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Additional High School Programs

Transition Services Program

Our Transition Services Program helps each student find the right post-secondary opportunities that meet his or her specific and unique needs. Whether the student intends to enter college upon graduation, attend a specialized post-graduate program, or enter the workforce, the high school provides assistance in a variety of areas to ensure that the student is making the right choice and is fully prepared to succeed in whichever direction they choose. This includes supporting the student in transition-related activities, determining the student’s anticipated adult service needs, and linking the student and parent with potential adult services. The long-range goal is to ensure that students are fully included and independent in the community.

Coordinated by the Transition Support Teacher, the student-centered transition processes are designed to meet the student’s educational, employment, and independent living outcomes. These outcomes may include the following: postsecondary education, job training, employment (supported), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, and community participation.

The high school program offers a variety of courses to prepare for independent living and employment.

  • Reality 101: Independent Living – utilizes hands-on experiences to guide students through the decisions that will have an impact upon their future and empowers them with the skills and knowledge to live in a competitive and rapidly changing society.
  • Quantitative literacy – enhances the students’ abilities in mathematical decision making and financial literacy and the culinary classes provide relevant, practical experiences that include studying the value of a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle.
  • Job internship program – offers juniors and/or seniors the opportunity to participate in a site-based experience in conjunction with a career seminar class. By working with industry professionals and mentors, students gain and apply knowledge and skills sets through relevant workplace and seminar experiences while refining career goals and postsecondary plans.
  • Career and Technology Education Programs of Study – state-approved programs that satisfy the career and technology graduation option requirements:
    • Hospitality management (culinary skills)
    • Child development
    • Entrepreneurship and business management
    • College/career research and development

Finally, transition services are a team effort, and evening transition planning workshops and individual meetings with parents are offered to ensure our students’ successful transition to the next steps and the future.

Transition services are also critical because, at the age of majority, unless their parent has secured guardianship, students with disabilities have the right to make their own IEP decisions.  It is incumbent on the adults on the IEP team – the parents, educators, and other professionals – to ensure that students with disabilities are prepared for this important role.