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Enrichment and Talent Development

Purpose

At Bridges Academy we invest highly in providing talent development to our students for many reasons. Among them is that twice-exceptional students do best when engaged in areas of talent and interests; and it is here that we see the best in our students and experience a vision of what they can become.

Embedded Enrichment

In all core academic classes, we make every effort to differentiate the curriculum and to maximize relevancy, interests, and engagement. In addition to these core liberal arts subjects and University of California A-G requirements, we create a plethora of opportunities for students to find a natural place to engage ideas and skills and to explore their world. ​These experiences may include robotics, performing arts, programming, athletics, debate, art, and more. 

In addition to each individual subject being differentiated to provide further enrichment on the course level, our overall program is enriched through electives, intersession, wintersession, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

Students also may have opportunities to explore subjects via an area of strength or interest. For example, students interested in visual arts might take a history course taught through the lens of film.

Talent Development

Many Bridges Academy students demonstrate advanced ability for their age and grade. These talents have an opportunity in the Bridges model for further development. Bridges has found success in providing a variety of enriched curricular experiences in core academic classes, wide-ranging electives, and in special opportunity programs where students engage authentically and intellectually in relevant and creative pursuits as a regular part of their overall program. Immersed in these learning experiences, students apply their talents and academic skills to real problems and projects. In the process they deepen their understanding of academic concepts and enhance their cognitive and social skills development. 

Motivated and energized by their strengths, interests, and talents, twice-exceptional learners begin to compensate for their problematic weaknesses and, in some cases, overcome them as they engage in authentic, purposeful learning.

Impact

Research has shown that an enriched curriculum benefits students by allowing them to explore a broad liberal arts education with opportunities to go deep within specific subjects and a variety of fields. The big ideas, understandings, and skills they develop make it possible for them to become the architects of their own lives.