Specialized Learning Helps Students Explore Strengths with New PAES Lab
Through collaboration and a focus on individual strengths, Holy Family Specialized Learning strives to build a foundation for lifelong learning and positive social engagement for their students. To reach this goal, the staff and leadership implement new programs and techniques to meet academic, behavioral, and personal growth goals.
One of these new programs, the Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) Lab, is now open, offering students at Specialized Learning an incredible opportunity to explore career paths, identify strengths and interests, and build essential skills.
This hands-on environment is designed to be as much like a real workplace as possible, where teachers are supervisors and students are employees. Students clock in and out of work in the lab and work independently, building skills in one of the five components of the PAES program: consumer/service, business/marketing, processing/production, construction/industrial, or computer technology.
“The PAES Lab is a game-changer for students,” said Emily Keefe, Special Education Coordinator at Specialized Learning. “It provides a safe, supportive environment where kids can discover their potential, build confidence, and prepare for meaningful futures. It’s not just a program; it’s a pathway to independence and success.”
PAES Labs are typically located in middle and high schools. By providing job exploration and skill-building opportunities, the lab bridges the gap between education and workplace readiness. The PAES Lab at Specialized Learning is here to empower students, foster independence, and support success in their postsecondary journeys.
