Group of children and young teens sitting and standing on a large fallen tree trunk outdoors, with a backdrop of pink flowering bushes and tall green trees under a clear blue sky.

Bridge Years

Confident, Curious, and Ready to Lead


Our middle school students grow into leaders—academically strong, socially aware, and bilingual thinkers prepared for what comes next.

Explore Our Curriculum

What Are the Bridge Years?
(Grades 6–8)

The Bridge Years mark a transformative stage where students move beyond foundational learning and step into greater independence, self-direction, and leadership. Through rigorous academics, bilingual & biliterate mastery, and hands-on experiences, middle schoolers deepen critical thinking, explore identity, and build the confidence needed to thrive in high school and beyond.

  • Students studying at a classroom table with notebooks, textbooks, and drinks.

    🧠 Academic Excellence in Two Languages

    Students learn in both Spanish and English across all subjects. Through collaborative, project-based learning, they gain confidence in real-world thinking. Core prep in math, science, and writing ensures they’re ready for high school success.

  • Two young children, a boy and a girl, are sitting at a table looking at a book together in a classroom. The boy is flipping through the pages, and the girl is smiling while resting her chin on her hand.

    🤝 Social & Emotional Growth

    Advisory circles and student mentoring help build self-awareness and leadership. Restorative practices guide students through conflict with care. We nurture identity, empathy, and communication with intention.

  • A young boy in a white t-shirt touching a large pitcher plant in a greenhouse.

    🌎 Global & Civic Awareness

    Students explore cultural identity and global perspectives in a safe, inclusive space. Service learning and community projects connect lessons to real life. We teach students to think critically, locally, and globally.

Beyond the Classroom: Preparing for What’s Next

Schedule A Tour

At Seattle Amistad, middle school students don’t just study—they lead, explore, and connect. Through capstone presentations and outdoor learning experiences, our Bridge Year students practice applying their knowledge in real-world settings. Spanish immersion activities, service learning, and cultural field trips deepen their understanding of community and self.

As they approach graduation, students are supported in discovering what comes next. Whether transitioning to public, private, or bilingual high schools, they leave Amistad with the academic foundation, emotional confidence, and cultural fluency to thrive in any environment.

Parents FAQ’s

  • Our small class sizes ensure every student receives personalized attention and builds strong relationships with teachers and peers.

  • We offer advisory support, peer mentoring, and high school readiness sessions throughout the year.

  • It depends on the situation, but our approach is thoughtful and intentional. We've designed a longer school day specifically so that when children go home, they can focus on enjoying family time and participating in extracurricular activities.

    That said, teachers may occasionally assign independent reading or brief, meaningful activities that support classroom learning. Any assignments we provide are designed to enhance, rather than overwhelm, family life.

    Our philosophy is that childhood should include time for play, family connections, and pursuing personal interests outside of school.

  • Absolutely. We support families in exploring local and regional dual-language and immersion high school programs.

  • Student will have an opportunity to lead service projects, mentor younger students, and present their capstone work to the school community.

More Questions?