BRIDGEPORT – Anticipation is building as the multipurpose facility to be dubbed “the Bridge” nears completion on Bridgeport Exempted Village School District campus, and the Bulldog family at Bridgeport Schools is launching a series of releases to introduce the public to all the Bridge will offer, including expanded education and training opportunities, health services and a venue for the community.
When the grant-funded 31,000 square foot facility opens its doors in August, every inch will be put to use, with multiple service providers able to operate in the same areas at different times.
On the education front, the district philosophy is to help learners find their strengths, and Bridgeport students will have new vistas of opportunity with additional Science Technology Engineering Art and Math (STEAM) labs, a Makerspace to foster creativity and experimentation, and collaboration with Project Lead the Way. Upcoming hands-on education will include a drone piloting class to enable students to earn certification.
The district’s College Credit Plus courses will also expand to well over 40 hours and give students even more of a head start in pursuing higher education, earning extra credits at no cost. CCP classes are taught at the district by faculty. Expect to hear from alumni who prepared for success with CCP. The district’s partners including Belmont College and Ohio University Eastern are working with Bridgeport Schools certified instructors to make the most of the Bridge’s potential. The district is currently working to expand College Credit Plus options with other local universities and hope to solidify these partnerships in the next couple of months.
The Bridge will also be a community resource that promises to make a difference for thousands in all walks of life. Upcoming articles will highlight offerings such as convenient health care options when WVU Medicine makes a home in the Bridge. In addition, the district is looking for a community partner to offer dentistry on the premises. Southeast Healthcare Services will have a home in the Bridge, as will OhioRISE, the Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs.
The district has also embraced a partnership with Belmont County’s workforce development agency Ohio Means Jobs to connect job seekers with training, careers and local employment opportunities.
Other boons for the public will include daycare services through TE Learning Center that will also give youngsters and their families an early taste of Bulldog culture and the advantages at Bridgeport Schools.
Many families have already given their vote of confidence to Bridgeport Schools. Enrollment is up by 62 students this year and the district now is seeing the payoff of the team’s vision for students, community members and the Ohio Valley. The district will begin open enrollment on March 16, 2026 for returning and new families wishing to enroll their children.
Health and fitness is another key component of the Bridge’s services. The public will meet Cole Smelley, who will be running the Dog Pound where Bulldog athletes will train on state-of-the-art equipment. Gym memberships will be available to the public looking for a convenient workout spot to stay in shape.
Facilitating an active lifestyle for senior citizens figures into the Bridge’s operation with a Silver Sneakers program. A golf simulator is expected to be another popular attraction, and planners are looking into pickleball courts.
Service providers in the Bridge will also enable students to gain experience in different fields. Many students are looking forward to working in the Bridge’s space for veterinary assistance and the opportunity to earn credentials.
The Bridge will serve as a space for first responders to hone their expertise. The Gary R. Fellows Training Academy is already planning sessions for additional on-site training.
The amenities do not stop there. The Bridge will also enable Bridgeport Schools to host its own coffee shop. School officials are looking into vendors, and the students will prepare and serve orders.
Members of the community will have a wealth of options in the Bridge, the spacious facility being an ideal venue for banquets, reunions and other events. The district is already hammering out rental arrangements for these large group gatherings.
When the district team first conceived of the Bridge, they foresaw an open horizon of promise and followed up with years of intense planning involving every available stakeholder, service provider, and input from the public. The upcoming ribbon cutting will mark the fulfillment of those promises and halls and classrooms will be a launching pad of training, success, belief and hope for decades to come.
Superintendent, Brent Ripley is proud of what the Bulldog community is accomplishing.
“What we are doing in our district is embracing belief for everything that we can do as a school community for all students, all families wanting a better education, a stronger workforce, and a system that supports students through their individual strengths and aptitudes. While we are proud of our work thus far, we are far from done. Our goal is to open the Bridge in August of 2026 and then continue to expand further learning and offer real world opportunities that meet the needs of our students and the needs of the workforce in the Ohio Valley into our current PS-12 building.”
