FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2009
Media Contact: Michael Corby 904.632.3310

Pathways Academy opens doors for fourth year August 24 with increased enrollment, increased accessibility

Pathways Academy, the charter high school at Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Downtown Campus, begins its fourth year of operation on Aug. 24, 2009. Its mission is “rescue and recovery” for dropouts from the traditional public schools. The charter school opens its doors to at least 250 students — up from 150 last year.

Several recent enhancements to make Pathways more accessible include an online curriculum provided by the Florida Applied Technology Distance Education Consortium, giving 24/7 access to students. Night classes have also been recently added, with a capacity of up to 100 students for those with daytime schedule conflicts. This year also offers expanded mentoring; more role-models for students and job-shadowing opportunities; increased Dual Enrollment and career exploration opportunities; and greater access to student activities, including intramural sports.

“We are committed to providing a secondary education; postsecondary training; and character or personal development education so that we can grab those 16-to-20 year-olds that are in our community,” said Dr. Edythe Abdullah, Downtown Campus president and a founder of Pathways. “They’re smart enough, they’re talented enough, but for some reason they couldn’t make it in a different environment.”

A high school specifically for dropouts between the ages of 16-20, Pathways is designed to deliver academic, career, character and life-skills instruction in a simultaneous secondary and postsecondary environment. This program is offered at no cost to students. Enrollment remains open at present for interested students.

Visit Pathways Academy or call Pathways Academy at 904.633.8125. Downtown Campus is located at 101 W. State St.