Model Program

Bridges Academies & Workplace Connection - Brainerd & Staples

Bridges Career Academies are a set of courses that are technical in nature and organized  around a career cluster theme. Bridges Courses provide instructional activities relating to Foundation Knowledge and Skills and Workplace Experiences which support the technical curriculum. Central Lakes College provides the oversight and coordination of the Bridges Academies. Bridges Workplace Connection is the bridge between education and business. Each Academy course has a workplace learning experience. The Brainerd Lakes Chamber is the catalyst and coordinator of the work-based learning experiences.

Postsecondary Partner:

Central Lakes College

High School Partners:

Central Lakes Consortium High Schools

Student Eligibility:

High School Students, Grades 9-12  Each Bridges Academy sets its own standards of completion. 

Bridges Academy courses can be high school courses, Advanced Standing Articulated courses, and/or College in the Schools courses. Student eligibility requirements vary with the type of course. Students taking Advanced Standing courses must complete with 80% or greater (B grade) to receive a certificate of completion. Students taking College in the Schools courses must follow MnSCU guidelines for GPA requirement and take the Accuplacer assessment test for Reading and Math.

Faculty Credentialing and/or Teacher Licensure Requirements which support this program:

High School Licensure for High School courses & Advanced Standing courses  MnSCU Credentialing for College in the Schools courses.