The King's Daughter' School (Intro)

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The King’s Daughters’ School (KDS): Columbia, TN

In January of 1989 I started teaching Reading & Language Arts at The King’s Daughters’ School (KDS), 40-miles south of my house in Bellevue in Columbia , TN.  It was the best job I’ve ever had. KDS is (in my opinion) the best school its kind in the country.  A large chunk of who I am today is because of my time at KDS. I worked there until June of 1999, 10 ½ years.  Most of my stories come from my KDS days.

Below is listed the overview of who KDS is.

The King’s Daughters’ School is a residential school for individuals ages 7 to late adulthood with developmental disabilities. KDS offers four comprehensive programs: the Total Lifestyles Program (TLP), the Center for Autism (CFA), the Young Adult Academy (YAA) and the Adult Lifestyles Program (ALP). While KDS is a primarily a residential school, there are a limited number of openings for day students each year. Students come to KDS from all over the United States and abroad.

KDS is primarily made up of two campuses: our main campus and The Center for Autism campus. Both are located in Columbia , TN , which is approximately one hour south of Nashville . In addition to our four main programs, KDS also offers an Early Learning Program (ELP) children from birth up to three years old. This program is part-time only and free of charge. Unlike our other programs, the ELP is only available for selected counties. Please see the ELP program page for additional details.

All students are placed in an academic program based on their ability level. Students participate in a regular 6 1/2 hour school day of basic skills plus physical education and vocational training. All programs are non-graded, but parents and teachers set goals through an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) and an Individualized Program Plan (IPP) for each student at the beginning of every semester. Students are evaluated on their progress toward these goals every nine weeks.

Education is the top priority at KDS, because it is the essential tool students use to create the lives they dream of and deserve. Since we are a residential school, learning takes place both inside and outside of the classroom; in fact, it's often cleverly disguised as fun! Students benefit from small peer groups, in which certified teachers use many methods of instruction to meet the needs of each student.  In the residential homes, teacher/counselors focus on life and social skills.

 

The KDS History

The King's Daughters and Sons is an international and interdenominational group of Christians organized to serve "In His Name." In 1912, the group built and operated the first hospital in Maury County , Tennessee located in Columbia . It was the only hospital in the county until 1954, which is when the Maury County Hospital was completed.

The King's Daughters' Hospital closed, and in order to continue serving the community The King's Daughters and Sons founded The King's Daughters' School in September of 1955. The school was established as a private non-profit residential program for individuals with developmental disabilities. The school was based on the philosophy that people with developmental challenges should not be isolated from society but allowed to function and be afforded the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. 

Over the past fifty-five years, The King's Daughters' School has served hundreds of individuals from all over the United States and abroad. The school has grown from one building and a house to include eleven residential homes, two education buildings, two gymnasiums, an eight-acre camp site and several other amenities. As a front-runner in the field of developmental disabilities, The King's Daughters' School has developed into a program that serves individuals of all ages. The program has expanded but remains true to its purpose.

I’ve already written several stories from KDS in my blog already.  I’ll be spending more time talking about KDS in the weeks to come. For now, check out the website, especially the pictures!

chris

To learn more about The King's Daughter' School: www.tkds.org