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Shine Specialized Pathway (Grades 6-9)
To provide an additional option for students, we are excited to launch a specialized path that accommodates varied special needs of students in a more defined model that will boost flexibility and provide a heightened level of personalized support.
This specialized pathway is offered for students in grades 6-9 with specific needs such as:
- Learning Needs
- Social/Emotional
- Mental Health
- Behavioral Needs
Overview
Enrollment in this pathway provides a more specialized approach for each student based on specific needs, without having to be tested and/or officially diagnosed under more traditional programs. Any parent may enroll their child in this pathway, whether they are behind, average or advanced.
- Upon enrollment, the school develops an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that is based on information provided by the parent via discussion, documentation, and the school’s own observation.
- The student will be assigned to the Student Success Team, which consists of a counselor, an academic coach, and the course teachers.
- Middle School: Offer a limited course catalog, so students may focus only on 4 core subjects and one optional elective. Courses will be determined based on individual student need.
- 9th Grade: Offer a limited course catalog and determine whether adjustments would need to be made to put the student on track for a successful graduation plan. As the program grows, additional high school grades will be added.
** This pathway is not NCAA approved.
✅ Advantages of the SHINE Pathway
🎯 Targeted Support for Diverse Needs
✔️ Designed to support students with learning, social/emotional, mental health, and behavioral needs.
✔️ Allows enrollment without requiring testing or an official diagnosis, reducing barriers for families.
🧠 Highly Personalized Learning
✔️ Each student receives an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) based on parent input, documentation, and school observation.
✔️ Courses can be modified or adjusted to meet individual student needs.
✔️ Annual ILP reviews ensure plans stay aligned with student progress.
👩🏫 Strong Student Success Team
✔️ Students are supported by a team including a counselor, academic coach, and teachers.
✔️ Team meets regularly with students and parents based on need (weekly, biweekly, or monthly).
✔️ Counselors provide academic planning plus social and emotional sessions for students and parents.
📚 Focused Academic Structure
✔️ Limited course catalog helps students concentrate on four core subjects and one elective.
✔️ Small-group live classes plus drop-in help labs promote deeper understanding.
✔️ Built-in 1:1 instructional support as needed.
⏳ Exceptional Flexibility
✔️ Flexible enrollment options include course acceleration, start date changes, and extensions.
✔️ Course extension and accelerations included in tuition.
✔️ Removal of permanent zero dates supports mastery-based progress.
🤝 Social & Emotional Development
✔️ Social skills sessions offered in groups or 1:1.
✔️ Character education, virtual field trips, mixers, clubs, and community events foster connection.
👥 Intentional Staffing Model
✔️ Lower teacher to student ratios.
✔️ Grade-level “pods” of teachers and support staff encourage coordinated care.
💻 Tuition Value Adds
✔️ Tuition includes a full-time course load, loaner laptop, materials, course extensions, term date changes, accelerations, and summer school if needed.