History

Since our first school opened in 2009, we’ve had a remarkable journey alongside the communities we serve. We’re excited about the future and the difference we can make.

We believe that every child has the right to a high-quality education and are committed to helping every child fulfil their potential.

2020

We reach the million children a year mark through Bridge supported or run schools. Bridge Uganda pupils outperform the national average for the third consecutive year in their primary leaving exam (PLE).

2019

For the second consecutive year our pupils outperformed the national average in the Ugandan Primary Leaving Exam (PLE). Bridge Kenya pupils outperformed the national average for the fifth consecutive year in their primary leaving exam (KCPE). In Nigeria, Bridge pupils in Lagos entered the federal common entrance exam for the first time and excelled. Edo state celebrated the re-training of 11,000 public school teachers and headteachers as part of EdoBEST. In Liberia, a three year RCT study evidenced that students in our schools effectively achieved 5.5 years of schooling in just 3 years.

2018

For the fourth consecutive year, Bridge Kenya outperformed the national average in primary exit exams (KCPE). We were proud to be selected as a delivery partner for the Nigerian programme EdoBEST that aims to transform education in Edo State. Bridge pupils took part in Ugandan primary school exit exams (PLE) for the first time and 100% of our pupils passed. We were recognised as the Ninth best employer in Africa. Co-founder, Dr Shannon May, was awarded a ‘Business Women of the Year’ award for her commitment to equality. Partnership Schools for Liberia was renamed Liberian Education Advancement Program (LEAP).

2017

The number of our community schools in Lagos increased. Bridge PSL expanded to south-east Liberia. Learning in Liberia revealed impressive learning gains, after just four months, and an RCT evaluation of the first year of PSL showed learning gains of 100% in Bridge-PSL schools. The third year of KCPE results were published with Bridge pupils outperforming their peers by ten percentage points.

2016

We were chosen as one of the first partners in the Liberian Ministry of Education’s Partnership Schools for Liberia (PSL) initiative. We opened new schools in India through an infrastructure partnership with the Andhra Pradesh Government. Pupils sat the national Kenyan exam (KCPE) for the second year and surpassed the national average. We won the Global Shared Value award in Kenya. Our UK office opened.

2015

We expand in to two new countries, Uganda and Nigeria. Pupils sat the Kenyan primary school exit exam (KCPE) for the first time and outperformed the national average. We continue to grow in Kenya. We were awarded a prestigious World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Awards for innovation in education.

2014

Class Seven was added in Kenya. International tests found that our pupils scored 35% higher in core reading skills and 19% higher in maths. Our Co-founders were named Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneurs of the Year and recognised by CNBC’s ‘Next List’ as innovators expected to change the face of enterprise over the next 25 years.

2013

A new, dynamic tablet application was developed for teachers to use for lesson planning, administering assessments, tracking attendance, and more. Geometry boards, national exam preparation and a wealth of other educational firsts also launched throughout all Bridge academies. Class Six was added and we became the largest affordable school network in Africa. Our US office opened.

2012

The smartphone Academy Manager application was rolled out across all academies. Baby Class and Class Five were added; lesson plan delivery was upgraded and a new green academy structure rolled out. We were declared the fastest growing social enterprise in Kenya, providing high-quality education for families and jobs for local residents.

2011

More academies opened as we had our first substantial expansion outside of Nairobi. Nursery and Class Four were added. Our custom smartphone software was piloted as a way for Academy Managers to monitor pupil progress and manage their academies.

2010

We opened more schools in Nairobi. International testing showed that our pupils outperformed their peers at other neighbourhood schools.

2009

Our first academy opened in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, eastern Nairobi, offering Pre-Unit (Kindergarten), Class One, Two, and Three. A second academy opened in May. Hundreds of pupils were enrolled by the end of the year. We launched mobile payments to remove cash usage from our systems.

2008

We established our headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Our vision was to create an affordable quality education system for low-income communities that could scale. We developed our first teacher guides and lesson plans, following the Kenyan curriculum.

2007

Bridge is launched. Research begins in the Kenyan communities we seek to serve.

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