THE BRIDGE ACADEMY, INC. WAS GRANTED A CHARTER TO OPERATE THE BRIDGE ACADEMY, A PUBLIC SCHOOL LOCATED IN THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT, CT. THE SCHOOL WAS FOUNDED IN 1997 TO PROVIDE COLLEGE PREPARATORY CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO OVERCOME THE EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS TYPICALLY FOUND IN THE INNER CITY. THE ESTABLISHED GOALS ARE TO BE MET THROUGH THE FOLLOWING APPROACHES: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT, A MENTOR PROGRAM WITH PROFESSIONALS FROM THE BRIDGEPORT BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WORK OUTSIDE OF BRIDGEPORT THAT INCLUDES THE ARTS, AND A SMALL ENROLLMENT THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND SELF-RESPECT.