Students with disabilities thrive in Saint Vincent's Bearcat BEST program

In Pennsylvania, students with intellectual or developmental disabilities are able to attend high school until they’re 21 years old — but many of these students want to move on to bigger and better things with their same-age peers.

That’s where Saint Vincent College’s Bearcat BEST program comes into play.

The three-year program allows these students to take courses at Saint Vincent and become part of campus life. It comes at no cost to students or their families, as their home school districts pay for the program and transportation.

“Maybe (these students) are not ready for a community college, but they’re also not ready to sit in high school for three more years,” said program executive director Amy Hildebrand. “We’re kind of that bridge.”

Bearcat BEST — which stands for Building Excellence for Skills Training — was founded seven years ago at the request of several community parents.

Ten students originally participated; the program now boasts 20 members. It is capped at 24 students to maintain the quality of the program.

Participants come from Latrobe, Norwin, Derry, New Kensington, Penn-Trafford, Mt. Pleasant, Hempfield, Yough, Woodland Hills, Belle Vernon, Ligonier, Southmoreland and PA Cyber.

The program homes in on four areas: academics, independent living, social skills and vocational skills.

The students, who must be at least 18 years old to participate, take program-specific courses. They can also explore their interests by taking one traditional college class per semester.

Program courses often help prepare students for life after school. Driver’s education courses, cooking classes and resume workshops equip students for the “real world.”

Because the program is designed to prepare students for the workforce, they also must complete jobs and internships throughout the program.

Bearcat BEST student Landon Carlson, from Mt. Pleasant, said his job at the fitness center is one of his favorite parts of the program.

At the end of the program, students receive a certificate of completion and walk at commencement. They also graduate high school at this time.

“It’s in a safe environment where you’re not wasting money and you’re not getting Fs on your transcript,” Hildebrand said.

Bearcat BEST is not only about classes, though. The program mimics the typical college experience aside from the residential aspect.

“Even though they are students with disabilities, we work on a lot of things that college students in general try to figure out, like what they want to do in life (and) social groups to be a part of,” said program teacher Philip Pisone.

Pisone added that Saint Vincent students welcomed Bearcat BEST students “from day one.” An on-campus club with over 100 members allows the two groups to hang out with each other.

Hildebrand said it is important that Bearcat BEST students build “authentic relationships” with their peers and feel like they are part of the community.

Student Caitlin Britton, from Penn-Trafford, appreciates that aspect of Bearcat BEST the most.

“What I like about this program is making friends from different school districts,” Britton said.

Though Pennsylvania offers a high number of college programs for disabled students, Saint Vincent’s program stands out from the rest. Most programs require students to have a high school degree before they enroll.

Hildebrand highlighted how Bearcat BEST provides an affordable and welcoming opportunity. Her favorite part of the program is witnessing how each student grows.

“At graduation I cry every year, but it’s tears of happiness,” she said. “I’m so proud of who they became.”