The transition into adulthood is an experience that all youth eventually face. At Calais School the exploration of a student’s interests and strengths is a crucial element of our general educational curriculum for all grades. This approach helps lay the framework for effective transition planning when the time comes.

Transition services at Calais are introduced when a student reaches the eighth grade and continue to be offered to students through 12 Plus. As this transitional period is a crucial time to decide on future plans, students are encouraged to take an active role in making their experiences at school relevant to their future. While exploring individual interests and abilities, Calais students benefit from a collaborative approach between the 21st Century Life & Careers Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Learning Disability Teaching Consultants (LDTC) and their families.

While many transition planning activities and objectives are carried out at school, Calais fosters student engagement in many ways. Here are 6 ways Calais students are prepared for the transition to adulthood:

  • Through our 21st Century Life and Careers curriculum and guidance counseling services, students are able to to identify career paths of interest and find out what education and training are required.
  • Students utilize New Jersey Career Assistance Navigator (NJCAN) to identify interests, skills, abilities, and aptitudes as they relate to employment.
  • Calais’s local business partnerships offer students the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience.
  • One-on-one Job Coaching is available to provide students with the structured support needed to enhance work readiness and learn the interpersonal skills needed to succeed as a worker at a job site.
  • Guest speakers visit with and are interviewed by students to discuss job skill development, employability and provide insights on careers in areas of interested to students.
  • Students build crucial independent living skills through community based instruction.

For more information about the programs associated with our Transitional Education click here.