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Co-ed Day School for Grades 5-12 Horizons Post-Grad Program
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Hill Top Community » Transition Preparation and Planning » Employability and Transition

Employability and Transition

Since 1971, Hill Top has been preparing students who learn differently to succeed in their post-secondary academic endeavors. However, we have heard from alumni and parents that many students would like more instruction in the soft skills that employers desire in new hires today. The on and off-campus opportunities focus on developing the 21st century skills:

  • Communication
  • Work Ethic
  • Team Work
  • Initiative
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Problem Solving Skills
  • Risk-taking
  • Empathy
 

The classroom/transition skills portion of the course focuses on study and practical living skills:

  • Note-taking
  • Time Management
  • Self Advocacy and Awareness
  • Wellness
  • Money Management
  • Transportation
  • Community Awareness
  • Daily Living Skills
  • Career Exploration
 

The Employability and Transition course prepares Hill Top graduates to be successful students and employees.

Employability/Transition 1: (Yearlong)
 
This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to gain independence, improve life skills, and be better prepared for their transition from high school. Topics will include money management, pre-employability skills, wellness, time management, personal safety, public transportation and more. The class will be largely experiential with students spending 2-3 days per week on the on-campus worksite (the EPC Center) and students will have the opportunity to spend time applying newly learned skills in the community. Students will be graded on participation, project completion, and demonstration of skills.
Employability/Transition 2: (Yearlong)
 
E/T 2 is an experiential class designed to enhance students’ success with workplace professionalism and independent living skills.Throughout the year, students will participate in internships at Community Partnership School and Plush Mills Senior Living Community, both of which will allow students to explore different tasks, modes of professional communication, and self-regulation. With continual feedback by a job coach, students will learn how to express themselves more effectively and use interpersonal skills to navigate various workplace situations.
 
Prerequisite: Employability/Transition 1
Employability/Transition 3: (Yearlong)
 
E/T 3 is an experiential class designed to build upon students’ prior success in employability skills. They will participate in The Bean Scene, Hill Top’s student run coffee shop. When students are in the classroom, they will develop and practice strategies for finding, keeping, and changing jobs. They will also strengthen their writing and communication skills needed for typical business communication such as presentations, correspondence, meetings, and small talk. Students will also demonstrate independence in work and life skills.
 
Prerequisite: Employability/Transition 2