What is the key focus of your program?

The focus of the program is to help young adults with social and learning differences to acquire the skills needed to gain and retain employment, engage socially in their community, and have the skills and confidence to live independently.

How long do students attend and what credits/credentials do they earn?

Individuals who attend The Young Adult Program do not receive a degree or certificate. They receive coaching and gain experiences that lead to independent behaviors. While we do support students who wish to pursue college degrees or vocational certificates, our program is a whole person approach to independent living.

What types of skills and knowledge are covered in your program?

We cover global skills related to social awareness, executive function practices, decision making, and goal setting. We spend most of our time on the skills needed to achieve independence: gaining and retaining employment, using and managing transportation, budgeting and financial awareness, diet and basic culinary skills, mental and physical health maintenance, and home care and hygiene.

What do the majority of your students do after completing your program?

Our goal is to provide them with lifelong strategies and guide them to the resources for ongoing support well into adulthood. After completing the program, our students are either employed or continuing their pursuit of a college degree or certification. Some of our graduates engage in ongoing support for additional task-specific coaching or counseling.

How do you prepare them for employment?

Our approach to employment begins with core skills such as attentiveness, flexibility, and persistence. For this reason, we start all of our students in volunteering and internship environments. We don’t do this because they don’t already have some well-developed skills, but rather to address lagging skills that often result in challenges in the workplace or termination. We use seminars to anticipate issues and practice appropriate responses. We utilize on-site coaching to observe strengths and weaknesses in performance. Strong relationships with the student and the employer create an environment where skills and advocacy grow in relationship to the individual’s needs.

What is the cost of the program and when should students apply?

Please visit our tuition page for fees here: https://www.thegatewayacademy.org/tuition-fees

What makes a student a good match for your program?

The basic requirements are basic math skills, lack of addictions, and willingness to engage in the program. The most valuable attributes over time seem to be a desire to be independent, to give back to family and community, and an emerging sense of who they want to become.

How does your program support learning differences?

The Young Adult Program was born out of Gateway Academy High School tradition of developing people with social differences. Primary staff have over 50 years of experience in working with individuals with social and learning differences.

Are there supervised residences for students at your program? How much supervision is offered?

No, however staff do make visits to student residences to assist with organization and home hygiene. Staff coach students on being mindful neighbors and community members.

What devices/technology are utilized by students? Is technology usage managed/monitored?

We use Apple products in our program including iPads for student use, but the majority of our program focuses on helping them begin the process of using their cell phones as useful professional tools rather than entertainment devices. We work with the students to build habits, routines, and effective time management skills so they begin the process of putting limits on themselves. Our program does have tech expectations during the daytime, but we do not monitor their usage while at home.

Does your program offer social activities? If so, how often are they offered?

Our students dive into a thrilling variety of young adult activities! From delicious outings at trendy restaurants to adventurous trips to local department stores, every experience is an opportunity for learning and fun. We love to be out in the community and create lasting memories. Additionally, we sometimes participate in group games that promote engagement and laughter. Plus, students frequently come together to plan weekend adventures, turning ordinary days into extraordinary times spent bonding over exciting activities!

How do parents interact with your program, if at all? How often?

Parent communication primarily takes place through email, text messaging, and face-to-face interactions. Each semester, we hold a parent and trainer conference that includes the participation of students. In addition to this, our young adults send out two emails each week to report on their goals and learning experiences. These emails are distributed to all stakeholders, who are encouraged to provide additional feedback and comments. Furthermore, our staff members are readily available to address any questions or concerns from parents at any time.