by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

What does it mean to be a nation?

The word “nation” comes from the root word for “birth.”

Compare the words natal, nascent, native and nativity; all relate to things being born.

A nation, therefore, is something that has come into existence - A Nation is Born.

The United States of America is unique in all of human history.

It is unique for many reasons, one of which is that, like a human, it has a birth certificate.

Our nation’s birth certificate is the Declaration of Independence.

Our character as a nation, imprinted on us at our birth, is embodied in the core principles, in the self-evident truths, stated in the Declaration of Independence.

These core principles include: 

that all men are created equal 

that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights

that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men

deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed 

That whenever any Form of government becomes destructive of these ends

it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it

Our Talented, Caring Teachers Crushed it!

By: Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Parents ecstatic with Bridgedale's distance learning.

The 2019-20 school year at Bridgedale Academy was truly one for the ages.

When it became clear in early March that the COVID-19 pandemic was about to have a profound impact on how we do things at Bridgedale Academy, we began making our preparations.

We pride ourselves on the "dynamic engagement" of our in-person classroom instruction. And with our boys-only environment, and small class-sizes, we especially take pride in how well ALL our boys do academically, and how virtually all of them come to LOVE LEARNING.

But a mandated school shutdown meant that we would lose that in-person instruction.

So what could we possibly do to maintain that same high level of engagement?

It turns out plenty.

Bridgedale's Transition to Online Distance Learning

By Tanya Stanish, Bridgedale Academy Mom

"They are fully engaged, as if still in school!"

I appreciate how Bridgedale has implemented virtual learning in a way that best mimics an actual classroom setting. The teachers are doing the teaching, the boys are interacting online and the school work is progressing. 

For us parents who are now working from home, we do not feel the pressure of having to homeschool our children or worry about idle time.

They are fully engaged, as if still in school. I am so grateful for the way the Bridgedale teachers have pulled this together!

Tanya Stanish appears by permission. She is a partner with the law firm of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck. A highly experienced negotiator and formidable litigator, Tanya represents a wide variety of clients, from prominent executives, entrepreneurs, medical and legal professionals to professional athletes, spouses with trusts and stay-at-home spouses. Her work includes every aspect of complex and high net-worth family law such as executive compensation plans, trusts and business interests as well as high-conflict child custody and parenting issues. Trial experience includes success with complex divorces and paternity and domestic violence cases. Outside the courtroom, she has considerable proficiency with prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for wealthy individuals.

Tanya's son Jake is a 7th grader at Bridgedale Academy. Jake is a goaltender who played during the 2019-20 hockey season with the Stallions organization.He was selected to play with the AAA Chicago Mission organization for this spring, pending the COVID-19 shutdown.

At Bridgedale we are committed to the development of our young student-athletes. In this time of challenge and uncertainty due to COVID-19, we seamlessly moved our academics and off-ice athletic instruction online. We continue to help our student-athletes develop their physical and mental skills so they can perform at their best when it matters most, no matter the arena of life that challenges them.

If you would like to learn more about Bridgedale Academy, please click the button below so we can schedule a time to chat.

Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bridgedale's Transition to Online Distance Learning

By Mark Borst, Bridgedale Academy Dad

"Has been amazing to watch."                                               

Being able to pivot quickly can be the difference between successful businesses vs struggling businesses. Under normal situations, good forecasting and observation of any market can prepare leaders to be ahead of the curve and pivot early.

…We all know what has happened with this coronavirus is FAR from normal.

My son Brogan has been attending Bridgedale Academy since January of 2019. Operating a school is much like a business and being able to pivot is a necessary quality needed to thrive in our current situation.

The fact that the faculty was able to adapt and pivot to this new reality has been amazing to watch. Almost without missing a single beat, Mike, Christina, and their entire team transitioned into an online school. The boys are in class sessions from 8 to 1:30 every day just like their normal schedule with breaks and lunch intertwined. Once the school day is done, their off-ice sessions begin for a 45-60 min session. All of this has been happening on Zoom and other technologies.

This unfortunate situation has been tackled in the best way possible. This experience will make the school, the teachers, and the boys stronger in the future for any challenge that comes their way…

Bridgedale Strong!

Mark Borst appears by permission. An entrepreneur and a relentless innovator of the real estate industry, Mark is a collaborator of the “Value-Driven Approach to Sell Real Estate,” and host of Ask NWI. He is also a co-founder of Impact Club Tri Town, a community helping a community, and is Broker/Owner of Versatile Real Estate Solutions LLC. 

Mark's son Brogan is a 7th grader who excels academically and athletically at Bridgedale Academy. Brogan played during the 2019-20 hockey season with the Chicago Hawks organization and his team won both the NIHL and state championships.

At Bridgedale we are committed to the development of our young student-athletes. In this time of challenge and uncertainty due to COVID-19, we seamlessly moved our academics and off-ice athletic instruction online. We continue to help our student-athletes develop their physical and mental skills so they can perform at their best when it matters most, no matter the arena of life that challenges them.

If you would like to learn more about Bridgedale Academy, please click the button below so we can schedule a time to chat.

Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Our decision has been reaffirmed every day.

By: Dave Donoghue, Bridgedale Dad

(We asked Bridgedale dad Dave Donoghue about why he sent his son Charlie to Bridgedale Academy and about Charlie's experiences at Bridgedale. Here are Dave's responses to our questions.)

At Bridgedale he's more confident and focused than ever.

By: Samantha Burns, Bridgedale Mom

Aiden had always done well at school.

Bridgedale's Transition to Online Distance Learning

By Dave Donoghue, Bridgedale Academy Dad

Charlie is as engaged and challenged as ever!                                               

We are amazed and appreciative for all that Bridgedale has done amidst the COVID situation. First, you transitioned seamlessly to online learning. It is no surprise, but every Bridgedale teacher has done an impressive job of continuing Bridgedale's mission growing the minds and hearts of young men.

Charlie is as engaged and challenged as ever. We assumed the hockey portion of Bridgedale would fall off without ice or in-person education. Instead, the online group workouts have been just what Charlie needed to continue to strengthen his body and release some of the energy from not being able to get on the ice.

Thank you. Once again, you have reinforced our belief that Bridgedale is the best place to grow Charlie academically, as a young man and as an athlete.

Dave Donoghue appears by permission. His son Charlie is an 8th grader who excels both academically and athletically at Bridgedale Academy. Charlie, a goaltender, played during the 2019-20 hockey season with the Chicago Jets organization and will be attending Marmion Academy next year on an academic scholarship.

At Bridgedale we are committed to the development of our young student-athletes. In this time of challenge and uncertainty due to COVID-19, we seamlessly moved our academics and off-ice athletic instruction online. We continue to help our student-athletes develop their physical and mental skills so they can perform at their best when it matters most, no matter the arena of life that challenges them.

If you would like to learn more about Bridgedale Academy, please click the button below so we can schedule a time to chat.

Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Smooth Transition to Online Distance Learning

By Kimberly Price, Bridgedale Academy Mom

Better than I could have imagined!                                               

Dear Headmaster McPartlin:

I wanted to express my thanks and appreciation for the spectacular job you and the Bridgedale Academy teachers did, quickly transitioning from in-class to online educating! I was initially worried at the thought of my son needing me to home school him, but all anxieties were calmed after day one of my son on zoom with his teachers and classmates.

Vaughn was still learning, given homework, completing tests and being held accountable. He still had school hours and a schedule, which made this version of online learning turn out better than I could have imagined! 

Kimberly Price appears by permission. Her son Vaughn is a 6th grader who excels both academically and athletically at Bridgedale Academy. Vaughn played during the 2019-20 hockey season with the Orland Park Vikings organization.

At Bridgedale we are committed to the development of our young student-athletes. In this time of challenge and uncertainty due to COVID-19, we seamlessly moved our academics and off-ice athletic instruction online. We continue to help our student-athletes develop their physical and mental skills so they can perform at their best when it matters most, no matter the arena of life that challenges them.

If you would like to learn more about Bridgedale Academy, please click the button below so we can schedule a time to chat.

Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bridgedale has been transformative for him

By: Olga Khamichonak, Bridgedale Mom

Alex needed a more challenging academic environment.

Bridgedale has been a huge positive for him

By: Tracy Williams, Bridgedale Mom

Gunnar skipped 5th grade and entered 6th at Bridgedale.