Admissions
Why Pathway? It’s not about forcing a fit, it’s about finding a place®
Every student is unique, so The Pathway School seeks to create a unique place in our school for each student we admit. We arrive at an admissions decision through a collaborative process led by our devoted professionals. They consult with the Local Education Agency (LEA) exploring a placement, parents seeking an appropriate school for their child, and other professionals already working with the student. This results in a holistic view of the student’s abilities and needs, enabling us to determine whether Pathway is a setting in which this individual can thrive.
Profile of a Typical Student
There is no “typical” Pathway student. Our population ranges from ages 5 to 22 with a wide variety of diagnoses, and in many cases complex overlapping diagnoses. The most prevalent diagnoses are autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, emotional disturbance, and speech and language impairment.
Almost all of our students have some type of learning disability. Their cognitive capabilities range from above average to mild-to-moderate intellectual disability.
Rather than rule out a prospective student based on a particular mental health diagnosis, Pathway digs deep to understand the severity and how that translates into the student’s level of need. This helps us make a responsible decision about our ability to support a student.
What Parents Want to Know
As the parent of a child with special needs, you are seeking a special place – a place where your loved one will be accepted in all of his or her individual strengths and needs.
During our collaborative evaluation process, parents and Pathway professionals have the same goal: to determine in advance whether this will be a successful match of student and school.
We will address your concerns honestly and openly, whether you are worried we might not be able to handle your child’s challenging behaviors or – at the other end of the spectrum – worried that your child will pick up challenging behaviors from other students.
On your journey to find that special place you want for your child, we invite you to come to Pathway for a tour. To schedule a tour, please contact the Admissions Office by email to enrollment@pathwayschool.org or by calling 610-277-0660 ext. 289 (or press 5).
What LEAs Want to Know
As an LEA, you represent a local school district or charter school in finding outside placements for students who need an alternative learning environment. You are seeking the best match between the student’s needs and the school’s capabilities.
More than 52 school districts have placed students at Pathway, and their experienced LEAs have a thorough understanding of our capabilities. Newer LEAs first ask for a profile of the typical student we serve (see above).
Other things LEAs want to know can be found on this website: About the school, our Academics & Services, Emotional Support Program, and Extended School Year.
If any of your questions are not answered on this site, or you’d just rather talk to a knowledgeable person, please contact the Admissions Office by email to enrollment@pathwayschool.org or by calling 610-277-0660 ext. 289 (or press 5).
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