HIGH SCHOOL HANDBOOK

Overview

The Pathfinder Academy is a joint venture between the School Town of Highland and the Lake Central School Corporation. The program is devised of two components, a middle school (grades 7-8) and high school (grades 9-12). The Pathfinder Academy primarily assists at-risk students who are not successful in their current educational setting and/or need an alternative learning environment. At the middle school level, students will receive their education in the core academic areas through a combination of direct and computer driven instruction. Additionally, middle school students will receive individualized reading assistance, study-skill management and a variety of advisory related activities. The high school students will earn core credits through a computerized learning program (PLATO). High school students may also earn an elective credit through a work-study program or community service component. All students benefit from certified teachers, counselors and support staff while enrolled in the program.

Middle School Program

The middle school component of the Pathfinder Academy will be delivered via direct instruction from certified teachers and support staff in the areas of: English/language arts, mathematics, and social studies. Science instruction will be driven Plato computer curriculum with the assistance of our teaching and support staff. The program will also utilize an “advisory” component that will engage the whole child and remediate areas of weakness within the core areas. A significant part of this period will be focused on reading instruction and skill development. The goal of the middle school program will serve as an effective transition back into the regular school environment once a student’s Individual Service Plan (ISP) has been fulfilled.

High School Program

The high school component of the Pathfinder Academy suits the needs of students who are behind in credit and/or not successful in a traditional learning environment. Students will earn credits through PLATO. Teachers and support staff will be available to assist students who need direct one-on-one instruction, supplemental materials, and course review. The program is self-paced and monitored by our professional staff. Elective credit may also be earned through outside work experience and/or community service participation. Students will attend one half-day session (morning or afternoon). Goals for students within the high school program will vary from credit recovery to the attainment of a high school diploma within the Pathfinder Academy program.

Pathfinder Academy Staffing

The Pathfinder Academy staff is committed to providing quality instruction in an environment that promotes regular school attendance, accountability for one’s actions, and ownership of learning. The academy will employ teachers and support staff who are committed to leading a success-driven alternative school.

The characteristics of high performing alternative schools include:

  • Low student-to-staff ratio;
  • A safe and orderly learning environment;
  • Effective, caring, and competent leadership
  • Highly trained and carefully selected staff;
  • A vision and clearly defined objectives for the program that are shared by all staff and embedded in all facets of the instructional program;
  • District wide support of the program;
  • Positive working relations with all parts of the school system and with other collaborating agencies that provide critical services to youth;
  • Realistic, relevant and meaningful connections between school and workplace;
  • Intensive counseling, mentoring, and monitoring.

Our focus will be to establish positive staff and student relationships and interactions for all stakeholders.

  • Teachers (2)
  • English/Language Arts and Social Studies
  • Math and Science
  • Aides (2)
  • Support Aides

Admission Process

Each sending school district will identify the students who will benefit from the Pathfinder Academy. Once a student is identified, an initial meeting will be held between the Pathfinder staff and sending school (principal or designee, counselor and teacher representative if requested). During this meeting, information will be shared about the student and their specific learning needs. Together, these teams will develop an ISP for the student which must contain the following information:

  1. Educational goals appropriate for the student.
  2. Behavioral goals appropriate for the student.
  3. An alternative education program that is appropriate for the students
  4. Services required by the student and the student's immediate family to meet the educational goals and behavioral goals specified in the individual service plan.

In the plan, the student's teacher(s) and principal or principal's designee must jointly agree that the student is likely to benefit academically from participation in an alternative education program. The Pathfinder Academy Director, after collaboration with the sending district leadership, will be the sole decision maker as to whether a student will be admitted into the Academy.

Student Population

The Pathfinder Academy will host 60 student slots based on the following format:

  • School Town of Highland (30)
  • 10 Middle School Slots
  • 20 High School Slots (10 morning and 10 afternoon)
  • Lake Central School Corporation 30)
  • 10 Middle School Slots
  • 20 High School Slots (10 morning and 10 afternoon)

Daily Schedule

Middle School

Middle School

  • 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM
  • 7:45 AM - 9:15 AM(English/Language Arts)
  • 9:15 AM – 10:30 AM(Math)
  • 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM(Lifeskills)
  • 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM(Lunch)
  • 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM(Seminar)
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM(Social Studies)
  • 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM(Science)

High School

  • Session 1 –7:45 AM – 10:45 AM
  • Session 2 –11:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Discipline

The Pathfinder Academy will utilize a point system to maintain structure and order within the classroom setting. The discipline system will be progressive in nature. Each student will begin the school year with 1,000 points. Students will have the opportunity to gain points and/or lose points based on their attendance, behavior and work/study habits. If, at any time, the student loses all of their points, they will be immediately removed from the program and recommended for expulsion through their sending school. The Pathfinder Academy point system will be explained to students and parents at the initial ISP meeting. Both students and parents must sign a behavior contract prior to admission in the Pathfinder Academy. Parents and sending school staff will be updated when point totals reach predetermined levels. Incentives such as uniform-free days are given to students with high point levels.

Busing

All students are required to ride the bus to and from Pathfinder Academy. Each sending school will make sure that the bus picks up and drops off each student at his or her front door. Only under rare circumstances may a student be dropped off or picked up from Pathfinder Academy, in which a parent must call and speak with a member of the Pathfinder staff. The Pathfinder staff and the student’s cooperating principal must approve the request.

Dress Code

Each student enrolled in the Pathfinder Academy will be required to wear a school uniform. The uniform consists of navy or khaki/beige pants, and a white or navy blue collared shirt (short sleeve or long sleeve) and if needed, a sweatshirt (solid). A collared shirt must be worn at all times. Shoes must be closed-toe and pants must be worn at the waist.

Counseling

General counseling support services will be provided by the School Town of Highland’s guidance department. Mental health services will be available through the Tri-City mental health center. These services are not part of the Pathfinder Academy or School Town of Highland program. The Tri-City fees are based on a sliding scale. The Tri-City mental health center also works with all major healthcare providers.

Reward / Earned Points / Attendance / Deducted Points
Perfect Attendance (for the week) / 50 Points / Unexcused Absence (no call-off) / 250 Points
Performance above expectations or exceptional behavior (Staff assigned) / 10 - 100 Points / Excused Absence (call-off from parent/guardian) / 50 Points
Return progress report signed by a parent – each week / 50 Points / Excused Absence with physician, dentist, court, etc. documentation / 0 Points
Credit Earned (HS) Unit Mastery (MS) / 150 Points 10 - 50 points / Tardies / 50 Points
Infraction / 1st Offense / 2nd Offense / 3rd Offense / 4th Offense
Alcohol/Drug Use/ Possession / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A / N/A
Bullying and Harassment / 500 points / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A
Bus Incident/Failure to Ride the Bus / 250 Points / 500 points / Automatic removal from program / N/A
Cheating/Plagiarism / 100 Points / 200 Points / 500 Points / Automatic removal from program
Computer Misuse / 100 points / 200 points / 500 points / Automatic removal from program
Disrespect to Staff / 500 Points / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A
Disruptive & Dangerous Items / 100 Points / 200 Points / 500 Points / Automatic removal from program
Disruptive Behavior / 50 Points / 100 Points / 200 Points / 300 Points
Uniform Violation / 100 Points / 200 Points / 300 Points / 400 Points
Drug Paraphernalia / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A / N/A
Electronic Device (including cell phone and iPod usage) / 100 Points / 200 Points / 300 Points / 400 Points
Fighting / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A / N/A
Gang, Cult and Occult Activity / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A / N/A
Indecent Exposure / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A / N/A
Insubordination / 200 points / 400 Points / 600 Points / Automatic removal from program
Internet Use (without permission from staff) / 100 Points / 200 Points / 300 Points / 400 Points
Loitering / 200 Points / 200 Points / 200 Points / Automatic removal from program
Not Entering or Leaving Through Proper Door / 100 Points / 200 Points / 300 Points / 400 Points
Obscenity / 200 Points / 400 Points / 600 Points / Automatic removal from program
Obscenity vs. Teacher / 750 Points / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A
Reluctant Learner / 50 Points / 100 Points / 200 Points / 300 Points
Sleeping / 100 Points / 200 Points / 300 Points / 400 Points
Theft / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A / N/A
Tobacco/e-cigarette or paraphernalia
Use or Possession / 500 Points / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A
Truancy/Missing the Bus/ Unexcused Absence / 250 Points / 500 Points / Automatic removal from program / N/A
Unauthorized Area / 200 Points / 400 Points / 400 Points / Automatic removal from program
Unlawful Activity / 500 Points / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A
Vandalism / 500 Points / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A
Verbal Altercation / 500 Points / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A
Weapons – Possession / Automatic removal from program / N/A / N/A / N/A
Director/Staff Discretion / 10 - Automatic removal from program / 10 - Automatic removal from program / 10 - Automatic removal from program / 10 - Automatic removal from program