Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Pathways Program a “fit” for?
Anyone! Due to the flexible and personalized nature of the program, students with all learning goals and needs can be accommodated. Aside from being a student “in good standing,” there are no requirements such as GPA for acceptance into the program. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a STEM field, liberal studies, art, finance, a trade or other area of focus, Pathways can accommodate and help you explore your passion!
How many students does the Pathways Program accept?
One Pathways cohort serves approximately 25 students.
What if I want to continue with math, science and/or other electives?
A handful of Pathways students will choose to enroll in a math, science and/or elective course at either their homesite, Tamiscal or College of Marin. It’s up to you, and what works with your schedule.
What does a typical week look like for a student?
Students attend Pathways roughly 10 hours a week for English and social studies instruction as well as dedicated workshop time. Outside of those 10 hours, students spend 8-15 hours a week at College of Marin depending on the number of credits a student chooses to take, and 6-10 hours a week at an internship placement. You have a hand and say in creating your own schedule!
How would Pathways students describe the program?
A personalized program where students receive as much help and support as they individually need. A program that promotes and empowers student voice and choice over his/her individual learning.
What is the advantage of taking college courses while in high school?
There are an array of advantages, some of which include earning transferable credit, learning how to navigate a college campus, and becoming more comfortable in that environment, and gaining more voice and choice over your classes and what you are learning. Additionally, there is a considerable long term savings in college costs.
What is transferable credit?
Most courses at College of Marin are UC and CSU transferable, which means those classes will transfer to a CSU or UC and will fulfill either a general education requirement or elective credit. Either way, you are earning college credit now as a high school student. Additionally, you are not paying the cost of UC or CSU tuition.
What if I want to attend an out-of-state school?
A lot of College of Marin classes still transfer, and there are ways to identify which ones do.
Does Pathways set requirements on the courses students take at College of Marin?
No! Course selection is completely up to the student. However, TUHSD graduation requirements still apply.
Is there any additional cost?
Yes and no. College of Marin does not charge high school students tuition, however, there are a handful of fees that together range from $20-$100 a semester depending on the number of units plus the cost of textbooks. However, the Pathways Program offers partial and full scholarships to any student in need of financial assistance.
How does this impact my diploma?
It doesn’t! You will complete your remaining graduation requirements, and earn your diploma on time.
How does this impact college applications?
It doesn’t! Pathways has access to Tamiscal’s College and Career Counselor, Julie Gannon, who is on hand while Pathways students are on campus. In addition, Julie Gannon will schedule a meeting with each student and his/her family to discuss college options. The Pathways staff is here to support each student through every step of the college application, financial aid, and college decision process.
Why not stay at my homesite, and enroll in College of Marin courses through them?
High school students are typically allowed to enroll in one course a semester at COM. However, Pathways has developed a relationship with College of Marin, and they allow our students to take up to 11.5 units or 3-4 courses given the amount of support our students receive throughout the year. Additionally, Pathways students have priority enrollment, which allows them to register ahead of most students. High school students are typically the last to register, but Pathways students are among the first. Also the flexibility in our schedule enables students to fit in more classes.
Can I participate in athletics, extracurriculars, dances, and the graduation ceremony at my homesite?
Yes, yes, yes, and yes! As a Pathways and Tamiscal student, you will continue to have access to all extracurriculars including athletics, clubs, dances, etc. as well as walking in the graduation ceremony at your homesite.
What is Tamiscal? Where is it located?
Tamiscal is a small, alternative school located on 305 Doherty Drive in Larkspur (down the road from Redwood HS). Tamiscal houses the Pathways Program, TEAM, CEC and an independent study program. We have students from all across the district attending one of our four programs.
Anyone! Due to the flexible and personalized nature of the program, students with all learning goals and needs can be accommodated. Aside from being a student “in good standing,” there are no requirements such as GPA for acceptance into the program. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a STEM field, liberal studies, art, finance, a trade or other area of focus, Pathways can accommodate and help you explore your passion!
How many students does the Pathways Program accept?
One Pathways cohort serves approximately 25 students.
What if I want to continue with math, science and/or other electives?
A handful of Pathways students will choose to enroll in a math, science and/or elective course at either their homesite, Tamiscal or College of Marin. It’s up to you, and what works with your schedule.
What does a typical week look like for a student?
Students attend Pathways roughly 10 hours a week for English and social studies instruction as well as dedicated workshop time. Outside of those 10 hours, students spend 8-15 hours a week at College of Marin depending on the number of credits a student chooses to take, and 6-10 hours a week at an internship placement. You have a hand and say in creating your own schedule!
How would Pathways students describe the program?
A personalized program where students receive as much help and support as they individually need. A program that promotes and empowers student voice and choice over his/her individual learning.
What is the advantage of taking college courses while in high school?
There are an array of advantages, some of which include earning transferable credit, learning how to navigate a college campus, and becoming more comfortable in that environment, and gaining more voice and choice over your classes and what you are learning. Additionally, there is a considerable long term savings in college costs.
What is transferable credit?
Most courses at College of Marin are UC and CSU transferable, which means those classes will transfer to a CSU or UC and will fulfill either a general education requirement or elective credit. Either way, you are earning college credit now as a high school student. Additionally, you are not paying the cost of UC or CSU tuition.
What if I want to attend an out-of-state school?
A lot of College of Marin classes still transfer, and there are ways to identify which ones do.
Does Pathways set requirements on the courses students take at College of Marin?
No! Course selection is completely up to the student. However, TUHSD graduation requirements still apply.
Is there any additional cost?
Yes and no. College of Marin does not charge high school students tuition, however, there are a handful of fees that together range from $20-$100 a semester depending on the number of units plus the cost of textbooks. However, the Pathways Program offers partial and full scholarships to any student in need of financial assistance.
How does this impact my diploma?
It doesn’t! You will complete your remaining graduation requirements, and earn your diploma on time.
How does this impact college applications?
It doesn’t! Pathways has access to Tamiscal’s College and Career Counselor, Julie Gannon, who is on hand while Pathways students are on campus. In addition, Julie Gannon will schedule a meeting with each student and his/her family to discuss college options. The Pathways staff is here to support each student through every step of the college application, financial aid, and college decision process.
Why not stay at my homesite, and enroll in College of Marin courses through them?
High school students are typically allowed to enroll in one course a semester at COM. However, Pathways has developed a relationship with College of Marin, and they allow our students to take up to 11.5 units or 3-4 courses given the amount of support our students receive throughout the year. Additionally, Pathways students have priority enrollment, which allows them to register ahead of most students. High school students are typically the last to register, but Pathways students are among the first. Also the flexibility in our schedule enables students to fit in more classes.
Can I participate in athletics, extracurriculars, dances, and the graduation ceremony at my homesite?
Yes, yes, yes, and yes! As a Pathways and Tamiscal student, you will continue to have access to all extracurriculars including athletics, clubs, dances, etc. as well as walking in the graduation ceremony at your homesite.
What is Tamiscal? Where is it located?
Tamiscal is a small, alternative school located on 305 Doherty Drive in Larkspur (down the road from Redwood HS). Tamiscal houses the Pathways Program, TEAM, CEC and an independent study program. We have students from all across the district attending one of our four programs.