Post-Secondary Transition

A graduate in a cap and gown holding up their diploma and smiling excitedly, surrounded by family or friends during a graduation celebration.

Life Beyond High School

At Germantown Municipal School District, we specialize in helping students with disabilities prepare for what’s next—whether it’s college, a career, or independent living. Through innovative transition services, inclusive programs, and strong community partnerships, we ensure every student is supported on their path to success.

Through the Transition School to Work grant from the Department of Human Services, GMSD employs a Transition Coordinator and Job Readiness Coach who work closely with students to develop student-centered transition plans aligned with their strengths.

Exceptional Student Education

Our Five Core Areas of Focus

Our Transition Team provides personalized instruction centered around these essential components:

Career Exploration – Helping students discover their interests and strengths.
Workplace Readiness Skills – Building the employability skills needed for postsecondary success.
Post-Secondary Counseling – Guiding students through college and career pathways, including finding disability support programs tailored to individual needs.
Self-Advocacy Skills – Teaching students to take ownership of their goals and needs.
Work-Based Learning (WBL) – Offering hands-on job experiences with local business partners like Huey’s, Goodwill, and Levee Creamery.

Transition School to Work Grant

Through the Transition School to Work grant from the Department of Human Services, GMSD employs a Transition Coordinator and Job Readiness Coach to:

Develop individualized transition plans for students ages 14+ through their IEPs.
Facilitate Pre-Employment Transition Services like social skills classes and career exploration.
Build partnerships with local businesses to expand work-based learning opportunities.

Spotlight on Our Transition Academy

Houston High School is proud to offer the Transition Academy, a unique and inclusive program that provides students with disabilities ages 18-22 a sense of belonging while preparing them for life after high school. The program balances traditional education services with hands-on experiences in the community, ensuring students are equipped for independence and success.

The Transition Academy focuses on workplace readiness, career exploration, independent living skills, community-based instruction, self-advocacy, and school-based enterprise opportunities. Students split their time between the classroom and work-based learning opportunities at local businesses, gaining practical skills and confidence in real-world settings.

Academic instruction is transition-focused, tailored to each student’s needs, and aimed at helping them become the most independent and successful young adults they can be. Students also have the chance to earn the Occupational Diploma, which emphasizes vocational and career outcomes, including mastery of technical and soft skills essential for both employment and independent living.

Follow the Transition Academy on Facebook or Instagram to see our students in action and learn more about this inspiring program. Explore more about the Occupational Diploma and requirements here.

Two girls standing outdoors in a garden area, smiling at the camera, surrounded by greenery and flowers.

A group of young children and adults gathered in a colorful classroom, standing near a whiteboard and carpeted learning area, smiling and posing for the photo.

A young girl in a black sweatshirt sitting at a table, focused on writing or working on an assignment in a classroom setting.

A student in a blue hoodie working on a project at a table in front of a large wall mural that reads %22PYROS.%22

Two young people sitting in a van, one wearing a seatbelt and smiling while looking at something outside the frame, with the other seated in the back. The image is in black and white.

A group of people standing behind a table with decorations, posters, and informational materials, set up for an event indoors.

Children in a classroom eagerly raising their hands while a teacher in a blue shirt stands at the front, pointing at a colorful screen.

A young girl with long blonde hair sitting at a desk in a classroom, smiling at the camera while working on a beading activity.

A group of students and adults posing outdoors in front of a large metal structure, smiling for the photo.

A group of people, including children and adults, posing together outdoors in front of a white van on a sunny day, all wearing sunglasses and casual attire.

A young girl sitting at a table carefully working on a craft project, placing letters onto a surface.

Three students sitting at a table, reading papers and collaborating on a group assignment in a classroom.

Explore Our High School Transition Academy

Work-Based Learning

Work-Based Learning (WBL) is an innovative program designed to help students bridge the gap between high school and high-demand, high-skill careers in Tennessee. Through WBL, students gain hands-on experience while building on classroom instruction to develop employability skills, preparing them for success in both postsecondary education and future careers.

To enhance these opportunities, GMSD provides transportation with two vans, allowing students greater independence in the community. This expansion increases the number of work-based learning job sites and hours available, ultimately improving postsecondary outcomes for our students.

Current Work-Based Learning Sites Include:

Huey's Restaurant
Germantown Athletic Club
Marco's Pizza
Cordova Bowling
Riverdale Elementary Preschool & Specialized Instruction
Nothing Bundt Cakes

Goodwill
Beautiful Soul Boutique
Addie Lou Blu Children's Boutique
Baptist Collierville Hospital
Eggs Up Grill
Forest Hill Grill

Donut Hutt
Smoothie King
Mojo Nutrition Shop
Levee Creamery
Riverdale Elementary Art Program
Make-A-Wish

If your company is interested in partnering with GMSD and becoming a Work-Based Learning job site, please contact Courtney Watkins.

Inclusive School Activities

You Belong Here.

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An adult standing outdoors, speaking to a young child sitting on a bench, while other children play nearby in a park or playground.

Explore the Clubs & Activities that Houston High School has to offer here.

We believe every student deserves to feel connected and valued. Our inclusive student organizations at the high school, Horizons and Stang Gang Cheer, provide opportunities for students of all abilities to build friendships, foster community, and share in the Mustang spirit.

Horizons Club

Sponsors: Caroline Sadler & O’Malley King

The Horizons Club, established in 2000, creates meaningful connections between students with special needs and their general education peers through fun, engaging activities. Monthly meetings focus on building friendships, encouraging collaboration, and giving back to the community.

Activities Include:

901 Rock Painting – Students paint rocks that are shared with GMSD faculty and staff to spread kindness.
Valentine’s Cards – Members create heartfelt cards for local nursing home residents.
Field Day – The club’s most exciting annual event, featuring games, races, and team competitions, bringing together students, parents, Houston PTSO members, and community volunteers. Field Day is a celebration of inclusion and fun that everyone looks forward to!

Stang Gang Cheer (Sparkle Cheer Team)

Sponsors: Caroline Sadler & O’Malley King

The Stang Gang Cheer Team is an inclusive, integrated cheer team that brings together students with diverse abilities to represent Mustang pride. Through teamwork and school spirit, the group creates a welcoming space of inclusion, acceptance, and respect for all. Whether performing at school events or cheering on their peers under the Friday Night Lights, Stang Gang Cheer offers every student the chance to sparkle.

Comparison of Diplomas

Transition Academy Staff

Meet our Transition Academy Staff

Administer and score transition assessments
Attend IEP Meetings to discuss transition
Collaborate with community and government agencies to ensure students are receiving the services they are eligible for, such as SSI, Employment and Community First Choices, Vocational Rehabilitation, as well as the Office of Students with Disabilities at various colleges and universities.
Communicate with current CBI and WBL job site supervisors
Attend job sites with students, job carving & job coaching
Meet with community and business leaders to expand WBL sites.
Facilitate Pre-Employment Transition Services
Facilitate social skills classes, job skill focused
Career Exploration

Courtney Watkins

Transitional Case Manager

Houston High School

Shelby Smith

Job Readiness Coach

Houston High School

Postsecondary College Programs

For students pursuing college, we provide guidance and resources to explore postsecondary programs tailored to their learning needs, including:

Accessing disability support services at universities and colleges.
Navigating the college application process with accommodations.
Exploring options for vocational programs or specialized two-year programs.

comprehensive list of post-secondary disability support programs

Neurodiversity in College

Transition TN: Family Resources

Our trusted partner, Transition TN, offers a variety of parent guides to support families of students with disabilities receiving transition services. These resources cover essential topics such as finances and benefits, family and caregiver supports, social networking and community connections, postsecondary education, independent living, healthcare, and employment to empower families in planning for their child’s future.

Transition TN: For Parents

Transition TN: For Students

Additional Transition Resources

Pre-Employment Transition Services

Germantown Municipal School District partners with the University of Memphis Institute on Disability to provide pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS).

The University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) has formed The Partnership in Disability Studies to assist people with physical and developmental disabilities find meaningful and lasting employment. Our vision is to form alliances with government, private, academic and legal entities to research and develop programs which encourage people with disabilities to pursue a higher education toward graduation and employment.

Pre-ETS services provided include:

Job Exploration
Work-Based Learning
Workplace Readiness
Self-Advocacy

Employment and Community First Choices

Employment and Community First CHOICES is for people of all ages who have an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD). This includes people who have significant disabilities.

Services help people with I/DD gain as much independence as possible. People are supported to live with their family or in the community, not in an institution. Residential services are available for adults with I/DD who do not live with family but need supports where they live.

Employment and Community First CHOICES can help the person with I/DD explore the possibility of working. Services can also help people learn skills for work, find a job, and keep a job. This could be a part-time job, a full-time job or self-employment. Working helps people earn money, learn new skills, meet new people, and play an important role in their communities. Work can also help people stay healthy and build self-confidence.

Other services help people learn and do things at home and in the community that help people achieve their goals. If a person lives at home with their family, the services help the family support the person to become as independent as possible. Services also help people get actively involved in their communities and include peer supports for the person and for their family.

Social Security Income

What Is Supplemental Security Income?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes):

It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income; and
It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Services To Eligible Individual:
Individuals determined eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services work closely with a VR Counselor to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) which outlines a program of services that leads to successful employment.

The types of services provided are based on the needs of the individual and are designed to help the individual to become employable. Vocational rehabilitation staff will assess needs in order to determine an appropriate employment objective and provide appropriate services. Certain services depend upon the individual meeting economic need guidelines, while other services may be provided without regard to economic need.

Diagnosis
Counseling & Guidance
Treatment
Training
Maintenance & Transportation
Special Emphasis Programs
Transition Services from School to Work
Personal Care Assistance Program
Rehabilitation Technology Services
Job Placement
Post-Employment Services

Support Employment: Supported employment is a Vocational Rehabilitation service delivery model that provides services for persons with the most significant disabilities who have not normally been able to participate in work that can lead to competitive employment in integrated work settings. The unique feature of Supported Employment is the ongoing support it provides to individuals to help them maintain employment.

Client Assistance Program: The Client Assistance Program (CAP) helps individuals who have concerns or difficulties when applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation (VR) services funded under the Rehabilitation Act. CAP is administered by Disability Rights Tennessee.

Independent Living Services - It is the mission of the State's Independent Living Services of Tennessee to promote independent living and support the independent living philosophy, its practices, and its values to all citizens while providing comprehensive services to individuals with significant disabilities. Services may include: transportation, interpreting services for the deaf, reader services, teaching services, orientation and mobility services for the blind, services to family members, job placement services, referral services, telecommunications, sensor, and other technological aids and devices, and appropriate preventive services to decrease the need for similar services in the future.

The state program also serves elderly blind individuals with innovative methods and approaches to providing independent living services.