Shine Specialized Pathway (Grades 6-9)

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.
• 9^th 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 for diverse learning styles and nontraditional learners.
• Supportive of students who may have learning, social/emotional, mental health, and/or behavooral needs.
• Allows enrollment without requiring testing or an official diagnosis, reducing barriers for families.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Social & Emotional Development

• Social skills sessions offered in groups or 1:1.
• Character education, virtual field trips, mixers, clubs, and community events foster connection.

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Intentional Staffing Model

• Lower teacher to student ratios.
• Grade-level “pods” of teachers and support staff encourage coordinated care.

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Tuition Value Adds

• Tuition includes a full-time course load, loaner laptop, materials, course extensions, term date changes, accelerations, and summer school if needed.