Your path starts here

Pathwise is Palo Alto’s only free, non-profit, after-school enrichment program for less-resourced and historically-underrepresented middle school students. Located on each school’s campus, we offer social-emotional learning, academic support, and near-peer mentoring in a safe, welcoming space. We extend that support to families through multilingual communication, school guidance, and advocacy.

Note: it depends upon PAUSD guidelines. Each student attends the Pathwise program twice per week (Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday). Students form classes of 10-15 at the end of the school day and meet on campus from 2:30-5:15pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and 3:15-5:45pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each classroom is led by an experienced classroom director and staffed with volunteer student mentors. Parents and guardians are invited to participate in optional education/training sessions.

Pathwise is located on each PAUSD middle school’s campus (Fletcher, Greene, and JLS).

No. We can help parents set up carpools to make transportation easier for families, if requested.

We match middle school students with near-peer mentors from local high schools and colleges. Students and mentors work together for the entire year to build self-confidence, strengthen academics, and hone life skills. We work closely with PAUSD teachers and counselors so that—together with parents—we can collaborate as a team to provide customized support for each student.

Pathwise students gain confidence, connection, and self-advocacy to thrive in high school. Families gain tools to champion their children’s success. And mentors grow as empathetic, purposeful leaders.

Pathwise strives to have students become “high-school ready” by the end of eighth grade. This means being academically, task, and life ready. See impact for outcome metrics.

Speak to your teacher, guidance counselor, Student and Family Engagement Specialist (SaFE), or email us at hello@pathwise.org.