Welcome From Our Chief Executive Officer

On behalf of the board and faculty of Bridges Preparatory School, we would like to welcome you to the 2025–2026 school year. For our families that are new to Bridges, we welcome you to our Buccaneer family. For our returning families, thank you for your commitment and trust in our schools of excellence. 

Our administrative team is planning and preparing for another memorable year that fosters our deliberate approach to whole child development and supporting our students socially, emotionally, and academically. We are fully staffed and have complemented our exceptional faculty with high-quality educators from across our country. I am very proud and excited about the team that we have assembled for this school year. Your families deserve no less.  

Our mission is to provide students equal access to a high-quality K-12 whole child education that maximizes academic excellence and strength of character in a student-centered learning environment created by a faculty of lifelong learners. We have a top-rated staff that genuinely cares about every child that walks through our doors and wants to give each child the best educational experience while ensuring our mission is instilled in our daily practices. As Chief Executive Officer, my goal is to create a culture where all stakeholders feel valued and can engage in a memorable educational experience. I will serve as your liaison for the day-to-day operations of the school, as well as curriculum and instruction. We have a policy-governing board that is responsible for all policies, as well as ensuring that financing, facilities, and structures align to our mission. I am confident that each family will enjoy an outstanding educational experience this school year!  

Our charter is founded on the 12 principles of Paideia with a focus on STEM education to prepare our students for college and career readiness upon graduation. With an emphasis on authentic project-based learning, students apply their knowledge and skills to tackle real world problems by preparing them to compete in an ever-changing global society. In The Paideia Proposal, Mortimer Adler presented an idealistic and egalitarian vision of education. He wrote, “Here then are the three common callings to which all our children are destined: to earn a living in an intelligent and responsible fashion, to function as intelligent and responsible citizens, and to make both of these things serve the purpose of leading intelligent and responsible lives—to enjoy as fully as possible all the goods that make a human life as good as it can be.”  

Further supporting our mission and vision, Bridges students can participate in a variety of year-round sports, clubs, and curriculum-supported field trips and activities. Students develop intrinsic understandings about interpersonal skills through the embedded approach to character education. One of the elements that make our school successful is the support of our parents and stakeholders. Two pivotal groups include the Bridges Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and the Athletic Booster Club. These groups are made up of parents, grandparents, teachers, and community members who give tirelessly for the support of our students. Whether you are a new or returning member to our school community, I urge you to join and to be actively engaged with one of these groups. I look forward to the new school year and all the celebrations and successes that it will bring. 

We have enjoyed an incredible 12 years in the Lowcountry. We have experienced highs and lows that have established our strength and perseverance of the long-lasting footprint that we promise to provide for many years to come. 

Last year, we centered our efforts on The Power of Teams, embracing the values of cooperation, commitment, and contribution. Together, we built a strong foundation rooted in collaboration and shared goals. This school year, we will use this momentum and change of mindset to embrace “THE POWER AND IMPACT OF FAMILY-LIKE SCHOOLS.” 

When families, educators, students, and community members come together as true partners in education, something extraordinary happens—a Family-Like School emerges. In this environment, every child is surrounded by a caring network that works in harmony to support their growth, well-being, and success.

To bring this vision to life, I will be leading the formation of an Action Team for Partnerships—a group dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between home, school, and the broader community. Together, we will develop focused committees that will strengthen our school's commitment to excellence through three key areas:

1. Family-Like Schools & Communication – Building trust and understanding through open, two-way communication.
2. Volunteering & Community Collaboration – Creating opportunities for families and community members to be active participants in school life.
3. Learning at Home & Shared Decision-Making – Supporting learning beyond the classroom and empowering families to help shape our school's future.

We warmly invite you to join us in this important work. Your voice, your time, and your talents are vital to creating the kind of school community where every student can thrive.

Bridges Preparatory School is a very special place. We have quickly become the most sought-after school in the Lowcountry. I cannot thank our board and our school community enough for creating a school environment that is truly like no other. We look forward to another successful year where our focus on each individual's contribution to the power of family-like schools is centered around ONE VISION, ONE MISSION, and ONE COMMITMENT. 

Together we are…Bucs! 

Gary S. McCulloch

Chief Executive Officer