OHS Students Strive for Success in New Transitional Living Apartment

Students were smiling from ear to ear as they held the oversized scissors and proudly cut the red ribbon to their new apartment on Dec. 12. That’s right, a group of Ozark High School students have an apartment in the Ozark Innovation Center. Don’t worry, they don’t actually live there, but the space will be a vital part of hands-on learning for the District’s special education department. 

“The purpose of the Transitional Living Apartment is to provide students with special needs the ability to learn essential life skills to help promote independence and success with post-secondary life,” said Emily Wright, functional skills and special education teacher at OHS. “It provides students with independence, empowerment and the ability to strive for success.”

“It provides students with independence, empowerment and the ability to strive for success.” 
- Emily Wright, functional skills and special education teacher at OHS

Dr. Laura Eakins, executive director of special education, said this apartment is something very special and unique to Ozark, as we are one of the only school districts in the area to offer something like this in the general educational setting.

“The apartment will provide an opportunity to students with special education needs in developing the daily living skills needed to live independently or with assistance,” she said. “The classroom is designed to introduce, teach and apply pre-vocational skills by using a combination of classroom instruction and real-life experiences and can be transferred into skills needed for everyday life and developing skills for future job placements.” 

The project started over the summer when the Ozark maintenance team built the classroom in the Ozark Innovation Center. This fall, students learned how to budget and shopped for furniture and houseware items. As those items arrived, students learned many life skills by putting the furniture together and putting the houseware items away in the proper place. 

“This apartment will allow us to clean and cook in real life, so that after we get out of school, we can handle life on our own,” junior Tyler McConnell said. 

OHS students in interior design class also helped design and furnish the space. Students learned about universal and adaptive design, measured the space, searched for the best furniture to fit the space and needs, and helped stage it all. 

“Whenever I have an opportunity with my interior design students to do a practical application project where we can do real work, work with clients and find out what their needs are — we’re always ready to jump on the opportunity,” said Lexy McNew, OHS FACS teacher. “It makes it so much more impactful on the students.”

Wright said her students have been excited about the entire project, and she’s looking forward to seeing how the space will be used to benefit students in years to come.

“They feel proud of the work they have done with this project. Getting to have a say in a learning environment that will not only benefit them, but future students to come is exciting,” she said. “This apartment will give students a chance to plan for their future, learn independence, practice making decisions and learn self-advocacy skills. Transition planning is a crucial part of ensuring that students feel confident in their capabilities prior to graduation. All individuals despite their diagnosis, deserve the opportunity to learn among their peers and have the same opportunities for postsecondary success.”