Some of the best educational advances originate with small-scale operations and experiments. When these efforts go well, they can fuel larger-scale innovations that help even more students. In Staten Island, Bridge Preparatory Charter School stands as New York’s first public charter focused on serving students with dyslexia. Bridge Prep opened in 2019, and since then, it’s been helping students at all learning levels find success. Parents and teachers should take note of this school with a unique and transformative mission to educate those with reading-related differences.
Read on to learn some of the biggest lessons from Bridge Prep!
Standard public schools aren’t always the right match for students with dyslexia. Not all students with dyslexia are diagnosed right away, making it even harder to offer customized help to accommodate their needs. That’s where a school like Bridge Prep can step in as a true difference-maker that celebrates students with different needs.
Bridge Prep prioritizes evidence-based reading instruction to help students build confidence. Rather than letting students with dyslexia fall behind as often happens in traditional educational settings, Bridge Prep goes the extra mile to tailor teaching strategies to these students. Students can thrive in spite of challenges, and Bridge Prep has established a positive reputation among families and policymakers as a result. Parents feel encouraged when they see their children doing well and establishing a strong foundation for reading skills.
New Jersey schools can learn from what Bridge Prep is doing on the other side of the Hudson. For starters, a public school for children with dyslexia in New York or New Jersey can benefit all students by learning from Bridge Prep’s approach. Teachers learn new methods of teaching reading, and they discover how to help diverse learners in the same classroom. These expanded capabilities help everyone.
When students feel more confident in their abilities, the likelihood of chronic absenteeism and other issues can go down. Bridge Prep is known for identifying reading challenges at an early stage. New Jersey schools should take the same approach of checking for dyslexia sooner rather than later. Further, schools must treat parents as partners in the efforts to help children learn. Bridge Prep has set the bar high in terms of active engagement, and other districts in New Jersey and elsewhere would do well to follow suit. This means focusing on regular communication, speaking with compassion, and helping parents feel heard.
Bridge Prep has made a point of helping its teachers pursue ongoing educational opportunities, as well. Training programs let teachers hone their classroom skills and enhance their literacy instruction. Other schools should do the same.
Additionally, policy support is critical to help students with dyslexia in any location. Bridge Prep had to advocate strongly for the value of their educational model. In New Jersey, lawmakers should look to Bridge Prep as an example of what a successful charter school can do. Bridge Prep can help inspire policy shifts that support learners with dyslexia in all settings.
Bridge Prep has established a high standard for what it means to educate students with dyslexia. And this beacon of educational hope can inspire districts in New Jersey to take transformative measures to boost educational experiences for students with learning differences. Choosing an inclusive approach to education can pay dividends for students. When teachers are equipped with opportunities to expand their skillsets and partner with parents, they can boost outcomes for students. Bridge Prep is helping inspire improvements in educational innovation across the Hudson for other schools.
