Bridges PCS

100 Gallatin Street Northeast

Washington, DC 20011

School District

Bridges Pcs
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:9
Type

charter

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 28, 2019

We were very happy initially, but leadership and staffing changes have made this a very poor choice. If you have a young boy of color with special needs, please be careful about sending your child here
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2019

It would be a very low rating.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2018

School was good but some teachers discriminates students that my kid do not want to go to school.
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2017

Overall the strength at Bridges has historically been in its early childhood program and there are still growing pains in the upper grades that have been added over the last few years. The parent community at this school has many opportunities to receive information, ask questions and participate in activities and events. The return on investment for that participation is a greater understanding about what is going on inside the building and a empowerment to speak up with questions, concerns and praise when appropriate.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2017

This school is not the school for my family. There is no order or discipline structure in place and so therefore, effective instruction can't not happen. I participated in the lottery to get my child here and I am BEYOND disappointed. They are more interested in obtaining money for smart boards for art and music??? versus addressing the real problems like discipline, effective teaching, testing scores, PARKING. This is a school that's more interested in their outward appearances rather than your child's needs and no offense to those with special needs but if your child is general education/gifted STAY AWAY from this school they can not meet the needs of your child. You will be wasting your time at this school. These are a bunch of over paid and overdressed unprofessionals. Getting EXTRA federal funding to warehouse your children and teach them nothing.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2014

My daughter is in PK at Bridges, and we just love it. She is learning a ton in a fun, child-centered environment. I love that the teachers create month-long teaching themes based on what the kids express an interest in. It is a real play-based program where the kids learn to love learning through play. I am excited to be a part of a school that does such a good job of meeting each child where he or she is. The school is also incredibly organized, with a fantastic director and principal. The best part is that now that the school is expanding, my daughter can get a top-quality education at one of the most diverse schools in DC through 5th grade (definitely not the case at my local DCPS).
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2013

I love Bridges!! At first I was apprehensive to send my 3 yo Daughter to a school located in a commercial strip mall-like setting but, after meeting the teachers and staff and other parents - i couldn't be happier. They're learning to walk outside (they have no playground and have to walk 1 1/2 blocks to the nearest) and cross the street - as all city kids should learn to do. The teachers and assistant's are very attentive - small classes; and instruction is curtailed to each child's learning level. The school is also very diverse - which was important for me.
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2013

I am a parent of a PK3 Penguin from last year 2012-13. My son LOVED going to Bridges and thrived. It is a small school with a tremendous staff of caring, smart, knowledgeable staff. As the youngest in his PK3 class he was hesitant. It was his first experience in school outside his small daycare setting. The focus in the classroom was on learning and fun and love and support. He got a lot of all four. In the classroom there was a teacher and an aide for a class of about 16 (plus ancillary support people). The teacher had great credentials and experience and the aide came with 20+ years in DCPS. They were both professional, caring and skilled at managing and teaching all things toddler. The classroom was super organized with lots of things to experience...and then they brought in more:butterflies, science Friday, art projects, number fun, engaging reading. They went on extensive Field trips throughout DC and played outside everyday. The focus is inclusion and there were kids with challenges in the class, who all the other children accepted and supported with grace. I could not have asked for a better space for my child to feel supported in his learning.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2013

I always had the though, to have my daughters in a charter school because of so many good comments I heard about this school. My daughter turned 3 years when she started at Bridges and she still in it, now in 2013 she s in kindergartner, I love the fact that she s is very smart and learns everything so fast. She loves the school and she is very advance in her education than where she s supposed to be of her age. Everyday she learns something new and she gets 4 smiley faces. I'm so glad and happy that Bridges will extend the grades until grade 5. Until than I can have my oldest daughter while her young sister start just like she did one day. Thanks Bridges for all the hard and good work you are giving to our children's, Thanks for your excellent education.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2013

Our non-special needs son is in his second PS/PK year at Bridges and has really thrived. As another parent says, because all students are evaluated often, we get thorough reports from teachers. What's more, thanks to this, small class sizes and an astute teacher, our son has been given assignments tailor-made for his skill level. Our son loves Bridges and his teachers. The Web site could be better for sure, but otherwise, it's been a great experience.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2013

Our child is currently in PS3. We chose Bridges over two other "top" DC Charter schools and we have been thrilled with our choice. It's a great school. Our child (not special needs) has thrived there. Because they are constantly evaluating all the students progress, not just special needs students, I feel like we get really high quality reports from the teachers about how our child is progressing (already reading at 3!?) The teachers are amazing and the focus on little learners is wonderful. While the facility is not as nice as some other schools we felt like Bridges excellence in early childhood education was well worth the trade off. And of course the fact that they are expanding and moving more over to Sharpe is a bonus. Also, I love the diversity--kids with special needs, kids from lots of other countries, kids with two moms, black, white, adopted, latino, asian etc. etc. It's pretty amazing. Just this morning my child was urging my wife to hurry up, because she wanted to get to school! She loves it and so do we. They could do a better job marketing (via a better website or otherwise). I joke with my wife that it is the best little charter school you've never heard of.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2013

Our daughter is wrapping up her first year at Bridges in PreK3 and we are extremely pleased. The school has a warm and welcoming environment and the inclusion model is extremely well-implemented and benefits all children. Our typically developing child has greatly enjoyed the school's focus on literacy development and the individualized attention she receives. The staff are excellent and we are pleased that the school is expanding so that our daughter can stay for elementary school. We have no doubt that the Bridges leadership and staff will continue to be as thoughtful and careful in providing an excellent K-5 education as they have been in providing an excellent preschool education.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2013

My two daughters, one typically developing, one with special needs, both thrived at Bridges for preschool. They adored their teachers and adored school. The program offered great support in many ways, nurturing the whole child and really our whole family. When they were ready for kindergarten, I was heartbroken that Bridges wasn't yet ready for expanding to an elementary school. They went off to a DCPS and did well -- I remember the teacher remarking the first day that they were both so clearly prepared for kindergarten! When the public school system wasn't serving my daughter with special needs as well as I thought, I decided to leaver her back a year so I could send her back to Bridges (since by then they had added an elementary school). It has been great for her, and I can't say enough about how dedicated and organized the teachers are and how effectively the whole system of support they have in place works-- not just for special needs kids.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2013

Our girl has been with Bridges 2 years now and we love the school! All our concerns have been timely and extensively addressed. Our daughter has bloomed in this school. They assess the kids at the beginning of the school year, and work with them based on that evaluation. As a result of our 2 years with Bridges our daughter has achieved milestones of a 6 years/old, and she is in Pre-K. We highly recommend the school!
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2013

Our son started last year at Bridges and we have been really pleased with the learning environment and the quality of teaching.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2013

My daughter has been attending this school for the last two years and I love it and she loves it as well.. She enjoys all the learning activities and how the teachers interact with the students and we work together to make the learning process a success. My daughter loves going to school to learn and to also learn with her classmates as well. I'm so excited and I love to hear what she is learning each day when she comes home and tells me what she has done and to see her work too. We look forward to the next school year when she attends Kindergarten and beyond. I want to thank the school principal Ms. Olivia, all teachers and staff for all your hard-work and support for teaching our children here at Bridges PCS you make our kids learning experience a success. Love you all.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2013

Our son has thrived at this school. The teachers and staff are excellent, and it is a warm and intimate community of families. They have a wonderful inclusion model, and my typically developing child has been both nurtured and challenged, and has learned so much and grown tremendously in his pre-school year. We love it!
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2013

Our son is about to finish up his first year at Bridges and we all couldn't be happier with this school. Everyone is so nice! It's nuts, really- walking in everyday is a pleasure, the staff is really amazing and students as well. We have nothing bad to say, a great place for our son to be thriving in.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2013

We've only been at Bridges for a couple of months, since we transfered mid year, but we couldn't be happier with the school! They have been incredibly welcoming. They foster a sense of acceptance among the students, so that all of our son's classmates welcome and accept him, despite differences. This is good for everyone involved.
Submitted by teacher on May 09, 2013

This school was rated the Best Preschool in DC. The level of learning is unbelievable for children so young, and they are having fun while doing it! The school is in a beautiful building, in a safe part of town, with a loving and caring staff. Each teacher is highly qualified, and the support staff are terrific as well. My children have learned so much academically and socially, and were beyond ready for Kindergarten. The school provides multiple events each quarter for parents, families, and even weekend play groups for the kids. I would highly recommend this school to anyone. The inclusion program is the best special education program I have seen in this city.