Bridgemount Academy (formerly Shelton's Primary Education Center in Berkeley) will be located inside of the Mosswood Park Performing Arts and Recreation Center (near the tennis courts) in Oakland, CA.

Bridgemount Academy's school year usually begins the next business day after Labor Day.  The last day of school usually ends in mid-June.

Mrs. LIsa Hopkins was with Shelton's for 13 years, & Mrs. LaTarsha Singleton 11 years.  Both Mrs. Hopkins & Mrs. Singleton are currently co-founders of Bridgemount Academy and both are the current directors of the school.  Our staff has been with both Shelton's and Bridgemount for an average of 5 to 9 years.

No, Bridgemount Academy does not offer financial aid to make the school available to a wide variety of families. However, we do accept scholarships granted to qualifying families from other organizations such as BASIC Fund, Guardsmen, & The Independent Scholarship Fund.

Students must be four years, nine months as of September 2 so that they turn five no later than December 2 of their kindergarten year.

Each child applying to Bridgemount Academy is assessed to determine developmental readiness as well as social and behavioral patterns. By using our in-house assessment, which includes developmental tools, academic projects, and observation of social activity, we ascertain acceptance and class placement of each child.

We do not automatically offer enrollment to all siblings. We give priority consideration
to our sibling applicants and applicants who are children of our faculty and staff. We convey our decisions to these applicants during the enrollment period for the next school year.

Yes, all students are required to be in uniform Monday through Thursday.  Friday is designated as “free dress” day.  On physical education days students are required to wear Bridgemount's P.E. uniforms. 

Bridgemount Academy attracts families from all over the East Bay area. While a majority of our families have lived in Oakland & Berkeley, we've enrolled many families from Alameda, Albany, San Leandro, Piedmont, Hayward, Contra Costa County, Solano County, the San Francisco and Sacramento areas.

We do not offer transportation to Bridgemount Academy. We encourage our parents to get to know each other through school meetings and social events as a possibility of setting-up carpooling between families.   Parents may give verbal or written permission for their child to be picked-up by another school family member.

We do not have a cafeteria. Students must bring their own bag lunch.  Bridgemount Academy serves healthy snacks twice daily. We do not have vending machines on campus but we do have microwaves so that students are able to heat up their lunches. Students in the before and after-school program have the opportunity to eat healthy snacks each day.

Yes, we teach Spanish from Kindergarten - 5th grade and Mandarin from 2nd - 5th grade.

Yes, in accordance with our academic program Bridgemount administers the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) test to all grades. Results are provided to teachers and to parents to help monitor student growth and development. An optional meeting is scheduled to help parents better understand the reports.

Homework begins in Kindergarten and is given to complement the work being done in class. Homework assignments, as well as other important notices and informational material, are placed in each student's homework folder on Monday and is due on Friday of that week.  Kindergarten & 1st grade students may receive10-20 minutes of homework per night and 3rd - 5th grade students may receive between 30–60 minutes of homework which relates to the current week's curriculum.

Yes, all of our classes plan field trips throughout the year that relate to their course
of study. Teachers and room parents coordinate transportation for these trips.

Yes, before school care begins at 7:00 a.m. ends at 9:00 a.m. After school care begins at the time your child is out of school and ends at 6:00 p.m. The fees for extended care services are included in the schools regular tuition.  We offer afterschool enrichment classes.  Enrichment classes vary from year to year.

Please call Admissions Office at 510-652-6800 to reserve a spot in a school tour. Parents are required to attend a school tour or attend an Open House as part of the admissions process.  Bridgemount Academy strongly urges all adults involved in the decision about school choice to attend a tour.

Applications to Bridgemount Academy are available at the end of the tour. For deadlines, contact Admissions Office --- 510-652-6800 --- or see the admissions process located on Admissions tab on the school’s website.

Yes, during the enrollment period.  After an application packet is submitted, we schedule full day visits from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The applicant will participate in the class curriculum and activities for the day.

We accept cash, checks, money orders, & all major credit cards.  Credit card payments can be made in person or via phone by calling the school's main office at 510-652-6800.  Automatic bi-monthly or monthly credit card payments can be pre-arranged by completing an Automatic Credit Card Payment Authorization Form.

Yes, you can put your check in the mail and have it postmarked by the application due date.  We also accept all major credit cards.  Credit card payments can be made in person or via telephone.