1. What is RISE Academy?

RISE (Real-world Independence and Skills for Employment) Academy is designed to support neurodivergent students in developing independent living, employment, and self-advocacy skills. The curriculum focuses on real-world readiness through hands-on experiences.  

The goal is to ensure students leave the program more confident and capable of navigating life with greater independence! 

The program is run by PerspectAbility, a non-profit organization that exists to create opportunities for neurodivergent adults in Northwest Arkansas.  

2. Who is this program for?

The program is designed for young adults (16+) who are ready for their next step towards independent adulthood.  

The curriculum can be tailored to support students with various abilities. The content is adapted using visuals, simplified language, hands-on activities, and assistive technology to ensure it is accessible and engaging for all learners. We also integrate real-world tasks, such as creating a grocery budget or practicing public transit, to build meaningful, functional skills.

Instruction will be differentiated based on each student’s goals and abilities. There will be consistent collaboration between Emilee (Program Educator), support staff, families, and community partners to support each learner’s progress. Growth will be monitored through checklists, portfolios, and skill demonstrations that will help measure success beyond traditional academics. 

If you would like to discuss how this program may help you or your student, please email info@perspectability.org to set-up an info meeting.

3. What skills or classes are taught?

RISE Academy utilizes the Learn4Independence curriculum for core programming, which is an established comprehensive curriculum that is being used successfully at similar schools across the country.  RISE also adds complementing course materials and community opportunities for more real-life experiences and actionable skills. This multi-faceted approach results in a robust learning environment with multiple opportunities for discovery and reinforcement of concepts. 

Developed for transition-age students, classes are highly interactive and designed to promote independence in all areas of adult life.  Modules include the following topics:

• Daily living skills
• Career exploration & readiness
• Health, safety & wellbeing
• Financial literacy
• Social & communication skills
• Self-advocacy & identity
• Community connections
• Problem solving & organization
• Office & computer skills
• Transportation

4. What does the program cost?

The program costs $5,000 per semester, with a total of four semesters over two academic years.  Please check out sections on Payment Plans and Financial Assistance for more information.

5. Are payment plans available?

Yes, Flexible payment plans are available to help families manage tuition with no added fees. Monthly and semester-based payment options can be arranged through the PerspectAbility office. For example, a 12-month payment plan per school year would be less than $850/month.  

6. What is included in the tuition?

Tuition covers:

• All instruction and class materials for the Learn4Independence curriculum and related modules
• On-campus workshops and activities
• Community-based instruction and field experiences
• Staff support and coaching
• Access to facilities and technology

Note: Transportation, meals, and personal supplies are not included.

7. What is the schedule like?

Students attend Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30am to 2:30pm, which includes a 1-hr break for lunch.  Classes are held at the Center for Nonprofits, with occasional off-site learning. The schedule includes a mix of classroom instruction, community-based learning, job site visits, and independent practice.  Students will have monthly Friday Connections, which is a community connection event one Friday morning per month that may be held on-site or at an off-site location.  Specific times for Friday Connections can be variable, but students can typically start at the Non-Profit Center at 8:30am.  Examples of Connections include guest speakers, job shadowing, skill-building, community demonstrations and/or volunteer opportunities.  

First day of classes will be August 17th, 2026.  The calendar will follow a typical school year, including fall, winter and spring breaks.  The last day of classes for the 2026-2027 school year will be May 14th, 2027.  

8. What are student expectations?

Students should be self-motivated to attend a program like RISE Academy and willingly participate in classroom learning opportunities, exercises and events.  

Students are expected to attend regularly and arrive on time.  Note that if a student has appointments that may conflict with some of the scheduled instruction time, or maybe just needs a break from the classroom, we will do our best to offer alternatives on a case-by-case basis, such as occasional virtual lessons, recordings, home-based coursework and/or make-up sessions as needed.  Frequent or recurring absences or tardies may require a medical/professional written note or similar documentation to be excused. 

Student and Caregiver Expectations/Standards with further details will be distributed for signature prior to commencement of classes.  Students will also be provided a Handbook for review and signature.

9. Is housing available?

The program does not provide residential housing at this time. Students must commute or otherwise arrange transportation. Educational goals can incorporate and build upon independent living experience. 

10. How do I apply?

Applications are open for the Fall 2026 semester!  Refer to the end of the FAQ’s for an application link. The application process is intended to include:

• A completed application form
• Submission of required documents, including school transcripts and 504/IEPs (if applicable)
• Family/student meeting and classroom tour
• Any additional information or interviews as requested

Please reach out to info@perspectability.org with any and all questions; we are happy to help support families during the application process.  

11. Is financial aid available?

PerspectAbility is constantly seeking donations to further support the academy, and through our generous donors, we are able to offer limited needs-based financial assistance.  

If you or your student needs this assistance, please proceed with the enrollment application and note financial needs where requested near the end of the application. You will be contacted by PerspectAbility for any further information that may be needed and to discuss next steps.    

Additionally, RISE Academy has been approved as an EFA vendor, so for students still in the school system who may have access to these funds, their EFA can be used towards eligible tuition.

12. When will I know if I’m accepted?

Note that all student spots and targeted dates are dependent on the number of eligible applicant submissions, enrollment commitments and available funding.  Information pertaining to a 2026-2027 school year for new students is subject to change if any of these numbers do not meet minimum requirements for a second class.  If this should happen, any eligible applicants can be automatically added to the following school year upon request.

Students will receive notification of acceptance over the summer.  Early applicants may receive notification earlier.

If a student is accepted, financial terms must be agreed/determined, including payment arrangement for an enrollment fee of $500, prior to being considered fully enrolled.  Note the enrollment fee is a pre-pay on the corresponding amount of the first semester’s tuition; it is not an added expense.

13. Who do I contact for more information?

Please feel free to reach out to the PerspectAbility office through any of the following options:

• General inbox: info@perspectability.org
• Kelli Jensen or Karah Kinkead, PerspectAbility Board Members and RISE Operations Committee Members, at kjensen@perspectability.org and kkinkead@perspectability.org 
• Emilee Clubbs, RISE Academy Lead Educator, at eclubbs@perspectability.org 

Important links:

• Application: https://forms.gle/zGiUH5wqomcWJ1FZ7 
• Website: www.perspectability.org
• Stay Up to Date: www.perspectability.org/news

RISE Academy 2026 Application

If you have any issues accessing the application or you have questions, please contact us at info@perspectability.org

As we continue to GROW, we’re branching further into the community where we already have roots. We’re creating year-round opportunities for our neurodiverse neighbors to socialize with their peers around shared interests while offering the independence to experience the events and attractions our region has to offer.

This weekend, we unleashed our inner geek and attended Bentonville Comic Con.  True Colors Farm employee Jaxon dressed as Peter Parker, the alter ego of Spider-Man from the iconic comic books and movies.  He did a fantastic job crafting his costume and entering the cosplay contest, and our executive director Natalie joined the fun dressed as 1980’s cartoon character Rainbow Brite.

Be sure to keep an eye on our events page for opportunities to join our neuro-inclusive outings around Northwest Arkansas, open for all to attend!  If you’re a local business owner who offers an interesting service or unique activity and would like to host a neurodiverse group of people, please get in touch with us to let us know.  We are building inclusive spaces, and we welcome you to join us in making NWA an even better place to live!

“I feel BIG feelings this  year.  I know we have said ‘this has been a year of growth’ no less than one billion times, but I think the beauty lies in seeing the growth outside of just our leadership team, Leslye, Becky, Karah, Natalie, and Kelli.  Outside of PerspectAbility itself.  We have poured every emotion, every muscle, every ounce of brain power—everything we have into PerspectAbility.  And it all stems from the love we have for our own children and the desire to make this world a better place.  It’s almost like we know something really special that not everyone knows [yet], and we want to share that beauty with the entire world. But to have connected…bonded with others and to see their growth.  Now, that is powerful.  This is only our third year operating a tulip field, and to see our little ripples creating impactful waves in the lives of strangers turned friends, turned family…it pushes me to work even harder.  We have already seen with our own eyes the successes of being intentional champions for others, and we’re just getting started.  It excites me to see where we can go with those in our community rallying alongside us!

Nothing fills my heart more than tulip season.  I enjoy every single exhausting moment of it.  I love the joy and the pride on the faces of our employees.  Their joy and pride of working hard and receiving a paycheck.  I love seeing their self-confidence build and grow.  I love watching the interactions between employees and visitors.  I relish the conversations had, whether it is asking meaningful questions, a mama pouring her heart out to me about her struggles, the kiddos running through the fields, picking their favorite flowers, and then watching their bouquets get wrapped.  I love hearing visitors tell us, “I just love what you are doing here!”  What I enjoy most is sitting back and watching people loving on other people.  Learning from each other.  Building relationships.  Smiling.  Laughing.  Showing kindness.  All together in our tulip field.  And hopefully, just hopefully, taking that loving lesson forward in their everyday lives.”

— Kelli Jensen
Board President & Co-Founder

This is what we mean by creating inclusive spaces.  Our mission for inclusion doesn’t just begin and end at True Colors Farm, and we are not the only agents of change.  We appreciate, from the bottom of our hearts, all of you in our community who are growing and changing along with us.