Social Skills/ Transition Program

Social/Emotional Learning curricula is provided daily to support students in participating in a positive school climate. In addition, specific bullying prevention approaches are taught as part of that curriculum by use of Summit Academies modalities such as transition/social pragmatic groups related to their individual education plans, daily social skills class, small group discussions led by BCBA on staff and generalizing those skills by the teaching staff.

There are a number of opportunities and programs available for students preparing to exit Summit Academy. Many of these opportunities involve both formal or informal connections between educational, employment, training, social services, and health services agencies including but not limited to Summit Agency Services.

Specifically, our high school students at Summit are provided the opportunity to attend a daily transition class that focuses on either employment, or entering a postsecondary training or educational program. We believe that our students obtain as much work experience as possible to prepare for adult life. The value of work helps students acquire jobs after they graduate and promotes competitive employment. Multiple work-based learning experiences such as internships, apprenticeships and other on-the-job training experiences provide increased opportunities for students to learn specific skills and transfer that knowledge gained to real-time work experiences.

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Our transition teachers and therapists work with the students to identify specific vocational goals to determine whether a community-based work experience is a necessary service for the student to achieve an employment outcome in competitive integrated employment or supported employment. Community-based work experiences allow our students to explore potential careers related to the specific vocational goal, potential workplace environments, demands, and other aspects of work. These experiences provide the student opportunities to gain knowledge of a particular job skill, or to learn the culture of day-to-day employment. Students are also provided with the opportunity to visit colleges, take college preparatory classes and engage in discussions with a variety of professionals related to their career interests. Our program focuses on the idea that it is essential that students with disabilities, along with family members and professional support staff, examine numerous and challenging programs to prepare students and youth with disabilities for their desired post-school goals.