Academics - Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Academy at Swift River accredited?

Yes, we are accredited by CITA (Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation). We are also approved as a private school by the Mohawk Trail Regional School Committee in compliance with Massachusetts Chapter 71 Section 1 law. In addition, we are SEVIS-approved and qualified to accept international students.

How do students earn academic credit?

ASR operates on a trimester system, meaning that students earn 0.33 credit for each class they take per academic term. Three trimesters equals one full academic year, and there are four trimesters per calendar year. Students are typically enrolled at ASR for 5 or 6 trimesters, based on their counseling goals and academic needs.

What is your college acceptance rate?

100% of our graduating seniors have been accepted into their first and second choice schools.

What courses do you offer?

Students take a full load of college-prep courses each trimester consisting of 5 classes plus a study hall. Each term, every student takes one class from each of the four core areas of English, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science. Students also take a fifth class, which can either be a World Language, Visual or Performing Art, or an academic elective from one of the core areas.

Do you offer Foreign Language?

Yes. We offer French, German, and Spanish.

Can my student take classes at an accelerated rate?

ASR operates year-round, to include a Summer trimester. Because of this, students are often able to make up credit which they have lost. However, it is not possible for a student to complete a whole year's worth of academic credit in less than three trimesters.

My child earned credit at her wilderness program. How does this affect her transcript?

Wilderness credits are entered into the ASR consolidated transcript, as are all grades from previous schools. The credit is recognized, and grades are calculated into the cumulative grade point average (GPA). However, wilderness credits cannot take the place of specific coursework from the core subject areas of English, Math, Natural Science, or Social Science.

Do students earn physical education credit?

Students receive 0.33 credit for physical education each term for their active participation in athletic activities which take place outside the school day. This credit is awarded on a pass/fail basis.

Can my child take college board exams at ASR?

Yes. We are an approved site for the ACT and SAT (reasoning test as well as subject tests). We also offer the PSAT for sophomores and juniors, as well as the SSAT for students seeking admission to boarding- and day-schools after ASR. AP exams can also be taken, although we do not offer AP-specific courses.

What is an "academic advisor"?

Each student at ASR belongs to a team. Each team is staffed by professionals from the different realms of ASR (academics, counseling, residential life). The academic advisor is the teacher who shares a case load with your child's clinical counselor. The academic advisor is the person who keeps a "bird's eye" view on a student's academic performance and progress, shares information with the team, and is a good contact person for general questions about the academic program.