Pacific Pathways Pipeline Project

The Pacific Pathways Pipeline Project is a collaborative project designed to integrate analytical and rigorous law-themed courses, pedagogy, and programs into curricular and co-curricular activities at local K-12 schools.

Working with Pacific McGeorge, students attending participating schools are given unique opportunities to participate in a Law Student Mentoring Program, Saturday Seminars, a Diversity Speaker Series, and special events such as a Law Day Luncheon, or a Mentor Program Awards Night Ceremony. The activities provide students with academic enrichment, encourage students to pursue higher education, and provide the opportunity to begin exploring the legal profession.

Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep High School (NP 3): In 2005, the University of the Pacific, Benerd School of Education along with Pacific McGeorge, teamed up with several members of the Sacramento community and the Natomas Unified School District to create the Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep (NP 3) Charter High School. NP 3 was created to offer students an enhanced educational experience including a four-year law curriculum exploring the foundations of our legal system, criminal law, constitutional law, and economics and civil law in addition to a college preparatory liberal arts curriculum.

 Street Law International: In Spring of 2007 Pacific McGeorge offered its first Street Law International Course to its J.D. students. Street Law International is practical, participatory education about law, democracy, and human rights. Law students teach various legal subjects and practical legal skills to local high school students, and provide mentoring and role modeling for those students. Legal subjects include Constitutional Law, Civil Rights Law, Criminal Law, and various other legal subjects, as well as the International Law counterparts in each of these subject areas. Pacific McGeorge law students teach two weekly sessions at Sacramento High School and coach high school students in mock trials at the end of the semester.

Downey Brand Public Service and Leadership Fellows

The Pacific Pathways program involves a deep commitment from all partners, but especially important to the implementation of the program are the Public Service & Leadership Fellows. Pacific McGeorge is very fortunate to offer an LL.M. degree in Government Law & Policy. Within that program, two Downey Brand Public Service & Leadership Fellowships are offered each year. The fellowship provides a tuition waiver plus a $20,000 annual stipend, in exchange for 20 to 30 hours a week of work on the Pipeline Program. These PSL Fellows actively run each of the elements of the program under the direction of the Program Manager.

The Evidentiary Record from Pacific Pathways:

From the Pacific Pathways Pipeline work to date, and consistent with work of our colleagues, several significant factors have been identified relevant to student persistence and success in rigorous programs. These include:

  • A systemic approach that offers a comprehensive palette of activities must be in place. Differences in age and racial and ethnic group participation in various opportunities supports this variety and suggests tracking participation to enhance continuity and rigor over time.
  • A sustained focus on intense offerings is key. In a set of potential programs ranging from one-day events like speakers or college visits, to multi-day and academically challenging events like Moot Court, to year-long events and relationships like mentoring, intensity over time proved valuable for student progress. Students with intensive participation were in a better academic position as measured by GPA, growth in credits earned, and passage of the California High School Exit Exam.

Current Partners Working Along the Pacific Pathways Pipeline

  • University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
  • University of the Pacific, Benerd School of Education
  • University of the Pacific, College of the Pacific
  • Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep (NP3)
  • Smythe Academy of Arts and Science (Middle School)
  • Hagginwood Elementary School
  • Sacramento High School (Street Law Program)
  • Natomas Unified School District
  • Twin Rivers Unified School District
  • Downey Brand, LLP*

*Downey Brand, LLP, Sacramento’s largest law firm, whose commitment to excellence in education extends throughout the education pipeline, has generously provided funding for this program.