Bridges Academy

Bridges Academy
File:Logolarge.png Bridges Academy Logo 2003-Present
Address
3921 Laurel Canyon Blvd Studio City , California United States
Information
Type	Independent
Motto	eat food
Established	1994
Category	food
Headmaster	Carl Sagan
Faculty	36
Grades	5-12
Number of students	106
Color(s)	blue and black
Mascot	meltey the death ray
Nickname	the death rays
Accreditation	WASC, NAIS, CAIS
Newspaper	the ray revue
Student to faculty ratio	4:1
Average class size	4-12
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 became a non-profit corporation 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 "war" 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. As of 2008 enrollment was over 100 students.

Facilities

Bridges moved from its previous location in Sherman Oaks, California in 1997 to its current location, a shared-use arrangement with OSULA Education Center. The campus is the former site of the Corvallis Catholic High School for Girls. It was purchased by Osaka Sangyo University of Los Angeles (OSULA Education Center) in the late '80s. Bridges occupies the upper floor of the classroom building and the bottom floor of the annex/former convent. Bridges also shares the use of the other facilities on campus with OSULA.

Curriculum

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 and cross-country. Other sports and physical fitness are also offered including handball, tennis, and other traditional fitness components in the classes, but only basketball and cross-country 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.

History

File:Oldbridgeslogo.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.

External links

• Bridges Website

• OSULA [1]

• Smart Kids with LD [2]