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Our mission is to create a learning environment where young people discover and develop their own unique abilities: to think logically and critically, to effect positive change in the world, and to approach life with an open heart.[separator top=”20″]

ISW is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

ISW admits students of any race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities available at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation in its administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

CLASSES

Courses offered through ISW’s High School program in 2016-17 are as follows:

Math

• Algebra I (1 credit)
• Algebra II (1 credit)
• Precalculus (1 credit)

Science

• Biology (1 credit)
• Geology (1 credit)
• Design Lab (1/2 credit, open to 11th graders)

Humanities

• English: A Humanities Approach to Global I (1 credit, open to 9th and 10th graders)
• History: A Humanities Approach to Global I (1 credit, open to 9th and 10th graders)
• English: American Literature (1 credit, open to 11th graders)
• History: AP US History or American History (1 credit, open to 11th graders)

Foreign Language

• Spanish III (1 credit)
• American Sign Language III (1 credit)

Please inquire about other language options.

Projects

• Milestone Project (1 credit, open to 10th graders)

Art

• Communications
• Introduction to Art (1/4 credit, open to 9th and 10th graders)

Performing Arts Track

• Acting and History of Theater I (1 credit)
• Dance and Movement for Stage I (1/2 credit)
• Voice for Stage (1/2 credit)
• Stagecraft I (1/4 credit)

Classes are available on a full-time or part-time basis.

Students have the opportunity to take most classes either at the regular level or the honors level.

TEACHING STAFF

Donna Day (High School American Sign Language) is a certified ASL instructor who has taught students of all ages–from very young children to adults. She taught ASL for seven years at Lord Fairfax Community College. In addition to teaching at USW, she works at Access Independence, where she has been employed since 1998. Donna lives in Inwood, WV.

La Tasha Do’zia-Earley (Acting, Director for Huzzah) has worked with students of all ages for more than a decade. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Selah Theater Project in Front Royal, and she has taught theater classes in many venues in the Winchester area. La Tasha is an accomplished performer with credits in both regional and community theater, including the Sandler Performing Arts Center, the Apollo Civic Theater, Ohrstrom-Bryant Theater, and Winchester Little Theater. La Tasha graduated from the elite Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk. She has completed coursework in voice, theater, and communications at Shenandoah University and is pursuing a degree in education through Western Governor’s University.  She has served as a preschool director, a Big Sister and foster parent. La Tasha and her wife, Tamiya Do’zia-Earley, live in Winchester with their children.

Jeremiah Dyke (Precalculus, Design Lab) earned his undergraduate degree at George Mason University in Economics, and he holds an MS in Math Education from University of Phoenix. Jeremiah has taught in a number of settings and is also currently a professor at  Lord Fairfax Community College. He and his wife and son (an ISW student) reside in Strasburg.

Rebecca Lloyd (High School Science) graduated from the College of William and Mary with a BS in geology. Becky has taught students of all ages, and she brings to ISW a background rich in hands-on, experiential learning. She served as a  program presenter at Blandy Experimental Farms and at Oak Hart Farms, and she has worked in secondary schools teaching a wide variety of science classes. Becky and her husband reside with their daughter in Clarke County.

Tosha Tillman (High School Humanities) earned a Masters Certification for Teaching in English and Language Arts, grades 6 through 12, from Shenandoah University and graduated cum laude from Hollins University with a BA in Dance. Over the last eight years, she has taught English, writing, and language arts at many levels and served as both a classroom teacher and a coach for teachers. She has also danced professionally, taught dance, choreographed many shows, and worked with a wider variety of performing arts programs. Tosha and her husband Matt live in a multi-generational home in Winchester with their two children and Matt’s mother.

LOCATION

ISW is thrilled to be partnering with the Youth Development Center, which will serve as our location for high school classes. The YDC (3 Battaile Drive Winchester VA, 22601) offers ISW students access to lovely classroom space (indoors and outdoors), a gym, a black box theater, a game room, a pavilion, a creek,  and beautiful grounds.

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