Kenston Forest School comprises a Preschool, Lower School, and Upper School.  Students who are 3 and 4 years old attend the Early Learning Program, students in grades K through 7 are part of the Lower School, and students in grades 8 through 12 are in the Upper School.
  • Upper School.  The Upper School program is designed to respond to the individual needs and interests of students.  The program promotes demanding academic standards, and results in a single level of diploma.  To earn this diploma, all students must complete 2 years of French or Spanish in addition to the required English, math, science, social studies, art/technology and electives.
Schedule.  Unlike students in most area schools, Kenston Forest School students usually take 6 subjects on a 2-semesters-per-course schedule and not on the "block" schedule in which students take 4 courses one semester and 4 different courses the next.  This gives our students an average of 150 class hours per course compared to 135 hours common to the block schedule, and keeps our class sessions to 50 minutes each compared to 90 minutes each under the block method.  By necessity, a few courses such as driver education, computers, etc., are a single semester in length.   Our course offerings are continually under review and updated annually in order to meet student needs and interests and to ensure the inclusion of new skills and concepts.

Requirements.  Students must earn a minimum of 23 high school (grades 9-12) credits to be considered for graduation.  Of these 23 credits, 4 English, 3 math, 3 science, 3 social studies, 2 foreign language, 1 art/ technical, and 7 electives are required.  Foreign language or Algebra 1 courses successfully completed in Grade 8 count towards credits required.  Transfer students must successfully complete a minimum of six high school courses at Kenston Forest to be considered for graduation.

Dual Enrollment and Advanced Studies/ Honors Courses.  Dual Enrollment (DE) courses are offered through Southside Virginia Community College and are taught at Kenston Forest School.  Successful completion of these courses not only demonstrates a higher skill for college admission, they also earn college credits which are accepted at most colleges and universities in the state of Virginia.  This can result in substantial savings in time and money when students enter college.  Kenston Forest School currently offers 46 college credit hours including courses in history, government, sciences, English, and mathematics.  Our DE offerings have even included aviation, psychology, sociology, and zoology.  Advanced studies/honors courses such as chemistry and pre-calculus do not earn college credit, but these courses also demonstrate a higher skill level for college admission consideration.

Community Service.  Community service encourages responsible citizenship.  Such service provides our students an opportunity to become involved in the needs and concerns of others.  Additionally, this service acquaints students with organizations that work to meet those needs in the community.  Students in Grades 9-12 at Kenston Forest School must complete community service for promotion to the next grade and for graduation.  Students must perform a minimum of 10 hours of community service for each school year (grades 9-12) prior to graduation.

College Acceptance.  Kenston Forest School is widely recognized for the number of students accepted to the colleges and universities of their choice.  Recent graduates have been accepted to the University of Virginia, University of Michigan, College of William and Mary, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, Randolph-Macon College, Bridgewater College, West Virginia University, Radford University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Radford University, Shenandoah University, and others.  more here