A Community-Based Lifeskills, Academic, and Career High School for Youth 14-22 with Neurodiversity and Hidden Abilities Serving South Florida
Providing a strength-based learning environment that prepares students with Neurodiversity to live, work, and enjoy life in communities, and with individuals, of their own choosing.
A Program that Prepares Students for Life! Unicorn Village Academy is an individual, strength-and interest-based educational model that allows students to achieve educational, personal, and career goals in an environment highlighted by self-determination and self-advocacy. The program integrates academics with speech/language, physical and occupational therapies, counseling, social skills training, work-readiness preparation, activities of daily living and community based employment experiences. Unicorn Village Academy empowers students to cultivate respect for themselves and others by offering opportunities for life-long personal and social development. Unicorn Village Academy uses a three-semester framework to intertwine the necessary and requisite skills building curriculum that traditional academic environments fail to address. Student educational plans are supported and self-directed, and student self-determination and selfadvocacy are integrated into all phases of the curriculum and the student’s community. The ultimate objective through customizing accommodations and educational supports is for individuals to sustain employment, contribute to community life, and develop and maintain relationships.
Embracing the Village Concept in South Florida The Unicorn model creates three separate but linked “modular” programs within the school; each designed to emphasize acquisition of specific skills and integrate them into manageable, measureable outcomes. Students have the option to move freely within these programs based on their needs, interests, and mutually established goals. Each program includes an array of community experiences to aid students in developing meaningful relevant skill-sets, and “real life” opportunities for success. Each student, upon entrance into the program, is assessed in all three areas to determine current level of functioning, interests and abilities, and in conjunction with staff and family, a Skills Learning Plan is constructed for each student. Measurable Goals and Objectives are determined utilizing a team approach and are monitored each semester. Students are also taught about their own uniqueness and abilities. Technological advances provide opportunities for practice of these activities at home, as well as in the community.
Life-Skills Institute offers: ◆ Preparation for Life
◆ Money Management
◆ Social Pragmatics
◆ Self-Care Skills
◆ Daily Living Skills
◆ Relationship Development
◆ Home Life Skills
◆ Self-Advocacy
◆ Friendship Skills
◆ Cultural Enrichment
◆ Performing Arts
◆ Self-Direction
The Center for Academic Achievement in Transition offers: ▲ Self-Directed IEP’s for each student ▲ A variety of Standard and Special Diploma Options ▲ State-approved academic courses including CORE subjects such as reading, math, history, etc., as well as electives such as creative writing, art, music, and foreign language instruction. ▲ Workloads based on student’s abilities, special interests, and academic needs. ▲ A small group instruction with peer support and mentoring.
Career Academy Program offers: ■ Preparation of students for their Post-Secondary experiences, whether they are Work, Higher Education, Trade-school, or a combination of the aforementioned. ■ Guiding students to plan their own futures through comprehensive exploration of careers, internships, and supported work experiences. ■ Onsite as well as community experiences to transform skills and interests into competitive advantages. ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Ceramics Glass Fusion Auto Repair Aviation Receptionist Skills Office Skills Culinary Arts Travel and Mobility Training Community Field Experiences Evening and Weekend Social Activities
A Therapy-Rich Environment: Unicorn Children’s Academy offers all needed therapies and a host of accommodations, as part of its inclusive model: ▲ Speech/language therapy ▲ Occupational therapy ▲ Counseling ▲ Job Coaching ▲ Financial Management ▲ Recreational Activities ▲ Community-based Trips ▲ Social Pragmatics ▲ Music/Art/Drama ▲ Augmentative Communication ▲ Supportive Employment ▲ Technology Usage ▲ Tai-Chi, Yoga, and Zoomba ▲ Mobility Training
Parents As Partners: ■ Another key component of Unicorn Village Academy is a deep rooted emphasis on family involvement. ■ A strong parent training component enables families to integrate student learning across all domains to ensure carryover from school to home. This becomes valuable when dealing with siblings, grandparents, and other family members. ■ Ongoing parent support and training are offered at convenient times
Scholarships and Financial Aid Racial and economic diversity are a cornerstone of our society. The Unicorn Children’s Foundation is aware that a successful school must also be reflective of the diversity of the surrounding community. Therefore, there will be a concerted effort to raise funds to allow the financial support of individuals who wish to attend the Academy. Additionally, the school plans on being able to accept McKay scholarships and offer other financial assistance where possible.
What is Neurodiversity? Neurodiversity refers to the idea that people experience the world differently based on their neurological attributes. It is most commonly applied to people with autismspectrum conditions such as Asperger's Syndrome, but has also sometimes been applied to describe certain, learning disabilities, Tourette’s Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder, and other neurological differences. The neurodiversity movement parts company with the disability rights movement in that it does not recognize neurological differences as disabilities, but rather as equally valid, unique, and socially beneficial neurological experiences of the world that should be celebrated.
In 2011, the internationally acclaimed Unicorn Children’s Foundation, decided to create a Community High School where youth with Neurodiversity and hidden learning differences can find a safe, bullying free environment where they are respected and treated based on their strengths and abilities; a place where social skills, communication skills, career education, and life skills training allow for participation in community settings. They developed a strength-based, interest-centered training model that allows each student to live their own dreams and control their own futures in a supported, measurable outcome-based learning environment.
Students served include: ▲ Asperger and other Autism Spectrum Disorders ▲ Attention Deficit Disorders ▲ Non-Verbal Learning Differences ▲ Tourette’s Syndrome ▲ Other Neurological Learning Issues Questions or Further Information? Contact Admissions @ (561) 620-9377 info@UnicornVillageAcademy.org
3350 NW Boca Raton Boulevard ◆ Suite A-28 Boca Raton, Florida 33431 Phone: 561.620.9377 ◆ 1.888.6 Unicorn ◆ Fax: 561.620.9376
www.UnicornVillageAcademy.org