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 2024–2025 school year. For our families that are new to Bridges, we welcome you to our Buccaneer family. I hope everyone is having a wonderful and relaxing summer with family and friends. 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 complimented 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 Athletics 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 11 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, our focus was driven on “the power of one.”  This mindset pushed our intentional acts to personalize our instruction and delivery methods to connect with each child's learning styles.  This mindset also personalized the academic journey for each student.  

This year, we will use our momentum and change of mindset to embrace “the power of teams.”  Our teams will focus on 3 pillars (COOPERATION, COMMITMENT, and CONTRIBUTION).  Cooperation is formed in each class, in each committee, and in every department.  Commitment is shared, and we attend our school with a purpose.  Each student and faculty member depend on each other.  Contribution is purposeful when all of us collectively understand that we are a part of something special.  Our team's vision is so big, that all of our individual talents fit into it. 

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 teams is centered around ONE VISION, ONE MISSION, and ONE COMMITMENT. 

Together we are…Bucs!

Gary S. McCulloch
Chief Executive Officer