A Thoughtful Approach to Admissions at Middlebridge
Bespoke Admissions
At Middlebridge School, our Admissions process is rooted in integrity and intention. We are not a volume-driven institution processing hundreds of applications, nor do we rush students through a standardized application pipeline. Instead, we take a deeply personalized approach, spending time with each student and family to ensure that Middlebridge is not just a good fit—but the right fit. All of this occurs before the formal application even begins.
We understand that the school search can be overwhelming for families of students with learning differences. Questions about support, inclusion, and understanding often go unanswered until deep into the admissions process—if at all. At Middlebridge, we aim to flip that experience on its head. From the very first inquiry, our goal is to provide clarity, transparency, and guidance.
Middlebridge specializes in working with students with learning differences, and here, there’s no need to hide. Unlike traditional school settings where students must apply for accommodations, our classrooms are intentionally designed around individual student profiles from the start. Every classroom, dorm, and support system is structured around understanding individual learning profiles. We empower students to embrace both their strengths and their challenges with confidence, fostering a sense of self-awareness and pride.
Prior to Campus Visits
Before a student even sets foot on our campus for a tour, our Admissions team has already:
Reviewed their educational background and documentation, including all evaluations
Held a Zoom interview with the student
Spoken with the family to understand their child’s academic journey
Gained insight into the student’s hopes, goals, and the kind of environment in which they will thrive
Integrity and Intention
Our process is not about clicking "accept" or "deny"—it's about truly knowing each student and crafting a bespoke pathway that fosters resilience, growth, and lifelong learning.
At Middlebridge, we don’t just admit students—we welcome them into a community designed to champion their success. We are proud to say that our approach results in stronger, more meaningful connections with families and students. It also reinforces what makes Middlebridge special: a community where each individual is known, valued, and supported in a way that promotes lifelong learning, resilience, and independence.
About the Authors
Katherine Hollander Padwa, LMHC & Shannon McCarthy Leventhal, Director of Admissions for Middlebridge School. Middlebridge School is a nonprofit, co-educational, boarding and day high school for students ages 13-19 with learning differences. Founded in 2008, the school sits on 38+ acres across from beautiful Narragansett Bay. In addition to creating an environment of academic excellence for complicated learners, Middlebridge focuses on emotional intelligence, leadership, community engagement and service-learning, and outdoor and immersive hands-on education, to prepare graduates to thrive at college and beyond.
