Reading, writing, and the content subjects are taught with a strong emphasis on language competence, skill development, and cognitive strategy. Students are grouped within their grade level according to their levels of development in language arts and mathematics. Students are grouped heterogeneously in other content areas and special-area subjects.
All students have three 45-minute periods of language arts daily. These periods include oral language, reading, spelling, and writing. The Windward School uses the PAF program for reading and spelling, a multisensory Orton-Gillingham-based program. The writing program enables students to develop the skills they need to write clear, linguistically complex sentences, paragraphs, and compositions. In addition to language arts, each student has a daily period of math. The math program is designed to develop a strong understanding of the language and vocabulary of math. Concepts are broken down and emphasis is placed on understanding the language of word problems. Additionally, students have regularly scheduled periods of social studies, science, art, music, library, technology, and physical education. All areas of the curriculum are language based, sequential, and highly structured. Our program gives students the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and the confidence they need to return to and be successful in a mainstream school.