Every Bridges student participates in the five-week Summer Institute on the Gilman campus, an intensive academic and social enrichment program that emphasizes study skills, athletic participation, and character development. Master teachers from local private and public schools conduct challenging classes in reading, writing, math, and art, and weekly field trips to local landmarks broaden students' awareness of the city and region. Upper School students from Gilman, Bryn Mawr, and Roland Park Country Schools serve as Bridges volunteers by providing classroom support for Summer Institute teachers and valuable assistance for our Head Counselors. Over the past two summers, 32 independent school students have invested a total of over 3,000 volunteer hours. The relationships built between Bridges students and high school volunteers form the social backbone of the program.
Bridges provides every family of fifth grade students with information and advice they need to make the best choice for their child's middle school placement. We help families identify their student's learning style and encourage them to focus on what sort of school environment best suits their child. Our first group of sixth graders are enrolled in six different area middle schools: Gilman School, Roland Park Middle School (Ingenuity), Mother Seton Academy, Mount Royal Middle School (Advanced Academics), Tunbridge Public Charter, and Immaculate Conception School.
Third graders Sam N. and Charlie H. wanted to celebrate their birthdays with a joint party with friends, but felt that they had "enough stuff." The boys asked their friends to bring gifts for the students in the Bridges program at Gilman. Bridges features a five-week summer institute as well as year-round academic and social support for students from eight Title I Baltimore City schools. The "stuff" given to friends of Sam and Charlie included playground equipment, books and clothing. Recently the boys presented their party gifts to the Upper School volunteers for the program, who will share them with Bridges students.
