Bridges Academy (Top Ranked 草榴社区 School for 2026-27)

Q: Does Bridges Academy offer a summer program?

Yes, Bridges Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

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About the School

Bridges Academy serves gifted students who learn differently, a population too often caught between programs that offer support or challenge, but rarely both.
Serving grades 4-12, and expanding to 3rd grade in Fall 2026, we offer both an on-campus program and Bridges Academy Online, launched in 2022, to reach 2e students wherever geography or traditional models fall short.
By integrating academic rigor with meaningful social, emotional, and learning support across both in-person and online environments, our students find more than an education; they find a community where they are understood, challenged, and truly belong..

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked CA School
School Type: Special Program Emphasis
Grades: 3-12
Enrollment: 162 students
Yearly Tuition: $59,209
Acceptance rate: 60%
Average class size: 8 students
Application Deadline: Dec. 19 / rolling
Source: 鉁�Verified school update

School Rankings

Bridges Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Facts

School Type

School with Special Program Emphasis

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 3-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Bridges Academy
4	7
5	8
6	18
7	18
8	23
9	24
10	15
11	28
12	21

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Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Learning Programs Supported

Mild-to-moderate ADHD, ASD, SLDs, Anxiety, Executive Functioning Deficits, Sensory Processing Disorder, etc.

Year Founded

1994

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

School Calendar

Campus Size

3 acres

School Motto

Where Brilliance Belongs

Student Body

Total Students

162 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

28%

State avg.: 52%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

48 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

3:1

National avg.:

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

Average Class Size

8 students

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) (ACS WASC)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS-CA)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

Dec. 19 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$59,209

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Tuition is prorated for students entering late or midyear.

% on Financial Aid

30%

Acceptance Rate

60%

National avg.: 82%

College Acceptance Rate

80%

Admissions Director

Kayla Franklin Waesche

Application URL

Sports

Total Sports Offered

4 sports

Sports

BasketballCross Country

GolfTrack and Field

School Mascot

Phoenix

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

7 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Robotics

Club or Organization:

Computer Programming

Arts and Music Programs:

BandFilm Studies

Music Composition/ProductionStudio Art

Theatre Tech

School Notes

What Does it Mean to be Twice-Exceptional (2e)?
Twice-exceptional (2e) students are intellectually gifted, while also facing learning differences that can make it hard to reach their full potential in traditional classrooms.Each 2e profile is unique and may include ADHD, autism, anxiety, or specific learning disabilities, such as challenges with reading, writing, math, or executive functioning.

A Rare Balance of Challenge and Support
Many 2e learners have IQs of 120 or higher, but disparate cognitive profiles can lower scores or mask strengths, making them harder to identify using traditional gifted assessments. These students are often misunderstood-too advanced for special education, yet unsupported in traditional gifted programs. At Bridges, we provide the rare balance of challenge and support, creating a place where 2e learners don't just belong-they thrive.

Where Strengths Come First
We start with what students do well. By leveraging their strengths, we offer authentic, real-world learning experiences that keep students engaged and motivated. Students have choice in how they access content and demonstrate mastery, which leads to deeper, more meaningful learning.

Small Classes. Big Impact.
Grades 3-8: Up to 9 students per class, with two adults in classrooms at full capacity.
Grades 9-12: Up to 11 students per class (average of 8) with one adult.
Grades 9-12 Online: Live classes, averaging 5 students, with one adult.
Instruction flexes with student needs, while talent development fosters authentic learning.

College and Life Prep for 2e
We prepare students academically, socially and emotionally for life after high school.

Individualized college counseling rooted in student strengths and interests
Seminar classes build soft skills, self-advocacy, and confidence
Academic Support & Advisory (ASA) beginning in grade 7 to develop executive functioning and self-advocacy

Our approach works: 85% of graduates enroll in college within one year-equipped not just for academics, but for life.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Bridges Academy cost?

Bridges Academy's tuition is approximately $59,209 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Bridges Academy?

The acceptance rate of Bridges Academy is 60%, which is lower than the national average of 80%. Bridges Academy's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in California with low acceptance rates.

Does Bridges Academy offer a summer program?

Yes, Bridges Academy offers a summer program. Visit their for more information.

What sports does Bridges Academy offer?

Bridges Academy offers 4 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf and Track and Field.

What is Bridges Academy's ranking?

Bridges Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Lowest average acceptance rates.

When is the application deadline for Bridges Academy?

The application deadline for Bridges Academy is Dec. 19 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 19 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (12 reviews)

5 5/9/2025

Bridges Academy has truly been life-changing for my son. In just a few months, he has blossomed from being withdrawn into a thriving child. The transformation has been remarkable, and I'm so grateful for the positive impact the school has had on him. The attention and support that the staff provides are exceptional. They demonstrate genuine kindness and care, addressing each child's strengths and vulnerabilities with patience and understanding. It's heartwarming to see how they nurture the students and create a safe, supportive learning environment. My son has overcome significant trauma in his past, and Bridges Academy has played a crucial role in his healing process. Most importantly, Bridges Academy is a place where my child feels like he can be himself and feels safe. The school's nurturing atmosphere and dedicated staff have helped him feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive. My only regret is not finding Bridges sooner. I can't recommend this school enough to parents seeking a nurturing and supportive environment for their children.

- Posted by Parent - Vanessa Sanchez

5 11/8/2024

Bridges Academy is an extremely specialized oasis of a school where a bright child with a range of 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 the 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.

- Posted by Parent - A R

5 11/8/2024

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 mainstream 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 allow 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.

- Posted by Parent - Kate

5 11/8/2024

My son started here in the 4th grade after he got his autism + gifted diagnosis, and we couldn't be more grateful that we found it. It literally saved all our lives. He went from miserable and lonely to supported and happy in a community full of kids like him -- super smart, who need some extra social-emotional support. The teachers are incredible, the student-teacher ratio is amazing, and each student has individualized attention and learning plans while still being able to be in a classroom with other kids. They teach at an advanced level of academics to keep the kids (who are all gifted) stimulated, but also fold in a huge, organic emphasis on developing their social-emotional skills. It is heaven-sent.

- Posted by Parent - HRH

5 10/31/2020

From the day my daughter stepped onto campus as a 4th grader, she felt like she had found her Hogwarts: a place where there were other kids like her. Every teacher and administrator understands my child, which has been a gift for her as well as for me. The approach to academics is serious and personalized. She is able to explore her interests through electives, two-week long immersive projects, and creating and leading clubs. My daughter is discovering who she is as a learner and as a person in a supportive, nurturing environment. I wish that all schools could be more like Bridges!

- Posted by Parent - R

5 5/17/2016

Every day, I thank heaven that my son attends Bridges -- and so does he. While our local elementary school tried hard, it simply didn't have the resources to deal either with his giftedness or with the social, emotional and behavioral problems that emerge when you try to force an idiosyncratically shaped peg into a standard-sized hole. Bridges adapts the environment to fit the kid, and the result is transformative. With its small class sizes, staff that knows how to deal with sensitive and quirky kids, and teachers who are committed to nurturing brilliant minds, Bridges has transformed our lives.

- Posted by Parent - fcowi

5 5/17/2016

Bridges is a one of a kind school, much like it students. Before discovering Bridges, my son's day was consumed with unraveling all the things that went wrong with it. He was misunderstood and often bullied by students and teachers alike. His gifted qualities singled him out as "different" and "strange". My son has been at Bridges for 3 years and our whole lives have changed. No longer do we "unravel" at the school days end. Bridges celebrates my son's talents and embraces them as well as understanding the complex challenges that a 2E student faces . It has enriched all of our lives and given my son a safe place to thrive and move forward with confidence in. I highly recommend Bridges Academy.

- Posted by Parent - Cstas

5 5/17/2016

If you have a 2E child (twice exceptional child = gifted with a learning or behavioral disorder), Bridges Academy is the school for you!!! This school changed our lives! Although our son is "highly gifted", he scored so low on the ISEE exam that he was not accepted to 6 private middle schools. He was already on medication for ADHD, but we subsequently learned he has learning disorders as well (working memory and processing speed). We found this school through LA School Scout, Sandy Eiges. What a perfect fit! Our son began last year in 6th grade and has blossomed at this school. He's now with kids that are like him, teachers that understand him and an education plan made just for him! WE LOVE THIS SCHOOL!!!

- Posted by Parent - barbr

5 11/20/2014

Bridges Academy has change our life for the better. We feel so lucky to be party of the Bridges Family. For the first time in 8 years, our son looks forward to going to school. He has friends, he no longer feels different and most importantly he can learn and thrive in an environment where is completely understood.

- Posted by Student/Alumni - amyly

5 4/9/2012

Bridges is a school for quirky, gifted kids which enables them to thrive, socially and academically. The individual attention each student gets is impressive. Academic programs, while rigorous, are inspiring to the kids, and the school's lack of bullying, drugs, and peer pressure enables kids to focus on social, emotional and intellectual development, instead of this week's popularity crises. The facility, recently purchased, is lovely, with room to grow. I wouldn't say Bridges can compete with a 1,000 student school for variety of after school programs, or sports teams, but the low teacher/student ratio and sense of community more than make up for these deficits. A student here can feel more relaxed, and yet intellectually challenged. Most of my fellow Bridges parents have stopped agonizing about their child's quirkiness. Here these quirks are perceived as potential assets, not deficits.

- Posted by Parent - lbdix

5 4/9/2012

Bridges Academy is a school for twice exceptional children. It is an amazing school -- one that teaches by using each student's strengths to overcome their weaknesses. It has been an unbelievably good experience to have teachers understand our child. This is a school that truly individuates its curriculum for each student. They have used what our son liked and got our son to take an interest in writing (which used to be a struggle despite being incredibly bright) and in other subjects. Bridges follows through and achieves an education that reaches, engages and fulfills the potential of its students. We are still astounded that Bridges actually does what it promises to do for our son. We could not be happier.

- Posted by Parent - ellen

5 3/16/2012

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. They also have a wonderful theater program that has helped him overcome his shyness. In just a few short years, he has gone from being painfully shy to belting out a solo in the school musical. And for the first time in his life he actually enjoys going to school.

- Posted by Parent - henry

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Los Angeles County, CA is $18,294 for elementary schools and $23,987 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Los Angeles County, CA is 79% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).