Starting kindergarten is an exciting milestone for children and families alike. We are proud to announce that Kindergarten enrollment for Fall 2026 is officially open.

As a tuition-free school, we provide families with access to a high-quality education in a nurturing, safe, and welcoming environment. Our kindergarten program is designed to help students build confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Our Approach to Learning

Our kindergarten classrooms focus on the whole child.

Students benefit from:

• Developmentally appropriate instruction
• Play-based and hands-on learning
• Early literacy and math foundations
• Social and emotional skill-building

Our approach ensures that children feel supported while gaining the academic skills they need for future success.

Why Choose Us?

Parents choose North Columbus Preparatory Academy because we combine strong academics with a caring school culture.

Our kindergarten program includes:

• Tuition-free enrollment
• Small class sizes for individualized attention
• Experienced, caring teachers
• A safe and inclusive school environment

Building a Strong Community

We emphasize:

• Positive relationships between students and teachers
• Family engagement and communication
• Cultural inclusion and belonging
• A strong sense of community

At North Columbus Preparatory Academy, our goal is to ensure that every child feels confident and prepared from their very first day of kindergarten.

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Enrollment is open, and spaces are limited.

PARENT PORTAL

You will need the student code from your school office to sign up.

• Check your child’s grades
• Communicate with teachers
• Update personal information

Sign up using an internet browser! Access the Parent Portal

Download Flyer (PDF)

We are asking the families of children receiving special education services to participate in the survey. For your convenience, we have also translated the invitation into 10 different languages (Arabic, Nepali, Somali, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, French, Haitian-Creole, Russian, Ukranian, ). You can find these translated versions HERE. Please use the password: 2025 to access the files explaining why it is important to complete the survey.

Along with the invitation to parents/caregivers, we have included this short video from an African American parent and school psychologist advocating for completion of the survey. To access the video, please click HERE. Please use the password: 2025 to access the video.

Download Special Education Survey (PDF)

January is School Board Appreciation Month

As we celebrate School Board Appreciation Month, we want to take a moment to recognize the invaluable contributions of our dedicated Board of Directors. Their unwavering commitment to our charter school community has been instrumental in shaping our school into a thriving hub of learning and growth.

Why Charter Schools Matter

Our charter school offers a unique educational experience that is:

• Tuition-Free: Accessible to all families in our community, regardless of their financial situation.
• Safe and Secure: Providing a nurturing and supportive environment where students can learn and thrive.
• Community-Focused: Partnering with parents, teachers, and the broader community to create a strong educational foundation for our students.

The Role of Our Board

Our Board of Directors plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of our school. They:

• Set the Vision: Establish a clear and inspiring vision for our school’s future.
• Make Informed Decisions: Carefully consider all options and make sound decisions that benefit our students.
• Provide Oversight: Monitor the school’s operations and financial health.
• Advocate for Our Students: Represent our school’s interests at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Recruit and Support Quality Staff: Help attract and retain talented educators who are passionate about our mission.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Board members for their tireless efforts. Their dedication and expertise have made a significant impact on the lives of our students.

Let’s take a moment to thank our Board members for their invaluable contributions. Their commitment to our school’s mission is truly inspiring.

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Experience the Pillars of Educational Success! Begin your application today:

When it comes to education, a great start can make all the difference. Our students excel with the support of nurturing teachers, a safe and secure environment, and individualized learning experiences. This solid foundation sets them up for growth and success from the very beginning. Explore the opportunities Bridges Preparatory School has to offer your child!

Early Learning Programs

• Free full-day Kindergarten

• Early entrance to Kindergarten option! Four-year-olds with birthdays between 10/1-12/31 who pass an assessment are eligible to enroll

• Free before & after school care from 6:45am-5:45pm

• Free summer school to support learning all year long

Well-Rounded Academics

• Hands-on, project-based approach builds critical thinking & problem-solving skills

• Social-emotional learning to support student wellbeing & personal growth

• Creative Arts instruction with painting classes & art competitions

• Character education in partnership with We Are Linden

• PE program that promotes fitness, health & teamwork

Special Features

• Caring, empowering teachers & staff

• Small class sizes foster individualized learning

• Safe, secure campus with full-time security guard

• Playground, gym, library, fitness center & more

• Sports: basketball, track, volleyball, t-ball & soccer

• Partnerships with community organizations (We Are Linden, National Youth Advocate Program, We Amplify Voices)

• Free counseling & tutoring to support student success

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The future is bright with North Columbus Preparatory Academy! Start your application today:

Thanks to the team at WSYX ABC 6 for featuring us! Read the full story at abc6onyourside.com.

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Columbus principal strives to keep students off the streets and in school

By: WSYX Staff | Thu, November 21st 2024

Ernest White, the principal of North Columbus Preparatory Academy, is determined to ensure his students do not follow a path of crime, especially in light of a recent incident involving a 16-year-old charged with murder in Northeast Columbus.

Although the teenager did not attend his school, White is committed to preventing similar outcomes for his students.

“We want to set that tone of knowing things you’ll need to be prepared for out in the community,” White said.

One of White’s top priorities is keeping students in school and off the streets.

“Let’s find out what’s going on. Why aren’t they here? Reach out to the families. I even go out and knock on doors to see where our students are at,” White added.

White, who was a corrections officer before becoming an educator, shared his experiences with young offenders to highlight the importance of education.

“The youngest offender that I had ever seen was 16-years-old. He was just getting ready to turn 17. But they gave him a charge as an adult,” he said.

He uses these experiences to mentor families and students, recounting a story of a troubled young man who sought trouble to see his incarcerated father.

“There was a young man. He would get in trouble. He stole his mom’s car, almost hit a cop car. Broke into the school, stole a tractor and he was failing in everything,” White said. “He was getting in trouble because he thought if he got in trouble, he would go to jail and get to see his dad.”

While White was able to help that student get back on track, he acknowledges his influence is limited to the school environment.

“When we are not in school, you are wondering if they are okay. You worry about their safety and are making good sound decisions,” White said.

White emphasizes the importance of collaboration with parents, caretakers, and community organizations to monitor and support the youth in the community.

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Ready to join our amazing NCPA community?

With the release of Ohio School Report Cards on Friday, September 13th, we are excited to celebrate the academic achievement of our students and staff during the 2023-24 school year.

Congratulations NCPA for receiving:

• 3 stars on Progress
• 100% Third Grade Reading Guarantee

To learn more about school report cards, visit the Ohio Department of Education website.

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Ready to enroll in our high-achieving school?

“Hello, North Columbus Preparatory Academy families, I am excited to serve as your principal for the 2024-2025 academic school year. Before we start the year, I want to share some information about myself. I grew up in Columbus, Ohio in the Linden Area, and I attended Linden and East Linden elementary schools. I am a proud graduate of Hocking College, Wilberforce University, and Dayton University. I hold an associate’s degree in human services and corrections, a bachelor’s degree in criminal administration, a master’s degree in education with a focus on school counseling, and I have also completed the required graduate courses to obtain my certificate in clinical mental health counseling.

Throughout my career, I have held various roles including correction officer, lieutenant, captain, and major for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction. Additionally, I have worked as a high school ED paraprofessional, substitute teacher, and as a school counselor, where I led an “At-Risk” program known as the Strategies for Intervention Prevention Program (SIPP) at Licking Heights Local School District and completed a clinical internship at a private practice in the Columbus, Ohio area.

My passion lies in assisting students in overcoming obstacles to academic success by creating a Safe, Respectful, Collaborative Educational Environment. With your support, we can help your student flourish at the North Columbus Preparatory Academy!

In closing, I am looking forward to serving North Columbus Prep and the community for years to come. I can be reached at the contacts provided below.”

Kindest regards,
Ernest L. White II, AAS.HS&C, BS.CJA, MS. Ed-LSC, CCMHC, OCDPB-RA

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Join us for this exciting new school year!

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re taking a moment to amplify our incredible instructional staff!

Teachers join our school with a desire to make a difference in the lives of children in our community. With hearts of gold, teachers create nurturing classroom environments, develop inspiring lesson plans, adapt instruction to meet individual needs, capitalize on real life teaching moments, support the social-emotional development of students & so much more.

Every school year, our teachers push themselves to the limit to reach each student in their care & to make a difference in each life. We are PROUD, APPRECIATIVE, and ADMIRING of our teachers for their meaningful work this school year. Please join us in thanking a teacher this week!

It’s School Board Appreciation Month, and we’re taking a moment to thank the dedicated volunteers who guide our schools and shape the future of our students.

Their tireless work, often behind the scenes, makes a world of difference. Let’s show them some love! #SchoolBoardAppreciationMonth #ThankYouBoardMembers