Bridges Charter School

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how difficult it is to get into this school as a special needs preschool student? Is there just one lottery (for both NT and SN kids)? Are there way more people who want to get in than they can accept each year? Given that this may be our back up choice if we do not get into inclusive private preschools, I'm wondering how likely we would be to get in there?

And does anyone have experience with the special needs program there? Do you like it? Would you recommend it? Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

they have an open house next week - you may want to check it out

[Anonymous]

Last year there was a waitlist, but supposedly almost everyone eventually got in (even though some of them got in once school had already started).

We think the special needs program is outstanding. It is individualized per child, so you as a parent don't necessarily know which children in your child's classroom have an IEP and which ones don't. The other children don't seem to know or care - they just see all their friends. Children may get pulled out for ST/OT/sensory/etc. or there may be a special ed teacher working with them in the classroom, it really varies based on the child's needs and the family's desires for the child. You will have a large voice in your child's IEP - it doesn't feel at all like a battle (this was our fear!), but instead very much like a team effort.

Our family's insurance pays for outside therapy so we still go to that (the more help the better, right?) but the program is designed to cover all the student's needs in the least restrictive setting. They go on many fields trips and spend lots of time on sensory exploration and pre-literacy games and skills. It is such a warm, nurturing atmosphere, I feel like my family was SO lucky to find it!

[Anonymous]

If you want your SN child to be in an environment that's majority NT but about 30-40% SN and all the children/families/staff are happy with the mix, then you probably couldn't choose a better school.