HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM
Independent Studies High School Program
Pacific Sands Academy believes in the power of self-directed learning. We offer an independent studies program for teens based on their interests and passions. When students have freedom and choice in their education, they find a new love of learning that doesn’t look like normal school.
Students at Pacific Sands study and learn subjects such as aviation, game design, Civil War history, go-cart building, digital music, web design, fashion, criminal justice, ancient building design, anthropology, travel and travel planning, psychology, self care, and personal growth.
We also help students earn credits in traditional subjects and help them find ways to earn credits in courses they don’t usually find success in.
Enrolling in this program gives you the following:
- Enrollment in a California-recognized private school (PSP)
- Academic & educational freedom
- A possible quick path to a high school diploma
- Maintenance of student records
- A personalized graduation program
- Weekly social hours for teens on Discord
- Accredited credits earned in creative, independent ways
- Work permits for teens who wish to enter the workforce
- Dual enrollment documents for wish to take community college courses
Monthly mentoring program includes:
- Weekly to monthly mentoring meetings over Zoom or phone
- Guidance and accountability from CA credentialed teacher
- Conversations and explorations of new ideas around topics of interest
- Feedback on writing and other learning achievements
- Accredited credits (on transcript) earned in creative, independent ways
We meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly to flesh out what your student will be working on before the following designated meeting and discuss what was learned during the previous learning period.
If a teen has their own mentor, they are welcome to use them, and still earn credits. We also have an agreement with a daily mentorship program that you are welcome to use.
Paths to Graduation
When you enter Pacific Sands Academy as a new high school student, we create a high school graduation plan for you. We ask you the question: What do you want to do after high school?
Enter the work force? Go to community college? Enter a trade school? Attend a 4 year university? Or just be done with high school?
From this discussion we figure out what you want your high school transcript to look like; a traditional transcript, a more alternative school transcript, or a mixture of both? Some students even graduate without a transcript, just by completing their high school graduation requirement.
High school students of Pacific Sands have a big role in deciding when they want to graduate. They can stay with us for as little as one month and graduate at the end of that (for a quick path to graduation), or stay with us for several years and even begin community college courses before graduating from high school.
Traditional High School Transcript
A traditional transcript would include courses such as Algebra 1, Biology, World History, English 10. For courses like these, we find interesting ways of earning these credits. We use online channels such as Crash Course, Curiosity Stream, and V-Sauce. Students can read books, watch movies, create projects, or build things.
Traditional Transcript
This is an exampleExample of a Traditional Transcript
Alternative High School Transcript
An alternative transcript may include courses such as: Crafting, Aviation, Skateboarding, Culinary Arts, Math: Introduction to statistics, Math: Logic and Strategy, English: Journalism and Research. These courses typically reflect what a student naturally does in pursuing their passions. Students may love going down rabbit holes of research in particular topics or are independently improving their skill set in music, arts, or a physical pursuit.
Alternative Transcript
This is an exampleExample of an Alternative Transcript
Mixed Traditional and Alternative High School Transcript
Most of our students have a mixture of types of courses (Traditional and alternative) on their transcripts, but the wonderful thing about our program is that you are free to pursue an education that matches your interests, life goals, and inclinations.
Mixed Traditional and Alternative Transcript
This is an exampleExample of a Mixed Traditional and Alternative Transcript
For students midway through high school, we look at your current high school transcript and determine the path to graduation. We ask the same sort of questions. How close do you want your final transcript to align with a traditional high school transcript…or would you like to take a mixture of classes that would lead to a more alternative transcript? The answers to these questions really lie with your teen’s after high school plans, and what you may want for your teen.
Traditional High School Transcript
A traditional transcript would include courses such as Algebra 1, Biology, World History, English 10. For courses like these, we find interesting ways of earning these credits. We use online channels such as Crash Course, Curiosity Stream, and V-Sauce. Students can read books, watch movies, create projects, or build things.
Traditional Transcript
This is an exampleExample of a Traditional Transcript
Alternative High School Transcript
An alternative transcript may include courses such as: Crafting, Aviation, Skateboarding, Culinary Arts, Math: Introduction to statistics, Math: Logic and Strategy, English: Journalism and Research. These courses typically reflect what a student naturally does in pursuing their passions. Students may love going down rabbit holes of research in particular topics or are independently improving their skill set in music, arts, or a physical pursuit.
Alternative Transcript
This is an exampleExample of an Alternative Transcript
Mixed Traditional and Alternative High School Transcript
Most of our students have a mixture of types of courses (Traditional and alternative) on their transcripts, but the wonderful thing about our program is that you are free to pursue an education that matches your interests, life goals, and inclinations.
Mixed Traditional and Alternative Transcript
This is an exampleExample of a Mixed Traditional and Alternative Transcript
For students midway through high school, we look at your current high school transcript and determine the path to graduation. We ask the same sort of questions. How close do you want your final transcript to align with a traditional high school transcript…or would you like to take a mixture of classes that would lead to a more alternative transcript? The answers to these questions really lie with your teen’s after high school plans, and what you may want for your teen.
Enrollment & Registration Fees
First Year Enrollment
Pacific Sands Enrollment Fee
West River Enrollment*
H.S. Graduation Fee
Pacific Sands Enrollment Fee
Accreditation Fee*
H.S. Graduation Fee
Sibling Fee PSA*
Sibling Fee PSA of WRA**
*Sibling fee PSA (Pacific Sands Academy) **Sibling fee PSA of WRA (West River Academy)
Monthly Teen Mentorship
We meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly to flesh out what your student will be working on before the following designated meeting and discussing what was learned during the previous learning period.