Program Highlights
Dual Differentiation:
Bridges Academy begins the process of dual differentiation by creating individual student profiles that include detailed descriptions of each student’s specific gifts and interests, disabilities and differences, social, emotional and behavioral profiles, and suggested strategies and techniques to address both the giftedness and learning difficulties of our students
Because our students’ learning needs reflect both gifts and weaknesses, we provide a learning curriculum that is dually differentiated, as we modify content, process, product, and environment accordingly.
Enrichment Clusters:
Multi-age groupings explore areas of common interest while building community and opening the door for talent opportunities.
Talent Development Opportunities:
Advanced pre-professional level classes for students whose talents lie in a particular area.
Student Support Team:
The Bridges educational therapist, faculty advisor, division director, school psychologist, outside professionals who work with the child, and parents routinely meet to set goals and develop strategies for improving learning and quality of life.
Life After Bridges (LAB):
A seminar-based class for students in grades 10-12 designed to explore personal strengths and weaknesses, self-avocacy, independent living, college choices and processes, and career possibilities.
Decision Education:
An integrated program for grades 5-12 designed to help youngsters understand that good decision-making is a critical life skill that can be learned early. Students are taught the chain of five critical elements that factor into quality decision-making and practice making decisions using this knowledge.
Selective Acceleration:
Advanced placement in higher-level courses is available for students who show strength in particular arcademic areas.
Advisory
Students are assigned to a faculty member who meets with Advisory group frequently, at least per week and more as needed in the Middle School. Students in this close-knit group learn how to articulate their emotions and ideas and advocate for what they need.