County charter school moves to Auburn

Pathways iLearn Academy Charter School, a Placer County Office of Education school, moved into Auburn this month. The school, which serves part-time and full-time home schooled students, was previously housed in Meadow Vista. The building is now located on Office of Education property, in a location that used to host a career and technical training program. Pathways serves families with children in transitional kindergarten through eighth-grade who choose to educate their children at home or in a home/school hybrid program. The charter school is part of the county's independent study program. The school currently serves 184 students, 30 that are full-time home schooled, and the rest attend the school three days a week, with their parents instructing them for the other two days. "Because of the nature of the program, the parent involvement is an integral part to it," said Principal Andy Wood. "They are responsible for two-fifths of their students' education and I think that result shows in our students' success." Teachers collaborate with parents and students to provide a rigorous, standards-based learning plan that addresses individual student needs and interests, Wood said. The iLearn Academy program also provides students with access to online learning, on-site enrichment classes, field trips and school-wide events to promote community and connections with others. "We provide a choice to our county and adjoining counties," Wood said. "Our students typically choose this program because they like the flexibility." The academy's new home on Nevada Street is a welcome upgrade, Wood said. The $1.8-million project was self-funded by the County Office of Education. The renovated building now features nine classrooms, multiple learning and coaching spaces, multi-purpose room, playground and outdoor area, and access to WiFi and digital learning tools. "The renovation of this facility is an investment in the future of Placer County students and serves as a reminder of our mission: to equip every child with a first-class education to succeed in a global economy," said Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica. "This charter school project was made possible, in part, by the unwavering commitment to providing the highest-quality learning and teaching environment for students and staff. The newly renovated building is a reflection of that commitment by maintaining the close-knit school community our families enjoy while providing upgraded resources and tools for 21st-century learning." The move to Auburn, which happened mid school year over holiday break, was challenging but rewarding in the end, Wood said. The Auburn community has been nothing but welcoming, he said.