Baywood Learning Center

Teen Program - The Next Step
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What every family should know about preparing for college and career - the next step!
THE NEXT STEP
The Next Step, is a middle school and high school program offered through Baywood Learning Center with full-time, part-time, home study and concurrent college enrollment options. The program begins with an in-depth discovery journey for your teen to clarify passions, strengths and preferences; giving them a guidepost upon which to attach their personal compass. A review of past work and accomplishments is conducted for the purpose of developing a portfolio. From there, our counselors consult with teens and parents to plot out a path, set goals and decide on a destination.
 
Transitioning into young adulthood can be an exciting yet uncertain time for teens and their parents. For families who have chosen less-traveled paths to education--such as homeschooling--it can sometimes be daunting to know how to define new paths that lead to more traditional venues such as college, career and/or establishing a business.  The Next Step program is designed to help teens and their families make this transition in a way that honors the individualized spirit of homeschooling, while paving the way to a smooth integration process with the larger world.  The Next Step program helps you prepare your 13-17 year old to enter the career or college of his/her choice and to assist families through the transition.
 
To help stay on track and reach these important goals, The Next Step program features regular consultation meetings, planning sessions and support services for students and their families.
 
The Next Step Program Includes:

Goal Setting Meetings/Initial consultations

  • Assessment of current academic work and or special projects of interest.
  • Review of current homeschool structure.
  • Identifying student's passions and strengths
  • Parent preferences versus student preferences/Working towards common goals.
  • Strategy to build student portfolio for college or career.
  • Discussion of possible goals.
Planning Sessions
  • Building transferable college units in the teen years.
  • Filing as an R4 if needed.
  • Graduating from high school early.
  • Early college options, concurrent enrollment with college credit.
  • Transcripts for your child/student.
  • Identify appropriate colleges.
  • How to enhance your chances of getting into a college of your choice.
  • Decisions about whether or not to take the SAT.
  • Dealing with learning differences in college.
  • Finding resources available for teens outside of the traditional high school, such as mentors, volunteer opportunities or other sources.
  • Pursuing paths other than college, exploring entrepreneurship and starting a business.
Navigational Progress Consultations
  • Student meets with a counselor twice per month 
  • Counselors assist students to stay on track with academic work
  • Counselors assist students with business plan writing
  • Counselors consult with students and help script conversations with the instructors and mentors
  • Counselors offer encouragement and guidance for navigating the college scene and/or business world.
Phone and email support consultations
  • If you have a question or concern, need an update or to check-in, just call or send an email for personal assistance.
Pathways to Success
  • Monthly teen discussion forum and social event.
  • Each month we invite a successful member of our community to talk about their career and answer teens' questions about living and succeeding in the "Big World".
  • Teens engage in discussions on success and career planning/goal setting
  • Teens contribute to planning these meetings and presenting ideas
  • Refreshments are served.
  • Membership in Pathways to Success is limited to The Next Step students or by special arrangement.
Life Skills Workshops
  • Cooking/nutrition/food safety
  • Finances/budgeting/credit
  • Job interview skills/corporate culture
  • Etiquette/social skills
  • Time Management
  • Transportation/vehicle maintenance
  • Household maintenance/appliance repair
  • Housing/leases/loans
  • 1st Aid/CPR
  • Healthy life style choices/resisting peer pressure

BLC Middle and High School, The Next Step Program
Baywood Learning Center (BLC) offers a flexible and innovative Middle School and High School program for gifted students. Teens attending BLC Middle or High School get the full benefits of the The Next Step: Explorer Program. In addition to this personal guidance and transition program, BLC students have access to BLC enrichment programs, individual projects, classes, tutoring, field trips, and physical education programs occurring at BLC.  Because many of the BLC students are academically ready to learn at the University level, BLC offers concurrent enrollment with local Junior Colleges for specific studies as determined through guidance with The Next Step counselors.  Through this program students can try their wings in the college setting and return to a secure base at Baywood Learning Center for important social connections and educational support.

 
The Next Step Home Study Programs
 
Explorer Program 
  • Goal-setting Consultations (four sessions)
  • Planning Sessions (two sessions)
  • Navigational Progress Consultations twice per month
  • Portfolio review, planning and consultation
  • Options for concurrent enrollment in a Community College
  • Official BLC High School Transcripts and Diploma for qualified students
  • Email and phone support up to 5 additional hours
  • Three Life Skills Workshops or BLC Enrichment Classes per year
  • Pathways to Success Discussion Forum Membership
  • Graduation Ceremony
Pathfinder Program    
  • Goal-setting Consultations (two sessions)
  • Planning Session (one session)
  • Navigational Progress Consultations (four sessions annually)
  • Options for concurrent enrollment in a Community College
  • Portfolio Assistance
  • One Life Skills Workshop or BLC Enrichment Class per year
  • Pathways to Success Discussion Forum Membership

Fill out form on this page for a FREE consultation with Next Step Director, Susan Taite.

Fill out this form for a FREE Consultation with
the Next Step Director!
Parent or Guardian's Name:
 * required
Street Address:
City, State, Zip:
 * required
email:
 * required
Best phone number to reach you:
 * required
 
Please provide DOB of teen:
 * required
Gender of teen:
Name of teen:
Please provide a little information to help us help you:
Currently Homeschooling
If not homeschooling, name of current school:
What are your goals currently (if you are not sure, select "not sure" from the drop down selection box):
 
Obtain a High School Diploma
 
Attend a Four Year College
 
Attend Junior College
 
Attend a Trade School, if yes please note which trade in the comment section below.
 
Start a Business, if yes, please indicate type of business in comment section below.
Comment Section, please tell us of any special interests, needs, questions or information we may find helpful to assist you:
What is the best way to contact you?
 
Best times to schedule an appointment with you:

Director and Lead Counselor, Susan Taite, MA
Educational Consultant and homeschooling parent Susan Taite M.A. Counseling, is currently Family and Teen Advisor to Baywood Learning Center and Director of The Next Step program. Susan has decades of business experience including consulting, real estate, and contracting.  Susan and her husband recently successfully mentored their two teens through high school and into colleges.  Now, she is assisting other families get to that most important "Next Step".
 
 
Don't miss the Homeschool Discovery Days!
January 26th 2008
Baywood Learning Center; Serving the Educational and Emotional Needs of Gifted Children