For students in Allen ISD’s 18 Plus Program, graduation does not mark the end of learning. It marks the beginning of a new stage focused on independence, employment, relationships, and life in the adult world.
The programs serve as a bridge between high school and adulthood, providing adult students with opportunities to practice the skills needed at home, in the workplace, and throughout the community.
Preparing for Life after Graduation
“We learned that high school was not the end when we moved here in third grade,” said Allen ISD parent Krystal Keefer, who began preparing for the next steps years before graduation. “That’s when I learned all about all the extra stuff, all the Special Olympics, all the guardianship, everything I needed to know about [my son’s] future.”
By senior year, the next step for Keefer was clear.
“I knew flat out that this was going to be something that he was going to be great at and needed to go to, and I’m extremely thankful for it.”
Learning Through Daily Routines
At the Dillard Special Achievement Center, students begin each day with routines based on individual needs and goals. The program’s apartment-style setting creates a space where students can practice household responsibilities and daily living skills.
Those lessons can include sorting laundry, choosing the correct washing machine setting, cleaning shared spaces, and taking responsibility for personal messes.
“We don’t want our janitors to have to clean up after us,” said Lisa Trees, 18 Plus special services teacher. “So, what messes we make, we are cleaning up after ourselves.”
Each morning, students also complete jobs throughout the school. Some clean the lounge or cafeteria, while others check automated external defibrillators. Staff members remain with students while encouraging independence and ownership.
Students participate in circle time, where the focus turns to communication, self-advocacy, and social skills. Later, some students work with Texas Workforce Solutions and gain experience at businesses throughout the community.
Building Skills in the Workplace
Community partnerships allow students to apply lessons in work settings while learning expectations related to attendance, communication, teamwork, and job performance.
For some students, those workplace experiences have helped open the door to employment.
“Scott started at Rudy’s for about six months. He was there, he worked about 20 hours a week, then he pretty much immediately found a job at Hugs,” said Lisa Austen, an Allen ISD parent. “That was amazing. Now he works at Hugs Café in downtown McKinney.”
Keefer’s son, Bradley, visits TwoRows several times each week to practice workplace skills. The experience has become a valued part of the weekly routine.
“He’s learning how to go out on job sites and do certain things. He goes to TwoRows a few times a week,” said Keefer. “The program has been so great for Bradley that even on non-school days, he doesn’t like it because he wants to go and see his friends and his teachers.”
Creating a Student-Run Business
Students also develop business skills through Eagle Creations, a student-run enterprise that sells cards and handcrafted items at pop-up shops across Allen ISD.
“We have Eagle Creations, and we pop up throughout the district. We have pop-up shops, and we literally pop up,” said Trees. “We get all of our wares, as I like to call them, and we haul everything around, set up a shop, and sell things.”
Students help prepare merchandise, set up displays, greet customers, explain prices, complete sales, and manage products. Revenue through Eagle Creations returns to the program and supports activities for students, including meals and celebrations.
“And we are breaking records left and right this year. We’ll use that money on the students. We’ll buy pizza for them. We had a holiday party where we were able to buy some things for them,” Trees said.
Finding a Voice
The 18 Plus Program gives adult students a place to form friendships, contribute to the community, and develop pride in their work.
“Students will walk in the very first day, and they’re kind of quiet and timid,” said Trees. “We try to get them to advocate for themselves a lot more than they’ve been allowed to do in the past. They’re adults now.”
As students begin making choices, expressing needs, and speaking for themselves, the change becomes visible.
“And because they are advocating for themselves and getting their own voices, you can see them physically carrying themselves better because they’re proud of what they’re doing,” said Trees.
Through instruction, workplace experiences, and community partnerships, Allen ISD’s 18 Plus Program empowers adult students to take ownership of what comes next. Each completed task, customer interaction, and day on the job helps prepare students for a future defined by growth, connection, and purpose.