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Tailored programs and opportunities for students ages 14-21

911�Թ�’s Upper School program (USP) takes a proactive and individualized approach to serve the academic, social, and transitional needs of young adults with special needs ages 14 to 21.

The Curriculum

911�Թ�’s Upper School program has a unique approach to special education that combines the Pennsylvania common core, English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Health and Physical Education, Arts and Humanities, STEM activities and Technical Education state standards by adapting content and presentation that meets the student’s academic goals.

STEM Education

All students at 911�Թ� have access to our Innovation Center supporting our STEM programming. We also provide immersive technology that enables all students to utilize netbooks, tablets, “smart” interactive whiteboards, and online programs that support our in-class curriculum.

In our Upper School, students use STEM programs to explore their passions, goals, and potential future careers. We encourage our students to get involved in our Beats by Girls, robotics, our morning school broadcast “911�Թ� Today”, engineering and vocational-technical (Vo-Tech) class, Esports, and other STEM activities that 911�Թ� offers. Our individualized and evidence-based curriculum provides our upper school students the opportunity and freedom to use “Design Thinking” to empathize, problem solve, create and learn new skills.

Classroom Environment

Within a small classroom setting, the teacher and teacher assistant(s) focus on opportunities to implement and practice active learning skills and social awareness, using a research-based social skills curriculum. Individualized instruction and flexible instructional pacing are incorporated into classroom instruction to address student learning. This specialized attention ensures that the student’s educational and behavioral needs are being supported.

Life Skills Program

A subdivision of our Upper School program is our Transitional Living program (TLP). This program’s courses are for students who require an emphasis on life-skills necessary for transitioning to adult living. At 911�Թ�, we identify the students’ needs and meet them where they are now, while providing them with the tools to grow and succeed in their lives beyond 911�Թ�. Our TLP provides that and more for our students.

Students in TLP are offered core curriculum classes such as English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Art, Music, Drama, and STEM activities with the addition of career training, community integration, travel training, socialization techniques, decision-making and daily-living routines. For our students, real-world experiences are key to their success.

The TLP students practice and generalize learned skills in the natural setting where these skills are expected to occur. Receiving a recipe, going to the grocery store, purchasing the food items needed, following a recipe to make the meal, eating the meal, and cleaning-up after the meal is an example of a real-world activity students in TLP may be exposed to. Students have the opportunity to follow their daily-life routines set in place, but also gain experience and knowledge when a routine shifts or it does not go as planned. Experiences in learning cooking processes, public transportation schedules and traveling, money management, career opportunities and expectations, personal care, and daily living activities will occur in this program.

Integrated Services

911�Թ� offers integrated clinical, behavioral, and related services such as speech and occupational therapy as part of individualized academic programming, as needed.

Creative Expression

911�Թ�’s Upper School students who enjoy art and design, theatre arts, horticulture, and music are encouraged to utilize our fine arts programs at 911�Թ�. These programs build teamwork, self-awareness, confidence, and more.

Currently, our Theatre Arts Program is proud to collaborate with ��in Delaware County.

Preparing for the Future

The emphasis on social awareness is especially important in the Upper School, as our students begin to prepare for independence after graduating from 911�Թ�. This includes taking a Senior Seminar Class as a part of our Transitional Services when a student is preparing to graduate from 911�Թ�. This class educates the students on career exploration, creating resumes, preparing for interviews, filling out job applications, self-advocacy, and more. 911�Թ� also has a Career Education Program that helps students receive job training to enhance their social and employability skills, first through an on-campus job and then with local businesses, using the support of 911�Թ� job coaches, as needed.

Additional educational opportunities within the Upper School include the . This allows options for dual enrollment at Montgomery Community College for eligible students. At 911�Թ�, all of our students take their own path tailored to their goals, needs, and future aspirations.