Matthew's Center

Individualized Instruction

Alternative Paths Training School began in 2002 with two students in the basement of a Christian academy in Alexandria. Our Manassas campus on Barrett Drive is one of three APTS school campuses in Virginia and serves students ages 5 to 22 whose disabilities include autism, other developmental disabilities, and emotional and learning disabilities. We specialize in intensive support for students who engage in self-injurious or aggressive behaviors, and we do not use time-out rooms or seclusion. As a year-round special education day school, we accept placements in any month. Students follow academic, vocational or life skills tracks under their IEPs, and graduates earn Advanced, Standard or Applied Studies diplomas. Each campus offers a school-wide behavior plan with individual Behavior Intervention Plans, occupational, physical and speech-language therapy from fully licensed clinicians, individual and group counseling, physical and adapted PE, an on-site reading specialist and nursing staff. Transition services add life skill stations and community based instruction. Placements are made by a student's IEP team, with funding through Virginia's Children's Services Act. Licensure comes from Virginia's Department of Education and accreditation from VAISEF.