High School
Functional Academics
Students in the High School department will participate in a variety of functional academic courses. These classes provide students with the knowledge they need to have fulfilling adult lives both in the home and community environments. All students within the High School Department take part in the following courses:
History / Social Studies
Math
Science
Reading: Unique, News-2-You, etc.
Functional Vocabulary Development
Social Skills
Functional Life Skills
Instruction in functional life skill tasks is an essential aspect of the High School department curriculum. The skills we teach are grouped into five curricular domains.
Self-care and domestic living
Recreation and leisure
Communication and social skills
Vocational skills
Skills vital for community participation.
The link between life skill acquisition and life quality is essential for students with educational transition plans into adulthood. We know that increasing a person’s repertoire of life skills increases his or her independence and social competence. In the High School department, we carefully evaluate how and where skills are taught to ensure we focus on enhancing community membership and ultimately contribute to independence, resulting in an improvement in the quality of life. Specific skills taught include (but not limited to): money and purchasing, community safety, functional sight word training in school and in the community, leisure options in the community, cleaning skills, cooking skills, laundry skills, and personal self-care.
Community-Based Instruction
Community-Based Instruction (CBI) includes the components of preparation, action, and reflection. These components connect the classroom and community learning experiences.
Preparation refers to activities which occur in the classroom before the CBI trip.
Action refers to the actual activity taking place in the community environment. Activities could include recreation/leisure, purchasing, community service providers and social events.
Reflection refers to evaluation or follow-up activities which occur in the classroom following the CBI trip.
CBI emphasizes skill development with a goal towards independence. Basic skills are addressed, such as functional math and reading, language/communication, motor, decision-making, and social behaviors.
High School Events
The High School department works together to encourage enriching group activities for all students. Below are a few of the senior events that take place throughout the year.
High School Picnic – sponsored by the Knights of Columbus McGivney Council
Arlington Echo Turtle Release at Poplar Island
Prom
Vocational Awards Program
Graduation