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Nestled in the Five Points South neighborhood of downtown Birmingham, there’s a school dedicated to enabling young adults with learning disabilities to transition into independent living. Through its doors, you’ll find anything from cooking classes, career preparation or even a fashion show—all ways that reach students where they are and prepare them for bright futures.
Last week, we got an inside look at Horizons School, met some of their students and saw the community in action. Keep reading to see what Horizons is all about, find plans for an upcoming open house and tap into discounted tuition if you apply today.
What is Horizons School?
Founded in 1991, Horizons School provides a community-based educational program for young adults with learning disabilities, autism spectrum and developmental disorders.
They help students transition to independent living and set them up for success through ways like:
- teaching them to manage personal health + leisure time
- helping them to follow a daily schedule, live within a budget + prepare daily meals
- guiding them to develop friendships, use public transit + prepare for employment
Many Horizons students earn career certificates and enroll in community college. The majority of the school’s graduates successfully live independently, manage personal needs and maintain paid employment.
Horizons school offers intentional programs that support independent living
Horizons School enhance students’ personal, social and career independence through intentional programs including:
- READI (Readiness for Employment and Disability Inclusion): Career or college preparation where students receive pre-vocational + living skills
- Community Transition Program: Option for third-year students to engage in jobs or college courses during the day + return to campus each night
- Contracting services: Individualized support services delivered to your students’ residence, workplace or other community settings
Built into the curriculum is a “community as our classroom” mindset, so you might catch Horizons students across Birmingham at social events playing Topgolf, touring the Southern Museum of Flight or watching a Birmingham Barons baseball game!
Last week, we attended a Career Readiness Fashion Show, where students walked down the runway in either casual, business casual or business professional attire, and the audience voted if the outfit was appropriate or not for the workplace…