The Bridge School is a cooperative elementary program in South King County. We serve students 5 - 11 years old using a progressive, multi-age approach.
The Bridge School is a cooperative program that provides an education rich in exploration, community, connection to nature, and interdisciplinary learning. We work to foster confidence, compassion, and creativity in our students by listening directly to the children in our program and working to meet their individual academic and social-emotional needs.
Cooperative schools encourage strong home-to-school connections by encouraging all members of a learning community (students, families and teachers) to work together to build a supportive school environment. In a cooperative school, parents and teachers share the responsibility of running the school. Our well-qualified teachers plan and implement the curriculum and parents participate directly in their child's education by working regularly in the classroom and running the business of the school. Regular school board and all-school parent meetings ensure that all voices are heard and everyone is kept informed.
Our multi-age learning environment allows for flexible student learning based on developmental readiness rather than age. This flexibility encourages mentorship among the students and fosters patience and collaboration in the classroom. The multi-age environment ensures that an individual student and her or his needs are placed before the dicta of a particular curricula or calendar cycle.
The Bridge School is rooted in a progressive educational philosophy and places a strong emphasis on experiential learning. We believe "learning by doing" helps abstract ideas take hold in a practical and meaningful way. Regular field trips, student-inspired projects, and hands-on education are integral parts of The Bridge School's methodology. Our students are encouraged to celebrate critical thinking and problem solving and regular group work in the classroom helps them develop a strong sense of social responsibility.
The Bridge School does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family make-up or circumstances or any other legally protected status in the hiring of staff or in the administration of educational policies or programs, admissions policies or any other school administered programs.
The Bridge School is a cooperative, multi-age, progressive elementary school program that fosters authentic learning through whole child development.
To accomplish this mission we:
Provide an emotionally and physically safe environment
Offer multi-age classrooms that offer a progressive educational approach
Support the development of the whole child
Promote a love of learning and curiosity in all students, parents and teachers
Encourage children, teachers and parents to challenge themselves, take risks and persevere
Allow students to grow at their own pace, challenge themselves and reach their full academic potential
Actively build community among our students, teachers and families
Offer hands-on, authentic experiences to allow children to develop their unique creativity
