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Horizons School Fashion Show, for adults with disabilities to learn how to dress for success — Horizons School teaching students to dress for success at a fashion show. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Nestled in the Five Points South neighborhood of downtown Birmingham, there’s a school dedicated to enabling young adults with learning disabilities to transition into independent living. Through its doors, you’ll find anything from cooking classes, career preparation or even a fashion show—all ways that reach students where they are and prepare them for bright futures.

Last week, we got an inside look at Horizons School, met some of their students and saw the community in action. Keep reading to see what Horizons is all about, find plans for an upcoming open house and tap into discounted tuition if you apply today.

What is Horizons School?

Horizons School Fashion Show — A few Horizons School participants and staff members. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Founded in 1991, Horizons School provides a community-based educational program for young adults with learning disabilities, autism spectrum and developmental disorders.

They help students transition to independent living and set them up for success through ways like:

teaching them to manage personal health + leisure time
helping them to follow a daily schedule, live within a budget + prepare daily meals
guiding them to develop friendships, use public transit + prepare for employment

Many Horizons students earn career certificates and enroll in community college. The majority of the school’s graduates successfully live independently, manage personal needs and maintain paid employment.

Horizons school offers intentional programs that support independent living

Horizons School enhance students’ personal, social and career independence through intentional programs including:

READI (Readiness for Employment and Disability Inclusion): Career or college preparation where students receive pre-vocational + living skills
Community Transition Program: Option for third-year students to engage in jobs or college courses during the day + return to campus each night
Contracting services: Individualized support services delivered to your students’ residence, workplace or other community settings

Built into the curriculum is a “community as our classroom” mindset, so you might catch Horizons students across Birmingham at social events playing Topgolf, touring the Southern Museum of Flight or watching a Birmingham Barons baseball game!

Horizons School Fashion Show models (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Last week, we attended a Career Readiness Fashion Show, where students walked down the runway in either casual, business casual or business professional attire, and the audience voted if the outfit was appropriate or not for the workplace.

It allowed students to show off “on-the-job” outfits and was a fun way to learn what they need to wear once they land jobs.

Who can apply?

Horizons School is designed for young adults ages 18 to 26 who:

Have a primary diagnosis of a specific learning disability and/or other mild learning difficulties
Show evidence of psychological maturity + stability and no evidence of conditions that could interfere with program completion
Are functionally literate with a high school diploma or GED
Are capable of living in an apartment with a roommate + minimal supervision
Have sufficient mobility to access the community with limited assistance
Are capable of managing their own medication + other health-related issues
Have sustained parent/guardian support

BONUS: For the rest of May, mention “Bham Now” when you enroll and get $3,600 off tuition. Apply today!

See Horizons School for yourself on Friday, June 5

In the short time we spent with Horizons School residents and staff, we could see the bond they created—everyone was having so much fun, cheering each other on and encouraging one another. It felt like we were part of the family.

If you know of anyone who might be a fit, tell them to check out Horizons School. There’s an open house next month: