Our Programs

Bridges for Learning

The Bridges for Learning (BFL) program is an accredited school program designed to meet the unique learning needs of youth-in-care. The main goal is to successfully assist in transitioning the students back into the mainstream school system, or if appropriate, a recognized alternative school setting that identifies and addresses their unique learning needs better equipped for academic success.

The classroom employs three full-time positions including two licensed Teachers and trained Youth Care Specialist.

Please click below to access Bridges for Learning Application Form.

Bridges for Learning offers placements to a maximum of 18 students at a time. Students focus on work packages or correspondence materials, as well as therapeutic programming including:

Personal Development and Relationships (PDR),
Physical Education (basketball, swimming, bowling, Skiing etc)
The Expressions Program of the Arts (Art classes and Music Therapy)
Social-Emotional Learning
Employability skills facilitated by the Youth Employability Project
Safe Spaces and Relationships (Boat Building Program through Mount Saint Vincent University and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic)

Admission Criteria

Youth must be between the ages of 12 to 18 years, and in the care of the Minister of Community Services.
Youth must be living in a residential facility or foster care within the Halifax Regional Municipality, and temporarily or permanently unable to attend a regular school placement.

Donors and Supporters

Bridges for Learning is funded through a partnership between the Nova Scotia Departments of Education and Community Services as well as corporate and community donors.

Thank you for recognizing the value of education for youth at-risk in your community.

Youth Testimonials from BFL Students

"Bridges for Learning is the best school ever!"

This is my fourth year in the Bridges For Learning program. As you know, BFL is a transitional program so you are probably wondering why I am still here. Well four years ago, I was admitted to the Reigh Allen Center. I was attending my community school, but about a week later I got expelled.

I was admitted into the Bridges For Learning program, so I could continue on with my schooling. This placement was short because I moved to Yarmouth, where I stayed for the rest of the school year.

For the next two years, I had a lot of disruption in my life. Although I was in the city for the most part, I had approximately 25 placements in different programs. This made it very difficult for me to attend any community school regularly, so I remained in the BFL program and completed my Junior High.

This year I am in grade 10, and I am glad to say that I have finally started a transition into a community school setting. In October, I was registered at Dartmouth High School and attended my first semester there on a part-time basis. I was attending DHS in the mornings taking Mi’kmaw Studies and BFL in the afternoons working on Math Essentials 10. The teachers at Dartmouth High were very supportive and with their help I got my Mi’kmaw Studies credit and did very well in this course. I’m also doing excellent with my math. For the next term I’m hoping to increase my time in high school.

My experience in the BFL program has been very positive. I like the program for many reasons. First of all the teachers are great. Shane is a nice guy. He’s funny and humorous. Alison is always laughing and outgoing. I know they both care about me; they see my potential and encourage me to do well. I don’t think I could have made it this far without their support.

I also like the fact that BFL has smaller classes and more one-on-one support. I like that you can meet and socialize with youth from other homes because we all share similar stories.

I like the schedules they have and the different programs they offer. For example, the phys.ed programs like basketball, bowling, swimming and bulldogs gym. I enjoy the art program (Expressions) and learning new ways of doing creative things. I’ve even had opportunities to sell crafts that I have made.

I also enjoy the music class. I have learned how to play the piano and learned a lot about music in general. I know if I was going to a community school I probably would not have gone to music or art, because it didn’t interest me. I am so glad I’ve had an opportunity to participate here, because now not only do I like playing the piano, but I’m doing very well with it.

Finally what I like about the BFL program is that it has always been a consistent place for me. Over the past four years, there has been so much change in my life. I’ve had different social workers, different schools, and different homes, but BFL has not changed. It is the one place that I can always depend upon and the one place I do very well. Also, BFL has never kicked me out of the program, which I can’t say about other placements I’ve had. I know that when it’s my time to leave the program, it will be because I’m ready to go.

As a youth in care, school can be very difficult because of other things going on in our lives. So we need programs like BFL who understands that, who can support us, who will hang in with us during the rough times and help us focus with what’s important. I know how important my education is now, so I will work hard to get my high school diploma.