Vocational Programs at Clifford Academy
Clifford Academy provides students with the opportunity to enhance their middle school or high school educational experience with hands-on activities while learning trade-specific skills. Students participate in on-site horticulture, woodshop and culinary as well as many different off-site opportunities such as internships, shadowing, volunteer efforts and field trips and other notable experiences.
Focus areas include attendance and punctuality, following directions, communicating work-related issues/concerns, developing effective working relationships with co-workers, developing specific job skill acquisition, demonstrating increased independence in completing work tasks. Work experience is based on student interest whenever possible.
All lessons are designed to engage students with a multi-modal approach and strong emphasis on the application of skills and concepts. Students are introduced to new concepts through activities and then guided through applying these concepts. The curriculum includes a variety of assessment tools including competency-based portfolio measures, daily reflection options, summative reflection tasks, and survey tools for students and instructors.
Each student’s job experience and goals are individually tailored to address identified transition goals. Students are matched with work experiences as opportunities allow. Vocational experience builds upon the basic work skills developed in pre-vocational job training. Students who aspire to gain work experience are supported in exploring and securing job placements, and maintaining appropriate volunteer and/or employment positions based on readiness and interest.
The vocational program encourages self-advocacy, business development and does annual shop sales to sell products that the students make. All sales go back into the program to increase our ability to do educational field trips, experiences and activities. Contact the program at cliffordvocational@thehome.org to learn more.
