Bridge Academy
About the Program
The Bridge Academy began in 2004 as the High School Scholars Program. Since its inception, the program has admitted over 600 high school students, who have taken over 800 classes and earned nearly 2,500 credits. Of the students who have taken a class through the program, 13 percent enroll at Drexel. After a brief hiatus, the Bridge Academy has relaunched with the mission to connect talented high school students from Philadelphia with college-level course work, academic preparation workshops, college experiences, and a road map to their futures.
What is the Bridge Academy?
The Bridge Academy is a highly selective program that allows high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Philadelphia and the surrounding counties to enroll in one class per quarter — on a space-available basis — at Drexel University's University City Campus while completing high school. Applicants must demonstrate the responsibility and maturity expected of university students and have the approval of their high school guidance counselor to participate. It is important to note that this is NOT a dual-enrollment program; the Bridge Academy does not offer high school credit through college courses.
Bridge Academy provides a number of advantages to students:
- There is no tuition cost for courses taken through the Bridge Academy.
- Students in the Bridge Academy have the ability to earn credits toward a future degree at Drexel or possibly transfer credits at other universities.
- The Bridge Academy prepares students for the college environment.
Curriculum
- Drexel University adheres to a 10-week term schedule with Final Exams occurring during week 11.
- Bridge Academy participants may register for ONE (1) course per term (up to 4 courses per year).
- Students in the Bridge Academy attend regular University courses with current full-time Drexel students and must meet the same requirements as other Drexel students in the class.
- In the Bridge Academy, students earn college credit for courses completed with a passing grade and receive an official Drexel University transcript.
- Bridge Academy participants must earn a B-grade or better in order to remain in good standing with the Bridge Academy.
Course Restrictions
- No online courses
- No Saturday courses
- Bridge Academy participants can only take courses listed without prerequisites or specific restrictions
- Scores from Advanced Placement exams or credit earned at other colleges/universities will NOT count for prerequisites through the Bridge Academy
For any questions about eligibility for certain courses, please contact the Center for Inclusive Education and Scholarship professional staff at bridgeacademy@drexel.edu.