Fundamental Academic Programs
ENGLISH
Comprehensive English
Our Comprehensive English classes are designed for students who wish to improve on all aspects of their English language skills. Generally, students whose reading comprehension, writing, oral, and vocabulary skills are balanced would benefit from these classes. Each course is divided into units that incorporate numerous and varied evaluations of all the language skills.
The Comprehensive English department is divided into Elementary and High School Divisions with four levels in each. Levels are based on a student’s current ability, rather than a student’s grade in his/her day school. Thus, students of different grades but of the same academic abilities are often in the same class. As a student graduates from one level to the next, the demand for individual analysis and creativity increases. Teachers look for an overall understanding of the texts given as well as the ability to tie together common themes or concepts from several texts. The appreciation of literary works and a student’s ability to critique them in well-written academic evaluations also become vital in higher levels.
Literary works are taken from the following units, in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Education guidelines:
- Short Stories
- Novella/Novel Study
- Poetry
- Elizabethan/Modern Drama
- Media Studies
Students are evaluated on their knowledge and understanding of texts, their thought processes and ability to analyze texts, their ability to argue and to communicate their analyses, and their application of the mechanics and conventions of standard Canadian English. Report cards are given at the end of each term (two-month period).
Essay Writing I-V
Our writing classes are designed for students who would like to improve on their grammar and writing skills. Students whose general writing skills need tweaking or whose shaky oral English transpire onto paper would benefit from these classes. Each course is divided into units that focus on the different types of writing with special emphasis placed on the academic essay. A few literary works are evaluated to form the backbones of critical and comparative essays.
This department is divided into five levels. Levels are based on a student’s current ability, rather than a student’s grade in his/her day school. Thus, students of different grades but of the same academic abilities are often in the same class. As a student graduates from one level to the next, the demand for individual analysis and creativity increases. Teachers emphasize the need to support arguments with quotations from texts and the need to provide significance for all examples. Using language appropriate to different audiences and for different purposes becomes vital in higher levels.
Writing is developed in the following areas:
- Formal Essays
- Literary Criticisms & Reviews
- Creative Writing
- Letter Writing
- Editorials & Articles
Students are evaluated based on their knowledge and understanding of the different methods of writing as well as on the application of the mechanics and conventions of standard Canadian English in their work. Report cards are given at the end of each term (two-month period).
Vocabulary
Vocabulary classes are fun, informative classes designed to give students a wider range of vocabulary. Students who are looking to improve their vocabulary and who enjoy being challenged would benefit from these classes. During each class, students are given a group of words to learn that are at or above their grade level. The history, context, and usage of words are all covered. Reading comprehension is tested using the new words, but there is minimal emphasis placed on writing. Students are given a challenging quiz daily.
MATHEMATICS
General Math
Our General Mathematics classes are for students looking to gain an edge on their classmates by being exposed to grade-appropriate material as well as those that are beyond the students’ current curriculum. Successive levels require more effort from students in order to grasp the varied and complex material given.
EPS (Enriched Problem Solving in Math I-III)
Our Enriched Problem Solving (EPS) classes are designed to give students word problems to supplement the mathematics lessons at their day schools. As a student progresses from one level to the next, the word problems become more challenging both in wording and in the number and/or complexity of their steps. EPS classes, while taught at a grade higher than a student’s current grade in school are below the instruction level of a math contest preparation course.
Foundational Mathematics I – III
Our Foundational Mathematics courses are very intensive and challenging. While providing students with practice in the basic math skills of their level, these courses require students to attempt and to answer highly advanced questions based on each basic math skills. In completing them, students solidify their concept of the basic skills while building up their skills of integration and problem solving.
Math Contest Preparation Course (Grades 6-12)
Our Math Contest Preparation Courses introduce students to the various questions found in math contests. For more information, please click here.
SCIENCE
General Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Our biology, chemistry, and physics classes are designed to give students a working knowledge of each discipline’s basic theories. Teachers ensure that each student has the necessary concepts of his/her grade level and introduce new concepts that will be covered in next year’s science class. In this way, students are able to review their current curriculum as well as learn new material.
Preparation for Science Contests: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
For more information, please click here.
