Bridges PCS

Overall, I've been pleased with the changes.

I had my 3 children in this school during the 2017-18 school year, and then only 2 there during the 2018-19 school year. I had taken them out of their old school (which was a positive and nurturing environment and I now regret that decision) because I was seeking a more culturally-aware, character-building and challenging environment for them. I was very drawn to the school because I thought it would be a place where the teachers and administrators would work to instill positive cultural awareness, which black children and people are in desperately need of. So we made our way to Roots PCS (a very small school). I was pleasantly surprised by the 2nd/3rd grade teacher. He set out to instill positive cultural images, awareness and beliefs in the children, and their work, art and the classroom itself reflected that. My second grader was anxious to go to school everyday, learn and worked very hard. He made honor roll both semesters. My other 2 children's experiences were less than awe-inspiring. While my oldest who was in the 4th grade did very well (doing 5th grade work- he's always been an excellent student), he was surprised to see that when the children brought candy to the teacher she was less strict with them, and that the other 4th graders were mostly lagging behind without advancing beyond basic skills such as long division and reading (at the appropriate grade level). As for my then-kindergartener, her experience was terrible. The school Special Ed teacher desperately tried to work with her and I'm sure her actual teacher tried to some extent, but it was clear that she was not getting the help that she needed. For one thing, there were no paraprofessionals and the Special Ed teacher was often required to work as a substitute for the combined 2nd/3rd grade class, so I took my daughter out of the school. The 2018-19 school year was absolutely awful! The boys were in the same class together (one in 3rd and one in 5th). They both hated going and wished they were in the other teacher's class. There was just too much negativity and not enough encouragement. Both of my boys have always liked school so this was new! Finally, one day my oldest said the class was "a hellhole" and "a warzone". I had NEVER heard him talk like that before! And my youngest son cried at the prospect of going back. I took them out and homeschooled them the remainder of the year...

I don't believe the school has before-care, so I'm not sure what that other commenter is referring to. Overall, the school has questionable practices in my opinion. Scores were poor last year, and it's hard to get transparent and honest information from the administration. Nearby charters have more to offer.

This school is a joke. As a teacher of your thinking about working here, LOOK ELSEWHERE. There’s the inner circle clique of the higher up administrative that stick together and only protect their people. They are quick to throw blame and shift accountability to make sure they stay out of the line of fire. They point fingers and don’t do anything until the very last minute acting as if they realized the problem at first but it was brought to their attention. They are a bunch of snakes and backstabbers. They throw you in under a bus and don’t help and say your the problem, especially if your a new employee. They give zero about your expertise or experience for the love of teaching. THEY WILL DRAIN YOU. If your looking for a supporting environment DONT WORK HERE. This place is horrible. They need to fire all upper management and start over. They’ve been there too long and they have no idea how the real world or schools work now. What a waste of grant money

We love DCB and the community around the school. Ms Daniela is a superlative leader who has built a team around her that values student success and bringing out the best in everyone. The school has been able to retain highly effective teachers because they’re willing to sacrifice the higher pay of DCPS to stay in the warm community of DCB. We have been parents of DCB students for seven years now and can’t imagine sending our kids anywhere else. Homework is limited to reading (in both Spanish and English) which helps develop a love of learning in the kids and reflects the most recent research that worksheet type busywork isn’t effective in younger grades. My 9 year old helped fill this out, and he noted, “There is definitely no bullying, I’ve never seen anything like bullying at DCB.”

The school has one of the best administrations in all of DC. They are responsive and accessible. They have very low teacher turnover and the academics are excellent. My daughter is equally fluent in Chinese and English and is excelling at math at a grade level above.

I'm an alum of this school, and I graduated in 2016. My entire experience here was great. My older brother is also an alum. What the school does best is it lets kids focus on what they like. My brother focused mostly on math; consequently, he's ahead by a year of the rest of his current grade in math. I focused more on writinng things, and the creativity from writing my own little book has stuck with me. Great school, though don't transfer your kids from another school into it. It's best if a child goes there from at least 1st grade.