Company Profile
Shepherds College - Union Grove, WI
Company Overview
Shepherds College is the country's leading three-year post-secondary educational program for students with intellectual disabilities. Shepherds College exists to educate and train students with intellectual and developmental disabilities by equipping them to reach Appropriate Independence™ through the development of vocational, social, and life skills while inspiring a lasting awareness of God’s plan for their lives. There are three specialty major programs offered for prospective and current students of Shepherds College. These three specialty major programs include Culinary Arts, Horticulture and Technology. In addition to these specialty majors, Shepherds College offers a general education program that is focused on helping the students develop skills they will need for everyday life. This curriculum contains five main categories of learning: Functional Academic Skills, Mobility Skills, Spiritual Life, Daily Living Skills and Social/Emotional Skills. The Functional Academic classes are practical in nature, reviewing and then building on the aptitude each student possesses within the areas of: Language Arts, Math and Money Skills, Computer Skills and Career Skills. Like the other components of the Shepherds College program, the intent of these classes is to assist students in their personal transition and pursuit of Appropriate Independence™ in their work, home, and social life.
Company History
It was 1957 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when parents of a son with intellectual disabilities approached their Sunday school class at Garfield Baptist (Spring Creek Church) and asked a probing question. "Could our class actually do something to help children with intellectual disabilities?" Answering that question would lead to the establishment of a ministry that would go on to have a profound impact on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
In 1964, Shepherds Home and School opened its doors, welcoming 36 children. At that time, little was being done in public education to address the needs of this special population. Shepherds Home and School provided an essential service to these children and their families.
In 2008, Shepherds Ministries returned to its educational roots with the establishment of Shepherds College, a three-year post-secondary educational program for individuals with intellectual disabilities. And that's when it all began with 5 initial students the first year. Today, our students come from all around the globe and we are growing every year, with 2019-2020 being our largest incoming group of 36 freshman and a total enrollment of 95 students!