Bridge to College

Bridge to College courses are designed for students who would benefit from structured preparation before entering postsecondary education. The courses help students strengthen the academic skills and habits needed for success after high school while building confidence for college-level work.

Thoughtful student placement is an important part of successful implementation.

Bridge to College is designed for a specific group of students and is most effective when schools intentionally match students to the course based on their academic preparation, goals, and postsecondary plans.

Bridge to College is Intended For 

• High school seniors preparing for postsecondary education and training
• High school juniors participating in Bridge to College English as preparation for advanced or dual credit English coursework in their 12th grade year
• Students who have not yet demonstrated college readiness and would benefit from additional academic preparation before graduation
• Students seeking to strengthen their reading, writing, communication, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving skills

Bridge to College helps students:

• Strengthen academic skills needed for postsecondary success
• Build confidence in their ability to succeed in college-level learning environments
• Develop the habits and strategies that support lifelong learning
• Explore and prepare for future education and career pathways
• Transition successfully to postsecondary education, training, and career opportunities

Bridge to College is Not

• A dual credit course
• A remedial course
• Intended solely to satisfy a graduation requirement

Student placement should be based on a school's local placement process and consideration of each student's academic preparation, goals, and postsecondary plans. Schools are encouraged to make placement decisions collaboratively with counselors, teachers, administrators, students, and families.

 

What is Bridge to College English 

Bridge to College English is a transition course that prepares students for the reading, writing, and critical thinking demands of college-level English.

The course emphasizes:

• Critical reading of complex texts
• Evidence-based academic writing
• Academic discussion and inquiry
• Research and information literacy
• Habits of mind such as persistence, independence, and metacognition

The focus is on preparation and readiness, not acceleration or earning college credit.

Who Benefits from Bridge to College English 

• Seniors planning to enroll directly in college-level English after graduation
• Juniors preparing for College in the High School, AP, or other college-level English courses as seniors

Some schools also offer Bridge to College English Prep, a year-long course for 11th grade students who benefit from additional scaffolding before enrolling in Bridge to College English.

Bridge to College English Benefits 

• Students who earn a B or higher in one semester qualify for placement into English 101 at Washington community and technical colleges and at Eastern Washington University
• Recognized statewide as a senior English credit
• Fulfills the Transition Course Graduation Pathway for English language arts
• Juniors completing the course may qualify for a dual credit College Composition course as seniors

Instructional Delivery: In person or online

 

What is Bridge to College Mathematics? 

Bridge to College Mathematics is a senior-year transition course that follows Algebra II and focuses on strengthening the mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, and quantitative skills needed for college-level mathematics pathways.

Rather than repeating Algebra II, the course:

• Reinforces and applies prior learning
• Emphasizes modeling, reasoning, and data analysis
• Builds confidence and persistence with college-level mathematics expectations

Who Benefits From Bridge to College Mathematics?

• Seniors who have had exposure to Algebra II
• Students planning to pursue quantitative reasoning, statistics, and other non-calculus college mathematics pathways

Important for Counselors 

To qualify for college placement, Bridge to College Mathematics must be taken as two semesters in sequence during the senior year. Placement and graduation pathway eligibility do not apply when the course is taken by juniors.

Bridge to College Mathematics Benefits 

• Students earning a B or higher in the second semester qualify for placement into MATH 107 (Math in Society) or MATH 146 (Statistics)
• Recognized statewide as a senior-year quantitative course meeting College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs)
• Fulfills the Transition Course Graduation Pathway for mathematics

Instructional Delivery: Bridge to College Mathematics must be taught at least 50 percent face-to-face and is not designed for a fully online environment.

Bridge to College is designed for students who plan to attend college and would benefit from structured preparation before entering college‑level coursework.

Students who are a good fit often:

• Plan to attend a community college, technical college, or university
• Not yet capable of college-level work and would benefit from additional preparation.
• Want to avoid placement testing or remedial coursework
• Have not participated in dual‑credit programs
• Benefit from explicit instruction in academic habits such as persistence and independence

Bridge to College is not:

• A dual‑credit course
• A remedial course
• Intended solely to satisfy a graduation requirement

Schools are encouraged to make placement decisions collaboratively with counselors, teachers, administrators, and families.

School districts and schools interested in offering Bridge to College courses register annually through SBCTC. Registration typically opens in late winter and remains available through early June to support planning for the upcoming school year.

Districts pay annual program registration fees that support educator professional learning, implementation support, program administration, program evaluation, and ongoing statewide coordination. Invoices are typically issued in the fall after teacher rosters have been finalized.

Participating districts agree to:

• Identify participating schools and teachers
• Implement the state-approved Bridge to College curriculum
• Support teacher participation in required professional learning activities
• Provide local support for travel, substitute coverage, and other costs associated with professional learning participation
• Use approved course names and state reporting codes
• Collaborate with SBCTC, OSPI, and program partners to support program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts
• Maintain communication with program staff and provide updated teacher and course information as needed

Additional information about registration timelines, current program fees, professional learning expectations, and participation requirements is provided during the annual registration process.

Bridge to College courses are supported by a comprehensive professional learning model designed to strengthen instruction and promote student success.

Professional learning includes:

• Summer Teacher Institutes
• Communities of Practice during the school year
• Ongoing instructional support and technical assistance

Professional learning is closely aligned with curriculum, assessment, and classroom practice to support consistent, high‑quality implementation across districts.

Bridge to College is a collaborative effort between the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The program is supported by leaders and content experts with experience in college readiness, curriculum and instruction, educator professional learning, English language arts, mathematics, and student transitions from high school to postsecondary education.

Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

• Stephanie Wahl, Policy Associate, Student Services & K-12 Alignment
• Kristen Jaoui, Program Administrator, Student Services & K-12 Alignment
• Dawn Draus, Policy Associate for Math Pathways and Placement
• Guava Jordan, Policy Associate, Faculty Development and Ensured Learning
• Dr. Katie Wolff, English Content Lead

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Katie Taylor, Director of Secondary Education
• Praxia Apostle, Associate Director of Secondary English Language Arts
• Secondary Mathematics Representative (position currently vacant)

 

Bridge to College is continuing a program review through the 2026–27 school year as part of our ongoing improvement efforts. Thank you to the many districts and educators who have shared feedback. Based on that feedback, and in collaboration with course leaders and OSPI, we are focusing on three areas in 2026–27: 

• Strengthening alignment between math and English professional learning 
• Exploring what an online Bridge to College Math option would look like,, including professional learning
•  Improving support for rural districts and districts with limited professional learning capacity

This work will not affect placement eligibility or graduation pathway status for 2026–27 and reflects our ongoing effort to ensure the program continues to meet district and student needs.

Contact:
Kristen Jaoui, Bridge to College Program Manager
kjaoui@sbctc.edu