Since its founding in 1995, KTS has earned a solid reputation for providing an exceptional educational experience to children with moderate to severe language and learning disabilities and/or mild to moderate autism. We serve over 160 students in preschool through 12th grade.
Our language-intensive curriculum includes the full range of courses mandated by the State of Maryland or other funding jurisdictions. We make extensive use of assistive technology, and our 50,000-square-foot school is home to a Black Box Theatre, two music rooms, three fully equipped OT gyms, a teaching kitchen, and two art classrooms with a kiln.
The diploma-based Katherine Thomas School High School Program (grades 9 -12) is tailored for students with moderate to severe language and learning disabilities and/or high-functioning autism. The program, within a small group or individualized setting, provides intensive remediation and instruction in reading, oral and written expression, and math, as well as the strategies needed for academic, social, and post-graduation success.
The typical Katherine Thomas High School student is of average intelligence or higher. These students need support, resources and individualized instruction. It is our goal to provide all students with a positive, success-oriented curriculum. Our student body includes those who with specialized help can expect to attend college as well as students who expect to transition into employment after completing high school. Students enjoy many opportunities to build leadership skills and excel in athletics through the SGA, ALPS, and Peer Mediation programs.
The Katherine Thomas School offers transitional programs for students who need more intense support to succeed academically and socially than in the traditional KTS classroom. The EXCEL Program (Excellence in Educational and Emotional Learning) is for high school students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-21). EXCEL supports students diagnosed with moderate to severe language and learning disabilities and mild to moderate autism, who may also display difficulties in other developmental areas. Students in this program exhibit significant challenges with engagement, attention, regulation, group process, and social interactions that require more intensive support to succeed academically and socially.
