Red Bridge is a newer school in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. The school is unique in assigning groups by level instead of age in the categories of autonomy (executive function and interpersonal skills), reading, writing, and math; a student can be in different groups for each category. Red Bridge’s approach balances academic challenge with student happiness. The school’s oldest grade is currently in 6th grade; the school will eventually span from TK-8 (November 30th cutoff for TK) as the school ages up with the current cohorts. Total enrollment for fall 2024 is 56 students.
The school rents two buildings next door to each other; one is 1800 square feet and the other 8500 square feet. The school appears like a tech office, with a large main area, breakout rooms, and glass walls. There is no outdoor space, so students visit a local park two to three times a day.
Academics
What makes Red Bridge special? As laid out in the school’s video, they sort children into classrooms not by age but by their proficiency in each category of autonomy (executive function and interpersonal skills), reading, writing, and math. This makes the school particularly friendly to students who are unevenly talented, for instance more advanced at math vs reading or reading vs writing. It also makes the school a great fit for kids whose autonomy level – personal responsibility and learning habits – are higher or lower than their academic level. By sorting this way, students get time to improve their executive function and interpersonal skills starting at kindergarten, providing a head start with learning to take responsibility for their educational habits. Students move up to the next autonomy level when they can advocate for their own promotion; part of the process includes a 6-week transition to show that their work habits are ready.
Teachers at Red Bridge are called learning guides. Each student meets with the teacher of their autonomy group 1:1 for 30 minutes each week. Students also have time set aside for personal projects, which could be coding, sewing, or whatever interests the child.
Reading, writing, and math are also assigned based on assessments each year and can be adjusted each quarter as students learn. The school approaches these subjects with a balanced approach halfway in between the progressive and traditional curriculums. There is no cap on math level, and no plan to hold back students who are ready for Algebra I or beyond. Because the school currently ends at 6th grade, they do not yet have students in this level, though.
Enrichment Classes
Red Bridge tuition includes aftercare until 6pm each day. For additional fees, students can take after school enrichment classes in chess, painting, and so forth. The school does not yet have sports teams or a musical ensemble, which they expect to add as the middle school grows in size.
Types of Students Served
Red Bridge is a great fit for gifted kids, as well as students with mild neurodiversity, including 2e students. Because the school assigns their autonomy level separate from the academic levels, students can move forward with more advanced reading, writing, and/or math while growing their executive function skills. That said, the school has no learning specialist, and no sensory free spaces, so some parents organize outside therapies or send ear muffs to school.
Red Bridge students work collaboratively on groups, so students must be able to function in a group, with appropriate behavior and verbal skills. For instance, some autistic students are successfully attending the school, as are some with mild ADHD.
Red Bridge seeks families who are committed to constant learning. Many parents consider themselves education nerds and value learning.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Red Bridge offers individualized tuition, which is capped at $42,500 per student, with a 25% sibling discount. With a simple form, parents report their earnings and assets; equity in the family’s primary residence is excluded. Approximately 85% of families pay less than the full tuition; the school aims for equal numbers of students in each financial quintile. Parents report a 98% satisfaction with the individualized tuition rates.
Role of a K-12 Consultant
A consultant can help you craft your school list to be sure of a balanced list offering a match of services with the student and parent’s interests. A consultant can also review all admissions materials, in particular student and parent essays, to help focus them to each school’s admissions goals. A consultant can directly work with your child to brainstorm, draft, and edit their own essays. The consultant can provide feedback on whether the essays read as genuine and how to shine during the application process.
Want more input on K-12 schools?
Vicky consults with families to help select, apply to, and communicate with public and private schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. Vicky maintains a principle of non-judgment. Hourly, VIP, and Season packages include a discussion to review school options, applications, essays, and key decisions. Vicky offers a limited number of packages each year to assure her availability.
Vicky’s own children have attended both public and private schools, and have received both accommodations and curriculum changes; her elder is in high school, and her younger in middle school. New clients can email to learn more about her services, or see her website to learn about her packages.
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