About Pathways by Design
Pathways by Design is a boutique academic advisory supporting high‑achieving students in Grades 7–12 with strategic, personalized guidance. Rooted in Toronto and working with families across Canada and internationally, we help students navigate high school with clarity, confidence, and intention — and position them for exceptional post‑secondary opportunities.
Our Team
Carla Cernic
Founder, Lead Academic Consultant
As the founder of Pathways by Design, I bring more than two decades of experience in guidance, curriculum development, and student support. My work blends deep expertise in the Ontario education landscape with a calm, strategic, and highly personalized approach. I help students understand their strengths, make informed academic decisions, and build pathways that reflect who they are and where they want to go. Families trust me to provide clarity, discretion, and thoughtful guidance through every stage of high‑school planning and competitive admissions.
Carla’s experiences as a former member of the Canadian Youth National Water Polo Team and University of Toronto Varsity Coach enable her to incorporate discipline, and strategic clarity into every student’s academic pathway.
Expertise: Ontario curriculum, IB/AP pathways, experiential learning, competitive Canadian & US admissions.
Bo Cernic
Lead Academic Tutor
With 20+ years as a high‑school math teacher and private tutor, Bo brings a steady, student‑centered approach to academic skill‑building. He helps students strengthen foundational understanding, build confidence, and approach learning with curiosity rather than fear. His work aligns directly with each student’s broader academic goals, ensuring continuity between daily coursework and long‑term planning.
Bo’s experiences as a former member of the Canadian National Water Polo Team and professional athlete in Europe have shaped his approach to academic coaching, blending elite-athlete focus with performance driven, structured academic coaching.
Expertise: Math, IB/AP support, academic confidence‑building.
Philosophy
We believe every student deserves a pathway designed with intention — one that reflects their strengths, identity, and long‑term goals. Our role is to bring structure, insight, and calm to a process that often feels overwhelming. Families come to us when they want clarity, discretion, and guidance they can trust.
Our Approach
We offer high‑touch, individualized support that integrates academic planning, curated experiential learning, and competitive admissions strategy. Whether shaping IB/AP course pathways, developing leadership‑focused extracurriculars, or preparing for selective Canadian, US, and UK applications, our focus is always alignment, purpose, and long‑term positioning.
Experience
We have supported students from leading public, private, and international schools; IB, AP, SHSM, OYAP, and Dual Credit programs; and those preparing for competitive university pathways. Our students have earned admission to top programs and scholarships — and, more importantly, a clear sense of direction and confidence in their future.
Who We Support
Motivated students in Grades 7–12 who benefit from:
Families seeking full admission support
Strategic academic planning
Curated extracurricular and leadership development
Competitive admissions guidance
Targeted subject‑specific academic support
Why Families Choose Us
Families choose Pathways by Design because they want more than tutoring or generic admissions advice. They want a strategist. Someone who understands the full landscape: curriculum choices, NCAA eligibility, competitive admissions, experiential learning, and long‑term positioning.
We help students build the academic foundation, narrative, and structure required to stand out in competitive environments.