Bergen Academies

Don't come here. As a to be grad of AMST, I can say that these four years were truly horrendous. Teachers are subpar and laugh at you if you don't understand anything. Having a PhD does not give you the right to teach; most of the teachers with PhD have trouble explaining introductory material to students, which I find very aggravating. The student body as a whole is antisocial and filled with tryhards, at least in my academy. Like the AEDTer below me said, don't come here if you want to have freedom and creativity. If you want to have FUN (which is what you should have in high school), go any place but here. You won't regret the decision.
—Submitted by a student

I am a sophomore student in ABF (the Academy for Business & Finance). Going into BCA last September, I was so excited to be a part of this great, prestigious school. My only hesitation was that I wasn't really that interested in the Academy I had been accepted into. However, despite my worries, my Freshman year turned out to be great, and even though I wasn't enthralled by what I've learned so far in ABF, I must admit all of the business topics covered I found very interesting. BCA, whether you like it or not, isn't like any other high school in Bergen County, NJ - it is special and unique in a number of great ways. In middle school, I felt like an outcast because I was "an over-achiever", but at BCA, I fit in perfectly and I have a number of friends. On another note, the diversity at BCA is great (nothing like I experienced in middle school), and I am so so so lucky to have been accepted into this wonderful school.
—Submitted by a student

I'm a parent who was fortunate to have two children at BCA. One was in the Academy for Science and Math, while the other was in the the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. Both found friends, had successful high school careers, and went on to fine college programs that suited their interests. BCA is "HIGH SCHOOL," with all that entails. It's not perfect, but it allows kids to succeed without making them feel like dweebs.
—Submitted by a parent

I fully agree with the student below who advised not sending a child here. The administration/teachers fuel this pressure cooker environment in which there is excessive quantity rather than quality homework in many classes. This results in dangerous chronic sleep deprivation especially in upper classmen. Unfortunately it may take a student tragedy to illuminate these stresses to effect change in BCA.
—Submitted by a parent

As a graduate of this high school, I find that the environment was amazing. So many different types of kids housed under one roof with one commonality among us - the desire to succeed. I believe that the reason I enjoyed my time there was because being in a competitive environment made each student strive to do better and succeed at greater levels. The teachers are wonderful, as are most of the administrators. I will say, however, that this school is not for everyone. If a student is not dedicated and good at self-motivation they will fail in this environment.
—Submitted by a student

Do not listen to these reviews. Unlike these parents, I actually went to school here, in AEDT (the Engineering and Design Academy), and graduated from this school. If you value your child's freedom, creativity, and especially if you want him to actually enjoy his high school years, I would not suggest sending him or her to this school. I've read parents describe the environment as 'friendly.' It's pretty clear that they haven't actually experienced this school. The environment is brutal - intolerant, extremely competitive - in a word, cutthroat. If you live in a town with a good school system, there is just no reason to send your child here. The commute is incredibly long, the day is way too long and filled with filler electives and wasted time (and the administration passes it off as 'progressive' that the school day is so long...and the parents just ooze with delight).
—Submitted by a student

On the positive side the kids are mainly happy here and there's a great atmosphere in school with lots of freedom. The teachers also are generally quite dedicated and work hard. However the child is pigeonholed into whatever academy they chose and cannot change. The introductory science courses for 4 academies (ABF, ACAHA, ATCS, AVPA) are weaker than those found in a regular h.s. course. These students are not allowed to access a 'honors' level introductory science class since they are in a non science academies. Beware if your child likes science as well as other disciplines!!
—Submitted by a parent

It has the most amazing staff and the most talented students. There is always something interesting going on, and the environment for the students is more challenging than can be found at their local high schools, yet with a friendly atmosphere. It has a lot of opportunities that are never even thought of at some high schools and it is just such a great school.
—Submitted by a student

I love Bergen Academies because it provides so many opportunities that you would never find at another high school.
—Submitted by a parent

BCA has a great atmosphere and a unique approach to academics, which not only benefits its students, but also challenges other local high schools to do the same so the education for high schoolers everywhere has changed!
—Submitted by a parent

The people and the teachers here are absolutely amazing and help to make this learning environment so much fun!
—Submitted by a student

People are smart there and totally awesome. So many brilliant people and ideas come from this place.
—Submitted by a student

The people here are the nicest and brightest group of people you'll ever meet, and everyone is happy to be here.
—Submitted by a parent

We have free periods to do homework and the teachers are the best ever!
—Submitted by a student

Bergen Academies allows me to be who I am. I would never being studying subjects like biotechnology or nanotechnology at any other high school. At BCA, I have been allowed to show who I really am and to pursue my interests in scientific topics with the opportunity of working in a real stem cell laboratory with mentors who have worked in the field at top institutions such as Columbia University. Other than being a science school, BCA brings many different people from across the county allowing for the best diversity in a high school environment. BCA is not your typical high school- it is an institution of great uniqueness that allows its students to pursue their passions in a professional way.
—Submitted by a student

We have really great people here. You don't have to worry about fitting in, because everyone is just themselves. We're given the opportunity to pursue all sorts of different things, from dance to nanotechnology, bio ethics or art, music or business. Everyone's really nice and the classes are fun- it's the first time since kindergarten that I can honestly say I look forward to school.
—Submitted by a student

It was the best decision of my life to go to school here. There is so much opportunity and so much room to grow and become successful. The school is run similarly to a college giving students a chance to be individuals which is exactly what every teenager wants. The best part is, the school can trust the students not to abuse the freedom they are given since everyone is so driven and focused on their goals.
—Submitted by a student

The teachers are really helpful and the school rocks.
—Submitted by a student

surrounded by only the most talented and bright students in all of bergen county, everyone strives to stand out, making our school even more accomplished. we have schedules like colleges which prepares us for the future. there are 7 career oriented academies but everyone can participate in those different classes. for example, music students can take bio entrepreneur classes, engineering kids can take french cuisine classes. our school is the best in the county, and one of the best in the state and the entire US.
—Submitted by a student

I love Bergen County Academies because he gives me and unlimited amount of opportunities to be successful in life.
—Submitted by a student