Here at Lionheart we offer two different courses of study for our High School students, a Standard Course of Study and an Occupational Course of Study. We also offer a hybrid program for students who are able to participate in the standard diploma program but also would benefit from work skills training.
Standard Course of Study
Our Standard Diploma track is similar to the Future Ready Core track in public school. This diploma track prepares college bound learners. Students who qualify are able to participate in the Career and College Promise Program with GTCC.
Our program is unique in that we focus on job readiness skills. We have forgone many of the rules that only apply to highschool in favor of practices that more closely mirror the workplace. In addition, our course work is focused on the specific needs of the autistic population to ensure job readiness. Research shows that less than five percent of adults with autism are employed full time–we want to ensure that our graduates have the skills necessary to defy the odds and succeed. We offer a financial math class and electives that focus on occupational preparation and communication. In addition, our social skills curriculum allows students to develop a deeper understanding of the social world and their autism. This social curriculum also helps students build appropriate social communication skills and develop tools to self-advocate.
Our course work is paced to minimize homework to allow students to experience less anxiety and have time for balance to promote mental health. We also recognize sensory differences and allow for legitimate movement and other breaks throughout the day. Students are able to truly belong to a community with like-minded peers. We want all of our students to develop friendships and have a sense of community at Lionheart. Our caring approach groups peers by social group to promote friendships and reduce bullying. We also have a behavioral specialist and academic interventionist that can help support your learner to get them on the path to success!
Occupational Course of Study
The Occupational Course of Study (OCS) is one of the two ways to obtain a NC diploma at Lionheart Academy. Unlike the traditional diploma track, the OCS track has a curriculum that is functional and hands on with a focus of employment in the competitive work force. Each student has an individualized career portfolio that documents the North Carolina required course credits as well as their work hours needed to obtain the OCS diploma. School based training hours for our OCS students includes:
- Tripps
- Goodwill Industries
- Nerd Bombers
- Lebanon Baptist Church
- Horse Power
- Chick-fil-A
- The Masonic Temple
- Reconsidered Goods
For more information about the differences between OCS and Standard Diploma, see this document.