Step Up Alternative Education

Stepping Stones’ Step Up Alternative Education program proudly serves students with autism and other students with intense behavioral needs.

This unique program partners with multiple Greater Cincinnati public schools to provide an alternative education program for students who have been unable to succeed in a typical classroom setting. Stepping outside of their home district, students of Step Up continue their studies at our Given Campus in Indian Hill.

Our students receive the tools they need to successfully navigate academic studies, learn self-regulation skills, develop vocational skills through authentic experiences to enable them to transition into adulthood and more fully participate in their community.

STEP UP CLASSROOM MODEL

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Grades 1 – 6)

The elementary classroom operates with the goal of providing an individualized three-year learning plan that will allow each student to gain the skills needed for returning to their home district.

Our Educational Services Director works closely with each student’s home district to identify areas where the student needs additional support to successfully transition and reintegrate back to public school.

FOCUS

• Improve behavior and coping skills
• Individual work
• Promote positive experience in group activities with peers and staff
• Improve in all academic areas

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL (Grades 7 – 10)

This classroom focuses on preparing students for the next steps in their education vocationally and academically.

We work heavily on self-regulation skills, attention to and task completion, gaining independence, limited community volunteer projects and following a schedule. This direct instruction enables students to move onto our Transition classroom.

FOCUS

• Academics with extended standards
• Core and soft skills needed for future employment
• Life skills
• Functional communication
• 1:1 support for those in need
• Mixture of individual and group academic activities

TRANSITION CLASS (Grades 11 – Graduation)

Our transition classroom focuses on completing all school-age curriculum while also expanding students’ knowledge in basic and complex life skills and vocational work.

Students of this classroom follow a rigorous schedule that hones their skills in a variety of vocational settings as well as activities both in the classroom and out in the community. As students reach graduation, we assist families in the next steps to prepare students into adulthood.

FOCUS

• Complete school-age curriculum
• Integration on community outings
• Authentic vocational experiences
• Increase self-regulation, life skills and functional communication
• Transition from a learning environment into adulthood

SPECIAL FEATURES OF OUR PROGRAM:

• WORK CENTER: Students age 14 through graduation practice skills in a controlled setting before heading into the community for authentic experiences. The room is designed to meet students where they are — starting with simple tasks that promote focus and extend the time period they’re able to work. As students progress, tasks will increase in complexity and functionality based on the student’s ability. 
• MOCK APARTMENT: Provides space for practicing independent living skills that students will encounter in their daily lives, (i.e. washing dishes, folding towels, putting away laundry, making their bed, housekeeping skills such as sweeping, vacuuming and more). This area is utilized by students in the 7th grade through graduation and activities are incorporated in their daily schedule.
• SELF DETERMINATION AND HEALTH & SAFETY: A focus on self-determination in conjunction with health & safety to provide students with knowledge on how to safely navigate their homes and community. This, paired with self-regulation skills, allows students to successfully achieve independence at Stepping Stones and beyond.
• ENRICHING EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Students benefit from partnerships with Cincinnati Martial Arts Club, Ensemble Theatre, Visionaries + Voices, and others.  Applicable students enjoy further community learning experiences with partnering local businesses and organizations. 

PROGRAM LOCATION

Step Up operates on Stepping Stones’ Given Campus in Indian Hill. The 23-acre property offers a sensory-friendly learning environment with accessible hiking trails, raised garden beds, abundant wildlife and an outdoor pool for swimming and lake for boating & fishing in the summer months. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

Please review the criteria for placement in the Step Up program.