"Now, I'm a lot more focused in everything I do — in school, sports, and life... My grades in school have blasted off. Last year, my grades were rather poor. Now, I've got all A’s and B’s, except one lower grade. But, I'm pulling that one up too."

Cathy, 7th grade, Annapolis


"My grades have improved. It's easier to do math, now ... I've seen an improvement in my behavior. I'm not fooling around as much. I use better judgment... The best part of Bridges was learning that I can complete something successfully."

Matt, 7th grade, Severna Park


"I concentrate more, and problem-solving is easier. I don't play around or get into trouble as much... My grades are good."

Scott, 4th grade, Edgewater


"My general problem-solving is much quicker. I realize if something is a bad idea far quicker. I even see it in my driving... My memory has soared. Things like vocabulary, categorization, and crosswords have become easier. It has become easier for me to tune out distractions and stay focused... My balance has improved tenfold. I can see the improvements in my dance class."

Craig, 11th grade, Broadneck


"I have improved the speed and comprehension of my reading. I am more productive with my time... I am more.self-confident — less negative."

Paula, 1lth grade, Annapolis


"Overall, Bridges was very effective. I am now in a higher reading group — the highest actually. Oh, and I am throwing the football more accurately, too...I'm more self-confident. I don't fight over homework anymore. Even the other night my brothers were wrestling, but I did all of my homework without paying any attention to them."

Eric, 5th grade, Harwood


"I used to have trouble staying on the right line when I read. Now, my eyes don't get off track. I am reading a lot better."

Richard, 3rd grade, Tracy's Landing


"Now, I am remembering what I'm reading and paying attention more in class. I can also analyze things better than before."

John, 7th grade, Bowie


"It's harder to get on my nerves now. I can make better decisions, too."

Howard, 6th grade, Annapolis

Go!

"I am paying more attention to the teachers in class and concentrating better on tests. I am seeing improvements in my grades."

Angie, 7th grade, Annapolis


"When I am taking notes in class, I can see what's on the board and copy it down without looking up and down tons of times. I can also hear what the teacher says and write it down faster and more accurately... I can pay more attention in class instead of listening to other distractions... I have improved my concentration, especially when I am doing my homework... I am not as nervous doing new things in school... In lacrosse I am catching the ball and blocking shots much better."

Barbara, 7th grade, Annapolis


"I can calm down and concentrate better. I have improved in lots of things — math, science, reading, lacrosse, swimming — almost everything."

Allison, 5th grade, Severna Park


"My reading has improved. Even though I have always done well in math, my grades in math have gotten better."

Kim, 5th grade, Arnold


"I am reading by myself now, without any help. I used to have to have the teacher read for me... I keep my eyes on the teacher now, and I don't get caught up in things... I don't get distracted as much."

Darrin, 3rd grader, Severna Park


"My grades are much better now, and I find studying much easier... I concentrate harder on studying and reading... I am a lot more coordinated in sports... I have a lot more patience about school and people... I am now more methodical, and I work faster."

Kari, 7th grade, Severna Park


"I think I've improved a lot of my skills. I've gotten better at reading and basketball. My eyes don't get tired anymore when I read, and I can read a lot faster... In basketball, my shots are ten times better, at least. I usually make all my shots now. I think it's because of all the lab exercises at Bridges... I am able to listen better at school. I used to always talk to my friends during class. Now, I don't talk as much... It is easier for me to focus on my work. It used to be that if I didn't want to do the work, I wouldn't. Now, I just do my work anyway... My hand-eye coordination has improved. In basketball, I used to always lose the ball when I'd dribble with my left hand. Now, I rarely ever lose it... I don't bug my sister as much anymore."

Jonathan, 6th grader, Annapolis


"I can focus better... I don't get antsy as fast... It's easier to do math."

Annie, 7th grader, Annapolis

"I work harder and concentrate better... I want to learn more in math... In gym, I concentrate better on what skill we are doing."

Lara, 5th grader, Severna Park


"I've seen an improvement in the way I write, and my reading has improved too... My coordination has really become better. Thank you, Bridges! In my opinion, my judgment and problem-solving are definitely improving. I've already begun to see that in my work."

Dustin, 8th grader, Lanham


"I pay attention more... I am concentrating and working harder... My coordination in sports has skyrocketed... My balance is much better now... I don't get into trouble very much any more... I bet I could get all of my friends and I out of a dark, scary forest without running into the noisy, kid-hating neighbors."

Troy, 4th grader, Edgewater


"I am doing better in reading... I have really good concentration and usually have good balance and coordination now."

Marc, 3rd grader, Severna Park


"I think Bridges helped a lot. I read better. Now, I would rather read myself than have my dad read to me . Memorizing is easier... I don't play around as much in school... I don't let people bother me. I don't get distracted by other things that happen in the room... I don't scream and yell when I have to do my homework anymore. It used to be like pulling teeth. I don't have as much trouble with frustration when I get things wrong... I can figure out (problems) better. I can remember stuff better."

Martin, 2nd grader, Annapolis


"My grades last year were ridiculous and my mom and dad knew I needed help. Now, my grades are going up from last year... I try to pay attention in class, but I am doing well... You guys helped while school was out. The people who don't get it (Bridges) are stuck."

Terry, 7th grader, Severn


"I've been getting better grades during the past couple of months... I can hear the teacher better. I can block out all the talking in class... It's helped me get my round off, back-handspring, back tuck, and flip in the pit in gymnastics... It's helped me a lot with my grades."

Bobby, 4th grader, Pasadena


"I understand things better... It's easier to pay attention in school... I can memorize things better... Reading comprehension is better."

Bill, 8th grader, Severna Park

"I wanted to go to Bridges because I wanted a better life so I could learn anything I wanted to learn.. I've seen changes by myself concentrating and learning different abilities like to sit correctly in my chair and to get all of my work finished... I've improved my attention by putting everything that I am worrying about out of my mind and paying attention to the teacher at all times and by always staying on task... I have improved my concentration by thinking about what the teacher is saying and not playing with a pencil or anything I have in my hand... I have improved my coordination by practicing and learning how to bike ride or play basketball... I have improved my balance by, again, focusing on what I am doing and talking in my head about how I can make balance easy for me... I have improved my behavior by not getting up and running around and paying attention... Also to follow the school rules... What I like best about coming to Bridges is it is fun... I would describe the overall effectiveness of Bridges as excellent because it helped me concentrate more and let me learn more."

Gary, 4th grader, Crofton


"My teacher gives me more spelling words now... I can focus on the boardwork... I do well in gym.... I don't cry about school anymore... I'm doing great in math... I feel great now!"

Katie, 2nd grader, Stevensville


"I have become more focused, organized, and I have gotten better grades. Oh, also my memory... I am more attentive in classes and playing sports. I am always concentrating on everything I do... I am not goofing off in class... I am better at judging things and I think before I speak. Nine out of ten times I solve my problems right... I have gotten better grades and overall I have become a happier kid. I have been less stressed. Bridges has helped with my most transitional year the sixth grade."

Andy, 6th grader, Annapolis


"I see that I am more focused on what I am doing. My organization has gone all the way up and I can tell that my memory of things is better. Like, I used to forget to do something, but now I constantly remind myself of everything... My attention span is greater. I don't get all jittery in class and I don't have to get up and do stuff every five seconds... It was very effective. I feel confident and comfortable. All I need now is the confidence of knowing I can do it on my own."

Emma, 10th grader, Annapolis


"I have finished all of my homework in school and receive better grades than before I started Bridges. I learned new ways of studying for tests and increased my memory... I focus more on the teacher... I try to focus on the problem more and don't give up right away... I try to make time for studying before a test when I used to not care about my grades... I can focus more and give my teachers the attention they ask for... Bridges really made a difference on my tests grades and my report card grades. I also feel more intelligent than before."

Amy, 10th grader, Annapolis