High School Transition
Starting in 9th grade, our Transition Program prepares high school students for college, careers and independent living through hands-on, real-life and work-related experiences.
Whatever their goal, we'll help get them there.
9th grade
Academics
As students enter high school, the focus on independence and self-determination comes to life. Students participate in academics that build on previously taught skills including daily classes in a vocabulary-focused Language Arts class, a Literature class focused on comprehension and writing, Math and US History 1. Students take a year-long Biology class in preparation for the 9th grade Science MCAS, which takes place in June of their 9th grade year.
Related Services & Electives
Students receive Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy support as indicated on their IEP. They also participate in a twice weekly Health class that follows the state curriculum, and access all Electives such as Food Service, Art, Technology & Design, Physical Education, Horticulture and Childcare (for 15 years and older). All students continue to meet with their counselor once a week working on individual, school-related skills.
Student experience
Whether it's representing their peers on Student Council, helping create the yearbook, advocating in the GSA, going to a school social, or participating in After School Program, students are practicing their leadership skills and having fun while having traditional school experiences.
College & Career Readiness
Students take a once weekly class, "Consumer Skills", which they will continue to take each year of their LPS High School experience. 9th grade curriculum focuses on teaching everyday household tasks such as grocery shopping, cooking, laundry and home maintenance.
Families access Transition-specific learning events such as Transition Information Night, and the annual Post High School Fair, while having regular touch points with our Transition Department Head.
10th grade
Academics
Students in 10th grade progress through the science and history curriculum with Earth Science and US History 2. They also continue with a daily Math class and two daily classes in ELA and Literature focused on vocabulary development, comprehension, inferential thinking and narrative and persuasive compositions. In the spring of their 10th grade year, students are feeling prepared to take the Math and ELA MCAS, which is a diploma eligibility requirement.
Related Services & Electives
Students receive Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy support as indicated on their IEP. They also participate in a twice weekly Health class that follows the state curriculum, and access all Electives such as Food Service, Art, Technology & Design, Physical Education, Horticulture and Childcare (for 15 years and older). All students continue to meet with their counselor once a week working on individual, school-related skills.
Student experience
Whether it's representing their peers on Student Council, helping create the yearbook, advocating in the GSA, going to a school social, or participating in After School Program, students are practicing their leadership skills and having fun while having traditional school experiences.
College & Career Readiness
Students take a once weekly class, "Consumer Skills", which they will continue to take each year of their LPS High School experience. 10th grade curriculum focuses on career exploration lead by examining their skills and interests through self-assessment tools including as the Work Readiness Survey, Career Decision Making Inventory.
Families continue to access Transition-specific learning events such as Transition Information Night, and the annual Post High School Fair, while having regular touch points with our Transition Department Head.
11th grade
Academics
Students in 11th grade progress through the science and history curriculum with Environmental Science and World History. They also continue with a daily Math class and two daily classes in ELA and Literature with continued focused on vocabulary, comprehension, and inferential thinking. Short and long-term writing assignments focus on planning, drafting and editing compositions that address specific audiences, and students explore research writing. Many students use the structure and support of their ELA/Literature class to develop and perfect their personal essays for college applications.
Related Services & Electives
Students receive Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy support as indicated on their IEP. They also participate in a twice weekly Health class that follows the state curriculum, and access all Electives such as Food Service, Art, Technology & Design, Physical Education, Horticulture and Childcare (for 15 years and older). All students continue to meet with their counselor once a week working on individual, school-related skills.
Student experience
Whether it's representing their peers on Student Council, helping create the yearbook, advocating in the GSA, going to a school social, or participating in After School Program, students are practicing their leadership skills and having fun while having traditional school experiences.
College & Career Readiness
Students continue with their once weekly "Consumer Skills" class, where the 11th grade curriculum focuses on financial literacy, community resources, taxes, consumer rights and spending habits.
Students take an additional twice weekly class called "Career Education" where they focus on goal setting, developing a resume and sample cover letters, practice their interview skills and make concrete plans for their future.
Families continue to access Transition-specific learning events such as the Financial Literacy Fair, Transition Information Night, and the annual Post High School Fair. Families start meeting 1:1 with our Transition Department Head to navigate the transition process including discuss appropriate programs to apply to, scholarship opportunities and how to access additional resources. They also discuss how to keep students on track with the Junior Year Transition Timeline.
Qualifying juniors have the opportunity to participate on our Dual Enrollment program, where students can earn college credits through our partnership with Landmark College. Through this experience, college-bound students take supported courses online to hone academic skills, explore interests and practice those important executive function skills needed to be successful in a college setting.
12th grade
Experiential Learning & Dual Enrollment - Where academics meet the real world.
All High School seniors participate in the Experiential Learning Program (ELP) which focuses on academics, independent living skills and community experiences. Qualifying seniors can also participate in Dual Enrollment through Landmark College and earn college credits while still at Learning Prep.
Students alternate every week of their senior year between their Academic Week and their Experiential Learning Program Week.
Academic Week is a typical school week.
- Students take their regular classes in ELA, Literature, Math, Government & Civics, & Health with increased expectations including longer compositions and research projects.
- Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy support are available, as needed. Students also participate in a twice weekly Health class that follows the state curriculum, and access all Electives such as Food Service, Art, Technology & Design, Physical Education, Horticulture and Childcare (for 15 years and older). All students continue to meet with their counselor once a week working on individual, school-related skills.
- The Consumer Skills class now meets twice weekly and focuses on financial literacy.
- The Career Education class meets three times a week where they focus on individual post high school planning including understanding IDEA and ADA laws, discussing expectations around punctuality, appearance and accepting direction, and college application support.
Qualifying seniors can participate our Dual Enrollment program, where students can earn college credits through our partnership with Landmark College. Through this experience, college-bound students take supported courses online to hone academic skills, explore interests and practice those important executive function skills needed to be successful in a college setting.
Experiential Learning Program Week (ELP) is a unique experience where students are off campus, spending their time between an internship or job site, community service trips, and functional field trips with their classmates.
- Work placements are typically 3 days a week and are assigned based on skills and interests, with a focus on work-readiness and responsibility. Students spend the rest of the week out in the real world with their classmates on functional trips like transportation training, tax workshops, car buying and giving back to their community.
- To keep academics on the forefront, students are provided work packets for their academic classes during their ELP week to practice academic skills, time management, self-advocacy and executive functioning skills.
Check out a detailed overview of the Experiential Learning Program.
Student experience
In addition to Student Council, GSA, After School Program, seniors look forward to many senior-specific events such as the annual Prom, "Senior Week", Senior Breakfast and Senior Parent Night.
What about...?
- Dual Enrollment? How does it work?
- ...MCAS?
- ...preparing for college?
- ...additional organizations that can support my young adult?
- ...understanding all the options after graduation?
Dual Enrollment? How does it work?
Landmark College Partnership
Learning Prep School partners with Landmark College to offer online college courses to our 12th grade students who meet academic requirements. This is an exciting opportunity for our high school seniors to take asynchronous college classes designed specifically for students who learn differently! Landmark provides each student with a Course Coach who assists with time management, organization, self-advocacy, and prioritization to help stay on top of course material, reading assignments, and homework. Course Coaches and Professors communicate regularly with Learning Prep faculty to provide updates on individual student progress. LPS Transition Department staff are available to help students review the syllabus and understand feedback they receive.
Which Courses Can Students Take?
Learning Prep Dual Enrollment Students begin by taking a 2-week Online Readiness Course prior to the start of their first semester. Students complete a self-assessment to understand their strengths and weaknesses in specific skills for online learning, then progress through 6 modules covering topics from the assessment.
All students participating in Dual Enrollment take Perspectives in Learning in the fall of their senior year. This 3-credit Education course is designed to introduce theories related to the cognitive, social, emotional, and cultural dimensions of learning. Students develop self-awareness, critical thinking, strategic learning, and self-advocacy and practice study skills including note-taking, active reading, test-taking, planning/organizing, and using academic technology.
Students who successfully complete Perspectives in Learning in the fall may enroll in a Spring Dual Enrollment course of their choice.
What should I do if my student is interested in Dual Enrollment at LPS?
Parents of HS juniors and seniors can contact Cate Wilson, Chief Operating Officer, at cwilson@learningprep.org with any questions.
...MCAS?
Learning Prep works with students to pass all requirements in order to be eligible for their diploma, including passing MCAS. Students take the Biology MCAS in 9th grade for their Science requirement, and the ELA and Math tests in 10th grade.
For students who don't pass the first round, we work with them individually by using cohort appeals, retesting opportunities or competency portfolios.
100% of students from 2020-2024 have met the requirements to earn their high school diploma.
...preparing for college?
50% of Learning Prep graduates go onto college-level work after graduation. To help prepare them, students have increasing expectations in independence, academics and self-advocacy as they progress through their high school years. In classes writing assignments get lengthier, texts get more complex and students are practicing previously taught strategies with more independence.
Learning Prep also works with students individually to help them understand their unique learning style, how to read their IEP, understanding ADA laws and advocating for accommodations outside of school. Students work on social/emotional skills to navigate coping strategies and manage anxiety that can manifest in their adult lives.
...additional organizations that can support my young adult?
There is a wealth of resources out there! Learning Prep students are lucky to work with our Transition Department individually to help them navigate great resources such as:
Pre-ETS: Pre-employment training under the umbrella of MRC (Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission). They contract Pre-ETS out to different vendors around the state. Pre-ETS is a free service for high school students with disabilities. They work on skills including self-advocacy, work readiness, career exploration, post-secondary educational planning, and community-based work experiences. Currently, all Massachusetts residents who are Learning Prep students in grades 10, 11, or 12 are receiving Pre-ETS services.
MRC (Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission): A free service that helps individuals with disabilities to live and work independently. MRC is responsible for Vocational Rehabilitation, Community Living, and Disability Determination for federal benefit programs. You can get in touch with MRC online, by phone, or in the community! Begin your journey with MRC by applying for services through MRC Connect. MRC Connect offers a single, integrated access point that connects you with an array of our services, regardless of program. You can also submit documents digitally and participate in an interview virtually. MRC Connect services include: Vocational Rehabilitation, Statewide Head Injury Program, Home Care, Supported Living.
TAP (Transition to Adulthood Program): Is run through independent living centers across the state of Massachusetts. This is a free service where a student works with an “advocate” to work on whatever transition skills they want to. Students can work on things like money management, public transportation, setting long term goals, preparing for the driver’s permit test, etc. It is very individualized and can typically be done 1:1. Check out where the closest Independent Living Center is to you.
Easter Seals: Offers free programs for Youth Services such as The Youth Leadership Network which discusses issues like voting, disability history/culture/pride, independent living centers, internet safety and usage, leadership and its components, legislative advocacy/action, everyday advocacy (health care, work, school), ADA, Paralympics, Special Olympics, etc. It's for people ages 14-26 and students can join at any point. They also offer Thrive, which is a mentoring program for young women and Brothers Against Discrimination (BAD) is a mentoring program for young men.
Adaptive Driving Program: The state of Massachusetts has a great resource that explains some driving options for young adults who have disabilities. Another program is Triad, which is located in Georgetown and Beverly.
Travel Training: The MBTA offers free travel training, including individualized and small group training. If you live outside of the Boston area, this resource the offers information about travel training through other local organizations.
Next Step: Is at the Judge Baker Center, at Harvard University. Next Step is a program designed for college-bound high school students who present with social communication and/or social anxiety challenges, ages 16-20. The mission of the program is to provide participants with information, insight, and experiences that will make the transition to and functioning in college less stressful and more comfortable. The program includes clinicians and speech-language pathologists, as well as interns who were past program participants now in college.
...understanding all the options after graduation?
The process of planning a child's future can be overwhelming. At Learning Prep, we share your vision - let's find out where your child will be happy and successful. We work collaboratively with families starting in 9th grade to help them discover their interests and their potential. And there are a lot of options! Here's a deeper dive into some Post-High School Programs for Students with Learning Challenges.
A very special thanks to our community partners at: