Da Vinci Schools to Lead FUTURES Plus Adult Transition Program Beginning July 1, 2026
For more than a year, Wiseburn Unified School District and Da Vinci Schools have worked collaboratively and intentionally to ensure a thoughtful transition of FUTURES Plus, the adult transition program serving young adults with exceptional learning needs. Beginning July 1, 2026, Da Vinci Schools will assume full programmatic responsibility for FUTURES Plus as part of our continued commitment to inclusive, transition-focused education for students ages 18–22.
This transition reflects a shared vision between Wiseburn and Da Vinci: to provide students with exceptional needs meaningful opportunities to develop independence, self-advocacy, employment readiness, and community participation in environments that honor dignity, belonging, and individualized growth.
Da Vinci’s FUTURES program serves students in grades 9–12, while the FUTURES Plus program serves young adults ages 18–22. This transition reflects the ongoing partnership between Wiseburn and Da Vinci and supports seamless coordination between high school and adult transition services as students progress through the programs.
Da Vinci’s FUTURES and FUTURES Plus programs are designed to support students with moderate to severe disabilities through specialized academic instruction, transition services, vocational learning, and inclusive campus experiences. The program emphasizes practical living skills, work-based learning, communication development, and neurodiversity-affirming practices that prepare students for adult life.
Da Vinci Schools’ adult transition programming is rooted in the belief that every student deserves opportunities to build autonomy, meaningful relationships, and pathways toward adult success. The FUTURES Plus model integrates transition services throughout the school day, including vocational rotations, independent living instruction, social communication development, and community navigation experiences.
At the core of the FUTURES Plus vision is a commitment to person-centered planning and transition-focused instruction. Under Da Vinci Schools’ leadership, FUTURES Plus will provide students with:
- Functional academics connected to real-world applications
- Employment and career readiness experiences
- Community-based instruction
- Independent living skill development
- Social-emotional learning and communication support
- Inclusive participation in campus life and electives
The program will also continue its strong emphasis on work-based learning through initiatives such as paid campus-based vocational opportunities and partnerships with agencies, including the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR).
Importantly, this transition has been approached with care, collaboration, and continuity in mind. Over the past year, teams from Wiseburn and Da Vinci have engaged in planning conversations focused on student needs, compliance alignment, staffing structures, family communication, and long-term program sustainability. Both organizations remain deeply committed to ensuring students and families experience a seamless transition into the next phase of FUTURES Plus.
As we look ahead to July 2026, we are grateful for the partnership and shared dedication shown by Wiseburn Unified School District throughout this process. Together, we are building a program that empowers adult learners with exceptional needs to grow in confidence, independence, and purpose.
For more information about FUTURES and FUTURES Plus, please contact:
Peggy Mazzarella, M.A.
ESN Program Specialist
pmazzarella@davincischools.org
Lynn Rodriguez, Ed.D.
Executive Director of Special Education
lrodriguez@davincischools.org
