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    Bridgedale Parent Testimonial March 15th 2018

    Posted on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 7:11 AM

    Posted by Thomas Manzella on Mar 15, 2018 7:11:00 AM

    Worth every penny spent and every mile driven

    By Tom Manzella, Attorney-at-Law - Bridgedale Academy Dad

     

    Every aspect of Bridgedale has far exceeded our expectations.

     

    Bridgedale Academy dad Thomas Manzella gives his testimonialWe enrolled our son as a 7th grader at Bridgedale Academy for the 2017-18 school year with high hopes and expectations. The opportunity to attend at a pure hockey academy with a classic curriculum, rather than an online based curriculum or a common core education, presented a tremendous opportunity.

    As the parent of a 12 year old AA player, one cannot help but proceed with nervous optimism.

    From our first discussions with Mr. McPartlin and Mrs. DiPauli, through orientation and meeting the faculty, Bridgedale Academy stressed the idea of “student-athlete” rather than simply “athlete.”

    Every aspect of Bridgedale has far exceeded our expectations. Academically, our son was recognized with a 4.0 GPA after the first and second trimesters and is being challenged daily in the classroom.

    Athletically, he has made tremendous improvements with his on-ice performance, skill and stamina, with the added benefit of an off-ice training program that focuses on quick-twitch muscle development. Socially, he is building friendships with his classmates that extend beyond the rink.   

    The landscape of youth sports has changed greatly over the last decade, with kids now dedicating themselves to one sport much earlier than just the generation before. Bridgedale Academy offers an environment for these boys to engage in healthy competition, which breeds success, even in the “everybody gets a trophy” culture we now live in.

    Bridgedale teaches them life lessons they will need moving forward for hockey, college and their careers. Every day the students at Bridgedale compete in the classroom; on the ice; during off-ice training; and in nearly every other aspect of their day. With this high level of competition brings camaraderie that evidences itself in their daily interactions and constant support for one another. 

    Recently, our son’s team played one of his classmate’s team in the first round of the state playoffs. The boys showed incredible sportsmanship and friendship on the ice before the game and in the handshake line after. Despite there having to be a winner and loser of the game, they remained supportive of one another as competitors and friends.

    What was equally impressive is the fact that a faculty member and another classmate took time out of their weekday evening to drive to watch the game and to cheer on both teams.

    The time and expense of youth hockey continue to increase, and is a sacrifice for most families.

    When we are asked about our thoughts and experiences at Bridgedale Academy, we respond simply: it is worth every penny spent and every mile driven.

    Tom Manzella appears by permission. He is a partner with the law firm of Block, Klukas, Manzella & Shell in Joliet, IL, specializing in Civil Litigation. He has been lead counsel on some of the biggest trial awards in Will County.
     
    Tom is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, which he attended on a Wrestling scholarship, and earned his JD from DePaul University. His son Thomas is a 7th grader at Bridgedale Academy and competed for the Huskies CSDHL Peewees during the 2017-18 hockey season.
     
     
     
     
     
    Bridgedale Academy is honored to have Tom Manzella contribute his Testimonial on our blog page. At Bridgedale we are committed to the development of our young student-athletes, helping them to 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

     

     

    And what do Bridgedale teachers say about Bridgedale?

    "This is such a special place!! It is life changing for these boys as it centers around strong relationships that encourage strong academic growth. It’s a hockey school, but so much more than that. 

    "It’s a pleasure to come to work everyday. Thank you for creating such a positive, caring environment."

    Kristi Florey, Bridgedale Math Teacher

      

    Bridgedale Academy Classical Education for Middle School hockey players

    Bridgedale Academy is now accepting applications for the 2018-19 School Year. 


    Bridgedale Academy is an all-boys school for athletes, a prep school for serious youth hockey players. We will offer grades 5 through 8 in the 2018-19 school year. In addition to our winning combination of sports and academics, we focus on leadership training. We use a classical academic curriculum and our graduates go on to attend some of the most prestigious high schools in the midwest, including Lake Forest Academy, Culver Military Academy, Shattuck St. Mary’s, Northwood School, Benet Academy, Fenwick Prep, St. Ignatius Prep, Latin School and Providence Catholic. We pride ourselves on being the top youth hockey prep school in the nation. Eleven (11) of our former or current students have already received their NCAA Division 1 college hockey commitments. Three (3) of our former students competed for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and will begin their college playing careers in 2018-19, two at Notre Dame and one at Michigan.

     

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