The transition from adolescence to adulthood is challenging for all students. The Strawbridge School offers a comprehensive program to teach important life and career skills, as well as various vocational opportunities (according to student interest level). The Strawbridge Vocational Program has two components taught by our highly qualified and experienced teachers:
- Classroom Instruction
- Culinary Arts
- Art and Ceramics
- Horticulture
- Career Research and Development
- On-Campus Work Opportunities
- Breezeway Market
- Maxine’s Cafe
Classroom Instruction
Culinary Arts
There is a full industrial kitchen in Strawbridge School that provides both classroom space, as well as an attached cafe open to Everstand staff and their guests about once a month for themed meals.
Horticulture
On Campus Work Opportunities
There are several on-campus vocational opportunities for students. For many individuals, these on-campus opportunities serve as their first work experiences, as students master the basic skills required for the world of work.
Maxine’s Cafe
At Everstand, students gain valuable real-world experience by running Maxine’s Café, a student-managed dining experience that serves meals to staff and guests. Every student plays a role—from planning the menu to preparing and serving food—with older students often leading the cooking stations and younger students mastering table service and hospitality.
Menus are thoughtfully planned around seasonal themes or holidays, and have featured crowd-pleasers like made-to-order omelets and pasta bars. Students take turns stepping into the role of restaurant manager, giving them hands-on opportunities to build leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and customer service skills in a supportive, real-world setting.
Breezeway Market
Students may also work at the “Breezeway Market,” a bi-annual market that presents student-produced Horticulture, Art, and Culinary items to Everstand staff and their guests.
Everstand does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry/national origin, color, disability, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs and activities. There is no Spiritual programming or instruction within Strawbridge School.