Opportunities Academy

Demographics

Percentage of students*

Why Opportunities Academy was nominated

Opportunities academy provides college-aged students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities the skills and knowledge they need to succeed long term in work and life. The school provides students skills like how to get and keep a job; create a support system with local agencies; create lasting relationships; grocery shop; access public transportation; and more!

Student experience design

Opportunities Academy (OA) is a rigorous, full-day program designed to be an alternative to college for scholars with disabilities between the ages of 18-22, who have earned or are working to complete their LEAP Connect diploma. At OA, our entire school day is designed to prepare scholars with the skills and experiences to be employed and live independently after they graduate. We prioritize creating real world experiences for scholars to be able to practice skills and meaningfully engage with and contribute to both the school and New Orleans communities. A scholar's day at OA begins in the workplace. Scholars either work in an on-campus internship or travel off campus to an externship, to gain work experience and begin building the technical and social skills needed to be successfully employed. We partner with several local organizations for our externships, including Junior Achievement, Audubon Zoo, Long Vue Gardens, and New Orleans Public Library. Each of our on-campus internship are aligned to job opportunities scholars can access in our community. Internships are designed to support scholars in building technical job skills, developing the social and emotional skills for employment success and increasing independence and task endurance. Afternoon instruction at OA focuses on preparing scholars in three key areas: Independent Living, Community Access, and Employability. Instruction is aligned to scholars annual IEP PATH goals based on their transition goals for life after OA. Based on their PATH goals, scholars learn how to state personal information, follow a hygiene routine, follow a recipe, use public transportation, make purchases within a budget framework, complete a job application, etc. Scholars have a daily club block that is selected quarterly, where they are able to explore interests and can develop hobbies they can engage in to build community after OA. Throughout the day, scholars get opportunities to develop skills such as making friends, using assistive technology, functional math and reading skills, building healthy habits, following routines and increasing communication skills. Scholars also receive any counseling, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech services outlined in his or her IEP.

Core Practices

Core Practices	Length of Use
Career Prep And Work-based Learning	5+ years
Hiring For Equity And Inclusion Values	5+ years
Individual Learning Paths	5+ years
Trauma-informed Practices	5+ years

All Practices

Assessments For Career Readiness

Community And Business Partnerships

Competency/mastery-based Education

Extended Learning Time

Individual Learner Profiles

Mental Health Services

Multi-age Classrooms

Multiple Opportunities To Demonstrate Mastery

Performance Based Assessment

Place-based Learning

Restorative Practices

Student-led Conferences

Universal Design For Learning

key reasons for innovating