BFA Classes
Excellence is respected in our school community. Excellence is expected from BFA learners. Our project based approach to learning challenges students to ask hard questions and think of new ways to solve problems. Law-related coursework and activities build student confidence and willingness to be active in our communities.
In addition to Maryland State Department of Education and Baltimore City Public School System graduation requirements, BFA students must obtain the BFA Certificate. This certificate requires the completion of law-related education courses taught by law students from the University of Maryland School of Law and BFA faculty.
- Small school Having a small school isn't the only reason why students are able to have academic and social success at BFA. However, small classes allow students to receive more one-on-one attention and to have increased opportunities to participate in classroom discussion. At BFA, we commit to having class sizes no larger than 25 students.
- Class schedule Our classes are scheduled to allow students to have both their college prep curriculum in addition to humanities classes that center around the law, being good citizens or examination of social issues. Also, student schedules provide time for them to meet daily with their faculty advisor. One day per week there is a break from the standard schedule when students either leave campus to participate in Learning By Service, internships and classes facilitated by students from the University of Maryland School of Law.
- Boys and girls separate We believe that young men and women entering BFA deserve an opportunity to explore high school in a safe and supportive environment. Our experience has told us that providing male and female students a chance to make sense of their environments without the pressures associated with impressing the opposite sex has allowed students to flourish who would otherwise make choices that did not support their academic and personal growth. 9th and 10th grade students are able to commingle during social times, including lunch. Additionally, once in the 11th grade, students are more confident in their own abilities and are able to manage their coursework in the presence of the opposite sex.
- Real-world projects Working on teams and in groups are a large part of life after secondary school. From the moment students arrive at BFA they are expected to work on individual and group projects that apply to their everyday life. Projects range from a study of disease in urban cities, planning community gardens using the geometry process, examining the effects of companies like Walmart on the U.S. economy in our Social Policy course or preparing for a mock trial competition in our Trial and Advocacy class.
- Math curriculum In support of our students becoming strong problem solvers and critical thinkers, BFA uses the Core-Plus Mathematics program. Core-Plus is a national standards based model that promotes students working cooperatively in teams, learning through projects, and absorbing math concepts by investigating problems instead of memorizing random information.
- Coach classes Students have many opportunities to receive assistance from faculty, peers and volunteers either with content they have not understood or to prepare for upcoming lessons. College students from Goucher College have participated in offering a writing center to students who need assistance. Also, students have taken ownership over a peer tutoring program where they are responsible for coaching classmates they’ve selected to partner with on areas where help is needed.
- Technology at BFA Our school has a stationery computer lab donated by the HP Digital Village project and a mobile laptop lab donated by the Center for Management and Technology. Parents have served as volunteers allowing students to have at least two hours to complete assignments after school. Our faculty integrates technology into each unit and major projects are expected to be well researched and typed. We encourage our students to use a USB drive at all times to keep track of their assignments and computer research.