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. 

My son is on a different trajectory now.

By Tomas Kirda, Software Architect, Bridgedale Academy Dad

The pace of his athletic development has surpassed that of his teammates.

My son Matas is a 6th grader at Bridgedale Academy. I am very pleased with his development there.

The pace of his athletic development has surpassed that of his teammates.

His core strength and stamina has increased noticeably.

Academically, Matas has always been an excellent student but he's an even better one now. The truth is that at his previous school, although he did well academically, he was not very happy there.

And athletically, while he's always been a good hockey player too, his athleticism and hockey skills have improved more this year than in any previous year.

And his improvement this year has also been more consistent.

I'd say my son is on a different trajectory now.

Our son is flourishing in the smaller class size

By Mark Boweak, Businessman, Bridgedale Academy Dad

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

I am writing to share how thrilled my family is with Bridgedale Academy.

Hockey for many families is a big commitment. For our family, more than the W's or the extra ice time, key is the idea that hard work academically provides the privilege of getting on the ice.

We met with Bridgedale Headmaster Mike McPartlin and found a way to get the most out of both!

It was the best decision we ever made for him.

By Jason Gedraitis, Commercial Banker, Bridgedale Academy Dad

Bridgedale has done more for his development and character than his previous school ever did. 

When we were approached about Bridgedale we decided to go out of curiosity rather than thinking our son would want to leave his school and start all over with kids he didn’t know as a 7th grader.

After the tour we thought our son would say thanks for the tour but I want to go to school with my friends.

Instead, without hesitation he unequivocally said he wanted to go.

We've been blown away by the curriculum

By Michael Mayor, Businessman, Bridgedale Academy Dad

We also feel blessed by their incredible hockey staff.

We came to Bridgedale Academy not running from someting, but running to something.

We ran to an Academy that offers: a student-faculty ratio of less than 5-to-1; after-school study hours with a teacher present; extended classroom time in core subjects; and a competitive, disciplined approach on the ice.

We ran to an Academy that focuses on a traditional academic approach.

As a result our son, Ronnie, has been inspired and empowered to push himself both mentally and physically each day while also enjoying himself. He is learning to think critically, discovering daily how to solve problems both on and off the ice.

Curious about what an average day looks like at Bridgedale?

Dive in with this short video:

One of the best decisions we have ever made as parents

By Deana Olson, Bridgedale Academy Mom

Our son has flourished in the environment of smaller classroom sizes and individualized attention.

One of the best decisions we have ever made as parents was to enroll our son at Bridgedale Academy for 8th grade.

We had heard of the first-class hockey training that he would receive from some of the most respected coaches and trainers in the state.

But what we were not aware of was the classical education that he would be fortunate to experience from teachers who are some of the most dedicated, knowledgeable and caring teachers our son has EVER had.

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.

We enrolled our son as a 7^th 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.

Now accepting applications for the 2018-19 school year

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Bridgedale Academy limits its enrollment to 16 student-athletes at each grade level. 

Your son can be one of the 16.

• Grade 5 - Limited Openings Remain
• Grade 6 - Limited Openings Remain
• Grade 7 - Limited Openings Remain
• Grade 8 - (This grade level is FULL)

Our small class sizes guarantee:

• Every Bridgedale student receives the attention he needs
• Every Bridgedale student engages academically and learns
• Every Bridgedale student develops athletically and improves
• Every Bridgedale student matures and develops leadership skills

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

Bridgedale is now accepting applications for the 2018-19 school year. Limited openings remain at grades 5th through 7th.

Bridgedale to the Rescue

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Last year about this time I received a phone call from a hockey couple looking for a solution. This couple, let’s call them John and Mary, said they'd found themselves between a rock and a hard place. 

The good news was that their son, we’ll call him Junior, was showing promise as a youth hockey player at a local organization.

But there was a problem: hockey was becoming almost an obsession. 

He had no interest in any other activities, and he was becoming increasingly disinterested and negative about school.

There was his phone … and there was hockey.

John and Mary knew Junior was intelligent but his grades were only “so-so” because, in their words, "he wasn’t engaging at school.”