Academics

At Spiritos School all children are treated on an individual basis with programs specifically written for their needs. We are licensed by the Virginia Department of Education to provide an academic curriculum to children between the ages of 2 and 15 years. Our curriculum exposes the children to the VDOE Standards of Learning and provides them with an opportunity to learn and grow either at or as close to grade level as possible. Spiritos School uses the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs), Virginia's Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP), and Virginia's Foundation Blocks for Early Learning for academic programming. 

Stephanie Mackey M.Ed our Instructional Lead, oversees the curriculum to ensure that we are following VDOE guidelines and regulations.  Additionally, Emily Tolj M.Ed, BCBA, LBA takes an ABA Therapy approach to assist each child in their learning within a small group setting. Each child's Behavioral Technician also aids during group lessons, in addition to their one-to-one programs. Daily lessons follow a rhythm that mimics that of the general education classroom.  Children take core subjects like Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies, as well as P.E., Music, Art, Social Skills, and have recess every day. Stephanie also writes IEP/IIP goals and participates in IEP/IIP meetings with each child's home school district and families.

In addition to academics, Spiritos School combines therapies that are designed to assist our children in overcoming the effects of Autism and to integrate back into the referring schools and society in general. Each child is treated as an individual and therapies are introduced as needed. We provide a one-to-one teacher ratio where children are able to practice social skills, and participate in community outings to practice within the natural environment.

It is our goal to prepare children as quickly as possible to transition back to a general education/mainstream school setting. We believe children with Autism Spectrum Disorder do much better when they have the opportunity to interact with typical peers. 

Please take a moment to read some of the feedback from parents crediting Spiritos School as the foundation upon which they continue to build. We believe in empowering children to show their potential every day. It is not unusual for students to begin our program as non-verbal and later be named the top student in classes once in their new general education/public schools. 

EVERY child deserves to shine!