Participation in higher-level courses on the Bridge may cost several thousand dollars, and Scientologists usually move up the Bridge at a rate governed by their income.

The primary focus of this program is to provide higher-level courses to advanced students.

"Far too few college-bound students are taking even the basic course work necessary to prepare for college, let alone pushing themselves by taking higher-level courses," Mr. Ferguson said.

He said some math teachers might want too much out of the test, seeing it as a gateway to higher-level courses instead of serving simply as a graduation requirement.

But so far not enough students have expressed interest in second-year Arabic to warrant offering a higher-level course.

The high school is notable for its extensive offering of higher-level courses and membership in the International Baccalaureate program.

Acceptance into LAMP is based upon academic records indicating demonstrated ability to complete higher-level academic courses and maintain disciplined study and work habits.

A novice course might consist of as few as 15 obstacles; a higher-level course might have 22.

But Mr. Lambert, who had been one of Dr. Lorthridge's staunchest critics, said higher-level courses were open to any student upon request.

The exception to this is some social studies and English courses that are a trimester each and some higher-level courses that run for all three trimesters.