Our School
The Bridge Academy serves recently arrived ELD Newcomer students entering the San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) as 10th, 11th and 12th graders at ELD I level with few to no academic credits. This allows our staff to design educational experiences that specifically meet these particular students’ needs, take into account that they have gaps in their education, and prepare them to be successful in their transitions after Bridge, whether that be our Adult School, college, career, or other path they choose.
Mission and Vision
Grounding ourselves through In Lak’ech pedagogy, our mission is to support recently arrived newcomers in their academic and social development and healing. In Lak’ech pedagogy focuses on prioritizing our relationships and responsibility to one another in order to foster a supportive learning community. Our staff is dedicated to creating a safe and compassionate alternative educational space centered in love, hope, and justice in order to support the educational and personal goals of our students.
Who We Serve
Program Design
Students in the Bridge Academy attend classes at a satellite campus - the San Mateo Adult School. The goal is to accelerate students’ language acquisition through all of their courses. Students have the opportunity to take English, Math, Social Science, Science, Art, and PE courses. Additionally, we have a soccer team that participates in the District ELD Soccer League and offers additional extra-curricular activities.
We believe education extends beyond the classroom and strive to support all students’ needs; we have weekly community circles, a social worker, mental health therapist, family engagement coordinator, and bilingual support staff.