Educational Services of America

For Immediate Release

Contact: David Grenat
College Living Experience, 765.463.3057
or Sabo Public Relations, 616.485.1432

Denver, Colo., May 17, 2006 – A new center that assists special-needs students attend college is opening in Denver this fall and currently accepting enrollment for 2006-07 academic year.

College Living Experience will provide intensive assistance with academic, independent living and social skills to college students with special needs who attend one of three colleges or universities in the Denver area. The CLE-Denver program, which is located at 1391 Speer Blvd., will support students with ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, non-verbal learning disorders and other learning disabilities as they attend college.

CLE-Denver is now accepting students for the 2006-07 academic year. Students will live in an apartment complex across from the CLE office and student center while taking classes at either Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State College or the University of Colorado at Denver. Dedicated CLE professionals will work closely with all students to provide structured tutoring sessions, independent living assistance and social outings that complement their academic course loads.

CLE is a division of Educational Services of America, Inc., the nation’s leading national provider of special, alternative and post-secondary educational programs. In addition to its center in Denver, CLE operates a center in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and is opening a third center in Austin, Texas.

“Our goal is to provide students with the skills and self-confidence they need to succeed in college and beyond,� said David Grenat, vice president of post-secondary operations for ESA. “We provide a viable educational option to students who want to continue their education beyond high school but need some extra support in the process.

“Our new center in Denver addresses a critical and unmet educational need in the region. Denver offers an excellent cultural environment in which students can further develop. We look forward to growing our Denver center and providing an exceptional opportunity for students with special needs and their families.�

CLE-Denver offers an academic-model program for students throughout the college process, from registration to orientation to study to life-skills development. The program provides intensive support in three primary areas to complement a student’s higher-education goals:
· Academics: Students attend three 50-minute tutoring sessions in selected subjects. Professional CLE tutors work closely with students to ensure they keep pace with their peers. CLE provides mandatory study-hall sessions three or four times weekly, as well as a weekly course review with a small group of students.

· Independent living: CLE staff works individually with students to introduce apartment living and provide support for the development of life skills. Students receive assistance with establishing and maintaining a checking account, paying monthly bills, shopping, preparing meals, cleaning and managing other daily-living necessities.

· Social skills: All students enrolled in CLE are paired with a mentor who takes on the role of a big brother or big sister. Students also have the chance to participate in social-skills groups that gather around specific activities, such as bowling or movies. CLE also offers a variety of events each week, such as attending art openings, a local festival or a fishing outing.

“CLE has a very successful track record in providing the extra support special-needs students require to attend college and prepare to live independently,� Grenat said. “By focusing on three primary areas, we ensure students are keeping up with their studies, taking care of their living spaces and joining with others for social events – all critical steps on the road to independence.�

For more information on CLE, visit www.cleinc.net or contact Jill Rickel, national director of admissions, at 800.486.5058.

About College Living Experience

College Living Experience is a post-secondary program that provides intensive assistance with academic, independent living and social skills to college students with special needs as they transition to become independent adults. CLE assists students throughout the college process, from registration to orientation to study to life-skills development. With centers in Austin, Denver and Ft. Lauderdale, CLE offers access to nearly 20 community colleges, universities and technical institutes that offer a wide variety of certificate and degree programs. For more information, visit www.cleinc.net.