Bridges Charter School

1335 Calle Bouganvilla

School District

Ventura County Office Of Education
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

charter

School Map for Ventura County Office Of Education School District

GreatSchools Rating

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 20, 2025

Bridges Charter claims to be a school based on a 'whole child' philosophy but has had many changes in leadership and now provides a very hollow education. What is done in the classroom is dominated by language arts and mathematics instruction that seems geared towards getting the kids to pass state testing. So a lot of workbook pages, a lot of drilling.....and little in terms of projects or any sort of inspiring instruction. There is not much time left for science, history, art of anything else. They also do a lot of testing throughout the year beyond the mandated state testing and don't seem to do much of anything with the results. They do NWEA testing in the fall, winter and spring and each time it sucks up a 1/3 or of the school time for one week. They also do additional testing in language arts, again, in the fall, winter and spring. None of is required by the state/county, its just a form of torture for the students. Bridges also does not help their high achieving students. There is no gate program in elementary and no effort is made to provide students with greater challenges. Their middle school program is very small (around 30~40 students per grade) so doesn't offer honors classes and likewise makes no effort with high achieving students. Overall we have just been very disappointed with academics at Bridges and regret enrolling. On the social front the situation at Bridges is better but can also has some issues. The school encourages parent volunteers and there is a clique of very involved parents, many of the staff and teachers also have children at the school and this creates an environment of nepotism. The children with connected parents always seem to get preference, preference in school activities like performing arts, preference in the class room and preference when any conflict between the kids occurs. The only positive aspect of Bridges is that there aren't many issues with bullying and the school seems to provide a better environment for kids that may have struggled socially at other schools. But this seems mostly achieved by having adults breathing down the kid's necks so I'm not sure what happens when the kids move on. Lastly, the school is constantly asking for money/donations and doesn't provide much in terms of classroom supplies.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2025

I'm a longtime educator and parent of three kids at Bridges Charter ranging from TK to 8th grades - one in the school site program and two in the charter homeschool program. We moved from our neighborhood schools to attend Bridges because of the innovative, nurturing, and creative environment and the school's ability to meet students where they are and really personalize their educational experience based on how they learn best. Our child in the school site program has hands-on learning experiences and is excited to go to school everyday. The learning is developmentally appropriate and engaging. The homeschool program is such an important and needed option for so many children with different learning styles and needs. We have watched our child go from never wanting to go to school to flourishing in the homeschool environment and being excited to go to campus twice a week for the most engaging enrichment classes like science/STEAM, yoga, art, music, and studying nature. The homeschool teacher team guides and supports you and your child through the process and the additional opportunities for park meet ups and field trips are wonderful. The Special Education department and School Psychologist are not only knowledgable and supportive, but truly care about the whole child. I can not recommend this school enough. We love being a part of the Bridges Charter community!
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2025

We are a part of the homeschool hybrid program at Bridges. It is the best decision we made! The teachers are all amazing and my daughter is so exciting for her on campus classes! The support of the guiding teacher has been extremely helpful. Everyone is so nice and caring. I couldn’t ask for a better situation!
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2024

I have two students at Bridges and both love it so much! We moved over from our neighborhood school in our town several years ago and have not looked back! Something I love about the school is the way they truly encourage family participation—they welcome parents/caregivers on their campus. The social-emotional component of their program is unmatched! They truly meet the children/families where they are at. Our only regret is not finding them sooner!!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2023

My boys were students at Bridges from the very beginning of its foundation. My review is based on that experience.However, I can speak of the hard work that special people like Ms. Cindy do to make this school a safe haven for young minds to expand their growth, academically and socially; explore their talents and cultivate a sense of belonging while at the same time contributing to a larger community.Teachers, staff, parents, and students would work together and truly build community within the school as well as out.A community where, even after years of not attending Bridges, we feel are still a part of, thus the reason for me sharing now. Here, students would get the tools to construct their knowledge with the Guidance of a supportive team. Bridges goes beyond academics and it also creates opportunities for students to develop personally and socially. Years later my boys still remember fondly their Bridges experience and treasure the memories and the friends they made here.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2023

Most of it is fine but I find they are rather inconsistent with their policies. One of the main thing advertised about this school was the lack of a dress code though there have been numerous occasions on which one specific middle school teacher will dress code certain girls saying he is “uncomfortable”. If 11-14 year old girls make you, a middle aged man uncomfortable, then you are the problem. This teacher also almost seems to pick on the girls in ways ranging from holding them to rules he does not hold the other students too, to not letting them use the bathroom. This teacher is also rather loud and constantly slams things such as books on desks to get the attention of his students even though many of them have complained about this loud noise being upsetting and possibly triggering to some. The rest of the school is quite nice though, except for two others which I believe to be parent volunteers the teachers are no worse than any other school. I would recommend for k-5 but not for middle school(the other two middle school teachers are lovely, this one just makes many girls in the class uncomfortable which ruins the middle school program completely). Bridges does however have a very fun kindergarten experience in which the children would hatch baby chickens and dissect squid. Once again, lovely school for k-5, just definitely not middle school.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2023

Excellent community. Hands on learning gives children to work on the throughput of the task while working collaboratively with others
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2023

I found this school to be one of the best I attended. Cindy M. was a wonderful teacher and truly cares about each and every one of her students. If I had to choose a teacher all over again, I'd pick her without a doubt. Thanks Bridges for making my middle school years enjoyable! Go Bobcats!
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2023

My husband and I are beyond grateful for this wonderful school and how much it’s helped my daughter. I wanted to offer my perspective - my daughter is currently enrolled so I feel like it’s a better reflection of the current environment of our school than some of the reviews that are years old.We had a terrible experience at a local kindergarten - our daughter has anxiety and instead of supporting her she was sent to stand outside the classroom and sob alone. She’d cry everyday at school to the point of throwing up… one to three times. It was truly heartbreaking. Getting her teacher to start a conversation was like pulling teeth (I’m an educator, so I found this particularly maddening). To make a long story shorter, we switched to Bridges a month into the school year and the difference was night and day. She went from a kindergarten teacher who didn’t seem to care, to one that was a truly amazing human being. Her kindergarten teacher at Bridges encouraged us to always advocate for our daughter! And her teacher was also an advocate for our daughter!Our daughter has gotten so much support and I know she wouldn’t have made nearly as much progress as she has without the wonderful people at this school. Her teachers have been wonderful. The school counselor and school psychologist are truly angels. My husband and I couldn’t be happier or more grateful. My daughter is also reading above her grade level and I feel like her teachers have done a good job differentiating their instruction so she’s reading texts at her level, which I really appreciate. It’s a great community, I could go on and on…I highly recommend Bridges!!!!
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2023

We have been proud members of the Bridges COMMUNITY for 6 years now, with a current 5th grader, and 1st grader. We absolutely love it here, and are looking forward to continuing into the middle school program next year. A school like this thrives on what your pour into it, I love the incredible opportunities I have to show up for my kids when they need me, and I love how supported they are when I’m not able to be there. I have two VERY different kiddos, one 2e with an ASD/ADHD diagnosis, and one neurotypical, and both are thriving and getting what they need socially, academically, and emotionally. I am thankful for the educators here who truly believe in the whole-child and not just the statistics.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2023

Bridges Charter School is not only our school but has become part of our home and our family. My children love going to school. Their teachers are warm and knowledgeable. They truly listen to my kids. The kindergarten program is like no other. They let the children play while also teaching them to read. Our experience at Bridges has been an amazing one. Bridges is shaping my children’s lives in a positive way that we will never forget. They also have an incredible arts program across the board. They have a fun visual arts program as well as performing arts. We love our school!
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2023

Coming to Bridges was like turning on a light! While a lot of local schools claim project based learning, Bridges truly lives it! While a lot of schools claim parental involvement, Bridges thrives on it! We were a little concerned before attending as some gossip around town was that Bridges wasn't strong academically, once we looked into it we learned that nothing could be further from the truth! The project based learning curriculum encourages more problem solving skills, teamwork skills, and well rounded comprehension of the material while also teaching the academic standards expected of all students in the state! No wonder we have above average ratings in academic growth from one grade to the next. Being a Bridges family means having an automatic community. There are SO many ways to be involved in your child's education while also guiding and teaching them how to be free and independent thinkers. The Kindergarten program is nothing short of magic. Each grade builds upon the last in such a seamless way. Conflict Resolution is the norm, mediation is always available by multiple trained employees. Covid certainly turned a lot of people's worlds upside down, in so many ways. Bridges was ahead of the game with a FULL TIME mental health staff at the ready! In addition to multiple intervention specialists, we have a full time psychologist, full time counselor (each of whom have interns learning from the best) who also teach social emotional curriculum throughout the year to all the grades. We are a K-8th! Having middle schoolers around elementary students provides the older students an opportunity to be leaders who go about their day with compassion. Having the elementary school kids on the same campus as middle schoolers gives the younger students a whole community to look up to! Administrators and Teachers are always available to talk, and have basically helped us learn how to effectively advocate for our children. Our children have grown so much, both socially and academically, thru their time at Bridges so far and we know how much of that is due to the community, environment, and programs that are so well established. The staff CARES about the kids, the staff KNOWS the kids, we are so glad so many others encouraged us to take that tour and come to Bridges to see that light.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2023

My children have attended Bridges since kindergarten! The teachers are all so attentive, communicative, and really skilled at meeting all students' needs and providing a challenging and supportive learning environment. I am so confident that each of my children's needs are being met and that everyone at Bridges cares about them as people. The performing arts program and creative arts programs are thriving. We couldn't have found a better community of caring parents, teachers, and staff!
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2023

My son graduated Bridges in 2018. Since then he went into become Thousand Oaks High Valedictorian and now a freshman at Vassar college. Even back then, while struggling with growing pains, Bridges proved to be an excellent platform to raise an independent thinker who can advocate for himself and is brave an assured to explore the big world. Bridges helped him to build character and strength, thought him tools to succeed academically and to become a better human being. Heck, it helped me to become a better parent and a human being. The support of the community was overwhelming and I’m still friends with moms from when our kids were friends at Bridges. I wholeheartedly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2022

Bridges Kindergarten is the most phenomenal program I have ever experienced. The teachers are adored, the experience is amazing with play and a hands on approach to learning. The parent volunteer program engages and enriches the lives of parent and child alike. Fostering bonding in the parent-child relationship in learning.The project-based programs in the upper level grades are wonderful and engaging. The teachers really care about each individual child’s learning and overall well being. Learning is fun and experienced through doing instead of through spreadsheets. The students go on numerous field trips, have bi- weekly science meetings with wonderful naturalists that are engaging and thought-provoking and great with kids. The students also attend art and music classes weekly. The talent show, student play, Harvest Festival and End of Year Carnival are just some of the wonderful events the school has to offer; joining the community of like minded and loving parents, teachers and students together. Bridges has a beautiful mission of inclusiveness and “whole child” approach which is refreshing for any parent that loves their child and isn’t just looking for their child to be treated like a number or a means to raise their academic score in Great Schools.org
Submitted by teacher on August 28, 2022

I’m a teacher at Bridges. I’ve been teaching at Bridges for over 10 years. I chose to teach here to grow as an educator and support Socio-Emotional learning as I I believe that Emotional Intelligence is the key to lifelong learning and success. Saddens me to read some of the negative comments as many of the statements are untrue. However, our school is not for everybody…so that’s ok. Come visit and see for yourself! We are a passionate & caring community of teachers & staff!
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2022

5 stars go toward the fun, hands on experiences, sense of community, school events and field trips. 0 stars for behavioral issues in the classroom, lack of class management by the lower grades, lack of consistency and transition from grade to grade, and lack of funding for extra curricular activities. When my kids came here, it was just like summer camp mixed with learning. If your child thrive on autonomy, and is stubborn then this is the school for them…which means there are other kids who are the same as well. You will find more students with learning differences, behavior issues, mental and emotional issues than that of an average public school. If Bridges can marry critical thinking skills, coping skills, and creativity, this would be an exceptional school. The teachers who are great at this school have excellent class management skills. There are also teachers at this school who yell, patronize and criticize the students because they have poor control of the classroom. If your child is sensitive to noise, needs structure, and needs clear directions, then this school will not be suited for him/her/them.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2022

Bridges is the most unorganized, chaotic, filthy, snd high drama school you can find. So much bullying gets swept under the rug. The director never engages with children, doesn’t even know most the kid’s names. Zero leadership. This dumper fire of school should be shut down. I wouldn’t send my dogs.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2021

Bridges has asked us to like and share our reviews as it’s the best way to attract new families to this school. Over the course of covid, Bridges, like others have had to adapt. If you are one that is concerned about covid exposure, you will enjoy the Bridges environment. They are apparently one of few schools that are allowing parent volunteers. But you don’t have to worry about kids being at risk of extra exposure, because they are one of the few schools only allowing vaccinated parents to volunteer. Unvaccinated parents aren’t allowed on campus at all. And there seems to be an openness to moving forward with the children vaccine covid mandate when it begins. Admin told us 86% of kindergarten students are vaccinated with the routine vaccines. Some programs we have loved in the past are yet to come back, but they are working hard to provide creative experiences for students.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2020

My daughter has been at this school since Kinder. I could not have picked a better place for my daughter and our family. The Bridges community from the admin, teachers and parent volunteers have created an amazing supportive environment for the students and families. Nothing is ever perfect but this school comes very close.