Liberal Arts Core
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The Bridges high school program implements a liberal arts core through a modified block schedule, influenced by a Copernican framework. This means that students take two to three core subjects per five-week rotation in humanities, math, science, foreign language, and physical education. Focusing on two or three classes at a time over the intensive five-week module (or, in our parlance, "Copernimesters") enables students to delve deeply into the content and skills of the discipline and develop the habits and routines of a successful student.
Each discipline has a four-year scope and sequence that covers required high school content and skills, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of all knowledge. In a content-rich world, it is important to provide students with the broadest possible liberal arts experience while fostering their ability to explore, understand, analyze, and apply new information throughout their lives. |
Symposia
As part of the educational ecosystem, seminars, documentaries, guest speakers, artists, musicians, and TedxKids presentations will take place regularly each week, both on and off the campus. Most events are interactive in hands-on and/or Q&A formats. They will cover critically relevant contemporary and longer-term 21st-century themes, skill development and careers, and topics related to students' interest and research.
The purposes of these symposia are to expose students to new interest areas, further knowledge of a particular domain, build interdisciplinary awareness, model what scholars and career professionals think about and do, and inspire intellectual curiosity. Topics encountered in a symposium context may also be considered for Badges work.
The purposes of these symposia are to expose students to new interest areas, further knowledge of a particular domain, build interdisciplinary awareness, model what scholars and career professionals think about and do, and inspire intellectual curiosity. Topics encountered in a symposium context may also be considered for Badges work.
Electives
Our electives acquaint students with fields such as art, drama, debate, creative writing, computer programming, and many other topic areas. Bridges does not consider electives as "extra" or "add-on" courses, but as vital learning experiences that complement that high school program as a whole.
Electives provide a setting in which students' interests drive production. Sometimes an elective is in an area of talent as well as interest and can guide college and career decisions. Students who demonstrate particular talent in an area can pursue a customized talent development plan with a faculty mentor.
Midyear, students take a break from their regular coursework for a one-week "Wintersession," which gives them a chance to focus on a single elective course for intensive study. Having the opportunity to explore numerous topics and define oneself by one's strengths is a core Bridges value.
Electives provide a setting in which students' interests drive production. Sometimes an elective is in an area of talent as well as interest and can guide college and career decisions. Students who demonstrate particular talent in an area can pursue a customized talent development plan with a faculty mentor.
Midyear, students take a break from their regular coursework for a one-week "Wintersession," which gives them a chance to focus on a single elective course for intensive study. Having the opportunity to explore numerous topics and define oneself by one's strengths is a core Bridges value.
