Junior School

[Skip to A Typical Day in the Junior School]

Philosophy

• we want your child to perform according to his or her personal best
• competence, not competition, is the goal
• the development of a healthy work ethic is important - anything worth doing is worth doing well.

Groupings

We recognize that skills and aptitudes are not equally developed within each individual.  Your child's mathematical abilities may surpass his or her ability to read and manipulate the content of context subjects.

Your child will be given a complete battery of achievement tests upon admission. As well we consider the results of standardized group evaluation.

As much as possible, after consultation with the school psychologist and teachers, groupings occur within classes.  A given class might have as many as four groups in order to serve individual needs. 

The teachers' awareness of your child's individual aptitudes and abilities allow them to differentiate levels and expectations for all subjects.

Evaluation

Teachers evaluate students on a daily basis.  Marks are assigned for participation, preparedness, attitude and quality of assignments.  Primary students do not write exams but students in elementary classes  and intermediate classes do, three times a year.  In classes where exams are given, 70% of a student's mark is allotted for term work, 30% for exams. 

Progress is reported to parents three times a year.

Excellent Standing

Students need tangible markers to see the results of their efforts.  Our Excellent Standing list meets this need.  In a weekly meeting our teachers reward students who persist at hard work and fulfill their responsibilities, by placing them on "Excellent Standing". 

After School - Homework

To relieve parents, most of whom are working late hours, homework is done at the school, under teacher supervision from 3:15 -4:15 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays.  If all assigned work is not up to date, the students attend a Friday noon hour work period.  If any assignment is still outstanding, it must be completed before the student leaves for the week-end.

Reporting

Full anecdotal reports are shared with parents two times a year.  Three reports, giving term and exam marks, complete the formal communication.  At all times, we like to keep in close touch with  you as a parent, to share concerns about progress.

 

A Typical Day in the Junior School

(Grades 1-7)

Time	Activity
8:30 - 8:45 a.m.	Morning Circle
8:45 - 9:45 a.m.	Period 1
9:45 - 10:00 a.m.	Recess
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Period 2
11:00 - 11:50 a.m.	Period 3
11:50 -12:00 p.m.	Organize Classroom
12:00 - 1:15 p.m.	Lunch (provided by the school)
1:15-2:15 p.m.	Period 4
2:15 - 3:15 p.m.	Period 5
3:15 - 4:15 p.m.	Teacher supervised homework period
4:15 - 4:30 p.m.	Snack (provided by the school)
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.	Junior Physical Education:  Grades 5 - 8 Students in Grades 1 - 4 participate in a daily physical education class held earlier in the day.  These students have the option of leaving at 4:15 p.m.  Otherwise, they are welcome to attend a daily activity period until 5:30 p.m.

Children may arrive as early as 7:00 a.m., sharing breakfast with our boarders and stay for supper or later, if a parent is detained.