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As we look forward to the intramural soccer match tomorrow that will cap off a wonderful Family Weekend, it’s only fitting that we shine the spotlight on Athletic Coordinator and Physical Education Teacher Kyle Wolfe. His dedication, energy, and commitment to helping students have made him an important part of the Keswick School community for more than a decade. Kyle joined Keswick School in 2014 after earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sports Management from Lynchburg College. He began his Keswick journey on the residential team, serving as a Dorm Aide and Lead Counselor before transitioning into the Residential Support Counselor role during his second year. As Kyle continued to grow professionally, he moved into the academic building as a Daytime Support Counselor. In 2021, an opportunity to join the Physical Education department opened the door for Kyle to bring together his passion for education and athletics in a new way. While stepping into the PE role, Kyle also continued his education, earning his Master’s degree in Education from Regent University. As a two-sport collegiate athlete, Kyle brings his own athletic experience and knowledge to the physical education program, but it is his ability to connect with students at every skill level that makes this facet of the Keswick program so successful. Whether a student is already comfortable with athletics or is learning a new skill for the first time, Kyle creates an environment where students feel safe taking risks and trying again. Whether he is teaching a new swimming stroke, coaching on the soccer field, or encouraging a student to step outside of their comfort zone, Kyle brings the same warmth, patience, and commitment to helping students succeed. “The goal isn’t to be perfect the first time you try something. I want our boys to know that it’s okay to struggle, make mistakes, and try again. If they leave the gym feeling a little more confident than when they came in, then we’ve done something meaningful.” Outside of work, Kyle enjoys playing baseball in the Charlottesville Men’s League, spending time with his growing family, and settling in for a good Star Wars show.

Happy First Day of Autumn! 🍂🍁 The highs are in the 60’s this week here in Keswick, VA, and we’re feeling ready for fall! The autumn season brings with it so many exciting events at the Keswick School. In fact, we’re just two days away from our annual Family Weekend. We’re looking forward to welcoming families to the school for three days of community, conferences, and connection! Our staff will tell you they are looking forward to the Thanksgiving feast potluck. Who will bring in the best pumpkin pie this year? Only time will tell. Students are definitely looking forward to the annual Keswick Turkey Bowl, a beloved flag football game powered by full bellies after the Thanksgiving feast. We can all agree, though, that the Halloween celebration is a highlight for all. Trick or treating, minute to win it games, cookie decorating, spooky science experiments, and a carnival put on by the Yellow House students: Keswick Halloween has it all 🎃 All along the way we’ll get to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage the Shenandoah Valley has to offer, whether on Wayfinders hikes, local field trips, or right here on campus. What are your favorite fall activities? ⬇️ #keswickschool #fallinvirginia #therapeuticeducation #buildingcommunity

While the soccer season is a time honored experience for many Keswick students, we’re here to shine the spotlight on the Keswick School’s newest sport: Cross Country 👟 Keswick’s runners competed in their third meet of the season last night. Dark clouds on the horizon couldn’t stop the guys, who were eager to run in the rain. Highlights from the day include a third straight first place finish from one of our runners, who finished the two miles in just under 12 minutes! Two other runners set impressive personal records, and the meet marked the first ever competitive race for our newest runner. This is just Keswick School’s third ever cross country season, and yet the athletes are already running as a team like seasoned pros. 🏃 #crosscountry #keswickschool #studentsuccess #therapeuticeducation #schoolcommunity

Celebrating our first soccer match of the season against the Waldorf School 🎉⚽ Waldorf came out with plenty of pressure, keeping the ball in the Keswick half for much of the first half. Keswick had several opportunities on the counterattack, but Waldorf did a great job of applying pressure and testing the Keswick defense. As the first half began to wind down, Keswick’s midfielders and strikers worked hard to put points on the board. Waldorf quickly responded with two goals of its own just before halftime, sending Keswick into the break trailing 2-1. Waldorf continued to pressure the center of the Keswick defense to start the second half, but Keswick continued to show resilience and fight back with counterattacks of its own. Keswick continued to claw its way back into the game and eventually found the equalizer late in the final minutes. When the final whistle blew, the game ended in a 3-3 draw. While the result was a tie, the game showcased the resilience, determination, and fight of the Keswick School team. Facing a Waldorf team that had defeated Keswick twice last season, Keswick never backed down and continued to battle until the final whistle. Let’s go Timberwolves!

International Food Day at Keswick School! This week our community came together to create and enjoy a meal representing 11 different countries 🌎 Our wonderful kitchen crew served up kjottkaker and potetmos from Norway, students from the Yellow House dorm baked scones with jam from England, and the rest of our staff stepped up with meals representing their family heritages. We would never pick a favorite…but Michelle brought in her fan favorite Malva Poeding with custard for the second year in a row and we’re still thinking about it 👀 While the delectable cuisine is the star of the show, we also love when the entire community can come together and enjoy one another’s company. At Keswick School, community is what matters 💚 Drop your favorite international food down below ⬇️

We’re still dreaming about summer at Keswick School ☀️ The Keswick School summer program is a time for learning, group-building, and having fun! Students participate in activities like Swimming, Group Games, Novel Study, Leisure Skills, and Outdoor Skills. 🐟🌲⚽️🌊📚These activities help our students to build skills while exploring something new. Summer groups allow classroom and dorm peers to develop group cohesion ahead of the school year so that they’re ready to hit the ground running. (If you ask our students, though, they might tell you the extra hour of sleeping in is the best part 🤫) Our summer was filled with crafting, leather-working, athletics, fishing, tie-dying, and team building. Did you notice our swimming instructor piloting a student-made cardboard boat across the pool? 🛶 While we’re thrilled to have started the academic year, and to have our teachers back, we’ll certainly be dreaming about the summer for a while yet! #keswickschool #StudentSuccess #therapeuticeducation #lifeskills #schoolcommunity

This week, we’re proud to shine the spotlight on Dr. Alexys Flora, whose passion, expertise, and dedication help our students thrive every day. Dr. Flora joined Keswick School in 2020 after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Virginia and her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Mary Baldwin University. Her journey with Keswick began even earlier as a Level II fieldwork student under longtime Occupational Therapist. Inspired by that experience, she knew Keswick School was where she wanted to build her career. When our former OT pretired after 39 years of service, Dr. Flora proudly stepped into the role and has continued that legacy of excellence. As our Occupational Therapist, Dr. Flora empowers students to build the skills they need to succeed at school, at home, and in the community. From strengthening executive functioning and emotional regulation to supporting sensory processing, motor coordination, and independent living skills, her work helps students gain confidence and independence that extends far beyond the classroom. Her impact reaches across campus. Whether she’s leading the Yellow House YMCA program, providing parent workshops, collaborating with residential staff, or helping strengthen school-wide initiatives, Dr. Flora is committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to grow and succeed. “At Keswick School, I get to collaborate with the best of the best every day and practice occupational therapy in a way so many practitioners wish they could. I feel fortunate to come to work here every day.” — Dr. Alexys Flora Thank you, Dr. Flora, for your unwavering commitment, compassion, and belief in every student’s potential. We are grateful to have you as part of the Keswick School staff! Outside of work Alexys has many hobbies and talents. You can find her running, biking, lifting, knitting, sewing, baking and decorating baked goods and roller blading with her husband! #FridayStaffFeature #KeswickSchool #OccupationalTherapy #StudentSuccess #ExecutiveFunctioning

At Keswick School, learning extends far beyond the classroom. Our equine program gives students the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with horses while developing confidence, responsibility, and empathy. Caring for a horse requires patience, consistency, and trust—qualities that help our students grow both on and off the trail. From grooming and feeding to riding and simply spending time in the barn, students learn that strong relationships are built through respect, compassion, and commitment. Horses offer immediate, honest feedback, creating unique opportunities for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and personal growth. Every ride is more than a lesson in horsemanship—it’s a step toward greater confidence, resilience, and independence. At Keswick School, we’re proud to see our students discover not only what they can accomplish with a horse by their side, but who they are becoming along the way. #KeswickSchool #EquineTherapy #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #TherapeuticEducation #BoardingSchool

This week we are proud to spotlight Alex Dagitz, whose impact on our community has been felt since he joined Keswick School in 2008. Over the years, Alex has served in many roles, including Dorm Counselor, Support Counselor, Shift Supervisor, Director of Residential Life, and now our Program Director. Before coming to Keswick, Alex lived in West Virginia, where he worked as a wilderness guide — an experience that shaped the calm, steady presence he brings to our campus every day. Alex is known for his unparalleled ability to connect with students, think outside the box, and solve problems with both creativity and compassion. Whether supporting a student through a difficult moment or helping staff navigate challenges, he brings patience, wisdom, and confidence to every interaction. His ability to train and mentor staff is one of his greatest gifts. Alex has a unique way of instilling confidence in others while working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure both students and staff are set up for success. He can be found walking many miles per day on campus, doing a wide variety of tasks to keep campus running smoothly. He is a regular horse helper, therapy dog handler, Mandt trainer, and 3-miler run companion, to name a few roles. Outside of work, Alex and his wife are raising their three children here in Keswick along with Delia, one of the school’s beloved canine companion therapy dogs. Thank you, Alex, for your years of dedication, leadership, and heart. #BoardingSchools #TherapeuticBoardingSchools #StaffFeature #FridayFeature

As we start our summer session we are reflecting back on another incredible school year. In June we celebrated one of Keswick School’s most meaningful traditions—our End-of-Year Transition Ceremony. We honored the boys who are taking their next steps beyond Keswick School. Their journeys have been filled with perseverance, resilience, personal growth, and countless achievements. From academic milestones and therapeutic progress to new friendships, leadership, and confidence, each student has a story worth celebrating. To our departing boys: thank you for the impact you’ve made on our community. We are proud of all you’ve accomplished and excited to see where your paths lead next. Remember that you’ll always be a part of Keswick School. Thank you to our dedicated staff and families whose unwavering support makes these transformations possible. Here’s to a year of growth, hard work, and hope for the future. Congratulations to the Class of 2026 🎉 #KeswickSchool #EndOfYear #TransitionCeremony #StudentSuccess #TherapeuticEducation

Months of planning. Weeks in the woodshop. One unforgettable race day. 🏁 Our annual Pinewood Derby is more than just a competition — it’s creativity, craftsmanship, patience, and personality all rolled into one tiny car. From the first sketch to the final coat of paint, students pour their imagination and hard work into every detail. Race day brings the excitement, but the real magic happens in the process: learning new skills, solving problems, encouraging each other, and seeing an idea come to life piece by piece. We love watching our students’ creativity hit the track every year. 🚗💨 #PinewoodDerby #HandsOnLearning #Woodshop #SchoolTraditions #StudentCreativity MakerMindset

Every spring, one of our favorite traditions returns — the Annual 3 Miler. 🏃‍♂️ We celebrated our 21st 3 miler event on campus yesterday. For weeks leading up to race day, our boys train during PE, building endurance, encouraging one another, and pushing themselves to reach personal goals. What starts as a challenge quickly becomes something much bigger: confidence, resilience, teamwork, and a lot of fun along the way. Race day is filled with energy, laughter, determination, and school spirit as students cross the finish line cheered on by staff and peers alike. Whether they’re chasing a personal best or just proud to finish, every boy has something to celebrate. We’re proud of the hard work, perseverance, and positive attitude our students bring to this tradition year after year!

Three cheers for one of our favorite therapy dogs turning 3! 🎉🐾 Every day, Delia brings comfort, calm, confidence, and countless smiles to our students. Whether she’s helping ease anxiety, encouraging connection, sitting beside a student during a tough moment, or celebrating successes big and small, her impact on our school community is impossible to measure. #therapydog #caninecompanions #birthday #boardingschool

The spring pond restocking event on campus is a highly anticipated community event. It’s a significant contribution to the prosperity of our campus ecosystem, and it’s a great opportunity to showcase our student pond and fish experts’ dedication to the cause.

Keswick School’s Career Day was a huge success on campus! After the presentations, the presenters were treated to lunch at the Depot, where students expressed their gratitude and pointed out what they enjoyed most about each talk. Students also gave each guest a handmade pen they had made in the woodshop for the event. The presenters were so happy to receive such thoughtful, well-made gifts. We’re so thankful for these amazing professionals who spent the day with us!

Horseback riding, woodworking, community service, art, and sports are just a sample of the many activities and interests our students experience with us. Our goal is for them to build “islands of competency” that enrich their lives and create new opportunities for personal and social success! #studentlife #therapeuticboardingschool #therapy #community #learning

Although we haven’t seen all of our flowers bloom yet, here are some photos of our beautiful campus from years past. Welcome spring!

Sometimes, it’s okay to be a little silly! Nitro, Tally, Delia, and Blue all play important role in helping our students, especially when it comes to being a tiny bit goofy and relaxing! Who do you think is the silliest of our dogs? #studentlife #therapeutic #treatment #boardingschool #community

December 5th is traditionally celebrated as the Feast of Saint Nicholas (more commonly known as Santa Claus). One of our students who hails from Europe brought with him a Dutch tradition for the day, Kruidnoten. Kruidnoten are tiny crunchy spiced cookies that are a bit like a combination of speculoos and ginger snaps. It is traditionally eaten during Sinterklaas festivities in the Netherlands. We are proud to have a diverse community where each member can share their traditions and experience those of others! #santaclaus #community #international #studentlife #boardingschool

Our campus is a panoramic winter wonderland! Last night we had our first snowfall of the season. #winter #boardingschool #snow #studentlife #community

This Giving Tuesday, we encourage you to consider contributing to Keswick School’s Annual Fund. Because we are a non-profit, independent school, your gift goes directly towards the benefit of our students and program. Generosity from donors like you helps us secure a future in which we can continue to provide vital support to those we serve while also making those services more accessible to students of all backgrounds. You can donate by following the link in our bio! #givingtuesday #giving #community #donate #donor #gift #therapy #nonprofit #boardingschool #studentlife

While working our way towards fall break, our community took time this week to give thanks and celebrate. The past week saw multiple students earned new levels. Yesterday, we came together for our longstanding tradition of a potluck Thanksgiving feast. Staff and students contributed to the meal which was attended by some of our parents and former staff members. Our kitchen team provided the core dishes such as turkey and mashed potatoes making sure our plates and stomachs were full. After some time to digest, the students took the field for our annual Turkey Bowl. It was a high flying game of flag football that came down to the wire with a 33-32 photo finish! As our students begin to depart for break, we want to express gratitude for our students and their families, as well as for our staff. Thank you for all you contribute to our community! #thanksgiving #gratitude #community #studenlife #boardingschool

Keswick closed out its soccer season yesterday with an unforgettable performance against The Waldorf School. This matchup marked the second meeting between the two teams this year. In their first contest — only Keswick’s second game of the season — Waldorf earned a 3–0 victory, exposing a Keswick squad that was still searching for its identity and rhythm. Yesterday’s rematch told a very different story. It became a testament to just how far this group has come. In a fast-paced, high-scoring battle, Keswick earned a 9–7 win, powered by an offensive surge unlike anything seen earlier in the season. The midfielders led the way, each recording a hat trick and providing constant pressure on the attack. Their composure, ball movement, and aggressive mindset set the tone from kickoff to the final whistle. Before the match, the team captains gathered the players for a pre-game message that resonated deeply. They reminded the team how much progress they had made since those early losses — that they were no longer the uncertain group from the beginning of the season, but a confident, united, and hardworking squad. They emphasized that this was a game to “leave it all on the field,” especially for the players transitioning out of Keswick next year. And throughout the match, those words showed. Every player contributed, supported one another, and played with heart. This truly felt like a team win. Keswick opened the season 1–3, facing challenges and tough opponents early on. But the group stayed together, trusted the process, and continued to grow each week. Their season ended on a two-game winning streak — and more importantly, with the team playing its best soccer of the year. It was a meaningful, spirited, and fitting final chapter for this team, and a proud moment for Keswick athletics.

We celebrated Halloween today! With activities like Trick or Treating, a haunted carnival, cookie decorating, and pumpkin carving, our students had a spooky fun time! #studentlife #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool #community #halloween

Riding has been a part of Keswick School since the very beginning. Every student who comes to Keswick School learns how to ride. This is one of many unique interests, along with things like drama, music, woodworking, and outdoormanship, that our students have the chance to develop while with us. These interests help support future social interactions by providing inroads with others who have shared interests. They also serve as positive Identity markers for our students. #studentlife #therapeutic #therapeuticboardingschool #boardingschool #horses #equestrian #growth #education #learning #socialskills

Today we held our annual Spring Showcase in which our community has the opportunity to put is artistic talents on full display. From singing to dancing to comedy skits, it was a wonderful show. Congratulations to all of our staff and students who made this such a fun and successful event! #studentlife #music #community #therapeuticboardingschool #boardingschool #talent #singing

We are excited to announce that Keswick School has been recognized as a 2025 “Top Employer for Interns by the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP)! We are honored to be recognized and grateful for the many wonderful interns who work in our community each year. 🎉🎉🎉

We are excited to announce that we have been recognized by @virginialiving magazine as one of the top specialized education schools in Virginia! We are featured in the current March/April issue. #virginialiving #specialeducation #topschool #excellenceineducation #therapeuticboardingschool #therapeutic

Last Saturday, some of our students participated in a Rake-a-thon to support @habitatforhumanity . Service learning is a powerful tool that teaches empathy, compassion, and working for the greater good. We are proud of our students and the hard work they did to help better the lives of others. #servicelearning #service #community #therapeutic #therpapeuticeboardingschool #studentlife #giving #habitatforhumanity

Yesterday some of our students competed in Keswick School’s first ever entry into a cross country running competition! We had a strong showing with two students finishing in 4th and 8th out of 50 runners. Congratulations guys! #studentlife #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool #community #learning #fitness #running

We are so excited to introduce the newest member of the Keswick School team, Tally!! With her handler, Adam, Tally will work during residential programming to support our students. Tally’s gentle demeanor and playful personality are a perfect match for our community. We are incredibly grateful for our continued partnership with @canineorg and their commitment to our mission. . #caninecompanions #facilitydog #studentlife #therapeuticboardingschool #community #fourleggedfriend #dog

We are so excited that will soon have a new four-legged member of our community. Continuing our over decade long partnership with Canine Companions, one of our staff is currently being trained to work with a new facility dog. Which of the dogs do you think will join our community? Pictured from left to right- Top Row: Patience, Tally, Chummy, Neon Bottom Row: Linzer, Gabe, Falcon

Yesterday our community celebrated the solar eclipse with a watch party complete with raffle prizes and eclipse cookies! #community #eclipse #studentlife #therapeuticboardingschool

Last weekend our Boy Scout Troop took to the hills and camped for two nights at a Potomac Appalachian Trail Club cabin in Shenandoah National Park. Our troop meets every other week to work on merit badges and plan for activities like this trip. #boyscouts #bsa #boyscoutsofamerica #therapeuticboardingschool #studentlife #community #scouting #camping

Today our academic aides really got into the holiday spirit with coordinating outfits!

Today we celebrated our community Thanksgiving and our annual Thanksgiving flag football game. Thank you to all the staff who brought in dishes to share and to our students for playing such a great game! #thanksgiving #community #appreciation #football #tradition #play #therapeuticboardingschool #studentlife

Every weekday, our students participate in enrichment activities including horseback riding, woodshop, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). These activities provide our students with the opportunity to learn new skills and develop interests that can expand their social horizons. #learning #enrichment #skills #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool #studentlife

We had a wonderful weekend hosting our families for Parents’ Weekend! Thank you to all of our staff, students, and families for participating. You exemplified the meaning of “community”! #parentsweekend #community #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool #culture #parentcommunity #studentlife #parents

Congratulations to our therapist, Jennifer Bailey, on presenting at the NATSAP Southeast regional conference. Jennifer presented about the use of drama therapy in the Keswick community. #dramatherapy #natsap #therapy #treatment #therapeuticboardingschool

Yesterday we celebrated International Food Day. Our students got to sample cuisine from around the world. And all this week our classrooms have been presenting information about different cultures. #community #culture #learning #studentlife #therapeuticboardingschool #boardingschool #international

Recently, some of our students had the opportunity to learn how to tie flies for fly fishing with a professional fishing guide! #fishing #flyfishing #learning #skills #studentlife #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool

We are “slipping” right into the regular school year today. On Friday we celebrated the end of our summer session with a field day complete with slip and slide, dunk tank, water relays, and snow cones! #summer #fieldday #community #celebration #culture #boardingschool #studentlife #therapeuticboardingschool #therapeuticboarding #celebrate

This week some of our students got out on the water kayaking and paddle boarding at a local park. At one point all of the boys connected the paddle boards and a student in a kayak towed his peers through the water. #nature #gooutside #kayaking #paddleboarding #community #studentlife #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool #summer

Today we finished our staff training and celebrated with a picnic. We are so excited to welcome back our students tomorrow as we begin our summer session! #training #staff #staffing #therapeutic #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool #community #teambuilding

Today is our first day of our annual staff training. We started with a morning participating in team building challenges! #therapeutic #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool #teambuilding #teamwork #staff #training #community

For the past two weeks our incoming staff and interns have been training in preparation for the coming year. We are so excited to see the many ways they enrich the lives of our students! #training #staff #community #specialeducation #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool

“People say Mondays are ruff, but Tuesdays aren’t easy. Glad I have a great community to support me.” - Nitro #caninecompanions #facilitydog #boardingschool #community #therapy #therapeuticboardingschool #tuesdays

Last week some of our students enjoyed a day kayaking on the river. As part of the trip they helped clean up trash. #boardingschool #community #communityservice #volunteer #studentlife #therapeutic #therapeuticboardingschool

Yesterday our community restocked our pond with bluegill and catfish. Fishing has long been a tradition at Keswick School. Many of our students catch their first fish here!

Yesterday we held our annual 3-miler. It was a perfect day for a run! Student and staff participated by making a banner, walking, running, manning water stations, and handing out shirts, water bottles and snacks. #running #funrun #community #walking #health #fitness #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool #studentlife

Today we opened our new staff lounge! It includes a mail room, kitchen with bar seating, a gathering space with games, books, and a tv, and wifi. We are grateful to our staff and the hard work they put in to our community! #staffappreciation #staff #appreciation #community #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool

Today we welcomed the newest member of the Keswick Community, Camden, a Percheron/Friesian mix horse.

Today, our students celebrated Keswick School’s 60th Anniversary with a tree planting. We planted 60 trees! One for each year in the school’s history. And, as a treat for all that hard work, the community had ice cream sundaes! #anniversary #treeplanting #trees #60th #60 #therapeutic #therapeuticboardingschool #studentlife #community #celebrate

Blue, one of our therapy dogs, is enjoying the view of our pond on a beautiful spring morning. #therapydog #therapyanimals #spring #therapeutic #boardingschool #community

For the past four years, Nitro has been an integral part of our community. He came to us through @canineorg (Canine Companions) and is our third dog from the organization. Nitro provides our students with care and nurturance through his somewhat goofy always friendly demeanor. Let’s all thank Nitro for the work only he can do to offer our students a sense of safety and acceptance. #facilitydog #servicedog #caninecompanions #boardingschool #therapy #studentlife

The weather is perfect for Community Meeting on the front lawn. Congratulations to all of our award winner and successful petitioners. What a way to start Spring! #spring #community #boardingschool #therapy #recognition #belonging #studentlife #achievement #therapeutic #specialeducation #appreciation #tradition #traditions

Last night we opened our sixth annual Keswick School Parent Retreat with a welcome reception for our parent community. We are excited to spend this weekend learning and growing together! #parents#community#retreat#learning#therapy#boardingschool

Yesterday our community held its annual Chili Cook-Off. Staff provided 15 different chilis, including vegan, vegetarian, chicken, and bacon versions just to name a few! Thank you to everyone who participated in one of our favorite annual traditions! #boardingschool#therapeutic#specialeducation#studentlife#community#tradition#chili#chilicookoff

We are excited to be back together as a community after the holidays. Today we were lucky enough to have wonderful weather that allowed us to celebrate our community achievements on the main lawn. Welcome back students and staff! #community#welcomeback#boardingschool#studentlife#therapeuticboardingschool#therapy#appreciation#recognition

חַג חֲנוּכָּה שַׂמֵחַ Happy Hanukkah! #hanukkah #happyhanukkah #holidays #happyholidays #boardingschool #therapeuticboardingschool #community

What’s better than holiday lights and ice skating?! During the holiday season, we make sure our students have the opportunity to take in all the excitement our area has to offer, such as the GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond. #boardingschool #holidays #studentlife #boardinglife #therapeutic #therapeuticboardingschool

Mika and Nitro are reporting for duty! Nitro (right) is a facility dog provided to the school by Canine Companions. Our students and staff help raise donations for Canine Companions when they purchase a ticket to participate in Casual for a Cause, which allows them to dress down on certain Fridays.

Over the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving break, our students and staff expressed what they are grateful for by writing those things on leaves and placing them on our gratitude tree. What are you grateful for? #gratitude #grateful #thanksgiving #thanks #community #studentlife #boardinglife #therapeutic #boardingschool

Today our students are watching the FIFA World Cup match between the United States and Iran. #fifa #worldcup #studentlife #boardingschool #boardinglife #community #soccer

“A growth mindset is belief that you can develop abilities.” - Carol Dweck #growthmindset #growth #therapeutic #specialeducation #boardingschool #learning

It’s a perfect day for Community Meeting out on the Main Lawn. Congratulations to all our award winners! #therapeutic #community #recognition #boardingschool #studentlife #fall #together

Highlights from this year’s pumpkin carving contest!

Yesterday we celebrated Halloween with festive activities throughout the afternoon. Our students went trick or treating, played games at our Halloween carnival, made spooky cookie creations, and participated in mad science experiments. #boardingschool#therapeutic#halloween#studentlife#community

Horseback riding is a long standing tradition at Keswick School. All of our students learn to ride. The relationships they have with the horses, and the time and patience it takes to build those relationships, provide valuable practice for many of the same skills required to build meaningful relationships with peers. #therapeutic#specialeducation#boardingschool#horsebackriding#equinetherapy#riding#horses#studentlife

Agency, the sense of “I can!”, is a powerful component of development. Our students work hard through a variety of opportunities to gain agency which helps form a positive sense of self. From hobbies, to academic achievement, to building independence, our goal is to have every student say proudly, “I can!” #therapeutic #boardingschool #specialeducation #growthanddevelopment #agency #growing #ican #adolescents #teens

Having a calming and serene environment can promote growth. Nothing is more calm and serene than Keswick School in Autumn. #autumn#therapeutic#boardingschool#therapy#growth#specialeducation

This past weekend we held our annual Parents Weekend. Each year it is a chance to celebrate our community, grow together, and learn new ways to help our students succeed. Thank you to all of the families and staff who participated and made the weekend a great success! #therapy#boardingschool#therapeutic#family#parentsweekend

We are still enjoying summer weather here in Virginia. This week we had our annual swim meet and boat regatta. See the boys in action with smiling staff cheering them on!

We are excited to share a first look at our dining hall renovations. Over the past year, we have made many changes including a brand new, state of the art, commercial kitchen, new bathrooms, flooring, roof, tables, chairs, deck, pine doors, and multi-component audiovisual system. #boardingschool #specialeducation #therapeutic #studentlife

Last week we celebrated International Food Day and our cardboard boat regatta! #boardingschool #specialeducation #studentlife #therapeutic #community

Congratulations do the Keswick School Class of 2022! We are proud of your achievements and the growth you experienced with us. We are excited to see how you thrive in the next chapters of your lives. #graduation#boardingschool#therapeutic#therapy#specialeducation #education

Today we held our annual horse show. Students participated in events such as jumping class, musical rails, and, the community favorite, root beer relay. Congratulations to all our students for their display of skill and effort. And a big thank you to our riding instructor, Tricia Neumann, and our guest judge, Mimi Combs! #therapeutic#boardingschool #studentlife#horses#horsebackriding #horseshow

Every year our transitioning students take a trip to the beach to celebrate and reflect on the work they have done while part of the Keswick School community. We are excited to see the new heights these future alumni will reach as they begin the new chapters in their journeys. #therapy#therapeutic#boardingschool#growth#community#learning

Our students are currently learning the skills for canoeing in PE. By incorporating hand-eye coordination and motor planning, pre-thinking, collaboration, and communication with a partner, canoeing is a perfect example of a fun and engaging activity that reinforces multiple vital skills required for success in a wide variety of situations. #PE #physed #therapeutic #canoeing #boardingschool #lifeskills #specialeducation #boysschool

A “growth mindset” means that you see both your successes and your failures as stepping stones to who you are becoming. By having a growth mindset, setbacks transform into lessons for next time, missed opportunities become clarity for grabbing onto the next chance, and defeat turns into grit. How will you have a growth mindset today?

Spring is a time of growth and renewal. But our students and their families are constantly experiencing growth and renewal through their hard work and collaboration with the individualized teams that support them.

Fishing requires patience. For many of our students, patience can be a real challenge. But using activities like fishing to teach the value of patience while also having a fun and rewarding experience makes the skill more valuable and applicable in meaningful ways for our students.

Yesterday, we celebrated our staff community with a “We-charge” event. Staff were able to choose from activities like woodworking, yoga, and trivia as a way to spend quality time together, learn and grow, and relax for a bit.

These cold days have us wishing for warmer weather! We are looking forward to spring and the beauty that our campus reveals! #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

Talk about a view! Mother nature did not disappoint with her show of strength and beauty yesterday!

Snow day! And what a day it was! Although we lost a few tree limbs and we had to tromp through the snow for breakfast, spirits are high and the moment the snow let up we were out sledding!

Relationship is everything! #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

We look forward to the beginning of the school week rather than avoiding it. For many of our students, school was a place of struggle and anxiety. But with the right supports, patience, and a reliance on relationship, our students can anticipate success and growth each week on the classroom. #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

At LKS, relationships are the context for growth and success. Everything happens through and because of the important relationships they have with their peers, staff, and families. That’s why Social and Relationship skills are such a prominent part of our Social Emotional Curriculum. By learning both concrete skills, like greeting others and making eye contact, and the more abstract skills, like trust and empathy, our students become capable and effective in their friendships, families, and communities through relationship. #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

Collaboration is an important part of making things happen. The LKS Social Emotional Curriculum teaches our students that collaboration is about adjusting our actions to work with others in meeting the goals of others, yourself, and that we share. It’s not enough to comply, collaboration is investment in seeing things through together. #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

Executive functioning, another skill area in our Social Emotional Curriculum, is critical to day-to-day living. It’s the set of skills that allow us to anticipate, plan, organize, execute, and adapt our intentions to meet the world around us. Every day, our students practice these skills in a structured environment through a wide variety of experiences that engage and challenge them to promote growth. #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

Our equestrian program provides our students with the chance to build a new “island of competency”. Islands of competency are skills, knowledge, and interests that allow you to feel competent, confident, and that you have agency in your world. As part of our Social Emotional Curriculum, competence is a critical part of growth and skill development. It’s that feeling you get when you see yourself as able and, when met with a challenge or experience, you can say, “I can!” #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

The LKS Social Emotional Curriculum is the roadmap to our students’ success. Staff meet frequently with students to discuss their progress in the SEC and support them through relationship. Working on executive functioning, personal competence, collaboration, and social-relationship skills, every student develops skills that empower them to meet the challenges and goals that lie ahead. #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

On this last day of summer, we hope everyone gets the chance to have some fun and maybe cool off in the pool one more time. Happy Labor Day!! #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

Patience comes from knowing the end goal is worth the wait. Taking the time and being intentional builds the road to personal growth and meaningful relationships. #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

“Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our full potential.” -Winston Churchill #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

When it comes to learning, educators must meet the learner where they are. At LKS every student receives individualized and differentiated instruction to not only meet their learning needs, but also to appropriately challenge them to promote growth. #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

Staff Spotlight: Patricia Moore Patricia is our art therapist. She has been a part of the LKS community for 34 years! Students work with Patricia to explore their thoughts and feelings through visual arts. Patricia helps students express themselves, even when they can’t put words to their experience. We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact Patricia has made on hundreds of students as one of our longest serving staff! #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning #arttherapy

Celebrating others’ achievements doesn’t diminish our own, it raises us all up. #therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning

Agency is the personal belief that you can positively affect the world around you to create the positive outcomes you seek. The more agency you feel, the more success you experience. How are you going to use your agency to impact the world around you for good?#therapeuticboardingschool #specialeducation #SPED #therapy #boardingschool #residential #treatment #edconsultants #therapeutic #education #learning