The Pathfinder School

11930 S West Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City, MI, 49684
Tel: (231)995-3800
Grades: PK - 8 | 106 students
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Since 1972, Pathfinder's academically vigorous program has been on the cutting edge of education, developing critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity and an unparalleled love of learning through Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences pedagogy.  Our mission is to discover and develop each student's individual abilities by investing in a community of families and teachers in which serious study flourishes alongside creativity, responsibility and enthusiasm. At Pathfinder, children feel safe to be themselves, think independently, work cooperatively, become avid learners and strive to make a difference in the lives of others.

School Overview:
The Pathfinder School
School Type School with Special Program Emphasis
School Membership(s) Independent Schools Association of the Central States
Religious Affiliation Nonsectarian
Grades Offered Grades Prekindergarten - 8
Learning Programs Supported Yes
Year Founded 1972
Student Body
Total Students 106 students
Student Body Type Co-ed
% Students of Color 1% (MI School Avg.: 22%)
Students by Grade
 
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers 20 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio 6:1 (National school avg.: 13:1)
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree 35%
Average Class Size 12 students
List of Courses Offered Link to List of Courses
Matriculation Data Link to Matriculation Data
Classroom dress code Casual
Finances and Admission
Admission Deadline None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost $9,450
Tuition Notes Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten tuition can be lower due to a reduced schedule. Please visit our website for tuition information.
% on Financial Aid 35%
Average Financial Aid Grant $3,000
Acceptance Rate 97%
Admissions Director Caroline Maier
Sports
Total Sports Offered 5 sports
Sports
Basketball Cross Country
Soccer Track and Field
Volleyball
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurriculars 7 extracurriculars
Extracurriculars
Body Wellness Fencing
Odyssey of the Mind Orchestral Strings Program
Singwell Academy The Green Club
Water Color and Oil Painting

School Notes:

    For the past 40 years, The Pathfinder School has been inspiring children to achieve their personal best as lifelong learners, young global citizens, creative thinkers and stewards of the Earth.  Our students are motivated to look beyond the outward appearance of things toward deeper understanding.  The basis of all inquiry begins with the fundamental question, "How am I and all other things connected to this topic?"  This question arises time and time again in all of our classrooms - grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8th.  Consequently, student learning is grounded in relevance and the positive results, as measured both by student achievement and engagement, are irrefutable. MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES - In our classrooms, we emphasize deep understanding of varying concepts through experience-based learning while employing the Multiple Intelligences pedagogy developed by Howard Gardner.   There is a constant flow of new information on how the human brain operates, how it differs in function between genders, how emotions impact intellectual acuity, even on how genetics and environment each impact our children’s cognitive abilities. While each area of study has its merits, Howard Gardner of Harvard University identified different KINDS of intelligence we possess. This has particularly strong ramifications in the classroom, because if we can identify children's different strengths among these intelligences, we can accommodate different children more successfully according to their orientation to learning. Teaching with this understanding has been a primary focus at Pathfinder since the school's inception in 1972.  Many of our faculty attended Harvard Graduate School of Education's Project Zero where the Gardner pedagoy is taught.  As a result, our veteran educators continue to develop a responsive and engaging curriculum based on the most current research in teaching and learning.   By staying on the cutting edge of education, we develop higher achieving students who are inspired to become more active learners as a result of their natural curiosity and joy in finding success.   PATHFINDER IS...
    • The only accredited independent day school serving Pre-Kindergarten - 8th Grade students
    • Fully accredited by the Independent School Association of the Central States (ISACS)
    • Small classes and personal attention; Individualized instruction with a student:faculty ratio of 8 to 1
    • Dedicated teachers whose real-life field experience adds relevance to classroom instruction
    • An engaging and responsive curriculum built on the proven principles of experiential education
    • Recognized increasingly as a destination school, attracting families from across the country
    • A 22-acre wooded campus brimming with learning opportunities nestled on the shores of Cedar Lake and Grand Traverse Bay
    • Many opportunities for parental involvement including an active parents’ association, community building activities, and adult education
    • Centrally and conveniently located 3 miles from downtown Traverse City at the base of the Leelanau Peninsula
    • A school culture that honors diversity in its many forms and promotes civility: our school admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin
    • A GREEN CERTIFIED SCHOOL with a robust compost, recycling and no waste program for our students to experience and learn from.
    • PLEASE NOTE: The YouTube videos you see at the bottom of this page ARE NOT FOR OUR SCHOOL. To learn more about Pathfinder (located in Traverse City, MI) please visit our Facebook page or website.

    Profile last updated: 01/28/2013

Facebook School Page:

Nearby Schools:

The Pathfinder School
Gr. PK-8 | 0 mi. away
Immaculate Conception Elementary School
Gr. 4-6 | 2.8 mi. away
St Elizabeth Ann Seton M S
Gr. 7-9 | 3 mi. away
Northwest Michigan House Of Hope
Gr. 8-12 | 3.1 mi. away
Holy Angels Elementary School
Gr. K-3 | 3.5 mi. away
Grand Traverse Area Catholic School
Gr. PK-12 | 3.5 mi. away

View all schools in: Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Zip 49684

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