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Testimonials

The following have been provided by current and former Bridges Academy students and their families.
​To Whom it May Concern,
 
I’m not really sure who is reading this letter, so I’m addressing it to all who may have been involved with my daughter being able to attend Bridges Academy.
 
I cannot tell you the pain of navigating a world for an autistic child. I cannot begin to explain the horrors we have been through in carving a path for my child. From moving 6 times into different school districts (moves which included moving out of the Los Angeles area hours away), to stepping away from my career to be able to properly tackle all that autism entails. A step that, as a single parent, wasn’t easy. It has been a heartbreaking journey. And when we discovered we would not be able to acquire funding from our old school district, we did what we do best. We rolled up our sleeves, and we decided to take on this new, unexpected path — and agreed to allow the Universe to guide us into new, uncharted territory. Well, I agreed. My daughter mostly cried. There may have been a broken iPad and a few slammed doors included with those fits of tears, but she got on board. Eventually.
 
Registering at the new school, I was pretty overwhelmed with the level of maturity of the kids, and I tried to ignore that gnawing feeling that my child would absolutely not fit in here. And sure enough, her first days, she crawled into my car at pickup and declared, “Mom? Why are you sending me here? Nobody talks to me. They think I’m weird. I am weird, huh?”
 
I tried to cheer her on. You’re not weird, you’re amazing! You can do it. You’ll make friends. Be different and amazing. But she just laid her head in her hands and cried some more. (Thankfully no iPad in sight to be broken again.)
 
I was heartbroken. Especially when I heard her stories of sitting by herself at lunch, or girls giggling and sneering as she walked by. She felt like a main character in one of my books. And let me tell you, that’s not good! My characters have the worst experiences.
 
So, I have no idea who decided my daughter still belonged at Bridges, even in the midst of our financial struggles. I’m not sure who decided to make the official call. But I would like to thank all involved. Because at Bridges, my child feels like she belongs. She doesn’t say “why did God make me this way?” the way she used to. But she says, “I’m happy Mom. I finally feel happy.”
 
This is coming from a child who has been bullied, harassed, left out, been that one kid not invited to the party (again and again), and even literally abandoned by her own family members for being who she is. I remember a classmate’s mom came up to me one time and said “You must be X’s mom.” Obviously, I was the only Black woman at pick up. I replied “Yes. How could you tell?” with a smile. I also added. “I know my daughter can be —”
 
She cut me off before I could finish and said, “Odd?”

​I wasn’t going to say that. But she threw me off. I simply nodded and said, “Yes.” Even though ... I didn’t think that. I think my daughter is wonderful. Complicated, sure. But wow has she blessed my life. I think at that moment, I resigned myself to the fact that she would always be “odd” to people like this woman. And how I wished I could grab a bullhorn and shout all the ways in which she was so awesome. But Bridges has shown me that people like this woman are not the people who change the world. The people who change the world are the kinds of people who reside within the walls of Bridges Academy. I’m eternally grateful to be among such a spectacular group of human beings.
 
Things will turn around for us financially. And when they do, I promise to be a lifetime supporter of Bridges Academy. Because there will always be a parent like me, who has a kid who doesn’t belong at any other school, but they simply can’t make it work, for whatever reason.
 
This letter is not enough to express our gratitude. But it will have to do ... for now. Until we can properly express our thanks. I’m just so glad that Bridges exists. I’m also so glad that our complicated children exist in a world where everyone wants to line up like soldiers and be “normal.” I’m glad our children exist in such a world. Because it’s the genuine, golden hearted “oddballs” that make this planet such a fascinating place to live.
 
There are future Elon Musks, artists, philanthropists, teachers, doctors, lawyers and more that will rise up out of Bridges Academy. In fact, I truly believe that there is a student here, walking these halls, that will someday change the world for the better. I am so happy that my daughter is among all of these great minds.
 
Thank you for allowing space for her. It is now one of my life’s goals to return the favor again and again and again.
 
With so much love and light from our deeply grateful family.

-A Bridges Academy Parent

What parents love about Bridges:

"The level of acceptance and comfort it gives to those who wouldn't get any acceptance both socially and academically anywhere else."

"The teachers and staff see each student as an individual in his or her strengths and challenges."

​"The open-minded and encouraging staff, the non-judgmental parents, and the high-quality and stimulating academic environment."

"My son has found people that get him."

"The perspective is always positive. It's about what a student CAN do."

"Kids feel safe."

​"The teachers and staff are educated about 2e, are exceptionally compassionate and warm, and are able to engage students.
Above all, they believe in the students and affirm their gifts."

​"My child is learning, is challenged, is happy, and accepted."

"My child was miserable at his previous school. Now he is happy and making friends and very engaged in school."
 
"My child felt alone and sad at his prior school, and now he is thriving. The communication and caring team approach with all the faculty and staff is evident, incredible, and integral to this."
 
"He was sad. Now he is happy. He has friends. He feels supported. He is learning to advocate for himself. He is treated with respect. It is fantastic."
 
"My child is very happy at Bridges; that speaks for itself."
 
"My child struggled a great deal in two different private schools. I recognized that, even as his self-regulation and other skills were growing, he would never be cast as anything other than the “kid with issues” and that the attending shame was negative for him. When I toured Bridges, I loved that the teachers respected and focused on the students’ strengths. Finally, my son’s visit day confirmed that he felt that he would, for the first time, feel comfortable and accepted at school."
 
"I am very satisfied with the campus and my child’s experience. The teachers and counselors have immeasurably improved his academic life."
 
"She was not doing well in mainstream schooling, and it started to feel critical to get her into a more supportive environment with teachers who could acknowledge and support her neurodivergence/learning differences. I have been thrilled with her experience socially and am so happy she feels supported."
 
"I am extremely satisfied with Bridges for my son as he feels safe and respected in a way that has let him grow enormously since coming to the school."
 
"Excellent climate providing safe space for students to grow and learn.
 
"There is no other school for our child. We are so grateful for everything Bridges has done for our child.
 
"You saved us. Full stop. Love Bridges and think it's growing beautifully."
 
"Welcoming environment, celebrating student strengths rather than focusing on deficits."
 
"Love it. Small community. Everyone knows everyone. I think the love, kindness, and acceptance my children experience is incredible."
 
"Big heart. It has been a very positive place for my child."
 
"It is clear how so many people really care about my daughter. It means so much when I’m approached about positive things my daughter has done so frequently."
 
"Our child has felt supported, cared for, and seen at Bridges, which is worth absolutely everything."
 
"Very pleased — he's known and welcomed. Even when he feels uncomfortable (in a usual teen way), he is known and included."

What our students love about Bridges:

"I've accomplished things [at Bridges] that I never thought I'd be capable of."

"Bridges students accept other people."

“Bridges has helped me grow as a person. I’m completely different than the person who walked in here six years ago
– and I’m very proud and glad to say that.”

“Very small [classes], which is very nice. You get a lot more individualized attention. The teachers know who you are personally.”

“They are really open to you advocating for yourself.
They are willing to make accommodations to make school work and to create a place where you feel like you have strengths.”
 
“It’s individualized. Bridges really caters to the interests and the needs and interests of the students.
It’s very much like, ‘What are you good at? Let’s make sure you can keep doing that.’”
 
“The community – people have a lot of shared and similar experiences, and it’s a small environment,
which is nice because I know pretty much everybody.”

“Before I came here I had no self-confidence at all. I’ve been able to go out so much and be friends with people.
I wasn’t able to do that before.”

“It’s so easy to fit in right away. ... You are in a community of your peers.”