THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
At Bridges Academy, we serve twice-exceptional (2e) students — bright, gifted learners with learning differences. If you’re unsure whether your child fits this profile, we encourage you to learn more about twice-exceptionality or submit an inquiry to connect with Admissions. We’re happy to help you determine if Bridges might be a good fit.
A Roadmap for Families
BRIDGES ACADEMY L.A. (GRADES 3-12)
Step 1: Schedule a Tour
Tours are held weekly throughout the school year, beginning in September. These tours are for parents and guardians only and provide an opportunity to observe classrooms in action and gain insight into our unique program for grades 3–12. You’ll also have the chance to meet with our head of school and division directors, who will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Step 2: Consultation with Admissions (Recommended)
After your tour, schedule a consultation with Admissions. We’ll talk about your child’s strengths, needs, and any questions you may have. We ask that you send any evaluations (psychoeducational, neuropsychological, or district assessments) in advance so we can better understand your child’s profile and how they might benefit from our program. If your child hasn’t been evaluated, we are happy to provide a list of assessors upon request.
Step 3: Application and Student Interview
Applications are submitted through the TADS system.
Once submitted, students are invited for an informal student interview with the:
- Director of Enrollment
- Division Director
- School Counselor
BRIDGES ACADEMY ONLINE (GRADES 9-12)
Step 1: Schedule an Open House
Attending an open house is the first step of our admissions process. You’ll hear from Program Director Dylan McKenzie, see videos from students and families, and have the chance to ask questions live.
Step 2: Consultation with Admissions (Recommended)
After the open house, schedule a consultation with Admissions. We’ll talk about your child’s strengths, needs, and any questions you may have. We ask that you send any evaluations (psychoeducational, neuropsychological, or district assessments) in advance so we can better understand your child’s profile and how they might benefit from our program.
Step 3: Application and Student Interview
Apply through the TADS system. Students are invited for an informal student interview with the Director of Enrollment and Division Director by Zoom.
Step 4: Shadow Visit
After the interview and once all supplemental materials are submitted, the committee will determine whether a shadow visit is an appropriate next step. Students who advance in the process will be scheduled for a classroom experience with a custom schedule and student ambassador.
Step 5: Review and Decision
Families who apply by the Priority Enrollment deadline of December 18, 2026 and submit all supporting materials by January 8, 2027 will receive an admissions decision on March 12, 2026 at 5 p.m. PT. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions released beginning March 20, 2027, as space allows. Applications for the current school year are reviewed on a first come, first served basis and typically receive a decision within 1–2 business weeks.
Key Dates & Deadlines
For the 2026–27 School Year
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, subject to available space.
Our Admissions Team will let you know if there is room in your child’s grade.
For 2027–28 Priority Enrollment
- Application Deadline: December 18, 2026
- All Supporting Materials Due: January 8, 2027
- Notification Date: March 12, 2027, at 5 p.m. PT
- Enrollment Decision Deadline: March 19, 2027, at 12 p.m. PT
(Families must confirm enrollment by this time to reserve a space.) - Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be reviewed after March 19 and families will be notified on a first-come, first-served basis pending space availability.
Financial Aid
Bridges Academy offers need-based financial aid to help make our program accessible to families. Families seeking financial aid must submit a separate application through the Clarity platform.
- 2027–28 applications open: October 1, 2026
- Returning family priority deadline: December 18, 2026
- New applicant priority deadline: January 15, 2027
Families applying by the priority deadlines will be considered during our primary financial aid review.
Rolling Applicants
Financial aid for rolling applicants, including midyear 2026–27 applicants and those applying for 2027–28 after the priority deadline, is considered based on remaining availability. Familieswho intend to apply for financial aid must submit their Clarity application within five business days of submitting their admissions application. Applications received after that window cannot be considered for financial aid for that enrollment year.
Families with Separate Households
If a child has two legal guardians living in separate households, each household must submit its own financial aid application by the applicable deadline for the student to be considered for full eligibility. This allows us to have a complete understanding of the family’s financial circumstances.
We encourage families seeking aid to apply as early as possible. If you have questions or need assistance with the process, we’re happy to help.
VISIT
PARENTS: The best way to learn about Bridges is to see it in action. We run parent tours weekly and encourage you to register to join us. We prefer parents tour the school before introducing it to students.
If you aren’t sure whether your child is a fit (Who is the Bridges Student?), please sign up for a consultation with admissions.
STUDENTS: Students will be introduced to the campus twice during the application process via an initial tour and brief interview with admissions, and a full-day shadow visit. The tour and interview can occur either before or after submitting an application, but the shadow visit is the last piece of the application process, taking place after all other documents have been submitted.
THE EXPLORATION PROCESS
As Bridges Academy has a specific mission to serve the twice-exceptional population, it is important for us understand how your child fits the 2e profile, and whether we can support their unique gifts and challenges.
During this exploration process, we will have an initial consultation and ask to review your child’s testing to provide us with a better understanding of their profile and determine fit for our program.
APPLY
We encourage you to submit an application once you have toured the school and met with admissions to determine whether your child is a match. Bridges Academy utilizes the TADS system for submissions, and you will be required to create an account and submit all documents there. Our application fee is $175.
STUDENT INTERVIEW & TOUR
We recognize that testing alone doesn’t always capture the full picture of a child. After parents have toured our campus and had an initial consultation with Admissions to assess program fit, students will be scheduled for a brief tour and interview—either before or after submitting an application.
Once the application and interview are complete, if we believe Bridges could be a strong fit, we will schedule a shadow visit. These visits are limited, with only one student per division scheduled per day through May 8th.
FINAL REVIEW & DECISION
Applications for the 2025–2026 school year are still being accepted. Since the priority enrollment deadline has passed, the admissions committee will review completed files on a rolling basis, with decisions subject to space availability.
For the 2025-26 School Year
Applications are due by 5 p.m. PT on January 31, 2025. If you are applying for financial aid, those applications are due on or before this date.
Families will be notified of acceptance (with any applicable award) by Friday, March 14, 2025, and responses to notices of acceptance must be received by Friday, March 21, 2025.
After the deadline, Bridges will consider late applications on a case-by-case basis. In these instances, the admissions committee will review completed files, and families will be notified on a rolling basis and subject to available space.
Questions?
Kayla Franklin Waesche Director of Enrollment & Financial Aid
818-506-1091
admissions@bridges.edu
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
Bridges Academy is committed to building and sustaining a community that is free from discrimination of any kind. Bridges admits students of any race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, disability, sexual orientation, and national and ethnic origin (ancestry) to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, disability, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin (ancestry) in the administration of any of its school programs, its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.