2023-24 Profile*

Based on team recommendations, students with severe intellectual disabilities, often accompanied by medical, sensory and motor challenges, are served at Washington Center.   The school’s focus is to develop functional academic, self-help and leisure competencies needed for participation in family and community activities.

Daily academic instruction with the Unique Learning System and Attainment Curriculum is aligned with SC standards, and students in designated grades take the state’s alternate assessments.  Programs such as:  M.O.V.E (Mobility Opportunities via Education), adaptive environmental science, daily living, Virtual Learning and community based instruction (CBI) support the curriculum. Augmentative communication and assistive technology are integrated daily into the school program. Classrooms are equipped with touch screen computers, iPads, Chromebooks and interactive white boards.  The web-based OnCourse System is used for lesson planning.

Students participate in both on and off campus events, such as Special Olympics, Boo in the School, Valentine Pageant and presentations by drama and music groups.  Additionally, classes raise money for charities, visit local nursing homes, and prepare and sell meals to staff on a bi-monthly basis.  Students who are 13 and older participate in Community Based Instruction.    Volunteers provide book buddies, dance partners and support for PTA activities such as Parent Night and the annual Run, Walk and Roll fundraiser, while partnerships with local schools allow students to interact with nondisabled peers and to take off campus trips.  PTA and SIC assist by fundraising, volunteering and advising; and, Washington Center is a training facility for college and university students preparing for careers in education and health.

• Accredited by AdvancEd
• Local and State Knights of Columbus Council Grants
• WYFF Golden Apple Awards Winners

24 Specialty classrooms, Media Center, Adapted Classroom Computers, Art/ Music Classrooms, Multipurpose Gymnasium with Stage, Cafeteria, Conference Rooms, Speech Therapy Suite, OT-PT Therapy Rooms, Specialized Health Clinics, Daily Living and Adapted Environmental Science Classrooms, Greenhouse, Instructional Kitchens, Multi-Sensory Environments, Handicapped Accessible Campus, Playgrounds and Nature Trail.

• Administrators: 2
• Teachers/Professional Staff: 28
• Support Staff: 56

• ADA Compliant Nature Trail
• Adapted Environmental Science/ Greenhouse
• Adapted Physical Education
• Adaptive Transportation
• Alternate Assessments
• Augmentative Communication
• Awards Recognition
• Boo in the School
• Computer Assisted Learning
• CPI/Core Team Trained Staff
• CPR Medical Team and Certified Staff Training
• Craft Day Festival
• Daily Living Skills Instruction
• Graduation Ceremony
• Individualized Education Programs
• Instructional Curriculums: Attainment and Unique Learning System
• Instructional Kitchen
• Interactive Technology- Promethean Boards/iPads/Touch Screens
• Medical Homebound/ Homebased Services
• Mobility Opportunities Via Education (M.O.V.E.)
• Monthly Classroom Newsletters
• Nursing Staff
• OnCourse Lesson Planner
• Peer Volunteer Activities
• School Messenger: Mass Telephone Communication
• Seagull Express: Monthly School Newsletter
• Seagull Grill: Student Participation in Meal Sales
• Specialized Meals
• Therapies: Occupational, Physical, Speech (Itinerant: Hearing, Vision, O&M)
• Valentine Dance

The mission of Washington Center is to address students’ individual needs through appropriately adapted learning experiences.  Standards-based instruction is provided daily; and, through home, school, and community collaboration, an educational environment has been created that conveys respect and recognition of each student’s potential for success.  Rather than focusing on student limitations, staff members strive to provide levels of support required for optimal student growth.