Eligibility
Orchard Academy is offered to students with cognitive disabilities, emotional disabilities, and learning disabilities who have completed four to five years of a high school program and have not accepted a high school diploma. Students are typically between the ages of 17 and 22 years old. The time spent at Orchard Academy can range from one to four years, depending on the individual goals and needs of the student and family.
While the appropriateness of this program for each potential student is considered on an individual basis, the following guidelines are used in the process of determining student eligibility:
The student…
- is currently identified as eligible for special education services.
- is at least 17 years old.
- has completed his/her district graduation requirements.
- has not received his/her high school diploma and is eligible to receive services until aging out of the school system.
- is able to engage in community vocational experiences (i.e. paid employment, volunteer experiences, community workshops).
- is not currently receiving services identified in his/her transition plan through another educational institution or community agency.
- continues to have IEP goals relating to transitioning into adult life in the areas of daily living, vocation, community and social interaction.
- The IEP team recommends placement into the program.
