Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

  • No. Gateway to Success is a public school academy, authorized by the West Shore ESD. All public school academies in Michigan are free to eligible students. There are no added costs for books, technology access, or school meals.

  • Yes, but it is limited to pick-ups and drop-offs in select areas in Baldwin, Ludington, Hart, and Shelby. See the transportation page for more information.

  • Yes. G2S has participated in FIRST Robotics for years, and has added some competitive sports in recent years, and plans to continue to add options. G2S has robotics, bowling, golf, and e-sports teams. Students who are interested should see John Chalko.

  • Yes. While it is generally recommended for students to attend in person, especially for project-based learning activities, G2S does run a fully virtual program for high school age students. G2S provides the technology and offers virtual learning courses in all required topics. G2S has a dedicated virtual learning coach to work with our virtual students to support their success.

  • Yes. G2S has students in grades 6-12. The middle school (grades 6-8) uses an interdisciplinary project-based learning approach with all students that cycles through every three years, and has grade-level appropriate content for mathematics. The middle school is located within G2S but has a slightly different schedule than the high school, so that middle school students are primarily interacting with students their own age.

  • Yes. G2S students who are juniors or seniors may be eligible to participate in dual-enrollment program or career technical programs through WSESD and West Shore Community College. See Kerry Newberg for more information.

  • No. G2S is a separate school, and students need to enroll at G2S to attend classes. G2S operates as a separate school within the West Shore ESD service region, and does not have any affiliation with the local school districts in the area.

Graduation Requirements and Course Options

  • G2S high school students need to complete the statewide requirements of the Michigan Merit Curriculum, which includes:

    • Four credits of math, including algebra, geometry, and algebra 2.

    • Four credits of English Language Arts.

    • Three credits of science

    • Three credits of social studies, specifically including world history, US history, economics (1/2 credit) and civil (1/2 credit)

    • One credit of visual or performing arts

    • One year of health (1/2 credit) and physical education (1/2 credit)

    • Two years of foreign language or alternately, one year of foreign language and an additional year of performing arts.

    • Senior capstone experience

    • 19 credits or more overall

  • G2S just switched to a trimester schedule, with five courses each trimester (generally four required courses and an elective). To quality for graduation, students need to successfully complete 1 full credit (2 trimesters with a passing grade) each year. The third trimester is used for additional content credit and/or credit recovery options if a course was not passed earlier in the year. For more details, discuss your course schedule with a member of the enrollment team.

  • G2S needs to have all transcripts from previous schools to do a review of courses for entering students. Grade level is determined by credits completed, and so placement for your class schedule is based on this. Credit requirements for grade level are:

    • 0 to 4.25 credits - 9th grade

    • 4.5 credits to 8.75 credits - 10th grade

    • 9 to 13.25 credits - 11th grade

    • 13.5 credits or more - 12th grade

    Individual questions about specific course credits or requirements should be asked during the enrollment process.

  • Yes. While G2S is transitioning to trimesters to allow for project-based credit recovery, G2S currently enrolls students in online courses to make up credit gaps from prior to transferring to G2S or from unsuccessful completion of G2S courses. G2S credit recovery is handled on-site for students who are regular students. G2S has a dedicated virtual learning coach to work with students who are enrolled in online credit recovery options to support their success.

  • G2S middle school students need to successfully complete three years each of English Language Arts, math, science, and social studies.

  • Yes. G2S students who are dual-enrolled program or or in the career technical programs through WSESD need to complete the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements through a combination of G2S and CTE or college courses. Students with questions should talk with a G2S administrator about details of this.

  • Yes, depending on the nature of the specific needs and context of each learner. Students and families should discuss this during enrollment if their students already have an IEP, or should check with G2S if they believe that the student may have special needs that would require and IEP or section 504 plan