At Shrub Oak International School, we are proud of the meaningful, real-world opportunities our internship program continues to provide. Both on- and off-campus, our students engage in structured, individualized vocational experiences that foster growth in communication, independence, and self-advocacy—essential components of transition planning. This past year, several of our students have achieved remarkable success across a range of internship settings, each demonstrating increased workplace readiness, stronger interpersonal skills, and a growing sense of confidence and purpose.
One student made significant strides during his internship at McDonald’s, where he was responsible for customer service, restocking, and delivering food. Embraced by the team for his positive attitude and friendly demeanor, he balanced professionalism with enjoyment, becoming a reliable contributor to a fast-paced business. Another student interned at ACME Markets, where he overcame initial challenges in self-advocacy and spatial awareness. Over time, he followed multi-step directions with minimal support, self-regulated during work hours, and became known for his calm and task-focused demeanor. The ACME staff openly expressed their appreciation for his professionalism.
A different student who began his internship journey at an ice cream shop continued to build his communication and job-seeking skills by transitioning to a pizzeria and later taking the initiative to submit his own resume to ACME. He now interns twice a week as he works toward part-time employment, a testament to his growing self-confidence. Another student turned a passion for comic books into employment through an internship at a local comic shop. Initially developing workplace skills such as accepting feedback and learning store operations, he now works part-time, handling customer service, register transactions, stocking, and cleaning.
In addition to these external placements, our on-campus internship program offers structured and supportive vocational experiences across departments. Our internal internships include kitchen prep, life skills shopping, office and classroom assistantships, facilities support, culinary assistance, and animal care and gardening on our farm. Students also participate in preparing and selling products at our Little Oak Farm Stand, where they engage in inventory management, stocking, and customer transactions.
One student in the kitchen prep internship now independently completes up to 50 minutes of sustained work using a visual task list. His growth in focus and independence is clear. Another student, involved in the farm internship, has demonstrated increased communication skills and consistent attendance, proudly selling handmade items that reflect her creativity and effort. A third student, interning at a local kosher market, transformed from a timid shopper into a confident community member, independently locating specialty items and building relationships with staff and customers. One of our farm animal care interns shows great responsibility by tending to our animals four days a week, including feeding and watering our goats, rabbits, and baby chicks.
These success stories illustrate the power of experiential learning in real-world settings. At Shrub Oak International School, we remain committed to providing individualized, community-integrated vocational opportunities that help our students thrive beyond the classroom and prepare for a future of connection and meaningful contribution.
