Sierra School at Manor Expands Services with New 18+ Classroom
New 18+ Classroom Expands Services at Sierra School at Manor
Sierra School at Manor recently expanded its educational offerings with the addition of a dedicated classroom for students aged 18 and older, strengthening its commitment to inclusive, therapeutic education for learners transitioning into adulthood.
The new program currently serves six students, with the capacity to serve up to eight. Designed specifically for older students, the 18+ class provides an age-appropriate, structured environment that emphasizes academic instruction, independence, and transition-focused life skills. Families and districts have increasingly sought alternatives for students whose needs were not fully met in traditional school settings as they aged into adulthood.
Why the New 18+ Classroom Supports Transition to Adulthood
“Our students are getting bigger, older, and ready for the next stage of life, but many still need a therapeutic environment to be successful,” said Melissa Diarra, director of Sierra School at Manor. “This classroom allows us to support them while helping them build the skills they need to remain with their families and move toward greater independence.”
Inside the 18+ Classroom Living Lab
A key feature of the classroom is a fully functional “living lab,” which includes a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and laundry area. In this space, students practice real-world skills such as making a bed, doing laundry, washing dishes, vacuuming, and sweeping and mopping floors. Visual supports and step-by-step prompts help guide students through daily living tasks.
Academic and Life Skills Instruction in the 18+ Classroom
In addition to functional life skills, students continue to receive academic instruction using structured curricula and social-emotional learning support from a licensed social worker. Staff track daily living skills alongside academic, behavioral, and social-emotional progress through ongoing assessments, helping guide students toward future goals such as day programs or community-based opportunities.
How Families Support Success in the 18+ Classroom
Families play an active role in the program. While students do not receive homework, staff provide regular updates and collaborate with parents to identify specific skills to target at school and reinforce at home.
“Families are already seeing progress,” Diarra said. “One parent recently told me, ‘He’s folding his shirts now – he couldn’t do that before.’ We’re also helping parents see that their children can do more than they may have thought possible.”
Looking Ahead for the 18+ Classroom at Sierra School at Manor
Teachers and staff welcomed the expansion and the opportunity to better support older learners.
“This classroom allows us to set our students up for success in ways we couldn’t before,” Diarra said. “It gives them dignity, structure, and practical skills that prepare them for life beyond the classroom.”
With only two spots remaining in the 18+ classroom, Sierra School at Manor plans to continue evaluating future expansion based on student need and available resources. The addition reinforces the school’s mission to provide an inclusive, engaging, and supportive educational environment where students of all ages can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
