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 home schooling or charter school organizations, while 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.

Steps in Enrollment:

1. Register to attend an Orientation Session (see link to the right).
2. Expect an email from a Pathways Charter School staff member within two (2) days. This email will contain dates for local and online Orientation Sessions.
3. Attend an Orientation Session with your student if they in grades 6-12. Younger students do not need to attend.
4. Decide if Pathways is a good fit for your student and, if so, request to register your child. At the Orientation Session, you will learn if we have open enrollment space or a wait list.
5. If space is available, then you will receive an email invitation to complete the registration process online. Our staff is available for assistance.
6. Expect a call from either your student’s independent study teacher to set your initial planning meeting or the school office to notify you if enrollment is closed.

Enrollment Policies

Pathways is a public charter school open to all students living in our service counties (Sonoma, Solano, Marin, and Napa). 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, after attending the Orientation Session, you decide to proceed with registration, the regional Principal will notify you if we have space available or are placing students on a wait list in your area. If there is space and you request a registration invitation, you have two (2) weeks to complete your registration online; otherwise, we will drop your student’s name from our pending enrollment list. For students placed on a wait list, when space does become available, all students in the lottery pool are randomly drawn and placed on a numbered wait list. 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 registration is completed, you will get a call from your child’s Independent study Teacher (IST) to set your initial planning meeting. Your student’s first day of enrollment at Pathways will be no sooner than the date of that initial meeting.

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 December 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 who are not eligible for Kindergarten, but it is not mandatory.

Immunizations

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 has 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).

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.

Questions?

If you have questions about our program or this enrollment process, please contact your region's Principal:

Sonoma County: Byron Laird at 707-585-6520 or byron.laird@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