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| Motto | N/A |
|---|---|
| Established | 1994 |
| Type | Independent |
| Headmaster | Carl Sabatino |
| Faculty | 36 |
| Grades | 5-12 |
| Location | 3921 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Studio City, California, United States |
| Accreditation | WASC, NAIS, CAIS |
| Student to faculty ratio | 4:1 |
| Average class size | 4-12 |
| Website | www.bridges.edu |
Bridges Academy is a grade 6-12 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.
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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 2004 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. As of 2008 enrollment was over 100 students.
Facilities
Bridges moved from its previous location in Sherman Oaks, California in 2005 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".[citation needed] The learning disabilities among the gifted and very gifted student population include: Learning disability (U.S.), 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, field hockey, and traditional fitness components.[citation needed]. There was once dodgeball, but that sport has since been banned as of Carl's time as headmaster.
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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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.
The school's gymnasium was used to film the final scene for the 2009 Eddie Murphy film Imagine That.
History
1994: Carolyn McWilliams begins a home-study program for three students that becomes Bridges Academy.
1998: Bridges Academy is officially for college preparatory education.
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
- OSULA [1]
- Smart Kids with LD [2]
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