Students are not expected to ‘pick up’ material. Instead, they are taught how to learn using effective individualized instruction in reading, writing, science, social studies, and mathematics. They learn self-advocacy and social skills. Most of all, they are safe, supported, and able to grow.
At Bridges, students learn another way forward.
Our goal is to give students with learning differences the academic foundation, social skills and confidence they need to graduate ready to succeed in high school and in the community.
Individualized learning and attention.
Bridges Middle School does more than prepare our students for high school. We transform lives. Students with learning differences experience academic success and personal growth. They learn to navigate school — and life — with confidence and competence. Students leave Bridges with self-awareness and the tools to accomplish their goals despite their learning differences.
Small Classes, Big Results
In our small classes, Bridges’ students flourish in a community of supportive teachers and peers. We strive to maintain a student-teacher ratio of twelve to one and often even lower, compared with other public and private settings where class sizes often average 30 or more. This unique context allows individualized assistance, the development of a deep understanding of our students’ needs, and the ability to tailor lessons to build on the strengths and creative interests of each child.
“You don’t have to worry about bullies – Bridges Middle School is the best school in the world.
Hank, 7th Grade
Parents say Bridges is quite literally a lifesaver.
We offer a range of social and emotional support to our students and their families. Our team of teachers, counselors and administrators bring a wide range of expertise from diverse backgrounds. They help students understand the complex nuances of middle school culture, provide responsive services for challenges that arise within the school community, and assist individual students by providing support and coaching at different stages of need.
Our Approach
Bridges Middle School’s planned instructional program includes Oregon Department of Education Common Curriculum Goals and academic content standards.
Differentiated Instruction
Bridges Middle School students enter the school at different levels across different subjects, and they all learn differently. Teachers are attuned to the needs of each student. They approach material differently throughout the day based on how the student in front of them learns best. Instructional approaches may stress visual, auditory, or kinesthetic processing or some combination of each.
Relationship-Based Teaching
Relationship-based teaching is a student-centered approach to education that depends on teacher-student collaboration to maintain a safe, positive learning environment. It relies on strong, mutually respectful, personal relationships to engage cooperation in the classroom. Teachers help students meet academic and behavioral expectations by emphasizing teacher empathy, encouragement, and trust.
Personalized Education
Outside of these classes we have the opportunity to offer a variety of unique educational experiences to our students. By teaching to students’ interests we have the flexibility to create programs and curriculum that fit our students’ individual learning styles. All of our courses are hands-on and experiential.
Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning is a dynamic classroom approach in which students actively explore real-world problems and complex questions to develop deeper knowledge of a topic. At Bridges, students work on projects over an extended period of time, from a week up to a semester; they then demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing a public product or presentation. Over the course of the project, students develop deep content knowledge and improve critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills.