What is the Achievement Center?

A College Experience Designed for Success

The Achievement Center is a unique post-secondary education program created through a dynamic partnership between The Arc of Somerset County and Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC). Operated by The Arc, our classes are held right on the RVCC campus in dedicated Achievement Center buildings, offering students a true college environment with the support they need to thrive.

Our Mission:
To bridge the gap between high school and college by providing students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a supportive, inclusive, and empowering college experience.

Our Program:
The Achievement Center offers a Three-Year Certificate Program designed to help students build the skills they need for academic and personal success. Students participate in both Achievement Center classes and, for many, credit-bearing RVCC courses alongside their peers.

Our curriculum focuses on essential academic skills including:

• Critical reading and writing
• Computer literacy and programming
• Effective communication
• Research and essay writing
• Study habits, time management, and organization

Beyond the Classroom:
We believe college is more than just coursework. That’s why we emphasize the social and personal growth that comes with campus life. From building friendships and self-advocacy to exploring college resources and participating in campus events, students gain experience that supports independence and confidence.

Additional Opportunities:

• Summer Semester: Open to high school students 16+, this program offers an early taste of college life.
• Club Friday Night Hangout and Club Wednesday Night Hangout: Social skills and recreation-based programs that encourage community and connection.

By the Numbers:

• 165 current students
• Over 50 enrolled in credit-bearing RVCC classes
• 37 proud Achievement Center graduates—and counting!

How to Apply:
Admission is selective and based on a student interview, a completed application, and a recent IEP or NJISP. We strive to ensure the best fit for each student’s goals and readiness.

Each Achievement Center Student engages in both classroom and practical experiences toward developing their employment goals, objectives, preferences and skills. Career development classes in the first year of attendance expose the student to planning skills and a variety of potential career choices through interaction with materials and individuals currently working in various fields. Student Centered Plans are then developed as a guide for future experiences.
Achievement Center students are able to avail themselves of all the Service Learning opportunities coordinated by Raritan Valley Community College to sample work and various vocational environments. Job acquisition skills such as resume development, interview practice and trial versions of current state assessments support the tools utilized in inclusive class settings.

Our program will work with in-house or third party Supported Employment Programs to develop further practical experience toward employment after completion of the program or concurrently as the goals and needs of the individual student dictate. The goal is to provide each student with the time and attention to aspire to a vocation, access the entry skills, and plan their approach toward a career.