Programs

Preschool

Lower Elementary

Our preschool program focuses on language acquisition and preparing students for VPK or kindergarten. This program is more 1:1 teaching with small groups for art, music, circle time and reading. Students are primarily age 3 - 6 in this program.

Lower Elementary

Our lower elementary program works from a first grade curriculum, with adjustments made for each student who may work below or above that level. There is a focus on math, science, reading, circle time, language for learning, and more throughout their very busy day!! Students are age 6 - 9 in this program.

Upper Elementary

Lower Elementary

Upper Elementary

Our upper elementary program is a very typical classroom setting. Students have independent work time, along with science, art, cooking, math, writing and reading. They also spend time learning social skills, life skills, chores and go on fun community outings to gain real life experiences. Students are age 8 - 12 in this program.

Middle Grades

FUNctional Class

Upper Elementary

Middle grades runs very much like our upper elementary program, with a focus on higher learning academics. Students are expected to be more independent in their functioning, and are performing reading, writing and math at a higher level. Students are age 11 - 15 in this program.

FUNctional Class

Our FUNctional class is focused on functional life skills and functional communication. They are learning independence in their hygiene and dressing, communication, life skills, and in their ability to sit and work with minimal to no support. Students in this class typically receive half day 1:1 therapy and half day group experiences, and are age 9 - 15.

GIFT Vocational

FUNctional Class

Our GIFT (Growing Independence for Teens) daily living and vocational program includes focused learning on daily living skills, social skills and vocational training. This is our newest program at Growing Together, and is adapting year to year as our first cohort of students grow into the program. This is a 5 year program for students ages 15 - 22.

G.I.F.T. Growing Independence For Teens

Statement of Need

1 in 40 children in the US have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. *
Nearly 50,000 teens age out of school-based services each year **
Nearly half of all young adults with autism have never had vocational training, nor held a job **
Of those with training only 60% leave the program with a job.**
Duval County and surrounding area there are extremely limited options for young people with autism
Most local centers have continual waiting lists.
Children with self-injurious or “aggressive” behaviors are not considered appropriate and are not considered for local wait lists.

*The National Survey on Children’s Heath reported November 2018

**Autism Speaks

GIFT is a much needed program in the Greater Jacksonville area for students age 15 - 22. This program operates at our newest campus, in Mandarin. This program includes focused learning in daily living skills, social skills, functional communication and vocational training. The vocational training occurs both on campus and off, as we partner with companies in the local community.

On campus, students learn life skills related to hygiene, cooking, cleaning, making a bed, keeping your room tidy, doing laundry, and more. All of these skills are taught in our state of the art kitchen, mock bedroom and laundry facilities.

On campus vocational learning includes experiences within our fully functional breakfast cafe, commercial kitchen, retail center, horticulture area, and large cafeteria style "home" kitchen. Students begin with two years of intensive training throughout every vocational area, and in year three they begin to focus on specific areas where their abilities and interests coexist. Focused learning continues on and off campus through year three and into year four where students begin interning in companies in the Greater Jacksonville area.

On campus, we also have multiple calm down/sensory areas, as well as a fitness facility with swings, elliptical, steppers and more!