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.
Sixteen (16) Bridgedale Academy parents contributed their time and ideas to the exercise, as did most of Bridgedale's teaching staff.
The purpose of the exercise was to determine not only what made Bridgedale unique, but also what we could possibly do to make the Bridgedale Experience even better.
Amy Holsinger of Project Enroll, who conducted the exercise, concluded there was “a general sense of satisfaction and happiness expressed by” the Bridgedale parents, noting there was an “absolute confidence that the school is delivering on a number of promises.”
Among these promises delivered were “a solid Classical education, exceptional teachers, attentive staff members, the knowledge that their sons are happy and highly challenged, and a high-quality hockey experience.”
Amy said that what “resonated” for her was that Bridgedale is not just a “hockey school” and that “leadership, tenacity, ownership, accountability and a collaborative spirit are just a few of the many benefits young men will receive from a Bridgedale Academy education.”
She took all the different ideas and “values” that were contributed during the exercise and placed them under the headings of:
- Character Building
- Leadership
- Exceptional and Safe Learning Environment
- All-Boys Academy
- Teachers/Staff
- Hockey
Toward the end of the meeting, parents were asked to cast votes for those attributes they felt were most important, as far as defining the “value” inherent in sending their sons to Bridgedale. The top vote getters were:
- Bridgedale Academy is Hockey with a Classical education – 17 votes
- Students learn time management at Bridgedale Academy – 12 votes
- Students who attend Bridgedale Academy WANT to be there – 12 votes
- All levels of Hockey are accepted at Bridgedale Academy– 9 votes
- Teachers support students at all levels – 8 votes
- Bridgedale Academy students can’t “hide” in the classroom – 8 votes
In her overview, Amy also listed the values elicited from the exercise that Bridgedale can claim to “Own and Claim,” i.e. as unique to its mission, including:
- Hockey training with a Classical education
- All boys Middle School with Hockey
- Individualized academic tutoring after school at no charge
- The brotherhood and prestige the boys felt as Bridgedale student-athletes
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 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.
