Post High School Transition Program

A future of promise.

Take a look at a day in the life of a GROW student!

Riverview School’s Post High School Transition Program for young adults, ages 17–21, is called GROW—Getting Ready for the Outside World.

The curriculum includes direct instruction in practical academic subjects but also provides students who have completed high school with the social, vocational, and independent living skills they need to function as independently as possible. Additionally, Riverview’s transition planning services are second to none and help students prepare for life after graduation.

Structured much like a college campus, GROW students live in dorms, take classes and participate in an extensive internship program. They learn how to self-advocate, make mature choices and take responsibility for all aspects of their lives, including selecting and planning their own social activities.

Additionally, students gain firsthand experience in a variety of work settings, helping them to develop good work habits and increased awareness of personal strengths and interests. There are 4 flagship programs that make Riverview’s GROW Transition Program the gold standard in post-secondary education for students with complex special needs: Café Riverview, Second-View Thrift Store, Project SEARCH, and our ability to provide support while students take mainstream college classes at Cape Cod Community College.

GROW Academically

The GROW curriculum includes direct instruction in academics with courses that include: Communication and Literacy, Personal Finances, Consumer Math Concepts and Travel Training.

GROW students focus on topics such as effective listening and communication, technology, relationships, self-advocacy, personal safety and self-awareness. Classes cover time, task and money management. Problem solving and budgeting exercises mirror real-world monetary challenges. Coursework is supported through the latest technologies and innovations in teaching.

Mainstream College Courses at Cape Cod Community College

Introductory level courses are an option for Riverview GROW students who meet the College’s eligibility requirements. Students are required to take the Accuplacer test at the college and submit copies of recent Psychoeducational Evaluations. The documents are reviewed by the CCCC Learning Disabilities Advisor and eligibility is determined.

Mainstream courses provide an empowering experience for our students. They take great pride in being part of the mainstream college experience. While the expectations of each course are different, all are time intensive and require considerable levels of persistence and perseverance. Riverview students are provided with extra tutorial support on campus and have a great track record of success within the program. Both students and their families report that participating in the mainstream program is a remarkable experience on many different levels.

Vocational Partnerships in our Community

Our GROW Students have an incredible opportunity to practice vocational readiness skills within various businesses across the Cape and surrounding areas. Students are able to gain work readiness skills and experience in fields of interest such as food service, retail, child/pet care, hospitality, health & wellness, healthcare and more! Click HERE to see a list of our community partners.

Housing & Independence at Riverview

GROW Independently

Instruction in independent living is highly individualized. Students learn and practice skills related to cooking, comparative shopping, personal hygiene, health, nutrition and fitness, stress management, home maintenance, transportation and the planning of independent recreational activities. While the routines and structure ensure that these important skills are learned, students at GROW play a very active role in designing and planning their lives. GROW offers an inclusive environment where students utilize the community to maximize their independent living capabilities. Most graduates can expect to live in a place of their choice with friends or family, and in a community where they can work and socialize.

Transition Planning

At Riverview School, we help to foster self-determination. Students are provided with the tools and the support they need to explore their interests, build skills, and establish personal goals for greater independence.

Transition planning at Riverview is a sequential process that begins as early as 14 years old and is refined by the time the student graduates from our GROW transition program.

Riverview offers highly individualized transition planning services to students and their families, including:

Assessment of strengths and interests; and personal portfolio development
Vocational training through integrated internships
Continuing education opportunities
Goal planning
Coordination with adult services
Transition seminar classes
Individual and group meetings
Collaboration with state, local, and private agencies and programs
Riverview Transition Resources Portal for current families with links to state services, information on housing, college, employment, SSI/SSDI, guardianship, and more.
- Transition To Do Lists- available for families to help with tracking and sticking to transition timelines.
Transition related webinars
Transition weekend: A weekend filled with information sessions, parent panels, and a place for families to connect