Many of our high-school students also have an opportunity to take courses at Germanna Community College. Our staff works closely with the special education specialist at the college to ensure the experience is positive.  Students are administered placement tests so an appropriate course can be chosen for each student.  Most of our students begin with the student development course and take the class as a group during our regular school day.  One of our staff drives them to campus and also works with them during our Bulldog Block (extended lunch period) to assist with the work. While transition planning at The Oberle Academy is a sequential process that begins as early as middle school, a more refined approach is taken with students who are nearing graduation or in our post-secondary program with Independent Living, Life Skills, and Social Skills classes. These courses focus on the important skills that play a very active role in designing, planning, and managing their adult lives such as effective listening and communication, relationships, self-advocacy, personal safety, and self-awareness. Students also learn and practice skills related to cooking, comparative shopping, personal hygiene, health, nutrition and fitness, stress management, home maintenance, transportation, and the planning of independent recreational activities.