Da Vinci College Preparatory Programs |
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 Anna Schaerf
Guidance Counselor
College guidance at Bridges Academy is comprehensive, proactive and highly individualized. Just as in our educational model, our college prep track explores the gifts, talents, interests, and passions as well as learning differences, social and emotional development, and post-Bridges needs of each student. Our approach allows each student to find the best fit in a college or post-secondary program as it relates to his or her academic, intellectual, creative and social goals and needs.
The Director of College Guidance meets with sophomores and juniors in individual student and family meetings. Emphasis in 10th grade is on student talents, passions, and interests and how those will fit into their after Bridges path. An overview of the college process is discussed as well as plans for summer so that students use this break time to strengthen their resume while doing something they love. In 11th grade, meetings continue with a refined focus on college admission testing, expectations about the college application process, essay writing (typically started in 11th grade English), and finding the best college or post-secondary options. During their senior year, students participate in a twice-weekly Senior Seminar course that allows for a student-driven and student-led process of exploring and applying to post-Bridges programs. Students finalize essays and short answer questions in the course with assistance from the three facilitators. Each student’s progress is tracked through Naviance so that it is easily and readily available to parents, students, and guidance staff. Naviance is a web-based program that allows access to application requirements; add, delete and modify college lists; check due dates; and have real-time access to every step of the process. Transcript requests, teacher and counselor recommendation letters, and other documentation sent to colleges, are handled through Naviance, removing the need for paper requests for each school. The second semester of the course switches focus to important topics discussed in Socratic seminars including privilege, racism, sexism, consumerism, feminism, and body image. Discussions about dating, relationships, budgeting, roommates, scheduling, life away from parents, and sex, drug, and alcohol education are also taught second semester. Senior Seminar concludes with a capstone project requiring students to look at their journey through high school while celebrating their achievements. Crucial skill sets necessary for post-Bridges life, such as executive functioning, writing/communication, and independent learning, are embedded in every classroom experience from grades 7 through 12. These skills require new challenging situations to create environments in which further emotional and intellectual growth can occur. The college process is more than just a discussion about post-secondary educational placement. It is an opportunity to learn about and plan for each student’s continued development from ages 18 to 25. Research has shown that young adults are still developing, learning, and finding their interests and place in the world. This is the transition to becoming an adult; it is not adulthood. This period should be rich with experiences, learning, and self-reflection, and it requires age-appropriate academic and emotional supports. Graduation Requirements
Bridges Academy is a rigorous college preparatory environment with graduation requirements that meet or exceed those needed for admission to most colleges and universities, including the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems. Students must complete the following requirements AND, during all four years of high school, maintain a full schedule. If and when the requirements in each discipline have been met, students can choose additional classes in any of the disciplines and/or electives to complete their full-load requirement, in consultation with the 7th-12th Director and the Director of College Guidance. Requirements for specific programs at certain colleges and universities should be discussed with Anna by the end of 9th grade. 1 All students will complete a math sequences that will cover all topics in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II
2 All students will complete at least one year each of biology and physical lab sciences 3 All students will complete at least three years of the same language. |
Student & Parent Resources
Gap Year Programs |
Recent Bridges Academy Graduates have been accepted at the following colleges and universities:
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Asterisks denote merit scholarships in the following amounts:
* up to $9,999 per year
** $10,000 - $19,9999 per year
*** $20,000 - $30,000 per year
* up to $9,999 per year
** $10,000 - $19,9999 per year
*** $20,000 - $30,000 per year
