Alternative Paths Training School Alexandria

At Alternative Paths Training School (APTS), we provide a year-round special education day program for students ages 5–22, from PreK through grade 12. Our highly structured classrooms serve students with autism and other developmental disabilities, including emotional and learning disabilities. We use each student’s Individualized Education Program to guide academic, vocational, and life-skills instruction. A school-wide behavior plan and individual Behavior Intervention Plans help address student needs, including self-injury and aggressive behavior.

Our related services follow each student’s IEP and include individual speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Clinicians coordinate to build functional communication, social skills, sequencing, task tolerance, activity engagement, physical endurance, and access to school. Students practice skills at school and in community settings. We also provide individual and group counseling, social-skills groups, physical and adapted physical education, literacy support, nursing and medical staff, and assistive technology through the local education agency. Students work in academic, vocational, and life-skills tracks, and take state Standards of Learning assessments or Virginia’s alternate assessment according to eligibility. Graduates earn an Advanced, Standard, or Applied Studies diploma. We work with each local education agency on transitions back to the student’s school district. Our related-services clinicians are licensed in Virginia; APTS is licensed by the Virginia Department of Education and accredited through VAISEF.