Mount Bachelor Academy Academics
Our desire is to reawaken the love of learning. Many of our students performed well academically in the past and then slipped behind due to a variety of factors such as emotional or family issues, drug and alcohol use, or poor attendance. We are so successful that the majority of graduating seniors attend college. Those students that complete our program prior to graduating high school either transition to other high schools successfully or stay with us in our Graduate Residence to complete their studies.
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Through the therapeutic process, students are taught to be accountable for their own actions, and this includes performance in the classroom. With the support of academic and mentoring staff and their peers, students become motivated to do their best in all aspects of life, including academics. With a staff of exceptional teachers and a solid emphasis on the essential courses, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language, and the Arts, students become motivated to excel and see academics as the key to a bright future.
Major Components of MBA Academics
Accreditation – Mount Bachelor Academy is an accredited member of the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools and the NAAS (Northwest Association of Accredited Schools). MBA is licensed by the State of Oregon. High school credits are transferable to any high school. A State of Oregon High School Diploma is issued if graduation requirements are met while attending.
Credit Recovery – Many students arrive behind in credits approximately six months to one year. With an extended school day and year-round school, it is possible for a motivated student to catch up with their peer group academically.
Small Class Size – Most teachers agree that a small student to teacher ratio is one key to student success. Our class sizes average less than 12 students per teacher, enabling teachers to assist students with special needs, while still challenging advanced students.
Learning Needs – MBA specializes in teaching students with special needs, including ADD, ADHD and most learning disabilities. In addition to records and IEP's provided by parents, we test students for ability and learning styles to determine what modifications and teaching techniques are needed in the classroom to ensure each student's success. Our Director of Special Education monitors student progress and makes recommendations to teachers to assist students in their coursework. Mount Bachelor Academy employs two full time learning needs specialists.
College Preparation – The majority of our students attend college after graduating from MBA. All high school grade level courses meet Oregon state standards for college level preparation. A guidance counselor assists students in the college application process.
Transitioning back to class – Many students arrive at MBA with some anxiety about returning to class due to past problems and failures. We assist them in that transition with an academic seminar. During this all day session, students are tested to determine their learning styles, instructed on brain function and the effects of drugs on learning, introduced to how their class schedules work, and receive a preliminary introduction to all of their teachers.
Adventure Classrooms – Adventure Classrooms have become a trademark of MBA academics. This venue involves blending outdoor, experiential education with academic standards to offer exciting learning opportunities outside the classroom schedule. Examples of Adventure Classroom are River Classroom, a multi-day American Canoe Association course in whitewater rafting; Mountain Classroom, an extended learning trip to the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California; and Coastal Classroom, a marine biology study done in conjunction with the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Oregon State University Hatfield Science Center.
Structured for Success – The structured, drug-free MBA environment is renowned for its therapeutic curriculum, and its therapeutic curriculum, which is a contributing factor in students academic success. Many students arrive "stuck" emotionally due to personal issues. Their academics generally get correspondingly "stuck" and students experience decreased performance or total failure in school. Once they work past this point through the emotional growth curriculum, their academic success is unlocked and they are once again able to perform well in the classroom.
Drug and Alcohol Education – Mount Bachelor Academy offers a comprehensive drug and alcohol curriculum. All students are administered the SASSI drug and alcohol screening test to determine their drug dependency level prior to beginning academics at MBA. Students with drug and alcohol use history have the opportunity to participate in 12 step NA meetings on and off campus, as well as being required to take dependency and recovery courses if their drug history warrants it. Drug and alcohol processing groups are offered two times per week with a licensed CDAC counselor. In addition, all students have the opportunity to participate in workshops related to high-risk behaviors and drug and alcohol use.
Graduate Residence – Students who have completed the MBA emotional growth curriculum, but have not met high school graduation requirements, may continue on at the Graduate Residence. Students have the option to stay at MBA to complete their education or ease their transition to a different educational setting.
