◈ Homepage — http://www.northbridgeacademy.org/Skip to Main Content 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Admissions Our Program School Life Parents Welcome To North bridge academy est. 2015 2 - 8 Teaching Grades 24+ Passionate Faculty & Staff 3 Extracurricular Activies WHAT WE DO Educating Dyslexic Students the Way They Learn Best   North Bridge Academy is a non-profit school located in Mill Valley, California serving dyslexic learners grades 2-8 Check Out Our Mission & Beliefs Upcoming Events Monday, October 6th - Friday, October 10th ~ 8th Grade Outdoor Ed Thursday, October 9th ~ Lower School Field Trip to MV Film Festival Monday, October 13th ~ NO SCHOOL Wednesday, October 15th- Whole Class Photo and Picture Make Up Day LEARN MORE ABOUT North bridge Academy North Bridge Admissions After School Programs Our Faculty & Staff School Resources School Calendar Our Curricula "This is Me" performed and Filmed by North Bridge Students Take a tour of north bridge academy take a tour Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 ◈ Interior Pages — 28 pages crawled--> Employment Opportunities | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 13 SEP employment opportunities INQUIRE Consider employment opportunities at North Bridge Academy If you are a teacher who recognizes that there are smart kids who are trying but their brains are wired in such a way that they do not respond well to whole language instruction. ​ If you are a teacher who appreciates how children learn to efficiently read and write.   If you are a teacher who wants to work with a supportive administrative and teaching team.   If you are a teacher who likes a classroom of 12 students. Teachers with at least three years of teaching experience are encouraged to apply. You do not need to be a CA credentialed teacher, but it's helpful. Relevant experience working with dyslexic students is what matters. You will be required to be finger-printed and take a TB screening. 2024-2025 positions  ​ Currently, there are no open teaching positions.  If you would like to introduce yourself for future openings, please email Annie Crowder, Head of School ( [email protected] ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Privacy Policy | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 13 SEP privacy policy North Bridge Academy (NBA) is committed to respecting your privacy and protecting any personal information you share with us.  You can visit our website without revealing personal information. In some cases, however, we may ask for personal information in order to provide the services you request. Such information will be used by NBA only to conduct official school business and will never be disseminated by NBA to any unaffiliated third party. All of the information that we collect from you is subject to this Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By using this site, you agree to be bound by these terms. ​ Terms of Use This website is intended to provide news and information about NBA. We will make all reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of content.  No part of this site or its contents - including, but not limited to, the school logo - may be copied, reproduced, modified, retransmitted, distributed, published, commercially exploited or otherwise transferred without written permission from NBA. ​ Information Collection and Use North Bridge Academy does not track, collect or distribute personal information about site visitors. However, we do collect some information about site visits. We have access to domain names and I.P. addresses of visitors. Occasionally, we may compile statistics that show the number of visitors and the number of requests we receive for particular pages or files on the site. These statistics are used internally to evaluate and improve the site. The statistics contain no personal information (or email addresses) and cannot be used to gather such information. ​ Email Privacy and Spam The website contains email addresses of some staff. Use of this information for private, commercial, or political mailings and/or distribution to any outside party is prohibited. If you have any questions about our privacy policy, please contact North Bridge Academy. ​ Student Privacy North Bridge Academy is committed to protecting the privacy of our students and their families. We do not post the full names of students on the public pages of our website. Images of students are used on the public pages of the site; however, students are never identified by name in images. Within the password-protected pages of the site, use of students' full names is allowed and students can also be identified by full name in images. ​ External Links This site may contain links to other (external) sites. North Bridge Academy is not responsible for the privacy policies or content provided by these sites. ​ Cookies Using Goggle Analytics we collect some anonymous information about how you use the site by setting and accessing cookies on your computer. A cookie is a small text file containing a unique identification number that is transferred from the web site to your hard drive. We use both session ID cookies and persistent cookies. A session ID cookie terminates once you close the browser. A persistent cookie is stored on your hard drive for an extended period of time. The stored cookies will not allow us to learn any personally identifiable information that you have not otherwise disclosed. At no time will the cookies reveal to North Bridge Academy or to others your name, email address, street address or telephone number.   The use of cookies is an industry-standard, and they are currently used on most major websites. It is possible to adjust your browser preferences to alert you when a cookie is sent to your hard drive, or to refuse cookies altogether. However, this may significantly alter what you are able to see or access on the North Bridge Academy website.  To learn more about how Google collects and processes information, go to:   www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners/.    ​ Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> After School Programs | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. after school programs AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Fab Lab - Instructor: James Brunner   What is Fab Lab? FabLab is short for "Fabrication Laboratory," a term used to describe modern tool libraries and Makerspaces. FabLab is held in the STEM room for one hour three days a week. Students use this time for creative projects, 3D printing, and collaborative guided play, using Minecraft. Other activities include woodworking, Lego, graphic design, poster/button/sticker making, coding, electronics, and whatever else a student wishes to pursue. This is primarily a student-guided Makerspace, with project suggestions by James when requested by students. Not sure if it's for you? The office will bill one week into a session, so "try and see" is fine if you are curious but not sure.  ​ Dates:  September 2nd - October 18th Time:  Mon, Tues, Thurs. 3:00pm - 4:30pm   Cost:   Mon. $240 - Tues. $280 - Thurs. $280    ​ Sign up:  Email [email protected]                   The cost is prorated to include late starts. Changes after the second week of a session are prohibited.  For general questions or if cost is prohibitive for you and your family, please  email  [email protected]  about the possibility of a scholarship.   ​ ​ ​ Martial Arts - Instructor: Sensei Brandon ​ Join Sensei Brandon for some Karate fun! Learn traditional and practical martial arts with a modern, mindful approach. Kids will exercise while learning discipline, self-control, and confidence. ​ Dates:   September 25 - end of school year   Time:  Wednesdays 2:15pm - 3:15pm ​ Cost:   $50 per class. Drop-ins okay with 24hr notice  Late starts are allowed Classes are charged per session   Sign up:  Email [email protected] ​ ​ ​ ​ Basketball CLUB – Instructor: Dave KlemAS ​ Join Coach Dave for after school basketball club! We invite your child to learn fundamental basketball skills while socializing with peers. Students shoot hoops while building confidence and self-esteem and learning how to work as a team. The club is open to all grade levels. ​ *Please note this class is not the North Bridge Basketball Team. Information for the North Bridge Basketball Team will be available after December 2024. ​ Dates:      Session A:  Mondays : September 16th, 23rd October 7th, 28th November 4th,18th December 2nd, 9th,16th ​ Session B:  Tuesdays: September 10th, 17th,24th October 8th, 15th, 29th November 5th, 12th,19th December 3rd, 10th,17th   Time:   Mondays and Tuesdays 3:00pm to 4:00pm   Cost: Session A $225 Session B $300  Both Sessions A & B $475  Drop-ins are $25/session   Sign up:  Email [email protected] ​ Students may sign up for one or both days. There is a discount for signing up for both. Changes after the second week of a session are prohibited.  Partial scholarships are available upon request. Email  [email protected] ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ Fab Lab Martial Arts Basketball Basketball Fab Lab Martial Arts Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Code of Conduct | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 13 SEP code of conduct Click here to download our tax forms In compliance with California law AB500, we share the below information to ensure parent awareness about NBA conduct policies.   Student Relations The School encourages close, warm relationships between students and School faculty and staff. At the same time, it is important that each employee’s conduct is at all times professional. Employees must maintain appropriate boundaries between themselves and students to ensure that they avoid even the perception of inappropriate conduct. Some activities may seem innocent from an employee’s perspective but can be perceived as flirtation or sexual insinuation from the perspective of a student or parent. The objective of this policy is not to restrain positive relationships between employees and students, but to prevent relationships that could lead to, or may be perceived as, sexual misconduct. Employees must ensure that they do not cross the boundaries of a professional relationship. ​ Unacceptable Behavior Below is a list of examples of conduct that may involve inappropriate crossing of the boundaries of the professional relationship: Giving gifts to an individual student that are of a personal or intimate nature; Unnecessary physical contact with a student in either a public or private situation; Intentionally being alone with a student on campus or away from the school without parent or supervisor knowledge or permission; Making, or participating in sexually inappropriate comments; Sexual jokes, stories, or jokes/comments with sexual innuendo; Seeking emotional involvement with a student for an employee’s benefit; Discussing an employee’s own personal troubles or intimate issues with a student Becoming involved with a student so that a reasonable person may suspect inappropriate behavior; Inappropriate use of social media with or about students; Excessive attention toward a particular student; Texting with students; Using personal email or social media to communicate with students rather than using school email; Sending communications to students of a personal nature if the content is not about school activities; or Failing to keep the appropriate administrator or counselor informed when a significant issue develops about a student. Swearing or using inappropriate language in the presence of students ​ Duty to Report If an employee finds him or herself in a difficult situation related to boundaries, the employee should ask for advice from a supervisor or a School administrator. When any employee becomes aware of another employee crossing appropriate boundaries with a student, the employee must report the matter to the Head of School. In some circumstances, employees will also have the duty to report such conduct in accordance with the mandated reporter requirements.   ​ ​ download our tax forms NBA Tax PBC Organizer NBA Tax Form 990 Taxpayer Copy NBA Tax Form 990 Public Disclosure Tax Forms Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Mission & Guiding Beliefs | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. mission & guiding Beliefs Mission North Bridge Academy empowers and equips students with dyslexia to embrace their strengths, realize their potential and fulfill their aspirations.     Vision Our vision is to be a center of educational excellence and advocacy for dyslexic students, empowering them to achieve their intellectual and creative capabilities.   Approach We provide individualized instruction grounded in evidence-based structured literacy programs in an intimate and caring community. Strategic Plan 2021-2025 We Believe Students with dyslexia learn best when teachers use multi-sensory, sequential, phonics-based instruction. ​ By providing linguistically informed and multi-sensory instruction, we believe all students can make meaningful learning gains and develop a sense of their own learning capabilities. Small class sizes are vital.   ​ Small class sizes provide ample opportunity for teachers to understand the nuance of every student’s social-emotional needs, areas of strength and specific academic challenges, allowing us to tailor specific instruction. ​ Dyslexic learners have many talents and unique abilities.    The world needs them to think in ways that come naturally to them. Dyslexic thinkers often possess abundant creativity, strong reasoning skills, curiosity, visual spatial thinking capabilities, and a keen conceptual ability to see the “big picture.” Our responsibility it to tap into this innate talent and give spark. A responsible learning community provides strong social emotional instructional support and teaches organizational skills throughout the day.    Small class sizes provide quality time for discovery, thoughtful deliberation, reflection and inquiry which, in turn, promotes student confidence, self-advocacy and a sense of belonging to our community. Consistent assessment of each child informs every child’s learning plan.  ​ Both formal and informal assessments administered by qualified teachers accurately makes visible a child’s growth and should inform the pace and scope of their academic goals. Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Calendar | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. school calendar 13 SEP Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Board of Trustees & Advisors | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. board of trustees & advisors Board Members Ca Carri Abrahms (Secretary) - Carri is a licensed, ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist who brings a breadth of experience in communication disorders and the arts.  A professional dancer and singer, she has shared her passion for music with Marin County children as a private voice teacher and musical director for organizations such as Marin School of the Arts, Marin Academy, Stapleton, and YES Productions.  She continues to perform with San Francisco Choral Artists and Those Darn Accordions  and is currently exploring ways to integrate music and literacy.  Carri lives in San Rafael with her violinist husband and daughter, a dyslexic learner. ​ Vickie Barret -   Vickie is a writer who specializes in creative non-fiction and memoir works. For over a decade, she was a business journalist at Forbes Magazine. She chaired the Bay Area Discovery Museum board several years, and ran a successful capital campaign that funded new award-winning exhibition spaces. She also served on the board of Town School, where she chaired the development committee, and currently is on the board of Service Corp, a mother-son volunteer organization in San Francisco. Her middle son joined North Bridge in his third-grade year and stayed through sixth. He went on to start the student neurodiversity group at Town School; Vickie created a parent group at the same time – thanks to the learning and advocacy emphasis at North Bridge. ​ Jean Covington (Vice-President)   -  Jean is currently on sabbatical after a 19-year career as a Public Defender in Contra Costa County. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco and has dedicated her career to addressing social, economic, and racial disparities within the criminal justice system. As the proud parent of a second-year Narwhal, Jean is particularly passionate about North Bridge Academy’s mission to serve as a model and resource for teaching dyslexic learners throughout the Bay Area and is committed to increasing the school’s accessibility. ​ Kristen Chaudhry - Kristen  joined the NBA board in 2024, bringing over a decade of experience as a grade school teacher in both private and public schools across Barcelona, New York, Dallas, and Chicago. She also spent time in India, volunteering with a non-profit focused on educating and housing street children.  In Marin, Kristen served on the auxiliary board of the Bay Area Discovery Museum and as PTA president at Park School, where she led board meetings and committees. She has held various volunteer roles at Marin Country Day School, including serving on the Annual Fund Committee and as an Admission Tour Guide.  For the past two years, Kristen has volunteered at NBA as a room parent. She lives in Mill Valley with her husband and three children, including her youngest daughter, Emma, a 4th grader at NBA. Kristen is enthusiastic about deepening her involvement with the NBA community. ​ Jessica Nenner - Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker, with over 20 years working in schools. Jessica has taught SEL (social-emotional learning) classes, worked individually w ith students, and provided support and guidance to teachers and parents in both independent and public elementary and middle schools. Currently, she is the Lower School Counselor at Katherine Delmar Burke School in San Francisco.     ​ Matt Kropp  (Treasurer) –  Matthew brings twenty years of business experience to his position as Treasurer.  Currently, he is a partner at Boston Consulting Group, advising for-profit and not-for-profit businesses on strategic planning and technology.  In addition to his business acumen, his background in computer programming and content delivery will guide the technology integration planning process.  In addition to his professional skills, Matt is the father of a dyslexic son.    Jan McDougal -   J an is a strategy consultant and entrepreneur who worked in industries from financial services to consumer goods before she discovered her passion in education. She holds a BS in Business Administration from Georgetown University, an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and an MA in Teaching from the University of San Francisco. She is a credentialed secondary school math teacher who taught at Bayside MLK School in Marin City. She has consulted with the Boston Consulting Group to large K-12 districts and worked as an independent consultant to smaller education clients including the Urban School of San Francisco, San Francisco Friends School and Horizon Community School in Marin City.   ​ Karen Rosenquist (President) -  Prior to founding North Bridge Academy in 2015, Karen was involved in board work for non-profits that provided low-income students with educational and financial support.  For the majority of her career, Karen was an executive in children’s digital and media companies including DreamWorks, Warner Brothers, and Jim Henson Productions. Karen began a career in the 1990s as a project manager for several web design start-up companies.  Karen is pursuing a Master's in Education from Johns Hopkins University.  In addition, she holds a Master's in Education from Dominican University and a degree in Art History/French from UC Santa Barbara.  She lives in San Anselmo with her husband and her high-school son, the first North Bridge Academy student.   ​ Glenda Sell -   Glenda has been practicing law in the North Bay for 18 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Hispanic Studies from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis, School of Law (King Hall), and was certified by the State Bar of California as a Family Law Specialist. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ advisors Dr. Nancy Cushen-White -  Clinical Professor at the University of California San Francisco, Department of Pediatrics, a teacher, and a learning disabilities specialist.  She is a Slingerland specialist who taught Slingerland methodology for three decades. ​ ​ Dr. Jenny Forman - Jenny has 20 years of clinical experience in a variety of contexts that involve psychotherapy and testing and assessments. Her background studies and experiences are in Western psychology and clinical assessment and diagnosis and Eastern psychology in the fields of transpersonal and spiritual psychology. She has worked in numerous settings, including schools, parent and child serving organizations and private practice. ​ Dr. Surina Basho - Surina   has expertise in cognitive neuroscience, executive function, and learning differences.  She provides one-on-one individualized educational therapy to students; training teachers and schools in how to integrate executive function into the classroom for all students, and providing educational talks to the parent community. ​ ​ Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Curricula | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Curricula ENGLISH MATH SCIENCE SOCIAL STUDIES English Language Arts ​ When it comes to reading remediation, instructional minutes matter! This is why our students participate in up to two hours a day of ELA instruction. In addition to Slingerland lessons, students are also supported in direct instruction of oral expression, grammar and writing. Our teachers are specially trained to elicit student knowledge and empower them to be active learners in all aspects of our program. To cement their learning, students need opportunities to practice and apply the strategies that they are learning in class. This is why a second ELA block provides our students with the necessary time to practice reading texts fluently, express ideas with clarity and learn to write more detail-rich sentences—a perfect accompaniment to our Slingerland work. Likewise, middle school students receive both daily Slingerland instruction as well as a core class that teaches traditional literary analysis and composition writing. Students are learning the crafts of various authors and learning to decipher specific literary elements such as allusion, irony and other aspects of figurative language.  Middle schoolers are building their understanding of English orthography and learning to read and spell complex words, phrases and sentences. A heavy emphasis is placed on teaching morphology—or Latin and Greek base elements to help our students build vocabulary, word identification and knowledge about the structure of language. Math Our math instruction combines multi-sensory, hands-on project based activities and games. We created an articulated scope and sequence aimed at covering developmental mathematics standards across grade levels. Our core curriculum provides real-world, contextual math lessons, which focus on the concept behind math processes. Students are carefully guided from concrete exploration to more abstract mathematical problem solving to ensure a deeper, more integrated understanding of mathematical functions. These techniques are shown to teach math fundamentals in an engaging way that supports the needs of our students whether they require deep remediation, or are ready for deeper engagement.  The pace at which new concepts are introduced depends on each student’s level.  Some of our students excel in math, going well beyond grade level. Others come to us with a need for intensive remediation and support. By creating small, leveled groups, we can handle a range of student abilities in our math classes. Science Science is an area offering great potential for many students with dyslexia.  Their capacity for divergent and creative thinking, investigation, and inquiry often comes naturally.  Our job is to help them to learn and realize this potential area of strength and to develop the necessary thinking skills for applying scientific thinking into their project-based work.  Our commitment is to adhering to age-level standards with a focus on hands-on, creative work. Most every science lesson is a project.  Given the natural and scientific resources in Marin and the Bay Area, a particular emphasis will be placed on natural sciences.   Social Studies   As with science, social studies standards met are the same as any California public or private school.  Literature, character re-enactment, and group projects will drive student investigation into the past and facilitate connections with the present.  Current events are brought into the curriculum, based on student discussions, and/or driven by impactful events (example:  presidential election).  In all lessons, students are expected to do research and writing.  They will also be presented with the opportunity to engage in multi-media and art. Grade 2-5 Schedule Grade 6-8 Schedule MATH SCIENCE SOCIAL STUDIES Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Admissions | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. ADMISSIONS Welcome Prospective Parents and Guardians! ​ ​ Entrusting an independent specialized school with the education of your child comes after careful consideration of several essential factors: Quality and type of instruction offered School culture, community Affordability and practicality  We encourage you to read the Admissions section carefully to learn about our application process, our school tours, and financial aid.  If you are considering applying to our program, it likely means that your child's academic needs are not currently being fulfilled.  We know that realization often comes with many considerations and questions.  We are here to help as you navigate the process. ​ for Questions Contact: Julia Myers Admission Director and Transition Coordinator Application Process Summer school New Student Summer Onboarding COMMON QUESTIONS: WILL NORTH BRIDGE ACADEMY ACCEPT MID-YEAR TRANSFERS? ​ Due to the cumulative nature of our intervention instruction (Slingerland)  we cannot accept mid-year transfers unless a student has previously had 15 or more hours of Slingerland instruction within the last 12 months.      WHERE CAN I FIND A PSYCHOLOGIST WHO WILL CONDUCT A NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION?   Click  HERE  or visit our  RESOURCES  page for a list of names. ​ ​ ARE THERE RECOMMENDED WEBSITES ABOUT DYSLEXIA? ​ International Dyslexia Association ​ Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity ​    Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Resources | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Resources The resources below have been vetted and were curated primarily for North Bridge Academy's current and alumni parents.   Our sister website www.Dyslexia-Resources.org  is a r esource for all parents and educators in the bay area and beyond.  Please use both liberally. Neuropsychological Evaluations: Click here  for our list of psychologists. Tutors Click here for our list of tutors. Learning and Attention Websites: ADDitude Understood.org Children's Health Council   Books: Smart but Scattered Social-Emotional Learning Article - Treating Anxiety in Children Magazine - Greater Good Organization -  Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Understanding Dyslexia Podcasts: When Dyslexic Students Are Denied In School  - APM reports Cracking the Code of Dyslexia-   CBS  Understanding Dyslexia - KQED Forum   Books:      Journey Into Dyslexia       Parenting a Struggling Reader     The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan     Language At The Speed of Sight   Movies:      Dislecksia The Movie     The Big Picture   Websites:     Children's Health Council     National Center for Learning Disabilities     NPR - Understanding Dyslexia     International Dyslexia Association     International Dyslexia Association (Northern California)     Understood.org     Yale University Consultants School Placement: Provo & Associates (Corte Madera) Vielbaum Consulting  (Burlingame)   Assistive Technology: Dan Liebowitz provides educational consulting related to learning differences, ADHD, executive function skills, and assistive technologies. Tools and Technology Consultant:  Dan Liebowitz provides educational consulting related to learning differences, ADHD, executive function skills, and assistive technologies. ​ Technology Resources: Google Chrome   assistive technology apps   Learning Ally – Offering students digital books with narrative voices and highlighted text Resource list of narrated audio books, text-to-speech, note-taking and text leveling app.  about dyslexia Dyslexia is a specific language-based learning difference that is neuro-biological in nature and irrespective of intellectual functioning. It is characterized by difficulties with processing the phonological components of print.   Many children with dyslexia experience difficulty learning to read and write. The dyslexic profile can include specific difficulty with handwriting, which is known as dysgraphia. In addition, repeated difficulty with math, known as dyscalculia, may also exist as part of a dyslexic profile.   Despite their weaknesses decoding words, children with dyslexia often possess creativity and strong emotional and cognitive ability.    Dyslexics are big thinkers, who may have trouble processing the details.  These individuals may create brilliant software, but the manual will be filled with misspelled words. They may excel in setting up large-scale financial systems, but when asked to answer, “What does 8x8 equal?” they have to pause a bit too long. Think Charles Schwab or Dr. Carol Greider (2009 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine).   Dyslexics are highly creative problem solvers who often come up with solutions and ideas that are outside the box.  Their learning challenges spur them to look for alternatives to pencil and paper to express the fullness of their insights and comprehension of complex concepts. They may have difficulty with the mechanics of learning, but they have unique ideas that come from their fresh perspective on challenges in our world. Think Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Spielberg, or Richard Branson.   Dyslexics are primarily visual-spatial learners often possessing tremendous strengths in visual-spatial thinking.  By building upon these strengths and finding new ways to inspire learning in our children, we can help our students reach their potential. Think Leonardo Da Vinci, Nicholas Negroponte, or Richard Rogers (architect, George Pompidou Center, Paris). ABOUT DYSLEXIA Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Enrichment | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. enrichment 13 SEP ART As our P.E. program is customized for the students we serve, so is our visual arts program.  The visual arts curriculum at North Bridge Academy serves gifted visual-spatial thinkers.  How do we harness and challenge this strength? How do we nurture their artistic self-expression and expand their imaginations?  We provide them with an art teacher, guest artists and a supportive environment to explore their artistic inclinations, to encourage risk taking and to discover alternative ways of knowing the world and relating to those in it. They will practice artistic reflection as they experiment with different art mediums and perspective: (e.g., Why does art make us feel a certain way?, What are the similarities and differences in different styles? What can I learn that will enhance my own artistic expression? The art program will be offered twice a week. STEM Dyslexic learners are gifted inventors and creative deep thinkers. In STEM class, we learn to be gentle with ourselves through the creative process, as our first attempts at most things often look messy and are unrefined. In STEM, students learn to work as a team to solve problems with creative solutions. We use hand tools to make prototypes of our ideas and practice listening carefully for insights from each other for new directions and improvements. As our projects grow and change through the iterative design process, we learn that persistence is the key to making what we create match our ideals. Expressive arts Expressive Arts at North Bridge Academy blends mindfulness and social-emotional learning with music, movement, digital arts, creative writing and theater arts. The year begins with a focus on self-awareness, -discovery, and -expression, as students explore who they are as individual artists. As the year progresses, students’ awareness turns from the inner process to the outer impact, as they begin to channel their creativity toward longer-term group projects with themes that include kindness, identity, belonging, and world citizenship, culminating in an end-of-year showcase for the larger NBA community. Physical Education Every day the students have a 20 minute break in the morning and a 45 minute lunch/recess break in the mid-day. P.E. classes are led by staff and are forty-five minutes each. Instruction meetw state standards and incorporates social-emotional concepts from Responsive Classroom and CASEL   ​ ​ Fundamental to our program are the following objectives: Teamwork Coordination Skill building Game playing Body awareness Good sportsmanship PE Art Maker/Steam Expressive Arts Expressive Arts Maker/Steam PE Art Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Grade 2 - 5 Schedule | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. GRADE 2-5 Schedule 13 SEP A typical day  Class begins at 8:30.  Each day begins with a check-in and a morning meeting using Responsive Classroom format.   Slingerland and English Language Arts or Math happen first thing each morning and conclude at 10:45 for snack break.     Following snack break, the second academic block of either ELA/Slingerland or Math takes place.  Our core academics are all completed by lunch.    Lunch and recess are from 12:00-12:45.     In the afternoon the schedule changes each day and classes include Social studies, Art, Theater, PE, STEM, Science and Music.     Students are released at 3:00 each day except Wednesdays (early release at 2:15) Curricula GRADE 6-8 Schedule Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Summer | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. summer school Information about Slingerland ​ Five Key Ele ments Lesson Plan Format Research & Slingerlan d ​ ​ ​Slingerland Summer School 2026 Slingerland® Multisensory Structured Language Instruction   What Is It?  This four-week program is both a summer school and a teacher training program. No more than 14 students will be in each class. The classes are led by a trained Slingerland teacher and an assistant teacher. Daily instruction centers around building phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Teachers in training will work 1:1 with students for part of the morning.  ​ ​ Dates and Times:  July 6th - 31st 8:30-12noon Monday through Friday    Cost: $3200 (for 4 weeks) ​ Who Can Apply?:  Students who will be in grades 2 - 6 ​ Location: North Bridge Academy Mill Valley, CA   ​ How To Participate:  ● Complete registration form and email to Annie Crowder ( [email protected] ) ● Indicate need for van transportation (additional fees) on registration form  ● Indicate need for financial aid on registration form  ● Pay tuition (and van fees) by June 1st  ​ Frequently Asked Questions: ​ Is partial attendance allowed?  ● Attendance is required for all 20 days  ​ Will there be afternoon childcare options?  ● Yes, FABLAB (our STEM workshop) will be offered at additional cost from 12noon to 3pm  ​ Will my child be in class only with North Bridge Academy students?  ● No, we have opened this program up to non-North Bridge Academy students from the Bay Area   Questions? Reach out to Annie Crowder, Head of School at [email protected] Summer School  Registration Form Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Tuition & Financial Assistance | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. tuition & financial assistance Tuition  2025-26 Grades 2 - 4  $39,530 Grades 5 - 8  $42,395     Tuition  2026-27   Grades 2       $39,530 Grades 3 - 4  $41,500 Grades 5 - 8  $44,515 ​ Lunch fee (mandatory)  $2,175 New Student Onboarding - Summer session (mandatory for incoming families) - $1,500 ​ Outdoor Education Fees (grades 4-8 only)     Grade 4          $250      Grade 5          $600 Grades 6 - 8   $1,200   Van Rates - TBD ​ Summer School - this is a separate fee (please read the Summer School section of the website)   Payment Plans: Families may pay tuition in one (1), four (4), or ten (10) installments. All plans require that 10% of the tuition be paid as a non-refundable deposit with the return of the enrollment agreement.   ​ We will work with families who experience unexpected challenges meeting their chosen plan. Financial Assistance The cost of tuition for specialized education for a child can often be an unexpected weight to a family budget. If affording tuition causes financial strain, please talk with us .  Know that the first thing we will emphatically state is that we encourage all families, regardless of ability to pay to apply. Like every community, ours is made stronger by its people.  A diversity of people makes for a stronger community.   We disbursed $350,000 is grants in 2023/24. Awards have ranged from $5000 to $25,000.  All grants are based on demonstrated financial need. We partner with SSS by NAIS to ensure equity and verification in award decisions. ​ Parents must reapply each year to receive continued financial assistance.  Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. How to Apply for Financial Assistance Families who are seeking financial support should register with School and Student Services  (SSS) run by NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools.  Please follow the procedures outlined on the SSS website. Please note that 2023 tax returns are required to complete your application. We appreciate having your 2025 tax returns, but it is not required.  Please have on hand the school code 9123. ​ How to Apply PDF (English) How to Apply PDF (Spanish) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Financial Aid for Unexpected Circumstances We understand that families may experience unforeseen financial challenges after enrollment agreements and financial aid awards have been finalized in January. Life circumstances can change suddenly, resulting in unexpected financial hardship at any time. We encourage families facing unexpected financial difficulties after January to reach out to us if the need arises. We may be able to offer support if budgetary constraints allow it.  We ask that you complete an application in SSS by NAIS (see instructions above), where you can provide a detailed narrative of your current situation along with your financial documentation. Our Board will consider these requests during their upcoming monthly meeting and respond as promptly as possible. To begin this process, please contact Annie Crowder .   Thank you for being part of our community. Email us with questions Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Our Program | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. our PROGRAM What Parents are saying "North Bridge Academy has helped unlock confidence in my son that we didn’t know he had. The learning environment teaches him in the way he learns best and provides a community of teachers, administrators and parents who understand his unique challenges and strengths which is invaluable.    -Rebekah & Ryan Cunningham ​ ​ “Our family is so grateful to North Bridge for inspiring our daughter to view her dyslexia as a super power! She is encouraged to use her strengths to build both her confidence and academic skills while boosting her confidence along the way. We hope that this style of learning is accessible to more families in the Bay Area.”   -Nancy & Ryan Deane 13 SEP Our program's goal is to help students integrate crucial skills in order to reach mastery of academic benchmarks.  In contrast to traditional school settings, our curriculum is designed to meet students where they are allowing them to build the necessary skills for success in reading, written expression and mathematics. At North Bridge Academy, we explicitly teach students the logic and structure of language as well as empirically-based methodologies to help our students build automaticity in their learning. ​ In content-rich subjects - science, history and the arts - we align with the California Standards, but instead of relying exclusively on textbooks to instruct, project-based learning enriches their experiences and often highlights their exceptional artistic, conceptual, and visual-spatial thinking talents. ​ ​ LANGUAGE INTERVENTION Our primary intervention for all students is the Slingerland® Approach. Slingerland is a classroom adaptation of Orton-Gillingham instruction, which employs multi-sensory teaching specifically designed to support children experiencing difficulty in the language areas of reading, writing, spelling, and oral communication. This methodology provides the foundation for language instruction and other appropriate areas of curriculum at NBA where a significant emphasis is placed on building strategies for developing reading acquisition. ​ The Slingerland® Approach begins with the smallest unit of sight, sound, and feel– as English is an alphabetic-phonetic language. As students begin to develop automatic association of letters and sounds, they internalize the processes involved, allowing them to identify increasingly complex layers of English. In the course of our instruction, students move from letters to words, then to phrases, sentences and paragraphs. As these pieces become more automatic, students are ready for novels, essays and reports. Moreover, as our students build crucial skills in reading and writing, we will encourage them to find a connection to literature, as well as to use their creativity to explore ideas and concepts in order to examine the world around them. READ MORE ABOUT OUR CURRICULA ​ Watch   North Bridge Academy students talk about this book and their walk in the words. ​ ​   Slingerland:​ Five Key  Elements ​ Lesson Plan Format ​ Research & Slingerland ​ ​ ​ Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Who We Serve | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. who we serve Who We Serve We accept students with the following: ​ Diagnosis of dyslexia or another language-based learning difficulty either with or without an accompanying attention deficit disorder Significant difficulty acquiring literacy skills (reading, spelling, written expression) Experiencing difficulty acquiring literacy skills (reading and spelling) Dysgraphia -  (specific difficulty with handwriting) Dyscalculia -  (repeated difficulty with arithmetic) Average and above cognitive potential (as demonstrated on the WISC-V, psycho-educational assessment; or another comparable cognitive index) Expressive Language Disorder Difficulty processing information, working memory deficits, organization challenges, study skills, study skills weaknesses and time management / other executive functioning skills delays Centralized Auditory Processing Disorder Motivation to participate in the school’s programs and awareness of their learning difficulties NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS ​ The North Bridge Academy School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. New to a diagnosis of dyslexia?   This short 4-minute video created by The Dyslexia Training Institue provides an informative overview of what dyslexia is and what it is not. Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Outdoor Education | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. outdoor eduCation 13 SEP OUTDOOR EDUCATIOn... Building connections North Bridge Academy strengthens our students’ sense of community and independence by taking annual multi-day campouts. All trips are led by naturalist instructors with support from teacher and parent chaperones.  The cost to participate is a separate fee.   ​ ​The 2024/25 outdoor education trips include: 4th grade - 2 nights at Coloma Gold Mine Camp in late April 5th grade - 2 nights at NatureBridge Headlands September 30 - October 2 6th/7th grades - 4 nights at NatureBridge Yosemite October 21 - 25 8th grade - 4 nights at Emerald Bay Camp on Catalina Island October 7-11 ​ ​ ​    Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Our Faculty & Staff | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Our faculty & staff James Brunner Enrichment Department Chair STEM Teacher  James has worked as a STEM teacher in public and private schools in Marin and Silicon Valley for the last 15 years. Through hands-on projects in his STEM class, James strives to build students’ creative confidence and problem-solving skills. James believes the core skills of engineering, iterative design, learning from your mistakes, and calm persistence in the face of adversity are widely applicable in life and academics. James trained in design thinking at Stanford University's "D school bootcamp," where he developed curriculum for teaching design thinking using popular technologies such as 3D printing. James has a BS in life science from Penn State University and holds credentials for teaching biology and chemistry.  Sam Beal 5th Grade Head Teacher Originally from upstate New York, Sam relocated to San Francisco in 2017, where he found a new home and met his future wife. They married in 2023 and currently reside in Sausalito with their three cats: Mars, Bunny, and Billy. Over the past three years at Charles Armstrong School, Sam served as a 6th grade history and language teacher, 6th grade team coordinator, and 8th grade basketball coach, playing a pivotal role in both academic and extracurricular activities. Outside of work, he is an avid reader, with interests ranging from historical nonfiction to fantasy novels. He enjoys playing basketball, exploring nature trails, and savoring the complexities of various wines.  Jennifer Cariadus Expressive Arts Teacher Jen joins North Bridge community from Star Academy, where she served for more than thirteen years as a Multisensory Language Arts Specialist, Adaptive Technology Assistant, and Classroom Teacher.  She also taught Music/Drama, Yearbook, and Digital Arts. Jen also spearheaded and led a school-wide creative writing and publishing program. Before her tenure at Star Academy, Jen was a Clinician, Consultant, and Associate Clinical Director of Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes Clinic (Marin). When she’s not teaching, singing, dancing, writing, or otherwise creating something, She can be spotted seaside, or searching the sky for eclipses, comets, and meteor showers. She lives in San Francisco with her wife, teenage twins, and two furkids. Claire Cordon 5th Grade Head Teacher Claire has been an elementary teacher in San Francisco for 8 years and is thrilled to be teaching at NBA. She taught 3rd grade at the Hamlin School and Convent Elementary School. Claire holds a Masters in Education from the University of London, Goldsmiths. As an elementary student, Claire struggled with undiagnosed ADHD, and often felt alienated, shamed and misunderstood by her teachers. She strives to always remember how she felt as a student, and to never have a student feel that way in her classroom. Claire feels it is crucial that her students feel safe to make mistakes, empowered in their learning, and reminded of their innumerable strengths. Claire is also Canadian and has lived all over the world, but is happy to now call San Francisco home! Annie Crowder Head of School Annie has led small, private schools for students who learn differently for the past 20+ years. Annie believes strongly in a strengths-based approach to education and that all children learn best with multi-sensory, direct instruction. It is her passion to lead school communities, holding collaboration, authenticity, diversity, and transparency as her highest ideals. Annie holds a BS in Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MS in Clinical Psychology from San Francisco State University. When not at school, Annie enjoys spending time with her two children, Ella and Chloe, and her partner, Tara. She loves walking on the beach, looking for sand dollars and sea glass, playing board games and bingo, riding her bike, and building Legos. Shawn Davis Front Desk Receptionist  With twenty years as a nanny under her belt and over a decade of administrative experience, Shawn is thrilled to be a member of the NBA staff. She is excited to combine her love for children and learning with the ability to provide support throughout the school. Shawn is currently practicing Spanish and likes to make kimchi. She adores spending time with her family, cooking, hiking, reading and gardening. Spicy foods, rainy days and the ocean are a few of her favorite things. She lives in West Marin with her partner and their munchkin cat. Emma Elizalde   Middle School Director of Learning and Instruction Emma returned to North Bridge Academy in 2024 after 5 years of working in San Francisco as a Reading/Learning Specialist. She completed her Slingerland training and is a Certified Slingerland Instructor of Teachers (CSIT). Not only is Emma trained in Slingerland, she herself is dyslexic and learned through the Slingerland method. In the spring of 2025, she completed her doctoral work in Learning and Instruction at the University of San Francisco. She holds a Certificate in Educational Therapy, an Ed.M. in Mind, Brain, and Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a B.A. in Psychology and Education from Mount Holyoke College. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks through San Francisco with her partner, son, and dog. Shannon G. Barkocy   4th Grade Head Teacher Shannon is thrilled to be a part of the NBA community! She joins North Bridge from The Hamlin School, where she taught Lower School Science and Grade 4. Shannon lives in the North Bay with her husband and two dogs, Malone and Miller. Shannon holds a Bachelor's in Psychology, a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, and is Slingerland trained. Shannon attended the CHADD conference and is trained in Responsive Classroom. Shannon loves spending time with her family and friends and has a deep passion for gluten-free cooking and baking. She owes a lot to who she is today, to her college soccer career. Shannon loves teaching 4th grade and believes it's a year of adventure, challenge, curiosity, independence and connection. Peter Hagan Van Driver/Program Support Staff Peter retired after almost 40 years in the corporate world and loves the change of pace and the sense of community at North Bridge Academy. A native San Franciscan, he and his family have lived in Novato for almost 30 years.  During his free time he enjoys home improvement projects, almost anything relating to classic cars from the 60s and 70s, and getting away to Donner Lake.  Stephanie Hoyt 2nd/3rd Grade Head Teacher Stephanie began her career as an ELA teacher in Cape Town, South Africa. After returning to the Bay Area, she obtained her teaching credential at Dominican University and spent the next five years teaching 2nd grade at San Domenico and 1st-5th grade math and history Mt. Tam School. Before joining North Bridge Academy, Stephanie taught 6th-8th ELA and social studies at St. Anselms for five years. In 2019, she completed a reading intervention certification at the University of San Francisco. Stephanie joined North Bridge Academy in 2022. In her spare time, she enjoys taking her daughter to parks and hiking Mt. Tam. David Klemas Middle Sch ool Dean of Students, History & Wellness Teacher David has worked with middle school students in both public and private schools since 2000. In his role as Dean of MS St --> Our Story | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. our story Our Story Responding to an unmet need…. ​ Karen Rosenquist founded North Bridge Academy in 2015 because  she saw the need for a school in Marin dedicated to teaching  dyslexic learners the way they learn best in an environment that celebrates their strengths as well as remediates their differences.  ​ Bringing her business and entrepreneurial skills to bear, Karen sought out specialized teachers, a school facility and students.  In 2015, a crucial introduction to Priya Tjerandsen was made.  Priya’s exceptional expertise in assessing and remediating students with dyslexia was key to communicating the efficacy of specialized instruction to prospective parents. Together, with teachers Emma Elizalde and Hannah-Grace Porter, North Bridge Academy welcomed its inaugural class of 17 students, grades 3-6, in Larkspur in 2016. ​   Cultivating community… ​ Since its founding in 2015, North Bridge Academy has provided transformative educational experiences for students with dyslexia and their families.  Over the last six years, North Bridge Academy has continued to grow steadily and mindfully.   2017 –  North Bridge Academy expanded to 30 students and added a 7th-grade cohort. 2018 – North Bridge Academy enrollment grew to 46 students and expanded to 8th grade.  Full-time faculty grew from four to eight.  Its first cohort of 8th-grade students graduated.  2019 – North Bridge Academy secured a new location in the bucolic, charming community of Mill Valley.  Annie Crowder was hired as Head of School.  2020 – Amidst the Covid 19 pandemic, North Bridge Academy provided a full academic year of core curriculum in both hybrid and in-person modalities. Our solid fiscal position allowed us to flex and keep our program going and our students learning online or in-person. 2020-2024  –  Since coming out of the pandemic, our program is again in full swing.  We have expanded bus service to include San Rafael, San Francisco and communities in between.  Our inaugural class has gone to colleges from Cal Poly, Colorado College, and Boston University, providing evidence that our program is effective and that students with dyslexia can achieve their academic dreams.     North Bridge Academy Today...   NBA is dedicated to teaching our students the way they learn best in an environment that celebrates their strengths as well as remediates their differences.  Our program has evolved and expanded.  Our solid fiscal position affords us the opportunity to partner with experts in social-emotional learning, test preparation, human development, anxiety management, and executive function.  As we expand, so do the opportunities for our students to discover their strengths and find new outlets for their imagination, problem-solving skills and empathy.  We like to say we are a small school with big plans.   Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Giving | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. giving  Where to mail your donation: North Bridge Academy 17 Buena Vista Avenue Mill Valley, CA  94941   Stock Donation Instructions  ​ ​ ​ ​ How can I support North Bridge Academy? Annual fund       DONATE Tuition covers our core programmatic expenses but Annual Fund provides enrichment, facility improvements, updated educational materials and financial assistance. Our Annual Fund goal for 2025-2026 is for 100% parent and board participation.  We encourage all families to give at whatever level they are able.  No amount is too small. Donations are tax-deductible. Please use the donate button below to contribute. Tax ID:  EIN 47-3823645   Student success fund The Student Success Fund is a restricted fund dedicated to providing full scholarships to attend North Bridge Academy.  This fund is designed to help the most vulnerable students in our community who demonstrate significant reading challenges and financial need.   Our goal is to provide recipients with a three-year full-ride scholarship.  To date, our fund has raised 160,000.  Our goal is to keep the fund sustainable with a minimum of $415,000 annually Contribute to the Student Success Fund “We are proud to support the North Bridge Annual Fund because we understand that access to this type of specialized education is a gift which should be available to all kids who would benefit from it. We know that our contribution goes towards making NBA more accessible and inclusive.”   -Amy Offen-Reeves & Adam Reeves "We give to the North Bridge Annual Fund because we believe this school changes lives. We have witnessed the transformation in our son who arrived with a fear of school and very little confidence in himself and his ability. Through the dedicated and highly skilled approach of the teachers and staff, we have witnessed what can happen when a child gets the support and teaching he needs."   -Alexandra & Patrick Ewers Volunteer Host a Fundraising Event Donate to the General Fund Support Professional Development Support Financial Aid Donate items for the Spring Auction ways to help for our teachers ​ Holiday Appreciation Teacher Appreciation Week Have an idea of how to contribute that isn't on this webpage? We would like to hear from you.  Please contact Kristen Lang Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Application Process | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. application process Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV or WISC-V) ​ Woodcock-Johnson IV Normative Update (NU) Tests of Achievement (or) Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III) WHAT ASSESSMENT Test RESULTS ARE REQuireD? ​ We require an neuro-psych assessment conducted by a psychologist in private practice or a school district psycho-educational evaluation report that includes both composite and subtest scores (standard and percentile ranks).    Subtests include: ​ Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV or WISC-V) ​ One of the following: ​ 1) Woodcock-Johnson IV Normative Update (NU) Tests of Achievement  ​        2) Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III) ​ ​ What you do Get a feel for us by reading the website.  Please read Who We Serve if you are unsure about whether or not our school can fully meet your child's educational needs. ​ ​ 1) Take a school tour ​ What happens on a tour?  Tours will begin with a 30-minute presentation highlighting the key methodologies, supports, and expertise North Bridge Academy offers. Following the presentation, parents will observe a class lesson.  The tour concludes with Q&A and an overview of the next steps in the admission process.  The total time of the tour is one hour and a half. Please click the 'Take A Tour' button above to schedule a tour.  ​ ​ for Questions Contact: Julia Myers Admissions Director and Transition Coordinator 2) Submit the Following Application MateriaLS: After attending a school tour : Submit an application through our admission portal, Open Apply , along with $100 application fee   Upload your child's neuro-psych assessment report and/or school district psycho-educational evaluation report (if applicable).  ​​ If you need a referral to a psychologist, our Resources section of this website provides referrals to psychologists who are licensed to complete full neuro-psychological assessments. ​ (If Applicable) Request information about financial awards (please read more in Tuition Assistance ).   What we do ​ ​ January 26 to mid-February   - E ach applicant’s documentation is carefully reviewed by our admissions team and learning specialist to determine our ability to fully meet their needs.  Be sure to read the Who We Serve section of the website to understand who our program can best serve and the services we do not have the skill set to provide.    Mid-February to early March  - The decision to enroll at North Bridge Academy is an important one.  We want you to get to know us and we want to know you better.  During this month, prospective students will join us for a two-day shadow visit during which they will participate in all school activities.  Prospective parents are invited to attend a prospective parent coffee to meet current parents and hear from them first-hand about why they chose North Bridge Academy.     March  – Our team convenes regularly to make final admissions placement decisions, determine financial awards, facilitate conversations between prospective parents, current parents and/or alum and answer questions or supply additional information to prospective parents.  ​ March 15  - We announce placement decisions by email by 4pm.      ​ NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS The North Bridge Academy School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Important dates Please see the  Summer   section of the website for important summer school dates. Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Welcome from the Head of School | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. welcome from the head of school 13 SEP annie crowder Welcome to North Bridge Academy, ​ Having led small, private schools for the past 25 years, it is my privilege to be the Head of School at North Bridge Academy, a school founded on the principle that dyslexic learners learn best when provided with multi-sensory, sequential, phonics-based instruction. At North Bridge Academy, our Slingerland experts work in concert with our special education teachers and enrichment class teachers to support each student’s unique needs. Our students come to us having struggled in other private or public school settings, where they may have felt marginalized, exhausted, and defeated. Here, all students receive the intensive, evidence-based instruction that they need to progress academically, while also being surrounded by a staff who support their social-emotional and executive function needs. Their many strengths as dyslexic learners are also supported through our math, STEAM, art, and theater arts classes.    Daily, I am in awe of the perseverance, resilience, and work ethic of our students. They are kind, empathic, bright, and creative children, who are happy to be a part of a school community where they feel understood, supported, and included.    Personally and professionally, I value diversity, transparency, collaborative decision-making, and authenticity. I am deeply committed to ensuring that every member of the North Bridge Academy community is safe, happy, appreciated, and thriving. Whether you are a current or prospective parent, my door is always open to you.   Your Head of School, ​ Annie Crowder Strategic Plan 2021-2025 Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> School Tours | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. SCHOOL TOURS Important Dates ​ 1/23      Financial assistance applications  due   1/30 Admissions applications due ​ 2/13     Prospective parent coffee (SF) ​ 2/27      Prospective parent coffee (Marin) ​ 3/19      Admission decisions announced   ​ About School Tours ​ What happens during a tour?   Our Head of School, Annie Crowder, and Director of Admissions, Julia Myers, will provide information on our school culture, practices and policies and then guide a tour of the campus.  Tour attendees will have an opportunity to observe classroom instruction. ​ HO w Long is a tour? Approximately 90 minutes. ​ How Do I Sign Up For A Tour? Please click on the Take A Tour button on this page.  If you have questions about the tour contact Julia Myers .  ​   What If I can't attend the time the school tour is offered?  Please contact Julia Myers to make alternative plans. ​ ARE CHILDREN INVITED TO ATTEND TOURS? ​ Tours are for parents, guardians and educators only.  ​ for Questions Contact: Julia Myers Admissions and Transitions Coordinator TAKE A TOUR Upcoming Tour Dates:   ​ (all tours are from 10:00-11:30)   9/18 10/16 11/13 12/4 1/8 1/22 TOUR agenda: 9:00  Welcome from Head of School   9:10 Program presentation ​ ​​ 9:40 School tour Slingerland demonstration ​   10:10 Q&A/Next steps   ​ Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Social Emotional Learning | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Social Emotional Learning at NBA “True belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect  selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.”          - Brene Brown Social Emotional Learning Philosophy We believe that a foundational step in successful academic learning is building strong rapport and trusting relationships with our students and fostering the bonds between students. As a school, and in the way we approach our teaching, we respect where a student is emotionally and developmentally, and consider this in our planning in and out of the classroom. Teachers and staff operate from this perspective using strategies from Responsive Classroom , Social Thinking , CASEL ,   and Restorative Justice .  SEL WHEEL The wheel is a framework by CASEL that helps cultivate skills and environments that advance students’ learning and development Lower School SEL Each day in the Lower School begins with a Morning Meeting, where students are prepared for the academic and emotional tasks of the day. The Lower School addresses SEL throughout the day with continued grounding exercises before transitions, teacher lead circles, and continuous examples of expectation in behavior. More specified lessons are brought in by the counselor or trained staff and include lunch groups, perspective taking, size of the problem, and managing difficult tasks. MIDDLE School SEL Middle School Advisory is every Wednesday afternoon and also follows Responsive Classroom practices. Advisory is a teacher-led period during the first section of the school day. During this time expectations for the day are set, social issues are addressed, emotions are discussed, and students have a time to ground themselves before starting the academic day. Other MS SEL curriculum include Wednesday Circles with a focus on building positive, meaningful relationships with peers and with the school experience. The goal of these Circles are to provide a safe space for students to strengthen their academic and social-emotional competencies, as well as develop new skills while bonding with peers. School-WIDE SEL Morning Meeting and Advisory serve as an anchor for each classroom to create an emotionally safe and connected learning environment, support, and practice our school values , and is a constant throughout a student’s time at NBA. More specified lessons are brought into class by the counselor or trained staff and include anxiety management, using our words wisely, and communication. One-on-one support is provided by the counselor if needed, and all staff have been trained in supporting students’ emotional needs as well as academic needs. B elonging A dvocacy S elf-esteem E mpathy RECOMMENDED READING Edwards, A. (2021). Flooded: A brain-based guide to help children regulate emotions. National Center for Youth Issues.  READ HERE ​ Ginsburg, K. R., & Jablow, M. M. (2020). Building resilience in children and teens: Giving kids roots and wings. American Academy of Pediatrics.  READ HERE ​ Mogel, W. (2008). The blessing of a skinned knee: Using timeless teachings to raise self-reliant children. Scribner.  READ HERE ​   Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, T. P. (2016). The whole-brain child: 12 revolutionary strategies to nurture your child's developing Mind. Langara College.  READ HERE ​   Wilson, R. R., & Lyons, L. (2013). Anxious kids, anxious parents: 7 ways to stop the worry cycle and raise courageous and independent children. HCI.  READ HERE partners Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> School Life | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. school life 13 SEP We believe that North Bridge Academy should be your school of choice because we offer  specialized instruction  but also because your child experiences a complete school experience anchored in a satisfying connection to their fellow students and t o the teachers and staff. Spirit days, community and classroom celebrations, art, theatre, Maker classes, team sports, school assemblies, clubs and outdoor education all contribute to a robust school community.  ​ Caring and respect characterize our community.  Classroom agreements and shared expectations for a healthy supportive community combined with restorative justic practices set a positive school culture. We express our gratitude often and reinforce that everyone has a responsibility to care of themselves, their family and their community.   Finally, we are unabashedly pro-Narwhals! In fact, we are the North Bridge Narwhals.  You will notice them around the campus, on our sweatshirts, our hats and donning our water bottles and coffee mugs.  Narwhals were chosen by the 2016 inaugural cohort of students for their uniqueness.  This whale thrives using its tooth, a means of survival that sets it apart from other whales.   ​ ​ Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> About Us | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. About US at a glance 15 Average Number of Years Teaching Number of additional tutoring hours we require outside of school hours 0  9 Number of hours of multi-sensory, explicit, direct instruction each child receives a week Lower School 64 Number of Students 95 Middle School 31 Percentage of students that transition to other academic setting each year 20% 28 Number of Staff Students per Class 12 NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS ​ The North Bridge Academy School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. North Bridge Academy is a flourishing, vibrant community anchored in the unwavering belief that dyslexic learners can learn the same material as their non-dyslexic counterparts, they just learn it differently. Grounded in this belief, we teach dyslexic students in ways they were meant to learn by using multi-sensory, sequential, phonics-based instruction tailored to meet their individual learning profiles.  board of trustees Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> Grade 6 - 8 Schedule | North Bridge Academy top of page 13 SEP calendar RESOURCES GIVING summer Home About Us Who We Serve Welcome from the Head of School Mission & Guiding Beliefs Our Faculty & Staff Our Story Board of Trustees & Advisors Admissions Application Process School Tours Tuition & Financial Assistance Our Program Curricula Grade 2 - 5 Schedule Grade 6 - 8 Schedule School Life After School Programs Enrichment Outdoor Education Social Emotional Learning Parents More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. GRADE 6-8 Schedule 13 SEP A typical day in middle school Advisory begins at 8:30, with announcements and brief reminders regarding executive function skills.  As with our lower school program, the morning academic blocks are devoted to Slingerland and core academics.     In the afternoon, the schedule changes each day and include Social Studies, Art, Theater, PE, Science, Music, and STEM. Weekly, on Wednesdays, the whole middle school participates in Wednesday Circle, following the principles of Restorative Justice.     Students are released at 3:00, except on Wednesday, which is an early release day at 2:15pm. Curricula grade 2-5 Schedule Privacy Policy Employment Opportunities Code of Conduct ​ 415.462.5657 [email protected] ​ 17 Buena Vista Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 bottom of page --> North Bridge Academy