PATHWAYS
High School

Pathways High School

Pathways is an individualized approach to learning, where the curriculum is delivered using an online format (Edgenuity) and teachers facilitate the learning process. The mission of Pathways is for students to develop a path beyond high school; to remain motivated and to succeed in achieving a high school diploma.

Pathways is located in the back of Kenowa Hills Middle School. We have a separate wing that does not intersect with Middle School students at all. Students are provided breakfast and lunch free of charge on a daily basis, use KH transportation, and can participate in KH athletics/extracurricular activities.

At Pathways we use a tiered approach to attendance in the classroom. As students achieve progress in their classes and are on pace to graduate, they may earn more time to work independently as needed. The transition from a traditional school’s structured day to a more independent learning structure will impact students in different ways. The attendance policy in place for students is designed to ensure that the student can make this transition at their own pace with all the necessary support they may need.

Pathways students are required 19 credits to graduate: 18 are in the required Michigan Merit Curriculum and 1 credit in employability skills. Pathways holds its own graduation ceremony celebrating the accomplishments of students. Students receive a Michigan high school diploma and can attend any and all post-secondary options.

See the KH Pathways High School 2024-25 Annual Education Report.

 

Pathways High School News
 

May 20, 2025

 

From One Credit to Graduation Speaker

When Christian arrived at Pathways High School as a junior, he had just one high school credit, a 0.4 GPA, and no real belief in a future. “I was almost not completing any work in a day,” he shared. “All I could think about was how bad my future was going to be.”

But inside the walls of Pathways, something started to shift. He found teachers who didn’t look at his transcript and see failure—they saw potential. “I found genuine teachers that care about students’ credits and the time they need to get them,” Christian said. “It was a very welcoming environment.”

This deeply personal approach is what defines Pathways. “The most important thing for our students when they start here is for them to feel like they can be successful,” said Pathways Interim Principal Cathy Capy-Cantu. “We want them to be happy, healthy, and to find their passion and purpose for their future.”

Christian’s turning point came when a counselor helped him connect with the West Michigan Construction Institute (WMCI). There, he discovered not just a trade, but a sense of direction. After completing core construction training, he found a passion for rough carpentry—a perfect fit for a student who had grown up helping his dad with concrete work.

“My experience at WMCI pushed me through a lot of trades,” Christian said. “Rough carpentry was my thing—a hard work ethic while also being professional at all times. It really gave me an opportunity to find what I would love to do.”

That clarity fueled a complete transformation. According to Capy-Cantu, even in just a short time, Christian’s maturity stood out. “What impressed me was how he carried himself—how he talked to other students who weren’t making the best choices, and how he ‘locked in,’ as he would say, once he found his future through WMCI.”

Now, Christian is preparing to graduate early—a remarkable achievement on its own. But he’s also speaking at two graduation ceremonies: one at WMCI and one at Pathways. For a student whose family members never completed high school, the significance isn’t lost on him. “It really means a lot to me,” he said. “They saw the opportunity and loved seeing me accomplish it.”

Christian’s success is a powerful reflection of the mission of Pathways: to meet students where they are, without judgment, and walk alongside them as they rebuild belief in themselves. “Our staff builds meaningful relationships at every level,” Capy-Cantu shared. “Teachers who understand individual learning needs, a counselor who serves as both a guide and advocate—it’s a whole-school commitment to truly knowing each student.”

That commitment is what makes stories like Christian’s possible.

“For any student who’s struggling like I was,” Christian said, “I’d tell them that Pathways won’t give up on you. No matter how bad it gets, the teachers will always have a positive attitude toward pushing you to succeed.”

From a 0.4 GPA to a graduation stage, from feeling hopeless to becoming a role model—Christian’s journey is a testament to what can happen when belief, support, and opportunity come together.

At Pathways, every student is seen, supported, and given the space to thrive—and Christian’s story is proof that success can start from anywhere. 

More About Pathways High School

One of the goals of Pathways is to provide students with more flexibility in scheduling options while still maintaining a structured environment for maximum student support in their transition to additional independence.