Bridges Career Development Academy is a structured and supervised school-based collaborative that is a partnership between the Kern County Probation Department, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, and other community agencies. The program serves youth in grades 9-12 who are Court-ordered, referred by their Probation Officer, or those transitioning from one of our county’s residential youth treatment facilities.  In addition to the academic education, these youth receive vocational training, enrichment, career readiness skills, cognitive behavioral treatment and post-secondary and career assistance while working to finish high school.  Further, Bridges Academy can also work within a student’s special education needs.

The Bridges Academy provides the following services:

• Provide a safe learning environment for all students
• Provide daily transportation
• Provide mentoring services for all youth
• Provide daily encouragement and support for all youth enrolled in the program
• Offer CTE (Career and Technical Education) and Project Based Learning classes
• Hold youth accountable for violations of furlough and Probation
• Provide bi-weekly attendance and good behavior incentives for the students
• Provide educational and incentive field trips for the students
• Conduct truancy home calls to encourage students who are having attendance issues to attend school on a regular basis