Built for life after high school
A personalized high school pathway for neurodivergent learners.
The LINKS Individualized High School Diploma
A modified academic, life skills and career readiness pathway. Students work toward a meaningful diploma while building the skills they will actually use in adulthood.
LINKS recognizes that neurodivergent students do not all need the same pathway to adulthood. The program keeps meaningful academic expectations while explicitly teaching the communication, executive-function, independent-living and career skills many students need in order to thrive.
Modified and functional academics
Reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, civics, health, financial literacy and practical academics taught at an individualized level.
Executive functioning and self-advocacy
Direct instruction in planning, organization, time management, task initiation, flexibility, attention, self-monitoring, accommodations and asking for help.
Independent living and community readiness
Instruction in daily living, money, shopping, household routines, safety, transportation, community navigation and increasing independence.
Career and postsecondary readiness
Career exploration, resumes, interviewing, workplace communication, job shadowing, internships, work experiences and individualized postsecondary planning.
Three concentrations. One LINKS diploma.
Students join the concentration that fits their current needs and goals. Concentrations can change as a student grows.
Applied Academic
For students who continue to benefit from substantial academic instruction and may pursue community college, certificate programs, vocational education or employment.
Functional Academic
For students who require significantly modified academics with a greater emphasis on functional literacy, consumer math, communication, life skills and career readiness.
Life Skills & Transition
For students whose program places greater emphasis on communication, AAC, daily living, community access, safety, vocational participation and supported independence.
Credits to graduate
A familiar high school credit structure, with coursework individualized to each student’s learning profile and future goals.
| Graduation area | Credits |
|---|---|
| English / Functional English | 40 |
| Mathematics / Applied Mathematics | 30 |
| Science | 20 |
| Social Studies / Civics | 30 |
| Health & Wellness | 10 |
| Executive Functioning & Self-Advocacy | 20 |
| Independent Living / Life Skills | 20 |
| Career Education / Work Experience | 20 |
| Electives / Individualized Programming | 20 |
| Senior Transition Portfolio / Capstone | 10 |
| Total required | 220 |
Who is this program for?
Students who benefit from a smaller, highly individualized high school environment and who may need significant modifications or explicit transition instruction.
Placement is based on the individual student’s educational profile, not diagnosis alone.
- Students who require modified or functional academics
- Students learning below traditional high school instructional levels
- Students who benefit from explicit executive-function instruction
- Students needing communication, AAC, or self-advocacy support
- Students who benefit from life-skills and community-based instruction
- Students preparing for community college or certificate programs
- Students exploring vocational training or employment
- Students who may need supported employment or adult transition services
- Students whose goals include greater functional independence
- Students whose strengths and needs do not fit a one-size-fits-all high school model
Graduation means more than credits
“The goal is not simply to finish high school. The goal is to leave high school knowing who you are, how to advocate for what you need, and what comes next.”
Individual graduation and transition plan
Reviewed throughout high school and individualized around academic, vocational, communication, independent-living and postsecondary goals.
Career and community experiences
Career exploration, community-based instruction, job shadowing, volunteer work, internships and work-based learning when appropriate.
Transition portfolio and senior capstone
Students leave with a portfolio of meaningful work and a clear plan addressing education, employment, independence, transportation, finances, communication and adult supports.
What students may learn
Academics
Functional English, workplace communication, applied mathematics, consumer math, science, U.S. history, government, civics, health and personal finance.
Life and independence
Cooking, shopping, budgeting, household routines, appointments, personal safety, transportation, community access and digital safety.
Employment and adult life
Career exploration, resumes, applications, interviewing, workplace behavior, professional communication, internships, work experience and self-advocacy.
Is it the right fit?
Every student’s path is different. Our admissions process looks at the whole learner: their strengths, needs, communication profile, academic access, executive functioning, independence and long-term goals.
- (310) 494-6633Phone
- info@linkschool.netEmail
- 2201 Amapola Court, TorranceAt Switzer Learning Center · directions
Important diploma information
The LINKS Individualized High School Diploma is a private-school diploma based on LINKS graduation requirements. It is separate from California’s statutory Alternate Diploma Pathway. Acceptance of private-school credits or diplomas, college admission, transfer credit, athletic eligibility, and other postsecondary requirements are determined by the receiving institution. Families should review the requirements of anticipated postsecondary programs when selecting a high school pathway.