Ignite Academic Curiosity, Naturally
Child-Development
We are happily partnered with Your Natural Learner to provide curriculum resources to our enrolled families. Each grade level in our curriculum begins with the understanding of a child’s ENTIRE plane of development, taking the whole person into account from a holistic growth perspective - physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and academically. Through the early years, your child will not just be able to check off academic boxes, but they will grow and learn in areas that matter the most to them, relate to the way they are growing as humans, and help them to hone their skills and interests as they blossom into lifelong learners.
Each curriculum level provides you with an opportunity to follow your child’s interests and needs while having a simple structure to follow that doesn’t require hours a day at your dining room table (because “school at home” might as well just be school).
Elementary
Our Pre-K through 4th Grade Curriculums are comprehensive, hands-on, student-directed, and align with all national state standards (without ever having to do a single worksheet!).
Our elementary curriculum is expertly written by our very own head of school here at Bridge Academy, Leah McDermott, M.Ed. This decade-long project is a culmination of extensive research and development into everything we know to be true about childhood growth, brain development, how learning takes place, how the unique individual learns, and what happens when we process new information.
Kindergarten
Like curious caterpillars, our preschoolers and kindergarteners explore the world, consuming knowledge. This process, much like a caterpillar's transformation, allows them to grow and change. They will go through a stage of introspection, like a chrysalis, to understand what they've learned and emerge as unique butterflies ready for new adventures.
The Your Natural Learner Pre-K/Kindergarten Curriculum caters to this curiosity through hands-on activities, nature exploration, and a multitude of themes. It prepares you to provide a rich learning experience for your child.
The Pre-K/K Curriculum features 21 themes based on nature and covers all subject areas. Each theme lasts 2-4 weeks, offering year-round learning tailored to your child's interests.
This curriculum can be revisited over the years, allowing your child to apply new knowledge each time. It includes reading lists, literacy lessons, math, science, art, and nature.
Trust that all necessary skills will be addressed in a hands-on, meaningful way. No supplements are needed and the curriculum meets standards in the U.S and many other countries, ensuring nothing is missed.
Themes include:
- Earth
- Flowers
- Weather
- Ocean Life
- Colors
- Garden
- Rainforest
- Space
- Trees
& Twelve More!
First Grade
The First Grade Curriculum is designed to explore how your child fits into the world, with nine unique themes centered around their individuality. Each theme, lasting at least a month, covers all subjects - reading, literacy, math, science, art, and nature. The curriculum ensures that all necessary skills are covered, meeting state standards in the US and many other countries, warranting no need for supplements.
Themes include:
- My Body
- My World
- My Creative Self
- My Family
- My Neighborhood
- My Feelings
- My Time
- My Backyard
- My Animal Friends
Second Grade
The Your Natural Learner Second Grade curriculum supports literacy development with a focus on quality literature, preparing your child for independent reading and demonstrating the role of literacy in all subjects.
Your child will explore the power of written words through this curriculum, discovering how they can learn, share ideas, and express themselves.
The curriculum covers nine unique themes, each lasting 4-6 weeks, designed around different genres of literacy and encompassing all subject areas. Each theme includes recommended readings, lessons, connections to other subjects, and a final project.
This curriculum ensures your child learns every necessary skill in a hands-on, meaningful way, meeting standards across the U.S and many other countries—no supplements needed.
Themes include:
- Myth and Fairy Tale
- Biography
- Drama
- Modern Fiction
- Historical Fiction
- Poetry
- Science Fiction
- Classical Fiction
- Non-Fiction
Third Grade
Your third grader is growing in their social and emotional world, making relationships increasingly important to them. Despite their desire for peer connections, your presence is crucial during this transformative period. The Your Natural Learner Third Grade Curriculum aids this growth, focusing on social and emotional development. It incorporates academic necessities and encourages self-regulation and emotional growth through themes such as Courage, Determination, and Humility.
The curriculum includes character-themed units covering all subjects, each lasting 4-6 weeks. These themes encompass reading lists, lessons in literacy, math, science, art, writing, and social studies, culminating in a final project.
This hands-on approach ensures the coverage of all necessary skills according to U.S. and many international standards, without the need for supplements. You can trust this curriculum to support your child's meaningful learning journey.
Themes include:
- Courage
- Kindness
- Honesty
- Determination
- Generosity
- Humility
- Compassion
- Resourcefulness
- Responsibility
Fourth Grade
Prepare for a unique year as your Fourth Grader steps into their big kid life. After years of learning through play and self-discovery, they're ready to explore more complex topics while maintaining a balance of fun and academic growth.
In the Your Natural Learner Fourth Grade Curriculum, we leverage your child's ability to understand complex ideas, sparking a lifelong drive for curiosity and problem-solving.
We focus on the Sciences, encouraging them to discover new and complex ideas through eight different realms of Science, from Earth Science to Oceanography to Space Science. This broadens their knowledge and finds areas to inspire and excite them for lifelong learning.
The Fourth Grade Curriculum comprises nine unique themes, each covering a different realm of Science and all subject areas. Each theme has 4-6 weeks of content, offering flexibility to learn all year and follow your child's interests.
Each theme covers all subject areas - reading lists, literacy lessons, math connections, science, art, writing, social studies, etc. This ensures all necessary skills are covered in a hands-on way that supports natural, meaningful learning. The curriculum meets all state's standards in the US and many other countries, eliminating any worry about missing a key learning point.
Themes include:
- Earth Science
- Space Science
- Biology
- Health Science
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Oceanography
- Environmentalism
- Personal Research Study
Middle School
We gradually remove the learning scaffolding as your child grows, preparing them for self-directed learning. Unlike traditional schools' test-oriented approach, we focus on teaching children how to learn, exploring their interests rather than adhering to an arbitrary system.
We view the 5th-8th grade as a time for children to experience self-directed learning, guided by adults and a gentle structure. This empowers them, showing they can learn anything at any time.
Each theme starts with a broad topic, providing resources and prompts for deeper exploration at the child's pace. Some may be quick to move through if your child shows minimal interest or loses interest quickly. Some may send you down great rabbit holes for months. Both are ok. Be prepared for anything and most importantly TRUST the process and TRUST YOUR CHILD.
Themes include:
- World Culture
- Entertainment
- Animal
- Famous Person
- Plant/Organism
- Skill
- Problem
- Disease/Disability
- Place
- Artist
- Profession
- Historical Event
High School
Currently all high schoolers enrolled at Bridge Academy create their own learning journeys in a collaborative effort with parents. Starting in 2024-2025, we will begin adding a library of DIY courses that our students can take to meet credit requirements in a variety of topics of interest.
Our students and parents design a learning experience that meets the standards required for their grade level and takes into consideration their unique needs, interests, and ideal career paths for the future. This looks unique for every student and, ultimately, they are responsible for their learning experiences during this time, which is a fantastic way to build that confidence as a lifelong learner.
Throughout the school year, your high schooler will participate in check-ins with the Bridge Academy team to ensure they are feeling good about their progress, making strides in their goals, and working to customize their transcripts to accurately reflect the learning that is taking place each and every day. It is this personalized approach to the teen years that sets Bridge Academy apart from any other program out there.
Your high schooler will receive official transcripts each year they are enrolled with us, can explore dual enrollment opportunities, work options, and can graduate with a diploma from Bridge Academy to easily transition to their next stage of life.
- 24 Credits Required for Graduation
- Volunteer Hours Required
- Dual-Enrollment Options
- Work Permit Support
- Public Sports Support
- Customized Transcripts
- Earn Official Diploma
Ready to Enroll?
★★★★★ 4.9
Bridge Academy's holistic approach has made learning a joy for our son, turning every day into an adventure.
Harry Parent, UnSchooling Family
★★★★☆ 4
Thanks to Bridge Academy, I've discovered passions I never knew I had and feel prepared for the future.
Jennifer Parent, Homeschooler
★★★★☆ 4.2
As a parent, witnessing the growth and confidence in my child academically and personally through Bridge has been remarkable.
Andrew Parent, Homeschooler
★★★★★ 4.7
Bridge Academy's flexible curriculum allowed me to excel at my own pace, making learning feel personalized and effective!
Emily Parent, Worldschooling Family