Building Confidence Beyond Middle School: The Pathways Class

Perhaps you can recall a time when you felt nervous about an interview or anxious while applying for a job or school. These are completely normal feelings. Developing these life skills takes time, and even for seasoned adults, there’s always room for improvement. At SGS, we believe in getting ahead of the curve by cultivating these skills early, helping our students and their families define and achieve their goals so they can succeed beyond their time at SGS – enter the 8th grade Pathways Class.

Pathways takes place during the fall and is co-taught by Asha Sundae Dean, Director of Enrollment Management, and Miryam Harvey, Dean of Students and Dean of Faculty. This class creates a space for students to:

The class concludes with a networking mixer attended by community members from diverse backgrounds, where 8th graders put their new skills into practice.

Pathways equips students with the tools they need to navigate their educational journey. This preparation pays off: Over the past eight years, 35% of SGS students have matriculated to independent schools, 15% to parochial schools, and 50% to public schools.

One parent shared:
“The Pathways Class has been so helpful for our family as we navigate our 8th grader into high school (and, in truth, our 5th grader too)! The team has given great insight into high schools that are a great fit for Etta, our 8th grader, and our family—even suggesting schools we wouldn’t have considered.”

One student reflected:
“After taking the Pathways Class, I feel more confident speaking about myself to others, highlighting my achievements and what I love. I can definitely say I feel more prepared and confident going into high school.”