Creativity might come from thinking outside the box, but fundamentals come from thinking inside it

By Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

On a Hockey Scholarship

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bridgedale Academy grad Jack Devine has given his verbal commitment to play his Division 1 NCAA hockey at Denver University. He becomes the 12th Bridgedale student to receive his D1 scholarship.

Jack, an outstanding forward who is recognized nationally at the Bantam Major level, becomes the twelfth Bridgedale grad to have earned his D1 scholarship.

He was also a High Honors student at Bridgedale.

"Jack Devine is on his way to becoming the epitome of a team leader whose play does the talking. A Messier type center, he can play any way you like him to. Skilled, tenacious and gritty, you get the full 200ft from Jack," says Gino Cavallini, coach of the Chicago Mission Bantam Major 03s team for which Jack competed last season.

A thank you to former Notre Dame hockey coach Tim McNeill

By Bill Whiteside, Businessman, Sales and Marketing

This is really not about my hockey career.

My hockey career peaked when I made the junior varsity team in college. Any scouting report on me it would have noted: “He’s slow but he’s small.”  A teammate once complimented the hang time on my slapshot. In other words, this is really not about my hockey career.

During my freshman year I was involved in a scuffle that wasn’t really a fight, but which irritated the referee enough to toss me and a player from the other team out of the game. Tim McNeill, our coach, had an iron-clad rule that any player who was thrown out of a game would also be suspended for the next game.

Our parents didn’t know this at a time, but they were very fortunate to trust their freshman sons to the guidance of Tim McNeill. He expected us to respect the game, each other and our school. He expected us to hustle and to play hard, but within the rules. After the first taste of extended life away from home for most of us, by Thanksgiving it was time for “that turkey trim” – no hair could extend below the backs of our helmets. Coach had his rules, and if you broke his rules, there were consequences.

Your parents sacrifice so you can play hockey

By Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bode Wilde, Jacob Pivonka and Spencer Stastney

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bridgedale Academy is proud to announce that three (3) of its recent graduates were selected in the recent NHL Draft. 

What makes Bridgedale unique to parents?

By Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Absolute confidence that Bridgedale is delivering on its promises.

Recently, a number of Bridgedale Academy parents and teachers got together with a marketing professional to conduct what is called a Value Proposition exercise. We talked about what Bridgedale is, and what it could be. 

Awesome job Bridgedale!

By Joanne Smith, Bridgedale Academy Mom

He is so happy and thriving thanks to your guidance, help and grooming.

The best decision we have ever made for him

By Val Rivelli, Businesswoman, Bridgedale Academy Mom

I can't say enough about the education he received.

Val Rivelli appears by permission. She works in the real estate business.  

Val's son Dominick is a highly-ranked 03 AAA forward who recently graduated from Bridgedale Academy. Dominick has competed for the Chicago Mission Hockey Club for the past fo

ur seasons. 

Our son is flourishing in the smaller class size

By Andy Olson, Businessman, Bridgedale Academy Dad

He is not just excelling at Bridgedale - he is exceeding!

Sending Jake to Bridgedale Academy for his 8th grade year was the best decision we ever made for our son from both an academic and athletics perspective. 

Although we had been warned that he may "burn out" (mentally or physically) on hockey, we actually found the contrary to be true. Jake's endurance and stamina have dramatically increased as the school year has progressed. 

I can also see significant improvement in his skating, including very noticeable advancements in his goalie movements. We attribute his remarkable improvement in his quickness, explosiveness, and fluidity of movement on the ice and in the net to the top-notch athletic/hockey training offered at Bridgedale. 

Simply put, Jake is a much better and well conditioned goalie/hockey player now than when he started at Bridgedale 9 months ago.

Who goes to a school to play sports?

By Tillie Bruss, Landscape Designer, Bridgedale Academy Mom

The concept was foreign to us ... (but now) he has asked more than once to stay after school to study.

"I know this is weird, but he goes to a hockey school.”

That's how I start every conversation about my son's school.

Because, lets face it, it's weird.

I went to Catholic grade school and high school and so did my husband. All four of our kids were in Catholic school; that's just what we thought was normal.  

The problem was that our son was struggling. 

My husband and I debated what to do; his grades were low, he didn't want to study, he didn't want to do homework and we just couldn't keep doing the same thing - there was no way he was being prepared for high school. 

When we were forwarded the Bridgedale Academy info from a friend, we were initially reluctant - who goes to a school to play sports? The concept was so foreign to us. I mean it's all fine and good to skate and train every day but what kind of education would you get?

After much handwringing we decided to try Bridgedale.