12:00 here. We liked Bridges but our older child is at a dual immersion DCPS school, so we're moving her this year so she can stay in one school through elementary and learn Spanish. Last year the Bridges cutoff was Jan 1, and our child has a late birthday--that's why we were there. The teachers are great, the building sucks but maybe that will improve as they add grades. Our child loved school. But honestly I'm not sure why people rave so much about Bridges. The curriculum didn't seem that different from preschool at our DCPS school (before it switched to Tools) or private daycare. They do center-based play, they have circle time, they learn about the letter of the week. Not rocket science! The place is very well-run and the teachers seem to be top-notch, so maybe those are reasons parents like it.

So this thread is on day 4...so does that mean that OP continues to hold spots at both schools? Is so, please consider making a decision so another family might get some good news too.

Anonymous wrote:We were at Bridges for PS-3 last year. If our (normal) kid had her own special plan, I wasn't aware of it! I was interested in the Spanish class because our kids are moving on to a DCPS dual immersion school. However, we ended up in an English-only class --not sure we could have chosen the Spanish class even if we wanted it. Also I think the Spanish is support for the Spanish speakers, not immersion, as PP notes.

Hi, OP here. I would be grateful if you would you tell me a little bit more about your experience? Were you happy with Bridges? What did you like/not like? Did your child like the school? Even if she didn't have her own plan, did you feel like she got individual attention? Are you leaving b/c you didn't like it or perhaps because you got into someplace that provided a long term solution... so many questions Thanks in advance!!!

We were at Bridges for PS-3 last year. If our (normal) kid had her own special plan, I wasn't aware of it! I was interested in the Spanish class because our kids are moving on to a DCPS dual immersion school. However, we ended up in an English-only class --not sure we could have chosen the Spanish class even if we wanted it. Also I think the Spanish is support for the Spanish speakers, not immersion, as PP notes.

I would clarify that bridges has Spanish classroom. My understanding is they have a class that focuses on kids who have a language other than English spoken at home. Could be wrong there, but it def does not have immersion experience.

You are very lucky to have such choices.

My limited exposure to Bridges suggested that every student had a plan.

I know only Special Education students have real IEP plans, but at Bridges every child had a special plan (so that the advanced students had special goals). That looked good (even though serving students who are advanced isn't supposed to allowed any more).

Maybe they can serve advanced kids because it's considered "special needs"??

OP here. First, thank you everyone for the very helpful posts. I did check out those other Two Rivers related posts before I posted and found them to be really helpful. I guess I have a sense of the strengths / weaknesses of two rivers but am still just trying to figure out how to decide between them. The fact that Bridges is just now adding on the upper years is definitely one consideration. But given I don't know where we will be in 3 years (DC, Burbs or in another city all together) I'm more interested in deciding which school will be best for the next 3 years.

My child is not special needs, but I like that Bridges fosters interaction between kids with different abilities and I think that would provide a lot of developmental opportunities for my child. She speaks spanish and I like that 2R has spanish classes 2x a week but Bridges has a Spanish classroom too.

I hope I don't sound like I'm complaining--I feel fortunate to have two great schools to choose from. Just having a hard time making the decision. I think we are leaning towards 2R right now but any other thoughts / input would be very much appreciated. THXS!!

I guess one thing that might sway me toward 2R is that they have more experience thru 5th/8th grade, whereas Bridges is just starting their endeavor with older classes. Also, the location of Bridges once they expand further is still unclear. 2R is pretty set as far as where they will be.

I do like Bridges and was impressed with the open house, though we turned it down for a spot at Creative Minds. We will see how that goes!

more...

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/225086.page#2280467

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/102884.page

This thread, although about 2r and a different school, should be helpful op.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/254141.page

The physical plant at 2rivers looks nicer/newer...

I have never heard anything negative about Bridges ever from anyone. I have heard pros and cons re 2Rs. I also live really close to 2Rs so I've known way more ppl whose kids went there.

Both have solid reps...in your situation, I would let the commute weigh in on the decision. Depending on where you are driving from, 2R can be a real challenge getting to.

Two Rivers has way more going for it than Bridges, unless your child has special needs. In that case, Bridges might be a very good choice.

Can anyone provide a list of pros and cons when weighing these two schools?

We are in at two rivers (PS3) and just got a call from Bridges. I feel very lucky, especially since we got waitlisted everywhere we applied. I've heard good things about both. I know Two Rivers goes up to 8th grade, but Bridges will be adding on grades up to 5th grade so I don't have the same concern re: finding a new home after just a year or two like I would with a place like AppleTree that ends at K.

Both have some Spanish which we like. Both are about equally far from us as far as drop offs go so that's not really a factor. Any insight, pros, cons whatever would be really appreciated.