Kulanu Academy High School Program
Kulanu Academy currently offers students with cognitive, behavioral, social and emotional challenges in grades 9-12 with a structured special education environment that supports integration and inclusion for all students. Students with disabilities often confront numerous challenges as they transition from high school to adult life, including employment and independent living barriers, social isolation, and discrimination. Comprehensive transition planning and programming is essential if students with disabilities are to reach adulthood and enjoy full and equal participation in our society.
The focus of the program is to provide students with special needs the opportunity to acquire knowledge, core skills, and insights that will enable them to make appropriate choices regarding their future options. The high school provides a solid academic program that aligns with New York State standards and provides real world application throughout the instructional day. The Life Skills and Vocational Education curriculum empower students to move from school to adult roles of responsible citizenship and to maximize employment potential, independence, and integration. Instructional placement is based on a comprehensive review of each student by a multidisciplinary team to determine the appropriate program or combination of programs that meet each individual’s needs. Options include 1:1 instruction, self-contained classes and integrated classes where students may participate in mainstream classes throughout the instructional day. This program is designed to ensure positive adult outcomes for students through a sequential system-wide implementation of an age appropriate, community-based model that is committed to improving post-school outcomes of students with disabilities into the community through consumer, parent, professional and interagency collaboration.
High School Work- Based Learning Program:
In addition to our academic program, Kulanu has created a work-based learning program that connects what the students learn in the classroom to the world of work. Our job coaches have the primary responsibility for the successful transition of each of our students from school to the worksite. The job coaches, in collaboration with administration and teachers, plan job shadowing visits to local employers and retail establishments. Job sampling is done at each job site. Groups of students rotate or sample jobs in various work sites. Instructors and job coaches supervise our students in all locations to ensure a successful experience. Our internship program provides students with work in carefully chosen sites based on their interests and strengths.
Career Development Curriculum Overview
Career Exploration Curriculum Overview
Preparation for Life Curriculum Overview