Who We Are

UHS Keystone School - Van Nuys is a non-public special education school. With an optimal student-to-faculty ratio, UHS Keystone School - Van Nuys provides an exceptional learning environment for children with special needs. A team concept is emphasized so that staff members are informed about individual students and their needs. Teachers do quarterly assessments on all students to measure a student’s reading fluency, word recognition, reading comprehension, math computation and writing samples aligned to the state frameworks. UHS Keystone School - Van Nuys uses the state-approved curriculum from the Los Angeles Unified School District. The school’s programs include Why Try as well as social skills training.


Our Services

• State Standards Based Academic Curriculum
• Direct Instruction Reading
• Behavior Management Program
• BICM Trained Staff
• Art Therapy – On-Site Credentialed Art Teacher and Licensed Art Therapist
• Social Skills Training
• Intramural and Intermural Sports Leagues, in conjunction with the Residential Program
• Physical Education Program
• Computer Lab


Assessments

Teachers do quarterly assessments on all students to measure a student’s reading fluency, word recognition, reading comprehension, math computation and writing samples aligned to the state frameworks. All classrooms are observed by an Education Coordinator monthly and rated on 13-15 areas, depending on the type of classroom. This data is used to plan trainings and to support ht teachers within their classrooms. All state standardized tests are administered on site and according to the state mandates. UHS Keystone School - Van Nuys is a member of the Compendium for CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) remediation which began in Spring 2006.


Curriculum

In accordance with AB1858, UHS Keystone School - Van Nuys researched and adopted 8-12 curriculum aligned the state frameworks and Los Angeles Unified School District. Textbooks were ordered in the summer of 2005 in all core academic areas. Supplemental Materials, such as manipulative kits, teacher resource binders, overhead projectors and other materials as needed for special education populations to further enhance the curriculum and allow the teachers to make necessary modifications to grant all student’s access to the grade level curriculum. UHS Keystone School - Van Nuys also focused on improving all reading scores school-wide, and as a result, purchased Direct Instruction (DI) Reading Materials. DI is a comprehensive reading, decoding and comprehension program that is researched based. In the spring of 2006, elective curriculum for the 9-12 grade students was also purchased. UHS Keystone School - Van Nuys has four computers in each classroom and Orchard software has been installed on all terminals. The Orchard software is supplemental curriculum to augment the direct instruction taking place within the classrooms. The classroom computers are all equipped with word-processing, supplemental educational and reinforcement software and all have Internet access.



Behavior
Positive reinforcements are used campus-wide. All classrooms document behavior data hourly in five common domains (following directions, raising your hand, staying in area, being on task and respect for property, peers and staff), as well as individual goals according to their IEP. The classroom points convert to levels within each classroom. The levels allow access to certain rewards i.e. student store, outings, workability and campus jobs.



Athletics
Students enrolled in UHS Keystone School - Van Nuys are eligible to participate in intramural and intermural sports leagues in Football, Basketball and Softball, in conjunction with the residential program. This is a positive experience for many kids who have often never been part of a team. The physical education program has also evolved into a more structured and coordinated part of school. The school has purchased equipment for every grade and developmental level.

 

School Accountability Report Card

UHS Keystone School Van Nuys School Accountability Report Card

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