Is Shepherds College Right for My Child?

A child with intellectual disabilities often attends school with fellow students who are on track to attend college upon graduation from high school. But for these students, attending a four-year university doesn't feel like a good fit. The students may want to move on and progress, but don't know what their options are to keep learning.

The suggestion that there might be an alternative educational opportunity for a person with an intellectual disability gives them hope for a future they never thought possible. Shepherds College is a valuable resource for parents and students looking for more, and who can imagine college as part of their future.

As expected, a primary concern for parents considering "away from home" post-secondary education for their child is safety. Once that basic requirement is met, parents feel much more comfortable with this education option. Parents and educators often tell us that young adult students would likely do better in a residential setting away from their parents simply because the expectations would be higher. In our own experience, we have seen that to be the case. An "away from home" location presents the student with real world experience that results in a greatly enhanced self-image. This newly-acquired independence and confidence forms the foundation of a successful transition to adulthood.

Shepherds College provides all of these things for your child. We provide safety and security in this "away from home" environment for your student to learn things that will help them in their daily lives, as well as their future. Keep reading further to find out more about us.

"We couldn't possibly say enough good things about Shepherds College. From my first email to them until today, every interaction has been amazing. My daughter Daniela, who will be entering the college at the end of this month, has never been more excited and confident about anything in her life. We know that this experience will be life-changing for Daniela as it is for all the students who attend. We looked for two years to find just the right program that would help Daniela stretch to reach her most independent level in all areas of her life. We visited several very good programs, but none had every single thing we wanted except for Shepherds. The others all seemed to have one or more components missing. Shepherds, in fact, has even more than we wanted or hoped for or even thought of! The level of individual attention to each student, and attention to every detail of the program is beyond words."    ~ Tina, parent of incoming student