Curriculum

Curriculum

Keswick School offers a full academic program based on each student’s needs. Our general curriculum follows the Virginia Standards of Learning. Course offerings include English (language arts/reading), mathematics, science, social studies, physical education/health, and practical arts (art, woodshop, horseback riding). High school credit is offered for English, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education/health, and practical arts. Students earn credits in practical arts by participating in art, wood shop, and horseback riding classes.  

An emphasis is placed on hands-on, project-based learning. Each student is assigned a Chromebook, and students may use the Internet with teacher supervision for research and investigation. Additional instruction is individualized through tutoring sessions, specific remedial classes in math, spelling, and reading, and adaptation of instruction for any area of academics. 

As each student’s ISP is developed, accommodations to help the student be successful in the classroom are included. Individual attention to learning styles, use of technology such as computers, keyboards, visual aids, books, and materials on a student’s level of comprehension, repetition, and reading tests aloud to students are just a few examples of these accommodations. 

Achievement Testing

Students are administered the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement every two years to assess growth and areas of need. This, along with ongoing cumulative and summative classroom assessments, helps inform quality and differentiated instruction. Woodcock-Johnson evaluations evaluate the cognitive abilities of memory, reasoning, vocabulary, processing speed, phonological awareness; the oral language skills of listening comprehension and oral expression; and the achievement areas of reading, writing, mathematics, and academic knowledge.