Christopher Center Pathways Program
The Christopher Center Pathways Program at St. Paul Academy and Summit School is designed for students in Grades 2-6 with high academic potential and a primary diagnosis of dyslexia. Using the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach, the program supports students in their acquisition of skills in literacy and math.
The Purpose of Pathways
Backed by Research
SPA’s Pathways program is based on more than 60 years of research showing that students with dyslexia thrive as learners when given direct instruction in a multisensory, systematic, and sequential way. Students with dyslexia need teachers who understand how the dyslexic brain works and can help them develop new neural pathways for reading, writing, and spelling.
Our Pathways faculty is made up of highly trained teachers who are credentialed in the Orton-Gillingham (OG) pedagogy with sound experience teaching elementary-aged and middle school students.
Goals & Guidance
At SPA, the Pathways Program is transitional in nature. The program’s goal is to provide a foundation for students with dyslexia to build the skills needed to meet and often exceed the benchmarks of SPA’s academic program.
Every year, SPA graduates numerous students with a dyslexia diagnosis; with the proper support, these students are excellent candidates for our academic program and enrich the community with their exceptional gifts.
A Day in the Life: The Pathways Program
To learn more about the Christopher Center Pathways Program, please contact Karen Rassmussen, program director and Director of SPA's Center for Learning and Teaching.
Pathways Tuition
2026-2027
Lower School (Grades 2-5):
$44,020
Middle School (Grade 6):
$45,700
Unparalleled Support
"The Pathways program at SPA is head and shoulders above any other academic setting available to our son. The amount of individual attention he is receiving is unparalleled. We are so grateful that our son is at a place where his learning difference is normalized and even celebrated. We would highly recommend the Pathways program to any parent whose child is struggling with dyslexia or dysgraphia."
Pathways Parent, Grade 5
A Game-Changer
"Choosing the Christopher Center Pathways Program for our daughter has truly been a game-changer. After trying various educational resources that didn't address her learning differences, this program stood out with its personalized approach, incorporating Orton-Gillingham in daily instruction. Witnessing her rediscover her passion for reading and connecting with peers facing similar challenges has been uplifting. The program's impact is evident in her newfound confidence and sense of belonging, highlighting the effectiveness of this unique approach to learning."
Pathways Parent, Grade 4
admission criteria
A student entering the Christopher Center Pathways Program will typically demonstrate high intellectual potential and lower than expected academic performance due to a documented learning difference established through psychoeducational testing. A successful Pathways student will have solid abstract reasoning abilities and the potential to succeed in a college preparatory academic environment with the appropriate support; students also need to be receptive to new ways of learning and be willing to work hard to acquire strategies as a means of achieving academic independence and success.
Learn more about admission and financial aid at SPA
The Pathways admission selection process for Grades 2-6 includes:
- Completion of the SPA Application for Admission, which includes two teacher recommendations, the current school record/transcript, and a student visit.
- Neuropsychological evaluation: An educational psychological evaluation must be conducted by a licensed psychologist working independently of St. Paul Academy and Summit School and must be current within a two- year period at the time of application. To qualify for the program, a student must have a primary diagnosis of dyslexia and the ability to succeed in SPA’s robust academic program.
- Testing: Applicants work with a member of the Admission team and the Director of the Center for Learning and Teaching to complete SPA admission testing.