Secondary Pathways in Saline Area Schools

Knowing everyone has unique needs; Saline Area Schools is setting three unique pathways for students to obtain their diploma.

Calling it “Secondary Pathways: One System. Multiple Pathways. Shared Expectations,” Saline Area Schools will be setting out pathways for students to choose.

A presentation for this was given at the April 28 school board meeting. It was emphasized that Saline has always aimed at evolving to meet students’ needs and this is just another step toward that.

Saline’s secondary pathways serve to define three unique pathways for 9th-12th graders seeking to obtain their high school diploma. These pathways include: 

• Saline High School, the comprehensive high school experience with full access to courses and extracurriculars- this is the primary pathway for most students.  
• Liberty High School (formerly known as Saline Alternative High School), offers a smaller, structured environment with integrated academic and social-emotional supports at Liberty School.
• Liberty Flex, a new flexible online learning pathway offering personalized in-person support offered through a variety of settings based at Liberty School. The Liberty Flex program will service up to 30 students in the first year, with the potential for the program to grow in the future. 

“Saline Area Schools is committed to ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality, personalized path to graduation and beyond,” Saline Superintendent Rachel Kowalski said. “Our new pathways model is designed to meet students where they are while maintaining the high expectations our community values. Whether a student thrives in a traditional, comprehensive high school setting, benefits from a smaller, more structured environment, or needs the flexibility of a supported online program, we are expanding opportunities so each learner can find the right fit.”

Some of the reasons behind this include: a need for greater coherence in how they define and support student pathways; a growth in students needing flexibility, credit recovery or alternative pacing and an increasing number of students accessing learning across settings, CTE (Career Technical education), online and dual enrollment.

The district also took in stakeholder input from parents, students and staff and consistently heard there’s a need for more flexible learning options; an importance of maintaining relationships and support systems, desire for clearer pathways and communication, and the value of keeping students connected to Saline schools and opportunities.

At the core of this is a: commitment to meeting the diverse needs of all learners; recognition that a one-size-fits-all model does not serve every student; designing pathways that increase access, belonging and success and maintaining high expectations while removing barriers.

These help shape the pathways.

Of the pathways initiative, Sonia Kevnick, who is currently serving as Interim Administrator at Saline Liberty School and was recently appointed Director of Student Pathways and Experiences (beginning July 1) said, “I am honored to work alongside amazing educators who are committed to ensuring that all students are supported in their pursuit of success at Saline Area Schools. Providing diverse pathways that reflect student needs ensures students have access to meaningful and high-quality learning experiences.”

Starting with the 2026-27 school year, these pathways are accessible for all Saline Area Schools students. An application process and additional information are forthcoming.