What are the eligibility requirements for The Bridge Way School?

Students who enter our program must be willing to work a recovery program and remain abstinent to be considered for enrollment. Please review Who We Serve to review the diverse spectrum of lived experiences we are prepared to support.

What is a recovery high school?

A recovery high school is one that offers accredited courses for graduation, is an academic institution and not a treatment center, and requires that students be working a recovery program. For a more complete set of criteria, please see www.recoveryschools.org.

What is the history of The Bridge Way School?

The Bridge Way School was created by the Greater Philadelphia Association for Recovery Education (GPARE www.gpare.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to opening the first recovery high school in the Philadelphia region devoted to students who are in recovery for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. GPARE was formed by a group of educators, recovery treatment specialists, and individuals who saw the need for providing a continuum of care for adolescents who have received treatment for substance use disorders and are working a recovery program.

What are the benefits of a recovery high school?

Recovery high schools are part of the continuum of care for teenagers in early recovery. Currently, 8 out of 10 students who return to their prior school have a reoccurence within the first year, and 50% of them will return to using at similar or higher rates than before they entered treatment. Recovery schools offer a chance for a student to avoid the “people, places, and things” that can trigger a recurrence.

How does The Bridge Way School differ from a traditional public or private high school?

First and foremost, The Bridge Way School not only requires and supports recovery, but it also honors it. This journey is one that lasts a lifetime and we recognize that changes made during adolescence can contribute profoundly to creating a successful and meaningful life as an adult.

Additionally, The Bridge Way School is structured to offer a more individualized academic program in conjunction with therapeutic services unavailable in a traditional high school setting. Since learning differences are identified in so many students with substance use disorder, after students are enrolled in our school they are given a learning assessment to identify any potential undiagnosed learning difference as well as affinities that may heighten student interest and engagement in school. Part of each day at our school is devoted to group meetings, and we have daily physical education classes. We also begin and end our school day a bit later to accommodate the natural shift in the body’s clock that occurs in adolescence.

While our educational mission is paramount, we understand that recovery is hard work and needs to be a priority, particularly during the early stages. Students are required to work a recovery program that they develop with a Bridge Way recovery coach.

Is the high school licensed?

Yes, we are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and provide a challenging academic program for students in grades 9-12 in an environment that requires, supports, and honors recovery.

Where is The Bridge Way School located?

Our school is located in Northeast Philadelphia and is easily accessible from I-95, Roosevelt Boulevard, and public transit.

Is there transportation available to the school?

Some school districts offer transportation to private schools depending upon distance. Families should check with their local school districts to see if this is an option. Our school is also conveniently located near public transportation. Students residing in Philadelphia receive transpasses from the School District of Philadelphia.

When did the school open?

Classes began in September of 2011.

Do you have age limitations for students to be eligible to attend The Bridge Way School?

Our high school serves students in grades 9 – 12. Since students recently out of treatment often need to do some credit recovery work in order to graduate, students up to the age of 21 are considered for enrollment. The typical age of our students is 14 - 19.

What is the admissions process?

Our school offers classes from September through June and has rolling admissions. Students are required to enroll for at least one semester (or an equivalent number of months), though they are strongly urged to attend for at least one year (two semesters or the equivalent number of months). The school staff works with treatment program staff, therapists, students, and parents to ensure a smooth transition to the school. Interested students and their families should contact Rebecca Bonner, Executive Director, at rebecca.bonner@thebridgewayschool.org or 567.564.5459.

What is the expected enrollment?

Due to the need to maintain a low teacher-student ratio, we serve 20 - 30 students/year.

Does your school offer other services such as residential placement or behavioral health services?

As one of the supports necessary for recovery and relapse prevention, our school offers daily group meetings led by a per specialist or licensed clinical staff. These meetings are similar to feedback circles used by many schools, but use topics germane to recovery, such as triggers, urge to use, and strategies for staying on a recovery path. We also provide guidance for college placement and career planning. Should a student require a higher level of care, we will help them to connect with appropriate clinical services for an assessment of the next best step.

Is there counseling on-site?

Yes.

Are the teachers certified in their subject areas by the Pennsylvania Department of Education?

Yes.

How does staff facilitate positive transitions for students as they progress from one level to the next or to another school?

The process of transition becomes a core experience for both students and staff at our school. In contrast to a more traditional secondary institution, at our school transitions are highlighted and discussed, both in peer-group settings and in the individual’s progress meetings with faculty. Academic learning and emotional/social health are at the center of communications between students, faculty, parents, and supporters.

As students progress from one semester and one grade to the next, the educational staff and learning support specialist provide students with appropriate interventions and remediation, if necessary, to ensure their successful mastery of content and skills. As students ready to leave our school, staff investigates available alternatives for an individual making a transition either to another school or to a next step if they are graduating from our facility. College and career counseling are provided. Ours is a college-preparatory program, and we expect that most students graduating from our school will attend a post-secondary institution, though our guidance staff explores all appropriate alternatives with a student.

How does your school involve families?

Communication with students and their families is an essential component of any sound educational program but is of special importance when dealing with students who are in recovery. To ensure that students at our school have a meaningful, engaging, and successful academic experience, frequent and clear communication with parents and other supporters (and students) is a key part of our program.

Parental or supporter input into our program is valued and will be systematically sought in two main ways: the structure of our board will include at least two seats for a current and/or former parent, and exit interviews/surveys as students prepare to leave our school due to graduation or transfer to another secondary school.

Finally, we strongly recommend that parents and/or guardians participate in a support group.

Are donations to The Bridge Way School tax-deductible?

Yes! The Bridge Way School operates under the auspices of GPARE, which is a non-profit recognized under the 501(c)(3) code of the Internal Revenue Service. Donations may be made online at our website www.gpare.org or mailed to GPARE, 7360 Jackson St., Philadelphia, PA 19136.