Student Experience

Keswick School’s residential program utilizes a relationship-based model to promote positive social interactions, mutual respect, cooperation, and independence in daily living. Through guided practice in daily living skills, socializing, and leisure activities, students learn how to navigate the world outside of the classroom with confidence.

A Day in the Life of a Student
6:45 amStaff use strong relationships with their students to ground and support them as they prepare for the day.
7:00 amAfter being given time to wake up, students begin their daily morning routines, which include hygiene routines, getting dressed, and making sure their rooms are clean.
7:45 amStudents transition to our dining hall, The Fitzpatrick Depot, for breakfast, where they sit with their dorm groups at assigned seats. Meals are served cafeteria style, and staff are positioned at every table to encourage positive social interaction and proper table manners. At the end of breakfast, a brief morning meeting is held with announcements, trivia questions, and a moment of silence.
8:30 amResidential staff and academic aids transition students by classroom group to the academic center for the school day. This is also the beginning of first period.
Students participate in seven class periods covering all core academic subjects as well as a lunch period, a P.E. class, and an independent study period.
2:30 pmStudents transition to afternoon activities at the end of the school day. They engage in a three-week rotation of art, woodshop, and horseback riding, as well as daily athletic activities.
4:30 pmStudents return to their dorms at the end of afternoon activities for hobby time, an independent activity period where students are free to engage in leisure activities of their choice while remaining in the dorm.
5:15 pmEach dorm holds a daily dorm meeting where students process their day, hear staff announcements, and learn new skills. This time is also used for weekly group therapy sessions led by our primary therapists.
6:00 pmStudents transition to dinner, where they once again sit with their dorm groups. On Thursdays, students dress up for our Community Dinner, where we recognize our weekly award winners and petitioners, all while learning the value of dressing up for important activities.
6:45 pmAfter dinner, students participate in a leisure skills period. During this period, students explore and engage in a wide variety of leisure activities such as sports, clubs, choice periods, and dorm-specific activities.
7:45 pmStudents return to their dorms for night routines. During this time, students clean their rooms, prepare for the next day by laying out their clothes, and complete dorm chores that benefit the whole group. Scheduled weekly calls from parents also occur during this period.
8:30 pmOnce a student has completed his tasks for the evening, the remaining time before his assigned bedtime may be used to engage in a leisure activity of his choice within the dorms. On certain nights, video games and movies/television shows are available to students.
9:00 pmBeginning at 9:00, student bedtimes begin. Bedtimes are assigned based on progress in the school’s level system. The higher the level a student has earned, the later his bedtime is. The latest bedtime is 10:30 pm.
WeekendsWeekend schedules begin an hour later to allow students to sleep in. While maintaining the general structure of weekdays, the absence of classes allows our residential staff to fill the day with a wide variety of social and leisure activities. On weekends, students have the opportunity to go on field trips to local area attractions and events. On Sundays, students in our independent living program run our school store, where students from all dorms can purchase snacks, small toys, and other items.