School Supplies. If you are in need of school supplies please email SoWashCo CARES Education Foundation or Stacey Meath, School Social Worker.Weekly Food Pack. Please click on this form to sign up for a pack of food sent home with students each week.

Washington County Social Services
guardianship and conservatorship

social security disability benefits

Mental health parent support group

Thursdays 6:00-7:30 pm @ Family achievement. Support Group  

Parenting ASD Workshop

The CALM Compass: Positive and proactive parenting strategies to use on your ASD Parenting Journey.  March 7  6-7 pm @ Family Achievement. Check it out!

Employment Development

• Students have the opportunity for a variety of employment experiences to explore work environments and develop the skills to make them successful employees.

Community-based instruction

• Students and staff explore the local and greater community. Community-based instruction provides authentic and relevant learning opportunities.

Our Partnerships

• We have a variety of partnerships with the local community to provide ongoing exploration and in-depth skill development. Some of these partners include Hy-Vee, Goodwill, Presbyterian Homes, and TJ Maxx.

To empower young adults who have disabilities with the skills and confidence to achieve their greatest level of independence within their community. 

Creating a Safe and Respectful School

Respect
Our goal is a school where everyone is respected for who they are.  We appreciate and respect differences and acknowledge the contributions of every individual.

Duty to Report
Everyone accepts responsibility for reporting incidents, intruders, suspicious behavior or potential problems to teachers and administrators.

Strict and Consistent Enforcement
Our school provides strict and consistent enforcement with severe consequences for weapons, threats and violence, acts of violence, and disruptive behavior.

Mediation
We communicate respectfully with each other and take action when necessary to help resolve conflicts peacefully.  Students and staff seek mediation and get involved in peaceful solutions to conflict.  Ask for help when needed.

Caring
We become more inclusive and less exclusive in our actions and social relationships.  No one should feel left out.  Learn to care about each other.

• Next Step students have completed their academic work in one of our three district high schools, ALC or a neighboring district high school. They are students who have identified needs in one or more of the three areas of transition (post-secondary education and training, employment, and independent living) as determined by their Individual Education Planning team. The student meets eligibility for the Next Step program with the determination of continuing needs in one or more of the transition areas.

• In a typical year, approximately 80 students attend the Next Step program.

• All Next Step students have learning plans that are aligned with their unique future plans. The course offerings and experiences that make up their learning plans prepare them for an array of future outcomes from becoming a student at a two-year college, full or part-time employment, trade/vocational training programs, supported employment, and independent to semi-independent living.

• Although students are eligible for transition services through their 22nd birthday, the IEP team determines when a student ends transition services and receives the diploma. The decisions of the IEP team are based on the student's unique learning profile and transition goals, progress towards transition goals and the community services and supports that are in place.

• Next Step does not issue credits. The course work that students complete at Next Step will appear on their school transcript with a grade assigned, but students do not continue to accrue high school credits after they leave their high school.

• The diploma is issued for the month and date that a Next Step student completes their transition goals and objectives (as determined by the IEP team) or they reach the age of 22 and no longer eligible for transition services. The diploma is issued from the district high school that the student attended prior to coming to Next Step.

• Yes, we encourage employment experiences for our students. If work hours overlap with school hours and/or a student has goals in the area of employment, a Work Agreement will need to be signed to articulate how the employment experience aligns with the students educational plan and how the school is supporting their success at work.

• There are leadership opportunities at Next Step. Students have the opportunity to be part of shaping building climate and culture as part of the Leadership class. They have opportunity to take leadership roles in our Work-based Learning and Business Enterprise classes. Students who attend 916 or PSEO are encouraged to participate in on-campus activities and student organizations.

Every student has a unique learning plan and this results in a variety of daily schedules for our students. Please see the "Courses" page for more information.