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.
  • 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 for diverse learning styles and nontraditional learners.
  • Supportive of students who may have learning, social/emotional, mental health, and/or 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.
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