen County Academies had the best graduation rate and SAT scores in New Jersey.
Famous Alumni
- Harry Altman (class of 2005), featured in the 2002 documentary film Spellbound about the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
- Shakira Barrera (class of 2008), an actor who appeared in the Netflix series GLOW.
- George Hotz (class of 2007), known for computer and device hacking.
- Sarah-Nicole Robles (class of 2010), an actress best known for voicing Luz Noceda in The Owl House.
