Bridges Academy

Bridges Academy
File:Logolarge.png Bridges Academy Logo 2003-Present
Address
3921 Laurel Canyon Blvd Studio City , California United States
Coordinates	34.141082°N 118.395316°W / 34.141082; -118.395316
Information
Type	Independent
Motto	Imagine, Persevere, Achieve
Established	1994
Founder	Carolyn McWilliams
Headmaster	Carl Sabatino
Faculty	50
Grades	5-12
Number of students	150+
Color(s)	Blue
Athletics	Cross Country, Track, Basketball
Mascot	Phoenix
Accreditation	WASC, NAIS, CAIS
Student to faculty ratio	9:1
Average class size	4-15
Director of High School	Deborah Dowling
Director of Middle School	Cynthia Novak
Director of Admissions	Doug Lenzini
Website	www.bridges.edu

Bridges Academy is a grade 5-12 middle and college preparatory high school dedicated to educating students who are twice exceptional, or "2e," (gifted and highly-gifted with learning disabilities) located in Studio City, Los Angeles, California.

History

Bridges Academy started as a private tutorial for three students in the home of founder Carolyn McWilliams in 1994. By the following year, the school had 30 students with an emphasis on early enablers and "quirky kids." Prior to the 1997-1998 school year, the school relocated to its former site on Burbank Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, California. During that time, annual enrollment was between 40 and 50 students a year.

In 1998, the school was granted non-profit corporation status, with a Board of Trustees and McWilliams continuing as the Head of School. In 2002, the Board of Trustees and Head of School dedicated the mission of the school to educating twice-exceptional students. McWilliams retired in the summer of 2003 and Charles "Chuck" Potts, the founding Head of the Wesley School in North Hollywood, California, was hired as Interim Head of School. After a national search, Carl Sabatino, former Head of the Upper School of Lawrence Woodmere Academy in NY, was hired as the Head of School in 2005. In 2008 enrollment had reached over 100 students. As of 2010 it has risen to over 150 students.

Facilities

Bridges moved from its previous location in Sherman Oaks, California in 1997, to its current location, a shared-use arrangement with Osaka Sangyo University (OSULA) Education Center in 2005. The campus is the former site of the Corvallis Catholic High School for Girls. It was purchased by OSULA in the late 1980s. Bridges occupied the upper floor of the classroom building and the bottom floor of the annex/former convent. Bridges also shared the use of the other facilities on campus with OSULA, until their purchase of the campus in 2011. OSULA now rents a few classrooms and part of the dormitory from Bridges to run a smaller satellite program.

It is proposed for major facilities to be renovated within the next 3 years (date unknown).

Curriculum

Bridges Academy is a college preparatory school for "twice-exceptional" students in grades 5-12. The term twice-exceptional or "2e" refers to students who are gifted or highly-gifted (one exception) and who also have learning differences or disabilities (the other exception). Bridges Academy empowers students to thrive academically and socially through small classes, differentiated instruction, and a compassionate community in which both gifts and differences are recognized and respected. One-on-one and student/teacher relations are key in this kind of an environment, and this is highlighted by the fact that no teacher is called by their last name.

The curriculum is driven by an understanding that "students thrive when the academic challenge is commensurate with their intellectual gifts", and a belief that "students" special needs can be met without diluting the curriculum". The learning disabilities among the gifted and very gifted student population include: nonverbal learning differences, organizational challenges, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, audio and visual processing problems, and dysgraphia.

The program is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS). Bridges is a Member of the California Association of Independent Schools; the National Association of Independent Schools; and the Educational Records Bureau. The high school program meets or exceeds the university of California A-G requirements for high school graduation.

Bridges' students use laptops extensively (all students are required to have one), and the entire campus (except for the gym and cafeteria areas) has a wireless network aside from hardwired classrooms and office.

In sports, Bridges participates in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) in basketball, cross-country and track. Other sports and physical fitness are also offered including handball, tennis, and other traditional fitness components in the classes, but only basketball, cross-country and track are offered as extracurricular activities.

Since first graduation in 1996, graduates have been accepted at virtually all Cal State and University of California schools, as well as major universities and four-year colleges throughout the nation.

In 2007, two Bridges students received Honorable Mention Awards as part of the Smart Kids With Learning Disabilities organization's annual Youth Achievement Award program.

Parents' involvement is encouraged and supported via the Parents Association, on-line resources and forums, and on campus events including support groups and a popular speaker series.

Historical Timeline

View of the "North lawn" April 2011

File:Oldbridgeslogoremake.jpg

Bridges Academy Logo 1998-2002

1994: Carolyn McWilliams begins a home-study program for three students that becomes Bridges Academy.

1998: Bridges Academy is officially established as a college preparatory school.

2003: McWilliams retires from her position as headmaster, Charles "Chuck" Potts is named interim headmaster.

2005: Carl Sabatino is named Head of School.

2005: Campus moves to Studio City

2011: Bridges buys Studio City campus from Osaka University.

Logo

In the 2010/11 school year, a new mascot, a Phoenix was chosen. This was the product of a school-wide contest in which many designs were submitted, including the Bridges Carrot and the Bridges Whino. This mascot is only used for athletic, fund raising events, etc. All documentation and brandings contain the official logo (The Bridge).

External links

• Bridges Website
• Smart Kids with LD