Bridges Academy

3921 LAUREL CANYON BLVD

Los Angeles, CA 91604

36 Reviews

School District
Grade

4-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 07, 2024

I couldn't love Bridges more. My 2e son (gifted + learning differences) is so happy there, it is an absolute haven if you have a 2e kid. Social emotional counselors for each cohort. Other kids with similar challenges and interests. I genuinely have no idea where else we could send our child if not for Bridges. I am so grateful to have found it.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2024

Bridges is a school for twice-exceptional or 2e students, intellectually gifted individuals who have one or more learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorder. Twice-exceptional kids often struggle in main-stream school settings, and our son was no exception. He attended both an independent and public school with mixed results before coming to Bridges for sixth grade ("Sigma"), where he began thriving. Bridges faculty truly understand the complexity of teaching this population, navigating the challenges of when to push the students and when to give them a break. The incredibly small class sizes and project-based learning allows teachers to teach to outcomes rather than adhere to a set curriculum, which has been a MUCH more successful approach for our son. I HIGHLY recommend Bridges to families who have twice-exceptional children who struggle to "fit" in other schools. It has been a game-changer for our family.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2024

Imagine a school where your child steps into a classroom of 7-10 kids (sometimes less), to be greeted by teachers who understand and truly "get" them, to engage in learning that is appropriately challenging with tons of support. This is what classrooms at Bridges Academy are like. Their strengths-based pedagogy allow kids to grow in self esteem while learning both academic and social skills. This is a place where you and your child will find their people. Traditional public school does not work for all kids, especially for gifted kids with other challenges such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, and other learning challenges. Go on a tour, check in out, you'll see what the magic is all about!
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2024

Bridges Academy is an extremely specialized oasis of a school where a bright child with a range learning differences can absolutely thrive. Part of what makes it unique is it is a research-based environment complete with a graduate school where experts in the field are studying and training the teachers to serve twice exceptional students not just there but throughout the world. For kids who aren't functioning in a traditional learning environment, this school helps them heal, grow, and blossom. They are amongst peers who share in their uniqueness and celebrate each other's differences. There is an embracing of quirkiness that makes for a richly diverse population. Parents are able to share in community with other parents raising differently wired kids and uplift each other. It is a very special place and we are so grateful for it.
Submitted by student on October 09, 2024

This school is amazing. At my last school, I was antagonized by my teacher, cast out or constantly under attempts to be assimilated by my peers, not learning anything, and getting in trouble constantly for no good reason. Now that I am here I feel like my teachers think I am a great student, my peers are like me and accept me as I am, I learn TONS of new stuff, and when I get in trouble, it’s actually for a good reason. Almost everyone there gets along. There is some bullying, but it’s too weak to affect anyone. It is mostly white male students, but in some ways this actually minimizes conflict, because we are all similar and can relate over that. Overall, this is a great school
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2024

Note: My teen attends the online division of this school, Bridges Academy Online. Need to escape public school? Want to go to school with an international crew of quirky gifted kids? Want a place that supports all your challenges and focuses on your strengths? If the word "neurodiverse" has ever been applied to you, try this online program for gifted students with learning differences. At Bridges Academy Online, you can design your own elective each year and spend time studying what you love most. The classes are challenging, yet the homework load is reasonable and the school day is short. Have more time for your passions while still earning a high school degree. Find other teens who understand what it's like to live with great gifts and great struggles all at once. If public school is making your whole family miserable, definitely try BAO. The staff are experts in 2e (twice-exceptional) education. They are kind and funny and they care about building relationships with all their students--and their parents. The classes are synchronous and the class discussions are great. You can accelerate in your favorite classes. You can take college classes or internships for credit, as the school is flexible and will work with you to build a schedule that suits your needs. You can also take a deep breath, slow down, and remember that learning can be fun. We live in a place that has zero resources for bright students with learning differences. If you are done trying to make public school work and exhausted by spending all your time in endless meetings at the school that go nowhere, do yourself a favor and switch to BAO. When they say they offer "strength-based" education, they actually mean it. If you have an extraordinary teen who needs something different to thrive, this is the place. It is worth every penny.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2024

For the right child this place is a life saver. So many kids are misunderstood by their teachers and schools but Bridges is the one place that goes out of its way to understand your child and their own individual needs with customized education and teaching to their strengths through their own 2E learning based model. Just take a tour and you will be blown away.
Submitted by principal on January 18, 2024

Bridges is a very special place. if you are part of a family that has had emotional kitchen table conversations about what the right next steps are for your child who hasn’t fit in at a traditional educational environment, whether public or private, Bridges really might be a solution for you.
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2023

Bridges is a school for twice-exceptional or 2e students, intellectually gifted individuals who have one or more learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorder. Twice-exceptional kids often struggle in main-stream school settings, and our son was no exception. He attended both an independent and public school with mixed results before coming to Bridges for sixth grade ("Sigma"), where he began thriving. Bridges faculty truly understand the complexity of teaching this population, navigating the challenges of when to push the students and when to give them a break. The incredibly small class sizes and project-based learning allows teachers to teach to outcomes rather than adhere to a set curriculum, which has been a MUCH more successful approach for our son. I HIGHLY recommend Bridges to families who have twice-exceptional children who struggle to "fit" in other schools. It has been a game-changer for our family.
Submitted by student on November 09, 2023

Bridges is a good school only if your child has a significantly impactful learning disability. Some teachers show blatant disregard for students' grades in their classes and barely teach the subject they're hired to teach, expecting the students to do their own research to complete assignments. Aside from that, school higher-ups make zero effort to reduce the rampant racism, discrimination, and sometimes misogyny among the student population. These issues obviously stem from the majority white male students. I've personally watched real-time and videos of my classmates saying the most horrifically racist stuff, sometimes even expressing nazi-like beliefs and antisemitism. Despite the video and picture proof of such events regularly being brought to staff, in my five years at this school I've seen a grand total of ZERO students be punished for such behavior. Please be careful of sending your child to this school if you don't want them to become a hateful, racist individual, and be especially wary if your child is in any sort of minority.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2023

The elementary program was a welcome relief from the main LAUSD system, but as we moved to middle school and high school, Bridges looked and felt more and more like mainstream LAUSD schools. We encountered rampant ableism among administrators and teachers, and an alarming lack of knowledge and understanding of anxiety and basic autistic behaviors, as well as ABA-type responses. Any attempt at real project based learning was dismissed as supplemental and teachers were often unwilling or unable to differentiate assignments based on learning styles let alone a student’s interests and strengths. An influx of former HELP group staff in high level positions doesn’t bode well for Bridges’ future either.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2023

Bridges has been life changing for my son, who is highly gifted and challenged by ADHD and high functioning autism. Since his first day in the elementary school program, the teachers have respected, listened to and supported him. The trust that they built in doing this has formed the foundation for incredible intellectual and emotional growth. Maybe most importantly, he has found his people—other quirky, brilliant kids who he authentically likes and who authentically like him. We do not live close to the school, but we are thrilled to make the commute for what the school has given our son. If you you have a twice exceptional child, this is an amazing choice.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2023

Strength-based specialized school for bright and quirky kids. Our elementary student looks forward to school each day and feels safe being himself. Great community!
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2023

My child is excited to attend school for the first time and feels seen and understood. The staff has been attentive and communicative, which differs from what we experienced elsewhere. The sense of community is fantastic; everyone has been very kind and supportive. Our child is looking forward to diving into all of the educational opportunities.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2022

Fantastic school for kids that are gifted but don't do well in a typical LAUSD gifted program. Kids are nurtured and treated with respect. Teachers really care and work hard to make learning fun. My son feels confident and conformable for the first time in school ever.
Submitted by parent on December 24, 2021

Wonderful school for 2e students, ie: gifted and…Strong academics with highly engaged teachers and staff. Administrators are deeply invested in having a healthy and positive community to support students and families. We are very happy. More importantly, our child is thriving.
Submitted by other on November 03, 2019

Horrible did NOT prepare me for college AT ALL.
Submitted by other on April 21, 2019

Bridges changed my life, it was very much the first place I felt safe and valued, and it will forever be a home for me. Bridges does have a lot of faults though, many of which are just side effects of having so many 2e kids with low social function together. My biggest advice for someone looking to start at Bridges is to get their kids involved in outside extracurriculars, and maybe look at having individualized homework plans. Bridges is great for what it is, but its not a utopia by any means.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2018

Bridges Academy is a great school serving an unique body of students who would otherwise feeling "not fit in". The stuffs and teachers are wonderful and truly caring for the students. My son has been happy here since 5th grade. He chose this school over other school at the time of application because 'people are nice at Bridges".
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2014

Bridges Academy has been a perfect fit for our son. The classes are small and the teachers don't overburden the students with homework. He is thriving both academically and socially in a school that understands gifted students with learning differences. Our son spent most of his school life before Bridges feeling alone and mis-understood. When he entered in 6th grade he was embraced and celebrated for his gifts and given a safe place to learn and grow. For the first time, our son looks forward to attending school. We love Bridges Academy.