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Page County pilot ‘Next Page’ post‑secondary program moves to community‑based model for students with IEPs
Summary
Page County Schools described a pilot post‑secondary (18–22) program for students with individual education plans that moved out of the high school into a community‑based trailer. Staff described community partnerships, work‑based learning, and volunteer activity; the board praised the program and offered support.
Page County Schools staff presented a pilot post‑secondary program for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that treats ages 18–22 as a community‑based transition option focused on independent living and employment skills.
Program model and services
Lisa Brown, the division’s transition coordinator, described the program called “Next Page.” Staff said it is a post‑secondary option, not the only option, for students who are eligible for services through age 22 and who have not earned a standard or advanced diploma.
Officials said the program moved out of the high school this year to a dedicated space (a trailer behind Luray Middle School) and emphasizes community‑based lessons, career exploration, independent‑living skills (cooking, budgeting, hygiene, leisure), and work‑based learning. Transportation staff supported the pilot by providing a van to take participants to community sites.
Partnerships and activities
Brown listed community partners and referral sources that have worked with the program or agreed to provide services, including DARS, Northwestern (likely a community services partner), the Community Services Board (CSB), Access Independence (Winchester), and a nursing program partnership with James Madison University that brings student nurses into the class for shared activities.
Staff and student details
Presenters said the pilot currently includes a small cohort: two or three students in the program and one assistant, plus additional staff support. Students described hands‑on activities they performed during the first semester, including custodial and pantry work, packaging breakfast bags for community distribution, gift wrapping for community deliveries, and experience operating a pallet jack during supervised work‑based learning. Staff reported the cohort logged about 138.5 volunteer hours during the first semester.
Funding and resources
Staff said the program repurposes an underused trailer and relies on donated furniture and supplies; maintenance and transportation staff have provided in‑kind support. The program also manages a vending machine at Luray Middle School; proceeds and small fundraising projects are used for program activities. Staff described an active “wish list” of supplies and said maintenance agreed to relocate a surplus kitchen unit into the program space over the summer.
Board reaction and next steps
Board members praised the program, called for wider communication about it, and suggested presenting the program to the Board of Supervisors to illustrate community benefits. Administrators said the division will continue to support the pilot and return to the board with updates; the board encouraged staff to keep collecting donations and community partners.
Ending
Staff asked the board to accept the pilot and to help publicize the program; board members asked to be kept informed as the program grows.
