Trailblazer PathWay
The Trailblazer Pathway is designed for students who demonstrate higher academic readiness and are prepared for increased rigor, independence, and responsibility in their learning. This pathway supports students as they transition from elementary to secondary expectations, with a strong focus on grade-level academics, critical thinking, functional skill development, and preparation for long-term success, including earning a high school diploma.
Students in the Trailblazer Pathway benefit from a balanced instructional model that combines structured
whole-group learning with targeted small-group support to ensure access, challenge, and growth.
how learning works
Instruction in the Trailblazer Pathway blends whole-group lessons with differentiated small- group learning opportunities. This approach allows students to engage with grade-level standards while receiving targeted support or extension based on individual needs.
Whole-group instruction provides:
- Access to grade-level academic content and vocabulary
- Opportunities for shared learning, discussion, and collaboration
- A consistent structure for introducing and reinforcing new concepts
Small-group instruction allows
teachers to: - Reteach, reinforce, or extend learning
- Differentiate instruction based on student performance
- Support mastery of academic and functional skills.
This model promotes both academic achievement and growing independence.
Social-Emotional
Trailblazer students continue to demonstrate more independence with their social-emotional skills
and continue to develop their independence level in our program social emotional skills. For Kindergarten – 3rd grade we use a combination of the Zones of Regulation Curriculum and the Leader in Me curriculum. For 4th-12th grade, we use the Leader In Me curriculum to develop social skills in our students.
We continue to use positive behavior techniques, token economy systems, and Lion Cash to help shape behaviors in our classes. With older students, we
will change token economy to be more realistic by using a currency system.
As students progress through the pathway, we promote more independence with social- emotional skills.
Focus Areas of Trailblazer Pathway
Grade level and above academic engagement.
Critical thinking and problem solving.
Executive functioning and self-management.
Communication and collaboration skills.
Functional application of academic learning.
Preparation for secondary- level expectations and independence.