Post Secondary Success
Post-Secondary
Preparing Students for Life Beyond Wyncote Academy
At Wyncote Academy, our educational programming is driven by a central goal: preparing every student for meaningful postsecondary success. We recognize that each student’s path is unique, and we are committed to helping students develop the academic skills, confidence, independence, and self-advocacy necessary to pursue their individual goals.
Whether a student’s future includes college, a university, trade or technical school, vocational training, employment, or greater independence, our team works to ensure that every student graduates with a sense of purpose and a plan for their future.
Individualized Transition Counseling
At Wyncote Academy, Transition Counseling begins in 9th grade and supports students all the way to graduation. Each year, our guidance becomes more personalized and hands-on, helping students uncover their strengths, explore their interests, and plan their next steps with confidence.
Our Guidance Counselor, Alexis Gallen, works closely with students throughout their high school experience to help them identify their interests, recognize their abilities, explore career opportunities, and establish meaningful postsecondary goals.
Through individualized counseling, career exploration, and collaboration with teachers, families, and Local Education Agency (LEA) partners, students receive support in developing a transition plan that reflects their unique strengths, interests, abilities, and aspirations.
Our transition programming focuses on:
Identifying individual strengths, interests, and career goals.
Exploring colleges, universities, trade schools, and vocational training programs.
Developing self-advocacy, decision-making, and independent living skills.
Building academic, organizational, and executive functioning skills.
Exploring employment opportunities and workplace expectations.
Preparing for college applications, admissions interviews, and postsecondary program requirements.
Understanding available accommodations and disability support services beyond high school.
Developing individualized plans for a successful transition into adulthood.
A Four-Year Journey Toward Success
9th Grade: Discovering Strengths and Interests
Transition Counseling begins with helping students better understand themselves as learners and individuals. Students explore their strengths, interests, abilities, and potential career pathways while developing the foundational academic, social, and organizational skills necessary for high school success.
10th Grade: Exploring Possibilities
Students continue to explore career interests and postsecondary opportunities while strengthening their self-advocacy, independence, and decision-making skills. Guidance becomes increasingly individualized as students begin connecting their academic experiences with their future aspirations.
11th Grade: Developing a Plan
As students approach graduation, transition planning becomes more focused. Students explore specific colleges, trade schools, vocational programs, and career pathways. Our Guidance Counselor works closely with students and families to identify appropriate opportunities, understand admission requirements, and develop realistic, achievable postsecondary goals.
12th Grade: Preparing for the Next Chapter
By senior year, students begin putting their plans into action. Through individualized guidance and our Senior Seminar course, students receive opportunities to connect directly with postsecondary institutions, explore career training programs, and prepare for the responsibilities and opportunities that await them after graduation.
Senior Seminar: Bringing the Future to Life
Our Senior Seminar course is a cornerstone of Wyncote Academy’s transition programming. Designed to help students make informed decisions about their futures, Senior Seminar provides meaningful, hands-on opportunities to explore life beyond high school.
Each fall, Wyncote Academy hosts weekly on-campus seminars featuring representatives from colleges, universities, trade schools, and technical training programs. These presentations allow students to learn directly from admissions representatives and industry professionals about educational opportunities, career pathways, program requirements, and the skills needed to succeed.
Students are encouraged to ask questions, explore their interests, and discover opportunities they may not have previously considered.
To take their exploration even further, students may also be invited to attend off-campus luncheons at partner institutions. These experiences provide students with an inside look at postsecondary campuses, training facilities, and learning environments, helping them become more comfortable and confident as they prepare for their next chapter.
Recent Postsecondary Seminar Participants
Wyncote Academy is proud to connect students with a wide variety of educational and career training opportunities. Some of the institutions that have participated in our recent seminars include:
Philadelphia Technician Training Institute
Philadelphia Institute of Technology
Universal Training Institute
Community College of Philadelphia
Lincoln Tech
Orleans Technical College
The Beauty Institute
Automotive Training Center
Manor College
Temple University
…and many more!
These experiences expose students to a diverse range of pathways, including higher education, automotive technology, skilled trades, cosmetology, technical training, and other career-focused opportunities.
Connecting Students with OVR
Wyncote Academy recognizes the importance of connecting students with community resources that can support their transition into adulthood.
Our Guidance Counselor, Alexis Gallen, works closely with students and families to connect eligible students with Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). OVR provides services designed to assist individuals with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining meaningful employment.
Through these connections, students and families can explore resources and services that may include:
Career exploration and vocational counseling.
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).
Job readiness and workplace skill development.
Vocational training and postsecondary education support.
Employment preparation and job placement assistance.
Individualized supports that promote independence and long-term career success.
By connecting students with OVR and other appropriate community resources, Wyncote Academy helps families navigate the transition from school-based services to adult services and employment opportunities.
Our goal is to ensure that students are aware of the resources available to them and have the opportunity to establish connections that can support their continued success beyond graduation.
A Collaborative Approach to Transition Planning
Wyncote Academy recognizes the importance of connecting students with community resources that can support their transition into adulthood.
Our Guidance Counselor, Alexis Gallen, works closely with students and families to connect eligible students with Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). OVR provides services designed to assist individuals with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining meaningful employment.
Through these connections, students and families can explore resources and services that may include:
Career exploration and vocational counseling.
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).
Job readiness and workplace skill development.
Successful transition planning requires a team approach. At Wyncote Academy, our Guidance Counselor, Special Education Coordinator, teachers, school leadership, families, and LEA partners work together to support each student’s individualized transition goals.
Transition planning is an integral part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. Our team collaborates to identify appropriate postsecondary goals, develop meaningful transition activities, monitor student progress, and ensure that educational programming supports each student’s future aspirations.
We believe students should play an active role in planning their own futures. By encouraging self-advocacy, independence, and informed decision-making, we help students develop the confidence to communicate their needs, recognize their strengths, and take ownership of their next steps.
Every Student’s Future Matters
At Wyncote Academy, we believe that success looks different for every student. For some, success means attending a four-year university. For others, it means pursuing a skilled trade, completing a vocational training program, entering the workforce, or developing the skills necessary for greater independence.
Our commitment extends beyond helping students earn a high school diploma. We strive to prepare students for fulfilling, productive, and meaningful lives after graduation.
Through individualized Transition Counseling, our Senior Seminar program, partnerships with postsecondary institutions, connections with OVR, and ongoing collaboration with families and LEAs, Wyncote Academy helps students turn their interests into opportunities and their goals into achievable plans.
At Wyncote Academy, graduation is not the finish line—it is the beginning of the next chapter.
Meet Our Guidance Counselor
Guidance Counselor
Alexis Gallen works closely with Wyncote Academy students throughout their high school journey, providing individualized guidance, transition counseling, career exploration, and postsecondary planning. She collaborates with families, teachers, LEA partners, postsecondary institutions, and community agencies to help students identify meaningful opportunities and prepare for successful futures.
Families and school district partners are encouraged to connect with Alexis to learn more about Wyncote Academy’s transition programming, Senior Seminar, postsecondary opportunities, and connections to OVR.