BRIDGEPORT – Bridgeport Exempted Village School District is launching a new initiative of individualized student education with the support of its community partners. The district is grateful to the Bridgeport Rotary Club for an investment in the area’s young people.
Recently, the club donated $2,000 for Bridgeport Schools to conduct Clifton Strengths assessments for students. Superintendent Brent Ripley said the district will roll out the assessments this coming school year.
“It’s an assessment that every kid will take as a freshman.”
The assessment identifies the test takers’ top strengths. The district has taken up a philosophy of educating students by helping them discover who they are and what they can do.
“We are using that to line students up into what’s right with them rather than what’s wrong with them. We want our kids to embrace what they do well. Those characteristics that make them special as individuals,” Ripley said.
“We see this as a way of building hope and building belief for our student body, because when you embrace yourself as a human being and you know what you’re good at, then you’re better off physically, mentally, spiritually. Then you can do the things that you’re designed to do as an individual.”
Ripley said by working within their strengths, the students will grow into adults better able to serve others and themselves.
“It’s more than an assessment, it’s an investment into every student that we have here,” he said. “With us putting kids into college and careers, we want them to run towards the things they’re good at.”
Bridgeport Schools began the 2025-2026 school year by having the entire faculty, staff and administration take the assessment to gain insight about how to use their own strengths, and to prepare to roll out those assessments for the students.
“It will become part of how we approach teaching, learning, student buy-in, student ownership of the buildings. It’ll tie in to those careers and college readiness skills that every kid will graduate with,” Ripley said.
“’What’s strong with me rather than what’s wrong with me’ is the motto.”
This approach is one part of Bridgeport Schools’ mission of providing a unique and expansive range of educational opportunities. The most visible new element is the Bridge, a grant-funded multipurpose facility that will be open by the 2026-2027 school year and offer enhanced courses such as College Credit Plus, along with stronger partnerships with local service providers who will operate in the Bridge while giving the students experience in different careers.
Ripley said these community partnerships are vital, and organizations like the Rotary Club make all the difference.
“The Bridgeport Rotary’s has always done a lot for the community and the school district, and this investment means the world to me and the team,” he said. “They’re investing in kids. In the future of Bridgeport.”
President Beth DeVault of the Bridgeport Rotary Club said the club has a long-standing relationship with Bridgeport Schools. An alumna herself with family connections in the district, she knows the Bridgeport Schools’ role in shaping leaders of the community, and the Rotarians see the importance of supporting the youth.
“We had fundraisers throughout my term,” she said. “They have stepped up to the game this year and brought on so many good fundraising monies to do that.”
One of the major fundraisers was selling lottery tickets on Christmas trees, with the winner getting the tree.
“I knew it was going to take a lot hard work, and every member stepped up and they really did great,” she said. “I would like to thank all the community for helping with our fundraisers.”
She was also impressed when Ripley told them about the strengths assessment and its potential to give students a valuable head start in their education.
“It will tell them when they take these tests where their strengths are, what they should be looking to do, and it will guide them immediately to various classes,” she said. “It’s a whole different level of how to educate and how to work.”
DeVault said the club has joined with Bridgeport Schools on other projects such as an outdoor shelter and the softball field. She added the Rotary Club is even more excited for the coming completion of the Bridge and its many opportunities for community involvement. She anticipates the Rotary Club will maintain a presence in the Bridge, since Bridgeport Schools is central in the area.
“And now that they’re adding all the additions on, the Bridge, now we feel we really are at home because it’s for the community and Rotary’s community-based. Because I’m for children,” she said. “It’s going to be really nice when it’s done. I can’t wait till they open.”
DeVault added anyone interested in joining the Rotary Club is welcome to sit in on their meetings, noon every Thursday at the Masonic Lodge, 500 S. Lincoln Avenue. People wishing to attend is asked to contact the club via their Facebook page or DeVault’s Facebook page.
“We are very community minded,” she said. “We help many people, when they have a fire or are low on food. People can have flags in their yards that we put up which shows our patriotic spirit and continued pride in the Bridgeport communities.”
