Academy of Lifelong Learning Mission Statement:

To provide non-traditional, college- capable students a practical and inclusive bridge to improve college/career readiness and success, build cultural competence, and develop personal leadership skills.

Program Overview:

Life Development Institute is an organization of high moral purpose.  Its services and focus on the future are driven by students and their needs, recognition of global market changes and its impact on LDI students, and ultimately making a positive difference in the lives of each student and their families.  Since its inception in 1982, program efforts centered on working with a multitude of state and local agencies to provide short-term, rapid turnover services for clients with LD and related emotional/behavioral disorders.  At one point, there were over 300 individuals served per year representing nine different program partnerships served by a full time staff of 55.  Dorothy and Rob Crawford’s partnership provided success in winning two major federally funded grants to develop school-to-work model demonstration programs.

The premise of the programmatic approach seeks to treat those in the program as “whole” human beings, not human beings with “holes” in them.  The philosophy of the model is to acknowledge that personal victories are as big a reward as winning any award from competitions.  Thus, redefining the concept of winning includes making your first true friend, earning a paycheck, or speaking up for yourself.  Winning is whatever makes you feel like you have accomplished something that makes you feel like a winner.

The Academy of Lifelong Learning provides an ideal transitional bridge from high school to higher education, employability and better quality of life for high school age students with learning disabilities, non-verbal learning disabilities, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and other social and learning differences.  The focus rests upon student strengths combined with customized programs.  Academy students are non-traditional learners and thinkers who have a broad range of relative academic and personal strengths.  ALL students are enrolled in a diploma-track academic program offering transferable college credit, practical life preparation, instruction, and guidance to improve social thinking and overall Executive Functioning (EF).  

In short, ALL teaches students how to live.  Students develop skills focused upon success in practical life.  These include soft skills and hard skills.  Academy graduates are active community members who obtain and maintain success in careers, in college, or in both.  

Dual Transcript Options

The Academy of Lifelong Learning offers a fully accredited and Arizona state approved High School Diploma.  With this diploma, LDI recognizes the need for two transcript options.  The following describes each of these options and the reason a student would choose one over the other.

Transition Focused Transcript:

The transition focused transcript is appropriate for students seeking admission into Community Colleges and Trade Schools as well as direct entrance into employment and career.  

LDI’s innovative, focused transition programming prepares students for college, workplace, and life success.  ALL’s in-house, accredited classes empower students to succeed in modern day society with people from all walks of life. The challenging, experiential instruction teaches personal, career and life skills needed for adult daily living.

Transition with Traditional Academic Focused Transcript:

The transition with traditional academic focused transcript is appropriate for students seeking admission into a university or four-year college upon graduation.

Students will complete all of LDI’s transition focused courses along with the traditional academic high school courses.  Traditional, content-based, academic courses complement LDI’s vision to promote an education experience closely aligned with each student’s aspirations, interests, and learning style.  Courses are a balance of direct instruction, constructive practice, and formative feedback that gives students access to rigorous content while supporting learning.  

Courses meet academic expectations for a college-bound student, including options to enroll in honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.  One-to-one interactions with classroom or online teachers and mentors offer motivation and support for student’s needs.

For more information regarding the Academy of Lifelong Learning, please call 623-773-1545 or email info@discoverldi.com.