Swanson is organized into teams at each grade level of four or five teachers who work with the same group of approximately 100 students throughout the school year and is geared toward high student academic and personal goals. At the team level, an interdisciplinary approach to teaching ensures coordination across all aspects of the core curriculum and includes teachers who specialize in language arts, science, mathematics, social studies, special education and teaching English to second language learners. All of Swanson's students work on computers in their classrooms. Because Swanson also has Internet access in every classroom, students are able to conduct additional research in their classrooms. The school also is establishing a television production studio that will allow students to broadcast closed-circuit television programming throughout the school.
Students plan to broadcast their own morning announcements and school news via their new studio.
It also serves as a wonderful area for displaying student work, such as art, class projects and science fair displays. The needs of gifted students are met primarily through differentiated instruction within the curriculum. In addition, after-school, weekend and summer enrichment programs are offered countywide to students. The choice of elective classes is an important one for middle school students. At the sixth grade level, a program known as The Admiral's Wheel is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore as many electives as possible.