Upper School Program

Preparing Students for Greater Independence

Upper School provides individualized academic, social-emotional and life-skills instruction that helps students build confidence, independence and readiness for their next environment.

Our multidisciplinary approach meets students where they are and supports meaningful progress toward individualized goals.

Three Pathways for Student Growth

Programming is aligned with each student’s current skills, goals and readiness for greater independence.

Foundations: Building Foundational School Skills

We support students who may need additional guidance in developing the core skills necessary to successfully participate in a classroom setting. These students may:

Experience challenges with transitions, task initiation, or sustained engagement
Require support in following directions, accepting feedback, and completing tasks independently
Need guidance in managing emotions, navigating conflict, and participating appropriately in a group
Be developing self-awareness, accountability, and appropriate communication skills

Fundamentals: Students Developing Academic and Communication Independence

We serve students who are continuing to build independence in learning and communication. These students may:

Rely on prompts or adult support to complete tasks or follow instructions
Experience difficulty processing information, initiating conversations, or seeking help
Be working toward stronger engagement across academic, social, and community settings
Be developing the ability to reflect, communicate effectively, and sustain effort through challenges

Pathways: Students Preparing for Transition Beyond School

We support students who are building the skills needed for successful transitions into other academic settings, postsecondary programs, or employment. These students may:

Need support with decision-making, self-advocacy, and confidence
Be developing the ability to follow multi-step directions and process complex information
Be working toward greater independence in communication, problem-solving, and daily functioning
Benefit from guidance in social awareness, community navigation, and workplace readiness

Our Approach

Across all programs, we focus on helping students:

Develop independence and self-direction

Build effective communication and social skills

Strengthen resilience and motivation

Gain the academic and life skills necessary for their next step

We recognize that each student’s path is unique, and we are committed to supporting their growth toward meaningful, individualized outcomes.

Require intensive behavioral or safety interventions, including:
- Frequent or unpredictable elopement (leaving supervised areas without permission)
- Ongoing physical aggression toward self or others
- Behaviors that pose a consistent risk to the safety of the student or others
Require significant support with personal care, including:
- Inability to independently manage toileting and hygiene needs, including menstrual care
- Medical or personal care needs that require dedicated nursing or specialized staff beyond our capacity
Demonstrate patterns of behavior that significantly impact the safety and well-being of others, including:
- Repeated engagement in inappropriate or harmful sexualized behavior
- Involvement in substance use (drugs or alcohol) that interferes with participation in a school setting
Require a higher level of therapeutic, clinical, or crisis intervention support than can be provided within a school-based program

Students We Are Unable to Support

Variety School is committed to serving students whose needs align with the structure, staffing, and support of our program. At this time, we are not equipped to safely or effectively serve students who require a level of supervision, intervention, or care beyond what our program is designed to provide. This may include students who:

Our Commitment: When another setting may be a better fit, we will make efforts to direct families to services or programs with the appropriate level of support.

What We Offer

Variety School provides a structured, supportive, and individualized learning environment designed to help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we focus on developing the skills students need to become more independent, confident, and prepared for their next step.

Individualized Instruction

We tailor instruction to each student’s unique learning profile, providing targeted support while building on individual strengths. Our approach integrates academic, communication, behavioral, and social-emotional development to ensure cohesive, meaningful progress.

Structured and Supportive Environment

We provide clear and consistent expectations in a structured setting that promotes engagement, accountability, and success. Students are supported in developing the ability to:

Follow directions and complete tasks independently
Participate appropriately in group settings
Accept feedback and take responsibility for their actions

Social and Emotional Development

We explicitly teach and reinforce the skills needed to navigate social situations, manage emotions, and build positive relationships. This includes:

Effective communication and self-advocacy
Conflict resolution and perspective-taking
Emotional regulation and resilience

Skill-Building for Independence

Across all programs, we emphasize the development of skills that support increasing independence, including:

Task initiation and completion
Problem-solving and decision-making
Sustained attention and work stamina
Intrinsic motivation and self-direction

Transition-Focused Programming

We intentionally prepare students for their next environment, whether that is another academic setting, postsecondary program, employment or semi-independent living. Instruction and support focus on helping students:

Apply skills across settings
Navigate community and social expectations
Build readiness for increased independence and responsibility

Our Commitment

We are committed to meeting students where they are and supporting their growth toward meaningful, individualized outcomes. Our goal is to equip each student with the skills, confidence, and independence needed to reach their maximum potential.