Transition Program for Young Adults

Transition Program for Young Adults (TPYA)

The Transition Program for Young Adults (TPYA) is an option for students with moderate to severe disabilities who are 18 to 21 years old and have had a minimum of four years in a traditional high school setting. TPYA has received national recognition as an “exemplar school transition program.”

The Transition Program for Young Adults (TPYA) is a community-based program with 3 classes located at two classroom sites. This program, implemented since 1997, focuses on exploring the many facets of living and working in our local community. TPYA provides the opportunity for students to learn, maintain and generalize skills to the real world and to assist them in achieving their personal maximum level of independence as they transition from school to adult life. Because of TPYA’s community-based focus, students have the opportunity to practices many skills daily such as paying bills, making a bank deposit, getting a haircut, purchasing groceries, etc., in settings where they would naturally occur. Students also have extensive opportunities to practice decision-making, problem-solving, goal setting, personal choice-making and self-advocacy skills.

Students are recommended for consideration to be assigned for TPYA by their district high school teacher. If assigned, the students & their parent will receive a school assignment through the New Hanover County Schools, school assignment notification process. Their assignment notice will indicate they have been assigned to "Career Readiness Academy, Mosley Performance Learning Center, TPYA Program". This usually occurs in early April or May.

Classroom site locations are below.

• Career Readiness Academy, Mosley Performance Learning Center at 3702 Princess Place Drive - 2 Classrooms
• Watson College of Education at the University of NC Wilmington, 601 South College Road - 1 Classroom