Enrollment FAQs
- Submit an enrollment interest form: English version or Spanish version.
- Expect an auto-response email with information on the next steps.
- If space is available, then you will receive an email invitation to complete the enrollment process online. Please check your spam folder if you do not see the email in your inbox. Our staff is available for assistance.
- If there is no space available, you will receive an email from our staff inviting you to add your student's name to our lottery pool. Once space becomes available, a numbered waitlist will be drawn and you will be informed when there is a seat available for your child.
Who Enrolls at Pathways?
Pathways Charter School is a personalized learning program that uses the model of independent study. We serve a broad range of TK-12 students who have a variety of previous educational backgrounds. People learn about Pathways Charter School in different ways: families currently enrolled in the school might refer another student or family; some students are referred by homeschooling or charter school organizations; other families, looking for a better academic program for their students, find us through local resources. Please note that we are not a daily site-based program.
Kindergarten Enrollment
Students may enter Kindergarten only if they turn five prior to September 2nd. Students who will have their fifth birthday between September 2nd and February 2nd may elect to enroll in Transitional Kindergarten.
Please note: Pathways does not have an early admission policy; therefore, students may not just enroll in Kindergarten on their fifth birthday. Transitional Kindergarten is an option for students meet the age requirements, but it is not mandatory.
Transition Kindergarten Entry Age:
AB 130 signed in July 2021, expands access to this optional program.
2021–22: fifth birthday between September 2 and December 2 shall be admitted to a transitional kindergarten
2022–23: fifth birthday between September 2 and February 2 shall be admitted to a transitional kindergarten
2023–24: fifth birthday between September 2 and April 2 shall be admitted to a transitional kindergarten
2024–25: fifth birthday between September 2 and June 2 shall be admitted to a transitional kindergarten program 2025–26 and in each school year thereafter, a child who will have their fourth birthday by September 1 shall be admitted to a transitional kindergarten program maintained by the school district or charter school.
Pathways is a public charter school open to all students living in our service counties (Sonoma, Solano, Napa, and Marin). Pathways does not discriminate and accepts all students, space permitting. We enroll new students throughout the year until we have reached capacity. Our enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, and each region has its own maximum enrollment based on staffing. If there is space available and you receive an enrollment invitation, you have one week to complete your registration online; otherwise, we will drop your student’s name from our pending enrollment list. For students placed in a lottery pool, when space does become available, all students in the lottery pool are randomly drawn and placed on a numbered waitlist. We then offer space to students in order from that list. Once your student does have a space in our program, you will receive a call from our office asking if you’d still like to register your child. Finally, once enrollment registration is completed, you will get a call from your child’s Independent Study Teacher (IST) to set an initial planning meeting. Your student’s first day of enrollment at Pathways will be no sooner than the date of that initial meeting/
Special Education
As a public school, we serve all students. If you have questions about our service delivery model as part of an independent study program, please contact our Student Services Coordinator, Elizabeth Sanchez, at 707-585-6518.
Immunization Status
With the advent of SB277, many parents have questions about immunizations. Generally, students fall into several categories:
Fully immunized: These students may participate in our program and access all site classes and resources.
Medical waiver: These students may participate in our program and access all site classes and resources.
IEP provision: If students must access classes as indicated in their IEP, then they may do so (regardless of immunization status).
Partially immunized or not immunized but with a valid Personal Belief Exemption: A Personal Belief Exemption (PBE) filed with a school prior to January 1, 2016, is valid until the student's entry into the next grade span (Kindergarten or 7th grade). If a student has already reached 7th grade by the 2015-2016 school year, then that student’s existing PBE is valid until the student graduates from high school. Valid PBEs may be transferred between schools in California. These students may participate in our program and access all site classes and resources.
Partially immunized or not immunized and without a valid PBE: Students who failed to complete the series of required immunizations within the specified time allowed under the law are welcome to participate in our Independent Study program but will not be allowed to attend site classes until the series of immunizations have been completed. However, students will still be able to enter our buildings to meet with their Independent Study Teacher and participate in one-on-one tutoring (or similar individually-administered services).
Statement on Timeline for COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements in Schools
“…To ensure sufficient time for successful implementation of new vaccine requirements, California will not initiate the regulatory process for a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for the 2022-2023 school year and as such, any vaccine requirements would not take effect until after full FDA approval and no sooner than July 1, 2023.”
Full statement here.
If you still have questions about our program or this enrollment process, please contact your region's Principal:
Sonoma County: Christine Bendik at 707-585-6520 or christine.bendik@pathwayscharter.org
Solano/Napa Counties: Jill Dorsey at 707-642-2450 or jill.dorsey@pathwayscharter.org
Marin County: Michele Blaisdell at 415-524-2798 or michele.blaisdell@pathwayscharter.org