welcome to spiritos school

A Special Education School for Supportive, Compassionate Learning

Serving Neurodiverse Students from Pre-K – Grade 8
Located in Powhatan, Virginia

Child high fiving her teacher at Spiritos School, a special education school

Our Philosophy

Spiritos School stands out among special education schools by embracing a compassionate, trauma-assumed education approach that prioritizes safety, understanding, and support. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where students with autism, behavioral challenges, and other unique needs can learn, grow, and thrive. By combining individualized care with a strong sense of community, our philosophy empowers students to reach their fullest potential. At Spiritos School, every child is valued, supported, and equipped for success in a creative and nurturing space.

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What Sets Us Apart from Other Schools?

Our Model For Success

Connection

At Spiritos School, building strong, positive relationships with our students is where it all begins. Our staff prioritize creating meaningful connections through pairing and rapport-building, laying the foundation for a healthy and supportive bond. By fostering an environment rooted in respect, trust, and safety, we ensure that every student feels valued, supported, and included.

Empowerment

During this phase of development, students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and explore new opportunities, supported by regular preference assessments. Positive praise and constructive feedback are central to the approach, helping build confidence and motivation. Teaching is tailored to each student’s level while promoting autonomy and decision-making skills. With a strong focus on strengths and abilities, the environment fosters creativity and empowers students to grow and succeed.

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Growth

This stage marks an exciting period of growth, as students gain confidence and begin retaining new skills. We guide them through their journey toward greater independence, gradually reducing support and shaping additional skills to help them continue building on their successes.

Advancement

Our ultimate goal is to prepare students for a successful transition to a less restrictive setting where they can thrive. This involves helping them generalize their skills across various environments and with different people, ensuring they are equipped for real-world challenges. We foster autonomy, support their personal goals and ambitions, and connect them with additional resources within their network to build a strong foundation for their next chapter.

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Academic Excellence Aligned with Virginia Standards

We are licensed by the Virginia Department of Education and accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF), ensuring the highest standards for your child’s education. Our curriculum is designed for children ages 2 to 15, helping them learn and grow at or as close to grade level as possible. As a leading special education school, we align our programs with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs), Virginia’s Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP), and Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning to provide a tailored, well-rounded education that prepares each child for future success.

Our Educational Services

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2024 – 2025 Academic Calendar

Stay organized and prepared with the 2024-2025 school calendar from Spiritos School! Designed to keep you informed, it includes all the key dates, events, and holidays for the year ahead. As a leading special education school, we know how important it is for families to stay on top of their schedules.

Download the calendar today and get ready for every step of your child’s exciting school year!

Download Calendar

Front entrance at Spiritos School in Powhatan, Virginia

Director of Spiritos School playing with a student at their special education school in Virginia

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swing set on outdoor playground at Spiritos School

Student playing with a dinosaur at the special education school - Spiritos School

school lockers in hallway at new Spiritos School location

conference room for staff and parent meetings

Classroom photo wide shot at Spiritos School

Boy interacting with Spiritos School staff and teacher at a special education school

Child using iPad and blocks during activity at the Spiritos School - a leading special education school in Virginia

Girl smiling and interacting with teacher at the Spiritos School - a leading special education school

What Our Parents Are Saying…

The walls of Spiritos are painted with support and understanding. Team Spiritos is caring and personally involved with each child’s growth, development and most importantly the child’s happiness.

Parent of former student

Our experience with Spiritos was excellent. Our son learned so many skills and had so many great experiences that it would be difficult to list. Behaviors were positively reinforced as they guided our son to learn new routines, understand classroom dynamics, and pick up on social cues throughout each day. Their attention to data-driven goals and metrics and personal hands-on experience with our son make Spiritos stand out from the rest. Highly recommend!

Parent of former student

Our quality of life has improved a great deal since our daughter started at Spiritos. She comes home happy almost every afternoon and leaves the house filled with excitement for the day ahead.

Parent of former student