Bridges Academy
Encyclopedia
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
.
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.
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).
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.
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.
was chosen. This was the product of a school-wide contest in which many designs were submitted, including the Bridges Carrot. This mascot is only used for athletic, fund raising events, etc. All documentation and brandings contain the official logo (The Bridge).
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Twice exceptional
The term twice exceptional, often abbreviated as 2e, is commonly applied to high-ability children who have learning difficulties. It refers to the fact that these children are exceptional both because of their intellectual gifts and because of their special needs.A 2e child usually refers to a...
, or "2e," (gifted and highly-gifted with learning disabilities) located in Studio City, Los Angeles, California
Studio City, Los Angeles, California
Studio City is an affluent residential neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles, California in the San Fernando Valley. Studio City expands over four ZIP code areas: 91604 and sections of 91602, 91607 and 90210....
.
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
Lawrence Woodmere Academy
Lawrence Woodmere Academy, also known as "LWA," and "Woodmere Academy," is an independent school located in Woodmere, New York, United States. It is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and the New York State Board of Regents....
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, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1997, to its current location, a shared-use arrangement with Osaka Sangyo University
Osaka Sangyo University
is a private university in Daitō, Osaka, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1928, and it was chartered as a junior college in 1950. It became a four-year college in 1965. Osaka Sangyo University operated a satellite campus in Studio City, based on the former campus of Corvallis...
(OSULA) Education Center in 2005. The campus is the former site of the Corvallis Catholic High School for Girls
Corvallis High School (California)
Corvallis High School, also known as Our Lady of Corvallis High School a Catholic girls high school located in Studio City, California which operated between 1941 and 1987.-History:...
. 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 call 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
Learning disability
Learning disability is a classification including several disorders in which a person has difficulty learning in a typical manner, usually caused by an unknown factor or factors...
among the gifted and very gifted student population include: nonverbal learning differences, organizational challenges, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a developmental disorder. It is primarily characterized by "the co-existence of attentional problems and hyperactivity, with each behavior occurring infrequently alone" and symptoms starting before seven years of age.ADHD is the most commonly studied and...
, audio and visual processing problems, and dysgraphia
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a deficiency in the ability to write primarily in terms of handwriting, but also in terms of coherence. It occurs regardless of the ability to read and is not due to intellectual impairment...
.
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
National Association of Independent Schools
The National Association of Independent Schools is a U.S.-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1963, NAIS represents independent schools and associations in the United States, including day, boarding, and day/boarding schools; elementary and secondary...
; and the Educational Records Bureau
Educational Records Bureau
Educational Records Bureau is the only not-for-profit educational services organization offering assessments for both admission and achievement for independent and selective public schools for Pre K-grade 12....
. 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
California Interscholastic Federation
The California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
(CIF) in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, cross-country and track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
. Other sports and physical fitness are also offered including handball, tennis, and other traditional fitness components in the classes, but only basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, cross-country and track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
are offered as extracurricular activities.
Since first graduation in 1996, graduates have been accepted at virtually all Cal State and University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
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
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 PhoenixPhoenix (mythology)
The phoenix or phenix is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Indian and Phoenicians....
was chosen. This was the product of a school-wide contest in which many designs were submitted, including the Bridges Carrot. This mascot is only used for athletic, fund raising events, etc. All documentation and brandings contain the official logo (The Bridge).
External links
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