Curriculum

We believe education should support and promote the uniqueness of each individual student. We attempt to get to know any student as an individual prior to selecting curriculum for them.

Based on information collected from a student’s previous school, pre-enrollment paperwork, conversations with student's parents and the student him/herself, and from the Student Orientation Workbook, a curriculum counselor will evaluate a student’s goals, interests, learning style, strengths and weaknesses.

Once needs are identified, the curriculum counselor works with the student and his/her parents, to co-operatively select courses that best align with identified curricular needs.

Desiderata’s curriculum library is continually updated as new course work becomes available. All curriculums used meet or exceed national standards for each particular course. Students may choose course work from our library of curriculum or use any available courses, even those not previously offered through the school, once they are reviewed for content and approved by Desiderata’s Curriculum Director.

Text Books - A student may elect to take his or her courses using textbooks.

Workbooks - Often a workbook is included in a text book course and is required for completion of the textbook course. However Desiderata also uses integrated textbook workbook combinations wherein the text and workbook are one single unit.

Video/Audio - For students who learn best by listening to a lecture or seeing pictures and examples of information being presented, we offer credit for selected television and audio/visual courses.

Independent Study Packets - Some students thrive by being handed an outline and having the opportunity to locate sources of information of their own. Desiderata’s independent study packets offer just that. They are published by the school and created by the school’s curriculum director.

Computer Software - Students may choose to complete course credits through computer software from the approved list of programs. Any program Desiderata authorizes is accompanied by an Independent Study Packet explaining to the students how to document their work for credit.

*Desiderata tests students to place them in appropriate grade level courses. Students looking for Credit Recovery particularly benefit from this policy as it ensures they are applying their efforts to the most appropriate course materials for their personal needs.