Transitions

Transitions is the final programmatic step that our high school seniors need to take in order to graduate with an Open Meadow diploma. Over two trimesters, students focus on the creation of in-depth career plans, including specific next steps that students need to take, and the supports they will need, during the year after they graduate. Transitions is a program available only to Open Meadow students.

Program Features:

Trimester 1

• Career & Academic Advising - The Transitions Coordinator works intensively with each student on career research, goal setting, and planning for post-high school. The structure of the class allows each individual to define their own outline of success and take significant steps toward their goals.


• College Exposure and Immersion - Each student explores college both through research and on-campus immersion. Though not all of our seniors choose to pursue college, they are all given the tools necessary to understand and navigate the college admissions process. This includes filling out the FAFSA and college applications, as well as applying for scholarships. Students also hone their academic skills and engage in intensive self-reflection by producing extensive autobiographical essays and conducting research.


• Senior Project - Students learn to individually identify needs or problems in their local community. Once identified, students design and carry out service projects to address the issues, and then present summaries and reflections about their experiences to community members.


• Employment Training - Students receive intensive training in a broad range of topics, from financial management to professionalism.

Trimester 2

• External Experience - Students must successfully complete a work or college experience that aligns with their long-term career goals. Students research, design, and propose an external experience that has to be approved by the Career Services team. A student interested in becoming a veterinarian may propose to take an introductory biology class at PCC, or that student could work with his or her Career Advisor to find an internship in a veterinary office.


• Ongoing Support - Students who pursue a college experience receive intensive on-campus support to ensure success. Youth who pursue an external work experience meet regularly with their on-site supervisor and Career Advisor. The Transitions Coordinator continues to help all students hone their post-high school plans.

Final Steps

• Portfolio Presentation and Interview - After students have completed their external experiences, they craft presentations that highlight what they have learned during Transitons, and what their plans are for after graduation. Students are prompted to advocate for why they should be granted a diploma at this time and to provide evidence of their readiness to leave high school.


• Graduation!