Bridgeway: Where Every Child Thrives
Welcome to Bridgeway, a transformative early education center in Costa Rica where happy, curious, and resilient children discover their love of learning. We believe that every child possesses unique brilliance waiting to be unlocked. Our approach goes beyond traditional education, nurturing both social-emotional growth and academic success in equal measure.
Founded on neuroscience-backed principles, Bridgeway tailors learning to each child's distinctive style and interests. We don't just teach—we holistically support every child's natural inclinations and foster a positive self-image. Whether your child faces learning differences, seeks gifted enrichment, or simply needs a nurturing environment to flourish, Bridgeway creates the foundation for lifelong success.
Our commitment is simple yet profound: EVERY child can thrive. Through acceptance, love, and safety, we create opportunities for innovation and celebrate diversity. Join us in reimagining what education can be—a place where children don't just learn, but truly come alive.
Our Founders
The Heart Behind Bridgeway
Bridgeway was born from a decade-long friendship between two passionate educators who share an unwavering commitment to helping every child succeed. Their combined expertise in education, psychology, and social work creates a unique approach that transforms lives.
Bianca Shank
Co-Founder & Administrative Director
A Canadian-Costa Rican dual citizen fluent in French, English, and Spanish, Bianca brings over a decade of multicultural educational leadership. Her journey from ESL teacher to Academic Director of a 300-student school demonstrates her exceptional ability to support diverse learners.
With a degree in Social Work and experience supporting children with autism, dyslexia, and ADHD, Bianca combines organizational excellence with profound compassion. At Bridgeway, she returns to her passion: counseling students and families, helping struggling children navigate their paths to success.
Her love for dogs culminates in Bridgeway's partnership with foster programs, recognizing how these animals can heal and support children's emotional growth.
Sylvia Barreto Benites
Co-Founder & Educational Director
A USA-Costa Rican dual citizen with a Master of Education from Long Island, New York, Sylvia's 25-year journey in education began as a bilingual immigrant. Her personal experiences with ADHD and dyslexia give her unique insight into children who feel out of place.
Sylvia's dedication to understanding the brain drives everything she does. She created an after-school program in Paraguay for struggling students, opened a Spanish language school, established a homeschool for teenagers, and founded a nonprofit institute. Each endeavor tested her theory that neuroscience and psychology are essential to successful teaching.
Bridgeway represents the culmination of her life's work: a multisensory educational approach first presented as her thesis, now helping hundreds of families navigate their child's unique journey.
Bianca and Sylvia met over 10 years ago in a classroom and have since followed each other's careers as colleagues and friends. Their collaboration on transitioning children between school environments revealed a critical need—one that only their combined expertise could address. Bridgeway is the realization of two careers dedicated to the belief that every child deserves to succeed.
Our Principles & Values
At Bridgeway, our foundation rests on three essential pillars: acceptance, love, and safety. These aren't just words—they're the lived experience of every child who walks through our doors. We create a space where opportunities flourish, innovation thrives, and diversity is celebrated as the strength it truly is.
Our Mission
To create an educational center based on self-regulation, responsibility, assertive communication, solidarity, and collaborative work.
We believe social-emotional development is as important as academic development—not separate tracks, but intertwined paths to success.
Our Philosophy
  • Inclusion for every learner
  • Equity in opportunities
  • Multiculturalism as strength
  • Respect for all perspectives
  • Sustainability in practice
Our Promise
We see potential where others see challenges. We celebrate differences as gifts. We nurture whole children—mind, heart, and spirit.
Every decision we make asks: Does this help children thrive? If yes, we do it.
"Bridgeway isn't just a school—it's a community where every child's unique brilliance is recognized, celebrated, and empowered to shine."
Understanding Neurodivergence & Trauma
At Bridgeway, we recognize that many children think, learn, and process information differently from what's considered typical. This neurodivergence—including conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences—isn't a deficit. It's a different operating system, often with remarkable strengths.
Similarly, behaviors stemming from childhood trauma can resemble those of neurodivergent children in learning environments. Both groups may struggle with self-control and attention. At Bridgeway, we address trauma with compassion and help children reconnect with their inner selves.

Important: Both childhood trauma and neurodivergence are lifelong processes. At Bridgeway, we teach children to communicate effectively and use regulation tools that will serve them throughout their lives.
Unique Ways of Thinking
Neurodivergent children may have different ways of understanding and interacting with the world. They might excel brilliantly in some areas while finding others challenging.
Strengths & Challenges
These children often have extraordinary strengths—creativity, deep focus on interests, pattern recognition. They may need extra support in communication, organization, or social interaction.
Beautiful Individuality
Just like every child is unique, every neurodivergent child is different. Their needs and abilities vary widely—there's no one-size-fits-all approach.
Support & Understanding
With the right support, neurodivergent children don't just survive—they thrive spectacularly. This comes from specialized education plans, therapies, and a truly supportive environment.
Why This Matters
Understanding that a child is neurodivergent or has experienced trauma helps parents, teachers, and caregivers provide precisely the right kind of support. It allows everyone to appreciate the child's unique perspective and create an environment where they can succeed and be genuinely happy. At Bridgeway, this understanding informs every interaction, every lesson, and every moment of care.
Social-Emotional Intelligence: The Other Half of Success
At Bridgeway, we understand that academic achievement alone doesn't guarantee success in life. True success requires balancing intellectual growth with emotional intelligence. That's why we prioritize social-emotional well-being alongside academic excellence, teaching students lifelong regulation, self-motivation, and self-control.
What Is Social-Emotional Intelligence?
Social-emotional intelligence (SEI) is the ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions—both your own and others'. These aren't innate talents; they're skills we teach through awareness and training. When children develop strong SEI, they gain advanced coping strategies, better stress management, improved reasoning abilities, and healthier interpersonal relationships.
Improved Decision Making
Better choices through self-awareness and emotional regulation
Increased Coping Skills
Stronger emotional regulation strategies for life's challenges
Interpersonal Skills
Healthier relationships and communication with peers and adults
Leadership Ability
Confidence to guide and inspire others with empathy
How We Build SEI at Bridgeway
We foster social-emotional intelligence through collaborative problem-solving methods. Students learn to understand diverse perspectives, find restorative solutions to conflicts, express frustrations constructively, and act proactively in stressful situations. When children feel socially and emotionally balanced, they retain more learning and approach education with genuine positivity.
The result? Children who aren't just smart—they're wise. They don't just know facts—they understand themselves and others. They don't just succeed—they thrive with resilience and joy.
The Dual Approach: Academic Excellence Meets Emotional Growth
Bridgeway's flagship Monday-Thursday day program represents something revolutionary: a seamless integration of robust academic support with essential social-emotional counseling. This isn't two separate programs running parallel—it's a carefully orchestrated dual approach where each element strengthens the other, creating a foundation for lifelong success.
Academic Empowerment
Personalized academic support tailored to each child's unique needs helps students gain confidence and excel in their educational journey. Our approach includes:
  • Multi-sensory literacy, math, and science instruction
  • Individualized core subject support
  • Engaging foundational skill-building activities
  • Small-group collaborative learning
With a 1:4 student-to-tutor ratio, every child receives the focused attention they deserve. We don't just fill knowledge gaps—we reignite curiosity and build genuine confidence.
Social-Emotional Well-being
Weekly individual counseling sessions nurture emotional intelligence, develop effective coping strategies, and support healthy social development. Our focus areas include:
  • Individualized emotional support
  • Building self-esteem and resilience
  • Developing assertive communication skills
  • Addressing social challenges with compassion
Counseling sessions fit seamlessly into the program day, never compromising academic focus. While one student meets with a counselor, others engage in independent work or structured group activities under supervision.
A Special Touch: Fostering Compassion
As devoted dog lovers, we've partnered with Halfway Home to foster dogs at Bridgeway. This partnership teaches responsibility, compassionate care, and empathy—while enhancing student well-being. Our students don't just learn about kindness; they practice it daily, discovering how caring for another being can heal their own hearts.
The result of our dual approach? Students who are academically capable, emotionally intelligent, socially confident, and genuinely excited about learning. They don't just prepare for tests—they prepare for life.
Reframing Diagnoses: Seeing Brilliance, Not Limitations
At Bridgeway, we understand that receiving a diagnosis for your child can feel overwhelming. However, we choose to view these diagnoses not as limitations, but as unique brain structures that bring immense potential. Our perspective shifts the focus from perceived deficits to inherent strengths, fostering an environment where every child's brilliance shines.
Attention Deficit
What the world often sees: Difficulty focusing, impulsive, doesn't listen, doesn't finish tasks, loses patience, doesn't seem to care
What Bridgeway sees: Ability to hyper-focus, inventive thinker, highly motivated, flexible thinking, remarkably creative
Oppositional Defiance Disorder
What the world often sees: Lacks impulse control, loses temper easily, gets angry often, deliberately annoys others, argumentative
What Bridgeway sees: Born leader, charismatic, high energy, problem solver, creative thinker, loves challenges
Dyslexia
What the world often sees: Late to speaking and reading, problems with sequence, challenges with second languages, avoids challenging activities
What Bridgeway sees: The code reader, understands the big picture, pattern recognition master, spatial knowledge, highly creative, adept problem solver
ADHD
What the world often sees: Hyperactivity disorder, lacks impulse control, anxious when confused, over-excitable, depressive, extreme highs and lows
What Bridgeway sees: Practical learner, athletic, kinesthetic genius, ability to hyper-focus, inventive thinker, highly motivated, flexible thinking, creative spirit
The Bridgeway Difference
We create a safe place where individual choice is central, empowering each child to succeed on their own terms. Through conscious discipline, we eliminate negative triggers and teach impulse control, understanding that every child wants to be successful. We help children understand their unique brain structure, establishing personalized protocols and learning tools.
We invite you to see a world full of potential—helping your child see themselves as Bridgeway sees them: capable, brilliant, and full of possibility.
Programs Designed for Your Child's Journey
At Bridgeway, we recognize that every family's needs are different. That's why we offer flexible, individualized programs that adapt to your child's learning style, your schedule, and your educational goals. From intensive academic support to adventurous Friday experiences and targeted after-school tutoring, our programs work together to create comprehensive support for your child's growth.
Day Program
Intensive 6-month program for grades 1-12 with a remarkable 1:4 student-teacher ratio, fostering deep academic and social-emotional growth.
  • Monday-Thursday, 3 hours daily
  • Morning (9 AM-12 PM) or afternoon (1-4 PM) blocks
  • Up to 6 months transition support to traditional school
While we recommend a 6-month commitment, the program can extend beyond this timeframe based on your child's needs.
Friday Camp Day
Full-day adventures (9 AM-2 PM) perfect for homeschoolers, local families, and our day program students seeking enrichment.
  • Hands-on activities covering social-emotional training
  • Stress control and self-regulation practice
  • Engaging math, reading, science, and history
  • Monthly themes connecting all activities
  • Guest specialists enriching the experience
After-School Tutoring
Targeted academic and social-emotional support, Monday-Thursday, 4-6 PM. Perfect for homework help, test preparation, and skill building.
  • Individual and family counseling
  • Academic tutoring (individual or small groups)
  • Math, ESL, Spanish, and French language support
  • Flexible attendance: 1-4 days per week
  • Spanish for adult expats using Bridgeway's proven method
Each program stands alone beautifully, yet they also complement each other. Many families combine day program support with Friday camp adventures, or add after-school tutoring for continued growth. Let's design the perfect combination for your child's unique journey.
Learn More
What Does a Bridgeway Day Look Like?
While a three-hour day program might seem brief, it represents substantial, engaged learning. For children easily distracted or lacking foundational skills, traditional school often involves more distraction than focused instruction. Bridgeway promises three hours of truly engaged, hands-on learning—rebuilding educational foundations and addressing knowledge gaps often overlooked in larger classrooms.
1
Morning Focus (10 minutes)
Students begin with meditation and focus time, promoting relaxation, concentration, and positive self-talk for a calm, centered start to their day.
2
Snack Preparation (30 minutes)
Students collaborate in the kitchen preparing daily "brain snacks" and communal treats. They plan menus, create shopping lists, and learn budgeting, healthy eating, independence, and fractions. Parents send ingredients, not pre-made snacks!
3
Learning Blocks (Two 40-minute sessions)
Academic learning based on student-chosen projects, guided by specialized tutors. Each completed activity earns points, encouraging goal achievement and celebrating effort.
4
Free Choice Time (15 minutes between blocks)
Students can swim, play outdoor games, read, create art, or earn special privileges like accessing the Bridgeway Minecraft server—a space for geometry, math, and community learning.
5
The Bridgeway Economy
Children earn one BW Buck daily for their assigned job, learning organization and financial literacy. Extra jobs earn additional bucks. Monthly, the Bridgeway Market opens for purchases—kids can even create and sell their own goods!

Our Positive Point System
We celebrate growth and effort through points earned for constructive social-emotional responses, successful transitions, completing work, reading, helping classmates, and maintaining tidy spaces. Points are always awarded, never deducted. When reaching 400 points by Thursday, students spin for privileges like choosing snacks, selecting songs, or extra free time. At month's end, we celebrate collective achievements together.
The Bridgeway Constitution
Bridgeway fosters self-governance. At the start of each cycle, children collaboratively create a constitution—agreed-upon rules and consequences. Children create rules and vote on changes, promoting democratic thinking. When rules are broken, predetermined consequences are clear and fair. At Bridgeway, there are no "bad" kids—only opportunities to learn emotional regulation and healthy expression.
Join the Bridgeway Community
Every child deserves an education that celebrates their unique brilliance. At Bridgeway, we've created more than a school—we've built a community where acceptance, love, and safety form the foundation for extraordinary growth. Whether your child needs intensive academic support, seeks social-emotional development, or simply deserves an environment where they can truly thrive, Bridgeway is ready to welcome you.
Investment in Your Child
Day Program:
  • $500 registration fee
  • $800 monthly OR $5,000 one-time payment
Friday Camp:
  • Day Program members: $200/month or $60/day
  • Non-members: $300/month or $80/day
After-School Tutoring:
  • Individual: $60/hour or $240/month
  • Small groups available (pricing varies)
All fees subject to IVA
Scholarship Program
Bridgeway provides local children in crisis with access to our programs through community-funded scholarships. Support us through:
  • Weekly Trivia Nights (Mondays with Sylvia)
  • Community dinners and events
  • Partnership with UPE
  • Direct sponsorship opportunities
One child makes a world of difference. Contact us to sponsor a scholarship or lead a fundraising effort.
Ready to Transform Your Child's Educational Journey?
We respond promptly to all inquiries, ensuring you have the information and support you need. Whether you have questions about our programs, want to schedule a visit, or are ready to enroll, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Let's discover together how Bridgeway can help your child thrive—academically, emotionally, and joyfully.