The program identifies academic and social needs of the individual and provides a curriculum that focuses on problem solving and critical thinking. Through intervention and strengthening learning strategies, the school empowers each student to reach his or her potential.
Reading is an active cognitive process aimed at comprehending and applying information from texts to real-world experiences. The development of reading skills is influenced by individual experiences and motivation, essential for broadening vocabulary, enhancing critical thinking, and fostering empathy. Effective reading instruction encompasses the five pillars of reading—phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. At Centreville Layton School, which supports students with diverse learning needs, reading instruction is tailored to individual needs, emphasizing both learning to read and reading to learn as essential stages of development. Teachers utilize a variety of instructional methods to engage students actively. Reading skills extend beyond language arts classes, as students must learn to navigate diverse content areas with different text formats and vocabulary, which helps them become more engaged and independent thinkers.
At Centreville Layton School, students receive a dynamic and well-rounded literacy experience. Our writing program, which aligns with our reading program, provides students with explicit instruction on each step of the writing process and abundant tools and strategies to become descriptive, proficient writers and communicators. Writing instruction across multiple genres is taught through a scaffolded writing process in which students work on planning, drafting, sharing, evaluating, revising, editing, and presenting. Student output is completed through multiple modalities, including handwriting, typing, and speech-to-text. Handwriting practice during writing instruction aids students in strengthening memory and brain connections. Our reading curriculum also integrates numerous writing opportunities, enhancing students’ writing skills and helping to reinforce understanding.
The Mathematics department is anchored in a research-based program consisting of a coherent sequence of topics across all grades. The curriculum emphasizes daily repetition of standard operations to improve comprehension, math reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Small math groups based on skill level are supported by a curriculum that accommodates an individual’s learning style and pace. Multisensory activities and games are provided to reinforce concepts as needed. As students grasp foundational concepts, they progress while exploring the language and logic of math. Students gain procedural skills and fluency in applying math concepts.
Through differentiated instruction, utilizing the many features of our laboratory spaces, STEM lab, and our National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitat, we offer environmental studies, life sciences, properties of physics, chemistry, and biology. Our objective, by way of dynamic lab activities/experiences and projects, is to cultivate a genuine interest in science(s), inspire curiosity and creativity, encourage inquiry, and strengthen analytical and critical thinking skills. Along with a solid understanding of the science material and scientific procedures, we aim to further develop the understanding and appreciation that the scientific method of investigation can be applied across all disciplines.
STEM provides an immersive environment where students can delve deeply into the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. CLS employs a project-based, hands-on approach to explore complex STEM topics. Spontaneous learning opportunities often arise, encouraging students to leverage their strengths and apply problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. This approach mirrors real-world challenges, fostering confidence and competence in students.
Students benefit from a well-rounded and dynamic complement of arts and humanities classes. The exploration of arts and music, the natural environment, history, social studies, technology and information literacy, and physical activity enhances the academic and school experience.
Occupational Therapy: An essential component of our program. For students experiencing difficulty with functional fine motor, visual motor, gross motor, and/or sensory regulation skills that impact their school productivity. Intervention includes individual, small group, and classroom instruction to address their needs. Occupational therapy addresses handwriting development for the younger child and written production support for older students though the use of assistive technology tools on the Chromebook. Frequency of sessions is determined by our therapist through assessments and observation and with collaboration with the student’s team.
Offered in small groups or individual sessions for students who experience communication disorders. Speech and Language intervention is delivered by licensed specialists based on research, collaboration, and expertise with a focus on conversational skills for speech production, sentence structure, following directions, sequencing, vocabulary gain and retrieval, etc. Classroom-integrated therapy furthers the link between oral language, listening and speaking, and reading and writing. Frequency of small group or individual sessions is determined by our therapists through evaluation and collaboration with the classroom teachers.
Addresses social skills development with multiple teaching modalities including role plays, videos, classroom discussion, projects, and games and activities. The goals of the program are tailored to the needs to the individual classrooms and focus on helping students understand their academic strengths and challenges, develop skills to improve attention and memory, improve verbal and non-verbal communication skills, improve social skills, demystify learning differences, deal with feeling effectively, raise self-esteem, learn conflict resolution skills, understand friendships, improve organizational skills, and build confidence.
Centreville Layton School offers a 5-week program for grades Pre-K through 8th grade. Our program combines academic skills in the morning and recreational activities in the afternoons. Academic enrichment and reinforcement lessons focus on reading, written language, and math. Language and Occupational Therapy are offered in small groups as needed throughout the five weeks. The afternoons are filled with on-campus activities, swimming at a local swim club, and occasional field trips.
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Our son learned the valuable skills of teamwork, patience and perseverance during his time at Centreville Layton as well as the academic strategies to move forward into a typical high school setting. Centreville Layton strikes a great balance of family-like warmth and discipline in a beautiful country setting.
This past year has been completely transformational for our daughter and her positive strides have been noticeable both at home and at school. She is growing into the best version of herself and her teachers at CLS have played a significant role in her progress.
This year, I’ve learned to understand that acceptance is greatly appreciated but difficult to find. Compared to where I came from, CLS houses some of the most accepting people that I’ve ever met. I am thankful for every little act of kindness shown towards me or even towards another student. They have not gone unnoticed.
We’re prepared for this because we’ve learned how to work hard, solve problems, be independent, happy, responsible and kind to all.
The support from my teachers taught me not just reading and writing, but to embrace who I am, to learn from my mistakes and grow because of them.