Eleven local high school students have A Chance to Experience Success (ACES), thanks to a career exploration and independent living program at Keene State College.

Designed and implemented by Monadnock Center for Successful Transitions (MCST) in partnership with NH Department of Education Vocational Rehabilitation and Keene State, ACES is a two-week residential summer program for high school students with a learning disability or attention deficit disorder who are struggling to find a connection between school and adult life. The program began on July 11, and will wrap up Friday, July 23.

MCST partnered four NH schools, chosen through a competitive process: Monadnock Regional, Spaulding (Rochester), Prospect Mountain (Alton) and Conval. Each school nominated students to apply for ACES, and agreed on some follow-up activities.

Students participate in daily community meetings, work habits classes, portfolio-building to document their experiences, work experience, and independent living workshops.

Nearly two dozen Keene State faculty, staff, and vendors have been involved with the program, and counselors are graduate students in Keene State's School Counseling program or recent KSC graduates.

Businesses that have hosted students for tours or job shadowing include Ted's Shoe and Sport, First Course, Carlisle Lumber, The Pub Restaurant, John Cucchi, Cheshire Music, Monadnock Radio Group, Keene Beauty Academy, Cheshire Animal Hospital, Dr. Greisbach, DDS, and Dr. Charles Post.

The ACES curriculum supports both NH Special Education plan requirements and VR Individual Plan for Employment requirements.

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