Applications for new families who would like to interview for 2025-2026 are now being accepted. Click here for more information.
Scratch Coding
**Repeat class: Not intended for those who have already taken Scratch Coding.
This course is designed for students in grades 4th-5th. Students will gain an understanding of the building blocks of coding using the Scratch platform. Scratch is a coding language with a simple visual interface that allows students to create digital stories, games, art, and animations while promoting computational thinking and problem-solving skills. We will spend much of our time learning new coding skills and building on previous knowledge through coding activities with Scratch. No experience is necessary. Students will complete classwork using computers in the Bridge Academy computer lab and will be required to create a new Scratch account for this class at the beginning of the year, even if they already have a personal Scratch account, so that they can share their projects in our class studio. Instructions on how to do this will be sent in the welcome email in August. There is no homework for this class – students will receive a class participation grade each week. Class size is limited. (2025-2026)
REQUIREMENTS
Required Texts: NONE
Supply / Kit Fee: $40 (paid directly to the coordinating instructor, Ashley Knickerbocker or Stephanie York, at Orientation or the first class your student attends)
Annual tuition: $375.00 ($37.50/month for 10 months, August-May)
ABOUT THE TEACHER
Ashley Knickerbocker, Stephanie York
Ashley Knickerbocker
B.S. in History
Ashley began teaching at Bridge Academy in 2016. She was raised in Chesterfield County and received a history degree from VCU. She and her husband David feel blessed to have homeschooled their three boys, Nathan, who now attends Liberty University, Justis, graduating high school in 2026, and Joshua, currently in middle school at Bridge Academy. Her teaching experience began at ICCS Preschool during college and she has continued teaching at home and in homeschool/classroom settings since then. In addition to teaching, she worked as a personal trainer and fitness instructor for eleven years at a local gym. She and her boys love Bridge Academy and look forward to being part of this co-op for years to come!
Stephanie York
B.S. in Psychology and Masters in Education
Stephanie is a native of Chesterfield County. She attended VCU and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education. Throughout her college career, she worked with children in a local daycare and summer camp programs. Following graduation, she taught elementary school in Chesterfield County Public Schools. Several years later, she and her husband, Chris, were blessed with their first child, and she left the school system to focus on being a mom to her son. As their family grew to a family of five with three boys, she returned to work at her church as the preschool and daycare director and later implemented a private Kindergarten program. It wasn’t long before the Lord placed on her heart the desire to homeschool, so she left the work place to become mom and teacher to her 3 elementary aged boys. During her years of homeschooling, Stephanie has taught numerous homeschooling classes ranging from elementary age to high school at various co-ops in the area. She has a passion for teaching and loves to make learning come alive for students. Each of her boys are now “grown and flown,” and she and her husband are blessed with amazing daughters-in-law who love Jesus. In 2024, Chris and Stephanie welcomed their first two grandchildren into the family. Stephanie is very active in her church and serves in leadership as a trustee and elder. She also assists in leading women’s ministry in and outside of her local church.