Bergen County Academies


Bergen County Academies is a tuition-free public magnet high school located in Hackensack, New Jersey, that serves students in the ninth through twelfth grades from all of Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The school was founded in 1991 by John Grieco, who also founded the public magnet high school Academies at Englewood in Englewood, New Jersey.
The school is currently organized into seven academies: Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology, Academy for Business and Finance, Academy for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Administration, Academy for Engineering and Design Technology, Academy for Medical Science Technology, Academy for Technology and Computer Science, and Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.
BCA has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, a member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools, home of eleven 2020 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars including two Finalists, and a Model School in the Arts as named by the New Jersey Department of Education.
As of the 2024–25 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,130 students and 93.0 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 12.2:1. There were 98 students eligible for free lunch and 12 eligible for reduced-cost lunch.

History

Bergen County Academies was conceived by John Grieco. The school was founded on a vocational school framework with the mission of preparing students for careers in math and science by promoting a problem-solving, project-based, technical learning environment. It has since departed from this model and adopted a more standard college-preparatory curriculum.
The school originally began as a single academy, "The Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology", which shared the current campus with the Bergen County Technical High School now located in Teterboro. The first group of AAST students was inducted in 1992 for the graduating class of 1996.
In 1997, additional academies opened on the campus: the Academy for Business and Computer Technology, the Academy for Engineering and Design Technology, and the Academy for Medical Science Technology. The following year saw the opening of three career institutes, renamed a year later to become academies: the Academy for Culinary Arts, the Academy for Power and Transportation, and the Academy for Visual Arts and Graphic Communications. Soon, all seven programs began focusing on college preparation, adopting a liberal arts curriculum with a focus on their respective fields.
In 2001, a dispute initiated by the Bergen County School Administrators' Association focused on what Paramus Superintendent Janice Dime called "elitism." Several sending districts threatened to withdraw funding from the school. In response, the Bergen County Technical Schools agreed to increase the transparency of the admissions process and enter into talks with a number of sending districts.
In 2002, APT was eliminated. ABCT was split into the Academy for Business and Finance and the Academy for Telecommunications and Computer Science. In 2012, ATCS turned its attention away from Telecommunications and towards Technology, and so was rechristened the Academy for Technology and Computer Science. ACA added hotel administration to its coursework and became the Academy for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Administration. AVAGC expanded its scope to include performing arts and became the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.
The school itself has also changed its name numerous times, from "Bergen County Regional Academies" to "Bergen Academies" to "Bergen County Academy" and to the present "Bergen County Academies."
BCA was certified to offer the IB Diploma Programme in January 2004, making it one of only 17 schools in New Jersey to offer the IB program at the high school level.

School structure

BCA has an extended school day from 8:00 AM to 4:10 PM.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the day would start with a 4-minute Information Gathering Session, serving the purpose of a homeroom, followed by 27 modules that would last 15 minutes each, with 3 minutes of passing time in between each. Classes were commonly structured as either 2 or 3 mods. Currently, the day consists of 9 periods that last 50 minutes each and an IGS period, with 4 minutes of passing time in between each.
All academies require four years of English, mathematics, social studies, and physical education, as well as three years of science and world language. All students take three years of projects and clubs; projects take place periods 2-3 and clubs take place period 9, both on Wednesdays. All seniors participate in Senior Experience, an internship program where seniors work and learn for the full business day each Wednesday instead of being on campus. 40 hours of community service are required for graduation, up to 20 of which can be hours worked at the school.
In addition to their regular classes, students of all academies have the opportunity to develop research projects. Research can be conducted in cell biology, chemistry and nanotechnology, stem cells, agriscience, psychology, nano-structural imaging, optics, and mathematics, among other subjects.

Academies

BCA is currently divided into seven academic and professional divisions, often referred to by their acronyms or, colloquially, by their single-word nicknames. However, BCA is treated as a single high school within the district and the state.
The Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology was founded in 1992. AAST focuses on in-depth instruction of the sciences along with the practical applications of the scientific ideas learned in the classroom. By the end of sophomore year, students have taken courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. The academy also features a weekly lab rotation for the first two years. As the academy is science-based, many AAST students take on personal research projects in addition to their regular classes.
The Academy for Business and Finance was founded in 2002, separating from the Academy for Business and Computer Technology that was founded in 1997. Students in ABF take courses in economics, marketing, finance, management, business law, management information systems, entrepreneurship, and business ethics. To graduate, ABF students are required to complete a senior thesis and participate in the full IB Diploma Programme. Additional ABF opportunities include participation in DECA, involvement in their global studies program, and special access to the Financial Markets Lab, funded by Bloomberg technology, allowing students to conduct economic research and analysis.
The Academy for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Administration was founded in 1998, originally called the "Academy for Culinary Arts". Along with their core classes, ACAHA focuses on hospitality management, entrepreneurship, and the culinary arts. As a part of the academy's curriculum, students receive certification from the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation and the ServSafe Managers program. Though seeking the IB diploma is optional, ACAHA also has access to International Baccalaureate business management courses. Students often participate in the ProStart Hospitality Management competition and SkillsUSA Leadership Conferences, as well as BCA's annual Chocolate Competition.
The Academy for Engineering and Design Technology was founded in 1997. The academy was formed "as an extension of AAST", with a concentration in engineering and design. Courses unique to AEDT also explore topics like computer science, architecture, product development, and biomedical engineering. Students often compete in various robotics competitions and other projects, like in the Solar Car Challenge, in BCA's laboratories.
The Academy for Medical Science Technology was founded in 1997. From 9th to 11th grade, students in AMST take courses about various medical fields, such as epidemiology, pharmacology, bioethics, neuroscience, biotechnology, and anatomy & physiology. Students often take on personal research projects in addition to their regular classes. Historically, many have also opted to apply for NREMT certification. Many AMST students participate in BCA's chapter of HOSA, though it is open to all students.
The Academy for Technology and Computer Science was founded in 2002, separating from the Academy for Business and Computer Technology that was founded in 1997, and originally called the "Academy for Telecommunications and Computer Science". ATCS has a focus on the world of computers and the internet. Its students are prepared for careers such as computer programming, software engineering, and other computer and engineering related professions.
The Academy for Visual and Performing Arts was founded in 1998, originally named "Academy for Visual Arts and Graphic Communications". AVPA is subdivided into three concentrations: Visual Arts, Music, and Theater.

Admissions

Bergen County Academies' admissions process consists of three main stages: an initial application, an admissions exam, and an interview.
The online initial application, which may also be shared with the application for Bergen County Technical High School in Teterboro, is submitted in December. Students may not also submit applications to other schools in the Bergen County Technical Schools district in addition to BCA. As well as being an eighth grader residing in Bergen County, applicants must:
In November, all applicants must take the admissions exam, consisting of a literary essay and a math test. The 45-minute long essay on a given passage is scored based on comprehension, insight, organization, support, style, and grammar/spelling. The 60-minute long math section is made up of 40 multiple choice questions focused on basic skills and word problems. Open-ended problems were included on the math test until 2011, when they were removed to include more word problems.
Students will then receive a letter stating if they have moved onto the interview phase. Interviews are conducted on an individual basis by teams of teachers and guidance counselors. Unlike the previous two stages, which are identical for every student, the interview may be personalized according to academy. For example, applicants for AVPA in the Music and Theatre concentrations present an audition, while applicants for the Visual Arts concentration of AVPA participate in an art workshop and present a portfolio.
In 2021, BCA reported that they had a 15% acceptance rate.