The Bridge School educational program serves children in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The school operates a 180-day regular school year designed to reinforce concepts and skills learned during the school year in a fun and motivating experiential/theme-based program.

Two classrooms serve twelve to fourteen students each school year. All students have integration opportunities with an age-appropriate general education class on the North Elementary School campus. The weekly schedule is based on the team's priorities for the student for the school year. Bridge School students are accompanied by a Bridge School staff person for all integration activities.

The Bridge School educational program is designed to achieve the following general outcomes for each student who is enrolled:

• Students will develop competence using augmentative/alternative communication systems or strategies
• Students will have clearly defined participation strategies for participation in the general education curriculum and classroom activities
• Students will have gained access to instructional materials and instructional software through assistive technology applications

Students in the Bridge School educational program are provided with comprehensive assessments conducted by the educational team, which may include: special education teacher, speech-language pathologist, assistive technologist, and/or ancillary support staff. These assessments are targeted during the first year of enrollment at the Bridge School; at the time of triennial review; and prior to transition. This assessment information is incorporated into the Educational Narrative at the time of the annual IEP review along with data/information collected on the goals and objectives implemented for each student.

Guiding Principles
Bridge School's educational program is based on the principle of providing access to and participation in an age-appropriate curriculum adapted to the special needs of children with motor, sensory and speech impairments. Given our focus on developing augmentative and alternative means of communication (AAC), a primary need for all of the students who attend our program, our overall motto remains "Participation Through Communication". The Bridge School educational program is designed to:

• Assist students in developing competence in using AAC systems and strategies

• Provide students access to the general education curriculum through active participation in all classroom activities

• Maximize each student's educational potential by providing access to assistive technology for learning and tools for literacy development

• Transition students to their home school districts in the least restrictive environment once they achieve competence with AAC and technology for learning

• Provide long-term support to students and their educational teams in the home school district.