BRANFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPECIAL PROGRAMS
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
The Access Transition Program (ATP) represents Branford Public Schools' post-graduate program designed for students with disabilities aged 18 to 22 years old who have met their high school credit requirements, but necessitate additional skill development in the areas of employment, independent living, and post-secondary education. The program provides students with comprehensive, highly individualized transition-related services and experiences tailored to meet their personal needs and longer-term goals. The ATP strives to meet students' needs regardless of their individual challenges and circumstances by providing instruction in a wide array of environments, including small group classrooms, school-based job sites, community-based job sites, and broader community environments such as public transportation, banks, and shops. Transition instruction is facilitated by an interdisciplinary team comprised of a lead special education teacher, speech and language pathologist, school psychologist, transition specialist, and job coaches. The ATLAS program (Alternative Teaching, Learning, and Supports) is housed at Branford High School. Within ATLAS, students are empowered to become confident and resilient citizens who value their own as well as others’ place in the world, are self-efficacious, and driven by a desire to make positive changes within themselves and in a global society. ATLAS program provides alternative and flexible educational opportunities and pathways to meet the needs of all learners through positive and individualized learning experiences, strong social-emotional supports, and partnerships with families that support the district’s vision of Global Learning Competencies. Each student is assigned a mentor to work with and has access to the program’s social worker for individual and group sessions. Students may enter the ATLAS program any time throughout the school year and will take their four core classes and a fifth ATLAS class in one hallway. The goal of this fifth credit (Seminar, Career Readiness, Vocational Experiences, and/or Civics) is to develop a post-graduation plan and give students skills to be productive citizens. All courses offer a flexible learning environment that mirror the same curricular expectations as traditional courses at BHS. The INSPIRE program at Branford Public Schools, housed at John B. Sliney Elementary School, is dedicated to serving students with autism. This specialized program focuses on providing individualized support and tailored educational experiences to meet the unique needs of each student. Through a combination of structured teaching, evidence-based practices, and a nurturing environment, INSPIRE aims to foster academic growth, social development, and independence among its students. The program is designed to create a supportive and inclusive community where students with autism can thrive and reach their full potential.
BRANFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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