June 8th Update for Bridgeway Families
Dear Bridgeway Families,
As we move closer to welcoming students to campus this August, we wanted to take a moment to share a few exciting updates and, most importantly, express our sincere gratitude for your support, encouragement, and prayers throughout this journey.
Every week brings new progress, new opportunities, and new reminders of God's faithfulness as Bridgeway Christian Academy comes to life. We are honored that your family is part of this inaugural year.
Waymakers Campaign Update
We are excited to share that we have reached
61% of our
Waymakers Campaign
fundraising goal!
Thank you to every family, grandparent, church member, and friend who has chosen to invest in the future of Bridgeway.
As we enter our first year, every contribution directly impacts our students by helping provide:
- Classroom furnishings and learning environments
- Technology and instructional resources
- Campus improvements
- Student programs and experiences
- Equipment and materials that support hands-on learning
Your generosity is helping create a school where students can grow academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally in a Christ-centered environment.
If you have been considering supporting Bridgeway financially, there is still time to help us reach the finish line. Every gift makes a meaningful difference.
Support the Waymakers Campaign:
https://donate.discoverbridgeway.com/
Faculty & Staff Updates
One of the greatest blessings of the past several months has been watching God assemble an incredible team of educators and leaders.
We are nearing completion of our faculty and staff hiring process and could not be more excited about the individuals who will be serving our students this fall.
Recent faculty additions include:
Sarah Pippin
Sarah will serve as our 5th and 6th Grade Math and Science Teacher.
BIO: "I graduated from Carson-Newman University with my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Recently, I graduated from University of North Carolina at Charlotte with my Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. I love making math and science fun! I’ve worked in kindergarten and 3rd grade Math/ Science. I have a heart for helping students know that they have been made in the image of God through their various ways of learning. I have a heart for classroom environment that is engaging and encouraging. I want each student to walk away knowing that they are fully and wonderfully made in His image.
Beyond the classroom, I love to keep Christ at the center of my life and enjoy time with family and friends! Two fun things that I love is pickleball and turtles! I’m so excited for this year and praying for each student that is placed in my class!"
Brandy Caton
Brandy will serve as our 5th and 6th Grade English Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher.
BIO: Brandy is passionate about Christian education and has taught in Christian schools for 26 years, gaining her Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) certification while at Carmel Christian School last year.
With a Bachelor of Science from East Carolina University and completion of the graduate-level Journalism Fellow's Program at UNC- Chapel Hill, Brandy has taught middle and high school ELA, Speech and Debate, Journalism, Photojournalism, Graphic Design, Newspaper, Online News, Yearbook, dance and choreography.
She has also loved teaching Bible at various times in both middle and high school, including this year serving as the 6th grade Bible teacher and Mentor at Calvary Christian Academy. Her love for the Lord, the Word of God, and her students made for a very special year, and she is so excited to continue her journey as a Christian educator at Bridgeway teaching ELA and Social Studies from a Biblical worldview!
Her goal for this year is to create a learning environment where students can thrive, grow emotionally and spiritually, and have opportunities for leadership and creativity.
Brandy has two daughters, a rising 7th grader and a rising 10th grader, who will both be students at BCA. She loves spending time with her family and friends, her role as a dance teacher and choreographer at Charlotte Academy of Music, and any chance to see musicals!
Be sure to follow our social media channels as we continue introducing additional members of our faculty and staff throughout the summer.
Leadership Update
We are thrilled to announce that
Cassie Jones will serve as Principal of Bridgeway Christian Academy. Since March, Cassie has been working alongside our leadership team as a consultant, helping shape both the academic vision and operational planning for our inaugural year. Throughout that time, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, wisdom, and a deep passion for Christian education.
Her experience, commitment to student success, and heart for families make her an incredible addition to our school community.
We are grateful that God has brought Cassie to Bridgeway and look forward to the impact she will have on our students, faculty, and families.
BIO: Cassie brings to Bridgeway Christian Academy a deep passion for education and a love for helping students grow academically, personally, and spiritually. Over the years, she has been blessed to serve in a variety of leadership and teaching roles across both public and independent schools in the Charlotte area. Most recently, she led a local private school through the accreditation process from start to finish as their Head of School. Her professional journey has included roles at Charlotte Country Day School, The Fletcher School, The Epiphany School, Charlotte Christian School, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from The University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) and a Master of Education in Academically and Intellectually Gifted Education from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is honored to step into the role of Principal at Bridgeway Academy and looks forward to partnering with families and staculty (faculty and staff) to create a Christ-centered community where students are known, encouraged, challenged, and equipped to walk confidently in their God-given purpose. You can find her on campus or with her two beautiful children, fantastic husband, and her dog, Goose. She cannot wait to meet you!
Opportunity Scholarship Update
We continue to make progress through the final stages of the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship approval process.
Our application requirements have been completed, and we are currently awaiting final confirmation and publication within the state's approved school directory.
The process is moving forward as expected and will continue to provide updates as soon as additional information becomes available. Hopefully, this week, we'll be all set and you can select Bridgeway in your MyPortal account.
Thank you for your patience throughout this process.
Academic & Health Records Reminder
If you have not already done so, please begin sending your student's academic and health records as soon as possible.
Receiving records early helps us prepare student schedules, review academic needs, and ensure a smooth transition into the school year.
Please send all records to office@bridgewaystaff.com
If you have questions regarding records or enrollment requirements, please don't hesitate to reach out at office@bridgewaystaff.com.
Tuition Update – First Payment Scheduled for July 1
As we prepare for our first tuition payments on
July 1st, we will be reaching out to each family to set up a phone call financial check-in to confirm Opportunity Scholarship/ESA award totals and payment information for tuition payments. Be on the lookout for those communications on Wednesday June 10th.
Volunteer Opportunity: Dads Needed
We are looking for approximately
four volunteer dads to assist with moving furniture and equipment to campus on
Saturday, June 13. Please email elizabeth@bridgewaystaff.com to sign up to help!
This is one of many behind-the-scenes projects helping prepare our campus for students this fall, and extra hands would make a tremendous difference.
Thank you in advance to those who are able to help.
Looking Ahead
Over the coming weeks, you'll continue to see classrooms taking shape, faculty introductions, campus improvements, and exciting updates as we prepare for opening day. There is still much work to do, but every day brings us one step closer to welcoming our very first class of Bridgeway students.
We are deeply grateful for your trust, partnership, prayers, and encouragement. Throughout this entire process, we have witnessed God's provision again and again. Doors have opened, needs have been met, and His faithfulness has been evident every step of the way. We cannot wait to begin this journey together in August!
With gratitude,
Elizabeth & Brian