A: TLC's Katherine Thomas School accepts students with moderate to severe language and learning disabilities, and with high-functioning autism

Q: What is the age and grade range?

A: TLC's Katherine Thomas School ranges from pre-school through 12^th grade, serving students ages 4–17.

Q: What is the ratio of staff to students?

A: Preschool – Consists of a teacher, teacher assistant, SLP, OT and PT for a classroom with a maximum of 8 to 10 children.

Elementary through Middle School – A teacher and teacher assistant for no more than 10 students in a classroom.

High School classes currently have one teacher with up to 8 students in a class.  Classes with 9 or 10 students will have a teacher and an assistant.

Frequently, related service staff are in the rooms due to the integrated service model, so the staff: student ratio can be much higher.

Q: What are the qualification for the teachers and TAs and one-to-ones?

A: Teachers are certified in special education or have their provisional license. High school teachers also have subject area certification. Teacher assistant and 1:1 assistants have a minimum of a HS diploma, but the majority of them have some college or college degrees. All staff participates in on-going in-service training.              

Q: What is the average length of stay in the program?

A: The goal of TLC's Katherine Thomas School is to have students attend school in the least restrictive environment.  In the elementary and middle school programs, the average length of stay is 2 to 3 years.  However, due to the severity of the students’ language and learning disabilities, students may remain enrolled for a longer period of time. Staff continually meet with the parents, being part of the team, to determine the most appropriate placement for children.

Q: Do you have grades? Are they on level with the public school curriculum?

A: In the lower and middle schools, children are graded on the progress they make at their individual levels.  High school students receive grades for

each class. 

The entire school follows the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum. Curriculum content corresponds with the student’s chronological grade level, but is taught at a speed and skill level that is appropriate for each individual student. 

The high school is a diploma-based program, with two pathways towards achieving the diploma.  Students may follow a more traditional academic route, or follow a career and technology pathway.  Currently, three programs are offered on-site:  office technology, child development, and restaurant management.  Other supervised on-the-job training opportunities will be available to students in the 2006–2007 school year.

Q:  What is the ratio of girls to boys?

A: This varies from year to year.  Currently from preschool to high school there are 80 boys and 38 girls. 

Q: How many students are funded and how many are private pay?  Where are families from? Is transportation provided?

A: Currently, about half the students are funded by local jurisdictions and half are private pay.

*40 students are funded by the District of Columbia Public Schools

*10 students are funded by Montgomery County Public Schools

Families are predominantly from DC and Montgomery County.  However, we do have families from Northern Virginia, Howard County, and Prince Georges Counties.  Funding jurisdictions provide transportation for their students.  Private pay students provide their own, but carpools are available.

Q: Is scholarship/financial aide available? 

A: There is scholarship money that has been donated to the school from outside families and supporters of KTS.  The financial aide is decided by an outside agency, The National Association of Independent Schools, on a needs basis. 

Q: What is the application process?

A: Current psychological and educational evaluation tests, an IEP (if applicable), and any school progress and report cards, and any outside relevant evaluations from SLP’s/OT’s/ PT's/Social workers must be submitted with the application.  Once a student is determined to be an appropriate candidate, a 2-day visit is scheduled.  Admission is then decided upon by the school team.  TLC's Katherine Thomas School has rolling admissions, and packets may be obtained from the Admissions Coordinator.

Q: Are related services included in the tuition?

A: No, related services are a separate fee.  The amount of time for related services is determined by the current IEP and/ evaluations.