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Academy360 Upper School Uses Data to Strengthen Math & Reading Skills
Last school year, Academy360 Upper School piloted Let’s Go Learn benchmark assessments in math and reading. The results were encouraging—students showed measurable growth from September to June, including full grade-level increases in reading. These assessments gave teachers a clearer picture of where students were succeeding and where they needed more support.
Academy360 Lower School Launches Pilot Program to Strengthen Handwriting Skills
For many students, putting pencil to paper can feel like climbing a mountain—requiring focus, strength, and confidence all at once. This fall, Academy360 Lower School launched a new pilot program using Handwriting Without Tears to turn that challenge into an opportunity, making handwriting accessible, engaging, and even fun.
Introducing Path360: A New Name, Same Mission to Empower Young Adults
We’re excited to announce that our Young Adult Program—previously known as “YAP”—has a new name: Path360.
This summer, students from Path360—Spectrum360’s specialized program for young adults aged 18–21—took a step toward building future careers by participating in the pilot Employment Readiness Bootcamp at County College of Morris (CCM).
The week-long bootcamp, developed by CCM’s Opportunity Programs, was created in direct response to student feedback. While many young adults felt confident landing jobs, they often struggled to maintain them due to challenges with workplace communication, professionalism, and basic financial management. CCM addressed these concerns with a hands-on, supportive program to help students gain practical tools for long-term success.
“Through our partnership with Spectrum360, we were able to launch this much-needed program that helps students with disabilities build important skills,” said Sarah Robey, transition program coordinator in CCM’s Center for Workforce Development. “This allows us to work toward our shared goal of empowering students to thrive in their workplace and their larger community.”
Throughout the week, students participated in interactive sessions focused on communication, teamwork, budgeting, and career readiness. Activities included career bingo, workplace problem-solving, and role-playing to practice professional interactions. A budgeting lesson helped students distinguish between “wants” and “needs” using visual aids, making financial literacy more relatable and fun.
Beyond the classroom, students explored the CCM campus, received official student IDs, and experienced college life—many for the first time. Each student received a Certificate of Completion from CCM’s Center for Workforce Development.
The Employment Readiness Bootcamp served as a meaningful kickoff for many students entering their three-year Path360 journey, where the skills introduced at CCM will continue to be reinforced through expanded, individualized learning.
“Job readiness training is essential—it helps bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace demands,” said Barbara Ciaffone, Transition Teacher. “It gives young adults the tools to succeed, especially with in-demand soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.”
This collaboration reflects Spectrum360’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for life beyond the classroom. With plans to expand the bootcamp in the future, even more students will gain access to the tools, confidence, and real-world experiences they need to thrive.
“Creating community partnerships has benefited our learners in many ways for many years. Being able to establish a valuable relationship with CCM will continue to enhance our programs and each student’s growth,” shares Lynn Muir, Head of Strategic Alignment. “We look forward to further developing our partnership in various ways.”
CCM will be officially launching the Employee Readiness Bootcamp to the public soon! To learn more visit:https://www.ccm.edu/programs/opportunity-programs/
