Pathfinder Learning Center - Arlington, Massachusetts

Christen A.

We are so thankful Pathfinder Learning Center came into our lives! Before Pathfinder, our daughter had gone to 4 different schools which all came with multiple challenges as unable to provide a flexible learning environment, safety against bullying, and social-emotional assistance. This resulted in frequent calls during the work day, multiple trips to school nurses; getting picked up early, in person meetings, and the most concerning increased severity to our daughter’s mental health.

Julia at Pathfinder has been our angel! She stayed late when we desperately reached out to her one night when we didn’t know where to turn and let us know about Pathfinder and showed our daughter the Center. We immediately enrolled our daughter and have not looked back since!

To know your child is safe, thriving, and being around people who truly care and understand that not all children can be in a traditional school environment is an incredible opportunity for us!

Their day is filled with interacting with the community, being led by amazing mentors for business, technology, art, woodworking, science experiments, real life math problems, learning life skills by actually going out and doing the skill! They are outside taking walks, hikes, being part of nature and learning science along the way. In
addition to the monthly field trip that they decide together where they would like to go and learn! And most importantly interacting and communicating with their peers and having their incredible voices be HEARD!

If anyone is in our position, we feel for you, and please do yourself a favor and look into Pathfinder as can truly be life changing for both you and most importantly, your child. ❤️

Cecily C.

I started at Pathfinder in my junior year of high school, and it was a game-changer for me. Being supported through my self-directed learning journey has opened up possibilities and passions I would have otherwise never explored. Pathfinder instilled in me newfound excitement and confidence in myself and my future, and connected me with some of the best people I've known. It is a great place for any kid who feels stuck, bored, and/or unhappy at school, and who wants to become invested in their own learning.

Emily B.

The Pathfinder learning center is a dream come true for my 12 year old son and 14-year-old daughter! It is a place in which learning is truly individualized. My children are supported to pursue their interests and engage in learning that is meaningful and valuable for them. They have both developed confidence in themselves and a belief in their ability to self-direct their education. The mentors and teachers at the center create a safe space where kids are truly valued for their unique selves. As a parent, it’s very inspiring to see my children have the freedom to be themselves and discover who they are and what they want to pursue in life. I highly recommend the Pathfinder Learning Center!

Katie G.

After years of our daughter's school avoidance, we decided to try Pathfinder Learning Center after meeting with its director, Julia Kelahan. Our daughter began attending Pathfinder a few months into her 10th grade year. It has been a game-changer for her and us! It is an ideal place for student-directed learning. Our daughter has enjoyed their pottery class, mosaic class, geometry classes, voice lessons and architecture class. She expressed an interest in forensics, and Pathfinder took care of teaching this science subject. Last year, she and others at the center decided they wanted to take a literature class focused on female science fiction authors. Most recently, a group of students decided to read, analyze and discuss Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. None of them could get into it, so the group pivoted and decided to read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood instead. They loved the book and the discussions that followed. My daughter even had time to take a college class at Middlesex Community College. Being in charge of her own education as well as the supportive staff who have a genuine interest in our daughter's success have made a world of difference in her approach to learning and her outlook on life.

Melissa C.

Pathfinder is a wonderful place for any child to explore and learn what they need and love. Your child’s education will foster through the one on one support and guidance of the terrific staff and teachers. I would hug recommend it this year!

Rebekah L.

What a wonderful option for my child. Public school did not work for us for a variety of reasons. Julia provides a place that is flexible around my kiddo's need for self-determination and supports her learning by helping her discover her interests. My kiddo just loves it! We're in our second year at the center.

Anna C.

My high school aged daughter moved over to Pathfinder and never looked back!

Christen A.

We are so thankful Pathfinder Learning Center came into our lives! Before Pathfinder, our daughter had gone to 4 different schools which all came with multiple challenges as unable to provide a flexible learning environment, safety against bullying, and social-emotional assistance. This resulted in frequent calls during the work day, multiple trips to school nurses; getting picked up early, in person meetings, and the most concerning increased severity to our daughter’s mental health.

Julia at Pathfinder has been our angel! She stayed late when we desperately reached out to her one night when we didn’t know where to turn and let us know about Pathfinder and showed our daughter the Center. We immediately enrolled our daughter and have not looked back since!

To know your child is safe, thriving, and being around people who truly care and understand that not all children can be in a traditional school environment is an incredible opportunity for us!

Their day is filled with interacting with the community, being led by amazing mentors for business, technology, art, woodworking, science experiments, real life math problems, learning life skills by actually going out and doing the skill! They are outside taking walks, hikes, being part of nature and learning science along the way. In
addition to the monthly field trip that they decide together where they would like to go and learn! And most importantly interacting and communicating with their peers and having their incredible voices be HEARD!

If anyone is in our position, we feel for you, and please do yourself a favor and look into Pathfinder as can truly be life changing for both you and most importantly, your child. ❤️

Cecily C.

I started at Pathfinder in my junior year of high school, and it was a game-changer for me. Being supported through my self-directed learning journey has opened up possibilities and passions I would have otherwise never explored. Pathfinder instilled in me newfound excitement and confidence in myself and my future, and connected me with some of the best people I've known. It is a great place for any kid who feels stuck, bored, and/or unhappy at school, and who wants to become invested in their own learning.

Emily B.

The Pathfinder learning center is a dream come true for my 12 year old son and 14-year-old daughter! It is a place in which learning is truly individualized. My children are supported to pursue their interests and engage in learning that is meaningful and valuable for them. They have both developed confidence in themselves and a belief in their ability to self-direct their education. The mentors and teachers at the center create a safe space where kids are truly valued for their unique selves. As a parent, it’s very inspiring to see my children have the freedom to be themselves and discover who they are and what they want to pursue in life. I highly recommend the Pathfinder Learning Center!

Katie G.

After years of our daughter's school avoidance, we decided to try Pathfinder Learning Center after meeting with its director, Julia Kelahan. Our daughter began attending Pathfinder a few months into her 10th grade year. It has been a game-changer for her and us! It is an ideal place for student-directed learning. Our daughter has enjoyed their pottery class, mosaic class, geometry classes, voice lessons and architecture class. She expressed an interest in forensics, and Pathfinder took care of teaching this science subject. Last year, she and others at the center decided they wanted to take a literature class focused on female science fiction authors. Most recently, a group of students decided to read, analyze and discuss Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. None of them could get into it, so the group pivoted and decided to read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood instead. They loved the book and the discussions that followed. My daughter even had time to take a college class at Middlesex Community College. Being in charge of her own education as well as the supportive staff who have a genuine interest in our daughter's success have made a world of difference in her approach to learning and her outlook on life.

Melissa C.

Pathfinder is a wonderful place for any child to explore and learn what they need and love. Your child’s education will foster through the one on one support and guidance of the terrific staff and teachers. I would hug recommend it this year!

Rebekah L.

What a wonderful option for my child. Public school did not work for us for a variety of reasons. Julia provides a place that is flexible around my kiddo's need for self-determination and supports her learning by helping her discover her interests. My kiddo just loves it! We're in our second year at the center.