ACADEMICS

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Relationship-focused approach

Strengths-based instruction

Challenging curriculum with appropriate supports and accommodations

Physically and emotionally safe campus and classroom environment

Highly qualified, certified, caring faculty and staff

What are learning differences?

Greenwood School faculty and staff are experienced in providing appropriate academic and social-emotional accommodations and support for students with many types of learning differences and/or challenges. Although our enrollment is open to any student, we specialize in serving students with diagnosed learning differences or difficulties, such as (list is not all-inclusive):
  • ADHD
  • Auditory and/or Visual Processing Delays
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders, specifically those who would formerly have been diagnosed as Asperger’s Syndrome or Pervasive Developmental Delay
  • Dyscalculia
  • Dysgraphia
  • Dyslexia
  • Executive Functioning
  • General Anxiety
Classroom High Five | Greenwood School

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

MUSIC

The Greenwood School Music Department aims to provide students with a wholesome musical experience as students explore creativity and self-expression through music theory and performance. Students enhance their musical intelligence and cognitive abilities by learning music which is proven to develop confidence, leadership and high standards of excellence and character.

Theater

The Greenwood “Birds of Play” Theatre Department aims to serve the Greenwood School Mission by fostering an environment that encourages and values creative risk-taking, critical thinking, and all types of theatrical expression. Through membership in the International Thespian Society and the Educational Theatre Association; participation and attendance in District and State Level Theatre Festivals/Competitions; and the planning of multiple showcases and full productions a year, the theatre department gives ample opportunity for students looking to expand their creative horizons.

STEAM/Robotics

In our ever-changing world of technology, there are many benefits from exposure to STEAM classes. To succeed in robotics takes a lot of patience; and the courage to not only make mistakes but to work through their mistakes; and improve crucial problem-solving skills. I have seen students stretch their creative muscles, pique their curiosity, and motivate them to build things that only they can imagine promoting the perfect learning environment for our students. . Exposing our students to computer science is a must for many workforce fields, and increasingly 3D printing, drones, and advanced machinery are becoming more and more common in various working environments. With this in mind, it is essential to introduce our students to as many different types of STEAM classes as possible.

— Leslie Surowiec, STEAM/Robotics Teacher

Mental Health Counseling

Counseling to help address mental and emotional health issues using evidence based practice.
Reading | Greenwood School

PORTRAIT OF A STUDENT

Greenwood offers courses for a traditional high school diploma and specialized guidance based classes to help Greenwood students find success in school and after graduation.

A Greenwood School Student:

  • Often struggles to connect with academic material
  • Often has difficulty with personal organization and/or time management skills
  • May have difficulty maintaining the pace and/or written workload of classes
  • Exhibits behavior that is conducive to a positive learning environment
  • May struggle with social confidence
  • Has goals and dreams that they may have been told elsewhere were not possible

Portrait of a Graduate

A Greenwood School Graduate:

  • Self -advocates, has a good work ethic, and is successful
  • Is a critical thinker and diligent learner
  • Is inclusive, helpful, courteous, and assists their community.
  • Is unique and resilient
  • Perseveres through adversity

Recent Greenwood graduates have attended a number of colleges including: Savannah College of Art and Design, University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, University of Alabama, and Flagler College.

Graduates Group | Greenwood School

Middle School

Students in grades six through eight are changing physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. During this time, children are struggling to define themselves as individuals and in relation to others. This time period is a time of tremendous growth in achievement levels. The ability to handle multiple tasks and academic demands which grow almost daily.
Sixth grade students learn the skills to help them successfully transition from elementary to middle school.

Seventh grade students learn how to implement the skills they have been taught. These tools can help anyone who is planning, problem solving, or working on a goal.

Eighth grade students learn the resources, tools, and knowledge to make a successful transition from Middle School to High School. This will also lay the foundation so they can thrive in their future careers.

Adult Transition students visit Tom Bush

High School

Guidance courses in high school prepare students for life after graduation. Students are given the opportunities to explore pathways that include college, apprenticeships, and the military.
An acceleration program that enables students to pursue a rigorous curriculum for high school graduation, as well as earn credit toward a degree or industry certification. It allows students to take postsecondary coursework and simultaneously earn credit toward a high school diploma, a career certificate, an industry certification or earn college credits.
Students will develop critical thinking strategies through a variety of creative and engaging activities, such as games, puzzles, creating new things, being a part of a bigger plan, etc. Students will apply questioning strategies, engage in reflective thinking, problem-solving, debating, and testing arguments. Students will process the strategies they use for understanding and transfer ability to other areas.

Foundations in Personal Finance: High School Edition will change the financial future of your students and set them on a path to win with money, allowing you to change the way your students look at money forever. They will be empowered, equipped and entertained while building confidence in their own financial decision-making” (Ramsey, 2016).

This course uses Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance Curriculum. It includes video lectures with an interactive student workbook with fill in the blanks that correspond to the videos. The curriculum is filled with information that will empower students to make intelligent choices in regards to money and manage their personal finances successfully as they prepare to enter the “real” world on their own.

The primary content for the course pertains to the study of learning the ideas, concepts, knowledge and skills that will enable students to implement beneficial personal decision-making choices; to become wise, successful, and knowledgeable consumers, savers, investors, users of credit and money managers; and to be participating members of a global workforce and society.

This course assists the senior student with the transition to young adulthood. This goal is to be achieved by exploring various self-advocating and self-discovery tactics, as well as through a range of exercises relating to practical life skills. Topics include but are not limited to: goal-setting, Myers-Briggs personalities, meditation/coping mechanisms, independent living (leases, building credit, etc), academic transitions for college, interpersonal skills, and planning.

Provides opportunities and resources for students to learn, understand, and reinforce concepts that will enhance their overall educational experience. Skills learned can also be transferred to life after high school. Areas of focus include graduation requirements, grade point average (G.P.A.), types of learning differences, note taking, volunteering, mindfulness, and executive functioning skills. Students will apply what they learn developing projects and activities.

Students are exposed to a wide variety of speaking situations, formal and informal. Focus will be on communicating with a purpose. Types of speaking may include informational, persuasive, demonstration, debate, mock trials, impromptu, sales, oral interpretation, symposium, mini TED talks, valedictorian, or other. Since public speaking is the number one fear of most Americans, the class provides a supportive and low-key atmosphere to help students overcome their anxiety.

This course is designed to introduce students to both career fields as well as college exploration. We will start with a focus on building up skills that are needed for both aspects of adult life: Decision-Making, Goal-Setting, Building Healthy Relationships, Anger Management and Effective Communication. Once we have built up these skills, we will introduce students to various categories of careers, and students will spend time researching different jobs in various career fields and reporting on them. They will also learn how to build resumes and interview for a job. In the second half of the term, we will focus on College Exploration. We will focus first on Scholarships, Grants and Financial Aid, including having students (Juniors and Seniors) sign up for the FASFA. We will talk about what is expected in a College Environment, and also look at Trade and Vocational Schools too. A large chunk of the exploration will be spent on researching different colleges around the country. Students will also revisit the skills they learned at the beginning of the year, and examine how they can apply them to a college setting, with a focus on independence.

School Musical 2023
Cheerleading | Greenwood School

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

Clubs

Greenwood clubs are offered each semester based on student and teacher interests. Prior clubs include: cooking club, archery club, ping pong club, anime club, book club,and soccer club. Clubs change each year.

Athletics

Greenwood hosts regular athletic competitions against local private schools in Jacksonville. Our competitive teams are Girls Volleyball and Boys Basketball. We also have a cheerleading team and a co-ed intramural flag football team in the spring.

Musical

Each year Greenwood School’s Fine Arts Department puts on a whole school production. For the 22-23 school year, they performed The Little Mermaid. For the 23-24 school year, they are preparing for The Addams Family which will be performed in March.

Student Council

High School students who participate will meet to share ideas and raise funds for school activities, social events, community projects and helping people in need.

Activities: Halloween Candy Grams, Valentine Candy Grams, involved in House Field Days, Prom, Valentine’s Day Event “Palentine’s Party”, Middle School Dance, Suicide Awareness and Breast Cancer Awareness pins, Thankful Tree, Coin drive for the teacher pie tied in with both field days, and winter dress down day

National Honors Society (NHS) and National Junior Honors Society (NJHS)

In NHS (high school) and NJHS (middle school), students learn and develop skills to become leaders in the school and their community.

Activities: recycling program, fundraisers, Earth Day event

Student Council | Greenwood School