A woman stands beside a smiling young woman seated at a table covered with pottery projects in a classroom, suggesting a pottery or art lesson in progress.

The Pathways Program

We’ll help you explore your passions, get hands-on experience in some of your favorite areas of study, and gain invaluable skills for your future. When you complete the program, you’ll earn a special designation on your diploma. Choose between Arts Management, Civic Engagement, and Environmental Studies. Keep reading to learn more!

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Current students interested in becoming “Pathfinders” should attend an info session. Dates will be announced in the spring! For questions, reach out to Mrs. Laura Robertson, US dean of academics.

Prospective and newly enrolled students should let us know you’re interested during the admission process and we will provide more information.

A smiling girl in a white polo and black skirt walks through a tunnel of students at school, giving high fives, holding a pink water bottle and phone, with chalk drawings visible on the ground.
Five people wearing waders stand in a shallow river, likely as part of a school fieldwork project, holding a large yellow container. The group appears to be collecting samples, surrounded by trees and autumn foliage.
A woman in a white outfit presents research findings to a classroom of seated adults, with a screen behind her displaying “Goals of my study” and related information. The room has sports photos on the walls.
A woman wearing a pink, petal-shaped fairy costume with wings walks confidently on a runway, arms slightly outstretched, as an audience watches and applauds. A screen with text and an image is visible in the background.

Choose Your Path

A smiling young person in a white shirt paints on a large canvas in a bright art classroom. Nearby, an easel displays a colorful painting of lips holding a paintbrush. Art supplies and books fill the background.
Arts Management
A group of people gather around a table with laptops and papers, engaged in discussion in a bright, modern classroom or office setting. Some are seated while others stand, focusing on a central speaker.
Civic Engagement
Three people in waders stand in a shallow, wooded creek. One person walks through the water, while the other two talk on the bank among fallen leaves and trees.
Environmental Studies

Three Essential Elements

Personal Growth

This element focuses on the development and demonstration of the core values of agency, impact and curiosity in addition to the skills of project management, professional communication, time management, collaboration, public speaking, team building, and problem-solving. Pathways will require workshops, single-mod courses, mentorship opportunities, and excellence in the field of study.

Technical Skills

Students will develop advanced communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical analysis skills through independent projects and the acquisition and development of technical skills related to their field of inquiry. Each pathway will include hands-on training, practical assignments, and technical workshops. Depending on the program students are both encouraged and at times required to achieve external skill validation, whether that means becoming a DEQ-certified water tester in our Environmental Science pathway or organizing and executing a major event for the community using their chosen medium in the Arts Management pathway.

Civic Engagement

Students will participate in a significant community service experience as defined by the director of Civic Engagement that benefits the St. Anne’s-Belfield or broader community. This element focuses on developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to understand the challenges and opportunities in one’s own community to make a difference in a broader community.

Steps Towards a Pathway Certificate

Step 1: attend interest meetings & complete the application process

Attend the Pathways Program orientation to learn about the program requirements and expectations and be exposed to leaders in the specified area of interest. 

Step 2: complete the asynchronous canvas course

All certificate pathways will begin with an introduction to the executive and pathway-specific skills necessary to successfully complete the program of study. This course will be created for asynchronous completion and will include skill building that will allow students to engage external members of the community, begin portfolio work, and make connections to facilitate the Civic Engagement and service component.

Step 3: complete appropriate existing course within the upper school curriculum

Each program pathway listed above has a required course of study. Click “learn more” within each program to see the course list.

Step 4: Choose elective courses and engage in extracurricular work

Select and complete elective courses based on interests and goals. These courses allow students to specialize in specific areas of expertise. Students will also pick an area of service outside of the school community. Students might consider a summer experience, apply for financial support to fund related expenses, establish a relationship with a local organization, and become a regular volunteer/contributor.

Step 5: submit a culminating pathway project or a capstone thesis

Upon completion or enrollment in required courses, every student will design and execute either a Capstone Thesis/AP Research Capstone Thesis or a culminating Pathway Project. Students will choose a medium that best suits their work and represents the culmination of all of their learning. Students will present their work in an appropriate public forum that includes an external audience. As the program grows, students will also be asked to act as mentors in some capacity to the students joining the program.

Embark on Experiential Learning

Learn from Industry Experts

Serve Your Community

Develop a Digital Portfolio

Questions? Message Mrs. Laura Robertson, US dean of academics.

Your Next Step

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