Vanguard’s student body spans a wide range of abilities, from those with significant learning challenges to high academic achievers. Many face ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, autism, dyslexia, or the effects of early trauma. Families choose Vanguard when traditional schools aren’t meeting their child’s needs and a new kind of learning environment is essential.

Vanguard provides an environment where children can excel to the full extent of their capabilities. Being their best version of themselves is what defines success for every Vanguard student. Being their best might mean achieving academic honors and going on to college or it might mean discovering an aptitude for fulfilling work without attending college. We develop customized plans for each student, combining parent guidance with academic and therapeutic insights. Every child’s learning plan includes specific goals to measure academic and therapeutic progress. The team assigned to each student includes teachers, counselors, and therapists experienced in working together and expert in helping students define and achieve their goals.

Students at Vanguard work with a variety of professionals including teachers, therapists, and classroom support staff.

The student’s team meets weekly to review progress and make any necessary adjustments to the plan. Families are an essential part of this process and work closely with their child’s team to support growth and meaningful progress.

Each student at Vanguard has an individualized learning plan designed to foster success through integrating academic learning with social-emotional learning. Because each child is unique, so is their time at Vanguard. Many families decide to stay at Vanguard for the entirety of their child’s education, while other families transition after a shorter period of time. This decision is made by each child’s family with support from the Vanguard team.

Some students stay with Vanguard and thrive from preschool through high school and beyond (via the school’s Launch Transition program). High-achieving Vanguard students who continue to benefit from the environment here can take dual-credit college courses online or at a local community college where Vanguard has a partnership. Other students may stay with Vanguard for a shorter time before returning to a more traditional school environment. The decision to stay or go and when is part of an ongoing dialogue with a student’s family, teachers, and clinicians. It is a critically important dialogue that we at Vanguard are always happy to have.

 After high school, Vanguard students pursue a variety of paths. Some enroll in our Launch Program to build greater independence, while others enter the workforce or participate in vocational or training programs. Many students also continue on to college, earning associate, bachelor’s, or advanced degrees.