The mission of Atlantis Academy is to provide a safe and nurturing environment to enhance our students’ academic, social, and emotional growth and to foster a sense of self-worth and self-confidence.
We believe and expect that every student can learn and be successful with the appropriate supports, and our goal is to help students become as independent as possible.
Atlantis Academy students have autism, emotional/behavioral disabilities, intellectual disabilities and other learning disabilities that require academic, behavioral, social and emotional support. We use evidence-based practices in curriculum, instruction and positive behavior supports to help students succeed. We conduct ongoing assessments so we can monitor students’ progress and establish the best learning environment for them. Our teachers adjust instruction based on assessment and ongoing progress monitoring to meet the academic, social, emotional and behavioral needs of each student.
The Atlantis Academy L.I.F.E. Program (Living Independently with Fundamental Experiences) teaches young adults over the age of 18 with varying abilities the necessary skills needed to live a more independent life, both at home and in the workplace. The L.I.F.E. Program is an intensive, post-secondary program to help young adults bridge the gap between school and employment. Our educational model blends classroom instruction, work experience and social enrichment opportunities to help equip our students for the real world.
Our primary focus is helping young adults develop the critical job skills needed in the workplace. We partner with local businesses in the Miami-Dade County area to provide students on-the-job training and real-life work experiences. The L.I.F.E. Program has collaborative business partnerships with local hospitals, attractions such as Zoo Miami and Miami Beach Botanical Garden, nursing homes, sports institutes and colleges and universities. Each student assigned to a work experience site is accompanied by a L.I.F.E. Program Job Experience Training Coach (JET Coach), who provides the necessary training and support during the student’s employment.
Additionally, the L.I.F.E. Program staff support students in developing skills to live more independently at home. Students practice general housekeeping duties, meal preparation and proper hygiene. The L.I.F.E. Program provides daily classroom instruction to further develop students’ functional reading, writing, math and computer skills to complement on-the-job training. Social skills are a critical component of the L.I.F.E. Program, and social events are scheduled each month.