As I headed up in the elevator for an appointment with Mr. John Civita, Director of Winston Transitions I kept thinking, "what a killer address for a program that says that they can get you ready for the world of employment."
Their website says:
"Designed for young adults, ages 17-21, Winston Transitions offers an academic program and practical internships with guidance, structure, communication, and the continuous feedback that is a trademark of a Winston Preparatory School education. The Transitions student community is comprised of a diverse group of learners with unique patterns of strengths and needs all of whom need additional work to be prepared for post-secondary programs, or gain further academic, work, and/or life skills."
But what I discovered when the elevator doors opened up was so much more than the description above. John said it best by describing Winston Transitions as, "the Swiss army knife of gap years". The program is designed to provide the flexibility to meet the individual needs of each student that is accepted into the program. Then the list of needs to be addressed is fine tuned over their time in the program and as they get to know the student better.
There are many unique aspects of this creative program such as the energetic and passionate staff and very unusual school setting. But it is the framework of the actual program that sets the tone for the entire school.
John described the program this way. ...
"Our Transitions Team works closely with students in a very personalized and individual way through our small groupings, comprehensive academic coursework, internship experiences, social-emotional development and Winston’s unique one-to-one Focus program. Additionally, a strong emphasis is placed on a practical application approach and project-based learning."
This is a model that sees the attendees/students more as workers/employees than students. They are looked at individuals who are accountable to be productive, to complete their projects and attain their individual goals in what is a year-long internship program. The staff don't teach in a traditional classroom format. Rather, everyone works more in a consulting approach with each student. Each new student begins by working on an analysis of career aptitudes and that helps to determine where the internship field-experience will actually happen. Then, with help from members of staff, each student establishes their own personal goals for the year.
An important aspect of the program is a process of reflection, assessment and projecting of their outcome for the year's program. This process creates an environment where students are held accountable in a more authentic employment experience. And, the role of the staff is not to teach content as much as to assist each student to sustain focus on their goals and to meet the objectives needed to attain the goals.
This unique program space includes many small meeting spaces, individual workspaces, and a kitchen like you would find in corporate office complex. There is an entire wall of garden plants, a recording studio, computer publishing and 3-D printing for their presentations that are needed.
A very exciting and creative morning spent at Winston Transitions. It is an inspiring and captivating environment and what is an amazing place to learn how to enter the world of employment.
Mr. Civita and I have continued to exchange ideas and he is very interested to learn more about Hill Top Prep.
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