Bridges for Schools Expanding Across the United States

In schools, fostering welcoming communities of belonging contributes to increased family engagement, student success, and school vitality.

Photo credit: Pope John Paul II School  

Crimsonbridge’s signature Catholic education program, Bridges for Schools, launched in 2018 with 20 schools in the Archdiocese of Washington and has grown to reach nearly 90 schools in the (arch)dioceses of Arlington (Virginia), Baltimore, Camden (New Jersey), Milwaukee, New York, and St. Louis. The expansion includes collaborations with dioceses, Catholic schools, universities, and philanthropic partners such as the Connelly Foundation in Philadelphia and Incarnate Word Foundation in St. Louis.

Bridges for Schools is an initiative that helps Catholic schools invest in staffing capacity, strategic bilingual communications, family engagement strategies, video and imagery, and more. A research-informed program, it has helped schools strengthen student recruitment, enrollment, and retention. 95% of participating schools achieved positive enrollment trends during program participation. Perhaps more importantly, according to school leaders, families report increased feelings of belonging and involvement in their school communities. 

“By helping to foster greater family engagement and promoting increased communication, Crimsonbridge’s investment will not only affirm the dignity and gifts of our bilingual and Latino students; it will also help expand their access to the academically excellent, morally centered education our schools provide. Crimsonbridge Foundation is helping us construct more diverse, well-rounded, and spiritually rich school communities – places where students grow in knowledge and faith, and where every family knows they belong,” shares Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore. The Archdiocese of Baltimore, one of Crimsonbridge’s newest partners, has 10 schools participating in Bridges for Schools this year.  

As Bridges for Schools continues to expand across the country, we welcome partners seeking to join a whole-community approach to strengthening Catholic schools. To learn more, visit the Bridges for Schools website to download resources and see examples of schools’ communications and family engagement strategies in action. Or, complete the interest form to start a conversation about partnering to bring the program to your region.