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the Pathfinder School

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Traverse City, MI · K–11

Last verified August 20, 2026

11930 S W Bay Shore Dr, 49684 · (231) 995-3800

www.thepathfinderschool.org

Enrollment

133

Student:teacher

9:1

Published tuition

Not listed

Application fee

Auto-sourced profile. These details were collected from the school's own website and may be out of date — always confirm tuition with the admissions office. Something wrong? Suggest a fix.

Tuition by division

We don't have a grade-by-grade tuition breakdown for this school yet. Most independent schools charge different rates for preschool, elementary, middle and upper school.

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Head of school

Ben Hebebrand

Interim Head of School

Ben Hebebrand is serving as the Interim Head of School during a period of transition for the school. The Board expressed gratitude for his steady leadership and commitment to Pathfinder’s mission.

Curriculum & special classes

The Pathfinder School offers nature-based, project-based learning on a 22-acre wooded, lakefront campus. It provides education from Pre-K through 8th grade, with specific divisions for Early Childhood, Elementary (Kindergarten - 5th Grade), and Middle School.

French
Studio Art
Music
Physical Education Integration
World Language

Financial aid

No financial aid details on file yet. Most independent schools award need-based aid through SSS or Clarity — check the school's admissions pages, and add what you learn below so other families see it.

Before & after school care

Before school

Not listed

After school

Extended Day program available Monday through Friday from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, providing a safe and secure environment with caring staff and activities.

Cost

Extended day tuition: $15/day (monthly billing); Drop-in tuition: $25/day; $15.00 charge if picked up after 5:00 PM; $25.00 charge if registering same day or not picked up by 3:15pm.

Extended-care hours and rates change yearly — parents can correct these below.

Admissions

The admissions process involves parents touring the school, submitting an application with supporting documents, and the child completing a two-day visit (or a one-hour visit for PreK/Young 5s/K). The Admissions Committee reviews applications bi-weekly, and decisions are based on the child's visit, transcripts, and class availability.

Apply by

Not listed

Acceptance rate

Not listed

Application fee

Not listed

What they ask for: Complete application, copies of recent student report cards/teacher reviews (if applicable), copies of any IEP or 504 plans, copies of relevant behavioral testing results/doctor diagnoses, samples of student work (K-8), two teacher recommendation forms (for out-of-state applicants), and an admission visit.

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