Providing a strength-based learningenvironment that prepares studentswith Neurodiversity to live, work, andenjoy life in communities, and withindividuals, of their own choosing.

A Community-Based Lifeskills, Academic,and Career High School for Youth 14-22with Neurodiversity and Hidden Abilities

Serving South Florida

A Program that Prepares Students for Life!

Unicorn Village Academy is an individual, strength-and interest-basededucational model that allows students to achieve educational, personal,and career goals in an environment highlighted by self-determination andself-advocacy. The program integrates academics with speech/language,physical and occupational therapies, counseling, social skills training,work-readiness preparation, activities of daily living and community basedemployment experiences. Unicorn Village Academy empowers studentsto cultivate respect for themselves and others by offering opportunitiesfor life-long personal and social development.

Unicorn Village Academy uses a three-semester framework to intertwinethe necessary and requisite skills building curriculum that traditional academic environments fail to address. Student educational plans aresupported and self-directed, and student self-determination and self-advocacy are integrated into all phases of the curriculum and the student’scommunity. The ultimate objective through customizing accommoda-tions and educational supports is for individuals to sustain employment,contribute to community life, and develop and maintain relationships.

Embracing the Village Concept in South Florida

The Unicorn model creates three separate but linked “modular” programswithin the school; each designed to emphasize acquisition of specific skillsand integrate them into manageable, measureable outcomes. Studentshave the option to move freely within these programs based on theirneeds, interests, and mutually established goals. Each program includesan array of community experiences to aid students in developing mean-ingful relevant skill-sets, and “real life” opportunities for success.

Each student, upon entrance into the program, is assessed in all threeareas to determine current level of functioning, interests and abilities, andin conjunction with staff and family, a Skills Learning Plan is constructedfor each student. Measurable Goals and Objectives are determined utilizinga team approach and are monitored each semester. Students are alsotaught about their own uniqueness and abilities. Technological advancesprovide opportunities for practice of these activities at home, as well as inthe community.

Life-Skills Institute offers:

� Preparation for Life � Money Management

� Social Pragmatics � Self-Care Skills

� Daily Living Skills � Relationship Development

� Home Life Skills � Self-Advocacy

� Friendship Skills � Cultural Enrichment

� Performing Arts � Self-Direction

The Center for Academic Achievement in Transition offers:

� Self-Directed IEP’s for each student

� A variety of Standard and Special Diploma Options

� State-approved academic courses including CORE subjectssuch as reading, math, history, etc., as well as electives suchas creative writing, art, music, and foreign language instruction.

� Workloads based on student’s abilities, special interests, and academic needs.

� A small group instruction with peer support and mentoring.

Career Academy Program offers:

� Preparation of students for their Post-Secondary experiences, whetherthey are Work, Higher Education, Trade-school, or a combination ofthe aforementioned.

� Guiding students to plan their own futures through comprehensive exploration of careers, internships, and supported work experiences.

� Onsite as well as community experiences to transform skills and interests into competitive advantages.

� Ceramics � Glass Fusion � Auto Repair � Aviation � Receptionist Skills � Office Skills � Culinary Arts � Travel and Mobility Training � Community Field Experiences � Evening and Weekend Social Activities

A Therapy-Rich Environment: Unicorn Children’sAcademy offers all needed therapies and a host of accommodations, as part of its inclusive model:

� Speech/language therapy

� Occupational therapy

� Counseling

� Job Coaching

� Financial Management

� Recreational Activities

� Community-based Trips

� Social Pragmatics

� Music/Art/Drama

� Augmentative Communication

� Supportive Employment

� Technology Usage

� Tai-Chi, Yoga, and Zoomba

� Mobility Training

Parents As Partners:

� Another key component of Unicorn Village Academy is a deep rooted emphasis on family involvement.

� A strong parent training component enables families to integrate student learning across all domains to ensure carryover from school to home. This becomes valuable when dealing with siblings, grandparents, and other family members.

� Ongoing parent support and training are offered at convenient times

Scholarships and Financial AidRacial and economic diversity are a cornerstone of our society. TheUnicorn Children’s Foundation is aware that a successful school mustalso be reflective of the diversity of the surrounding community. There-fore, there will be a concerted effort to raise funds to allow the financialsupport of individuals who wish to attend the Academy. Additionally, theschool plans on being able to accept McKay scholarships and offer otherfinancial assistance where possible.

What is Neurodiversity?Neurodiversity refers to the idea that people experience the world differently basedon their neurological attributes. It is most commonly applied to people with autism-spectrum conditions such as Asperger's Syndrome, but has also sometimes beenapplied to describe certain, learning disabilities, Tourette’s Syndrome, AttentionDeficit Disorder, and other neurological differences. The neurodiversity movementparts company with the disability rights movement in that it does not recognizeneurological differences as disabilities, but rather as equally valid, unique, and socially beneficial neurological experiences of the world that should be celebrated.

In 2011, the internationally acclaimed Unicorn Children’s Foundation,decided to create a Community High School where youth with Neuro-diversity and hidden learning differences can find a safe, bullying free environment where they are respected and treated based on their strengthsand abilities; a place where social skills, communication skills, career education, and life skills training allow for participation in communitysettings. They developed a strength-based, interest-centered training modelthat allows each student to live their own dreams and control their ownfutures in a supported, measurable outcome-based learning environment.

Students served include:

� Asperger and other Autism Spectrum Disorders

� Attention Deficit Disorders

� Non-Verbal Learning Differences

� Tourette’s Syndrome

� Other Neurological Learning Issues

3350 NW Boca Raton Boulevard � Suite A-28Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Phone: 561.620.9377 � 1.888.6 Unicorn � Fax: 561.620.9376

www.UnicornVillageAcademy.org

Questions or Further Information?

Contact Admissions @ (561) 620-9377

info@UnicornVillageAcademy.org