Beyond the Classroom is a program for high school juniors, seniors, and seniors(+) with developmental disabilities who demonstrate behaviors suitable for a small group setting and in various community environments. We currently partner with Appleton Area School District. Students are referred to the program by their school case managers to the Program Support Teaching team. Students are selected into the program, placed into groups through a best-fit process, and may repeat the program as determined by availability and their IEP team.

Beyond the Classroom is currently offered ONLY to Appleton Area School District students. If you think your student is a good fit, please contact your student’s case manager or the AASD Program Support Teachers and fill out the Beyond the Classroom Enrollment Application.

View full enrollment process here.

Each semester, students complete 18 weekly-based units to increase their independence, skills, and confidence. Lessons include financial literacy, cooking, social/emotional awareness, laundry, career exploration, public safety, healthy living, future planning, and more. View our 2024/2025 curriculum overview.

SOAR Fox Cities Youth Hub is a shared space with Appleton Area School District PAES Lab at the Downtown Appleton City Center. The Youth Hub can be used as one large space or separated into two classrooms, allowing us to run two Beyond the Classroom Groups simultaneously.

The Beyond the Classroom program offers a small group setting, and “Teal” and “Purple” reflect SOAR’s colors and refer to the different levels of the Beyond the Classroom program, designed specifically to meet the spectrum of needs our students have.

Also featured in our Youth Hub is our SOAR Sensory Room, which provides sensory-friendly adaptive tools to help students with self-regulation. The room is available at all times to students, ensuring participants always have a safe space to process and tune into their emotions. By providing the opportunity to take breaks as needed, our students stay more positively engaged in activities throughout the day, maximizing their learning, involvement, and enjoyment!

Students participate in 1-4 outings per week, depending on their group assignment. Permission slips must be signed by the parent/guardian prior to participating. Slips will be sent out at least one week in advance, sent home in student’s communication binders. Some examples of outings include sensory gyms, restaurants, grocery stores, banks, museums, coffee shops, and thrift stores (volunteering).

SOAR Fox Cities does NOT provide transportation to or from Beyond the Classroom. The AASD Transportation Office coordinates all student transportation to and from Beyond the Classroom. Please let your student’s case manager know if you will be declining transportation options and dropping off/picking up your student. Instructors will do their best to let you know anytime a cab is 10 minutes late for pick up. Please contact your student’s instructor or the AASD Transportation office (920)-852-5341 ext. 62111 or 62112 for any questions or concerns. Early pick up from programming can be accommodated, but please notify instructors as soon as possible.