Home

Wasdell’s Academic Programs

       Our Academic Programs provide a unique opportunity for children, youth and families who want an education focused on delivering the Ontario Curriculum standards as a minimum level of curriculum quality.

    Wasdell is a private school whose goal is to offer unique instructional and educational settings through which students learn and excel in both English and French. 

    Wasdell is a unique private school whose fundamental aim is to provide children with an exceptional well-rounded education and a truly comprehensive instructional program in English, French, mathematics, sciences, history, geography, computer science, computer music, music, the arts, drama, physical education, health, character education, method of study.  Grades Pre JK, JK, SK—8 equivalent are currently offered; and, High School will be offered starting Sept 2007.

       The overall educational processes are geared to allow students to acquire and master key knowledge and to develop strong critical thinking skills and attitudes that will be useful to them in their future workplace.  The objective of our school is to have a strong and long lasting impact on the holistic development of the learner.

       Wasdell’s International Academy is for any student and their families who are serious about their education.  This program provides the environment, context and content required for individuals to become well rounded high functioning successful leaders of our increasingly borderless society

Wasdell’s Academic Mission Statement

·       To provide its students with an exceptional well rounded and comprehensive instructional program in English, French, Mathematics, Sciences, Technology, and the Arts in a bilingual setting consistent with the principles of the International Baccalaureate Organization.

·       To nurture the qualities of respect and principled character of and for self and others, and to cultivate the desire to serve the community. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their thoughts, words, and deeds. Students are educated on what it looks like to act with honor and purpose, and to make a difference in the complex global society they will inherit.

·        To nurture our students to build within themselves the foundations for life-long learning. With coaching and encouragement, we hope to empower them to become life long positive contributors within society.

The School’s Infrastructure consists of:

Kindergarten        - Pre-Kindergarten through Senior Kindergarten 1/2 or full day

Junior                     - Grade 1 through grade 3

Middle School     - Grade 4 through grade 8

High School         - Grade 9 through grade 12 (unfolding as of September 2007)

Curriculum Foundations

a.       Kindergarten Division

In the Kindergarten Division, we aim to instill in children a curiosity for learning, as they develop their own skills and talents.  They work in a supportive yet stimulating environment which is responsive to individual needs and differences.  Children are introduced into a curriculum in both English & French and at that level, language, culture and basic learning skills are emphasized.

Although the school atmosphere is informal, the curriculum is structured and has very clear objectives.  It includes French, English, Culture, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Art, Music, and Physical Education.

b.       Junior Division

The curriculum in the Junior Division builds upon the basic skills introduced in the previous years and follows a similar structure.  The program develops the ability to absorb information, to form ideas, to think independently and to relate the various areas of study to one another.  Students are encouraged to accept personal responsibility for their studies.  They learn to balance between competition and co-operation. 

c.       Middle School Division

The curriculum in the Middle School Division builds again upon the basic skills introduced in the Junior Division and focuses upon accelerated development of integrated thinking and reasoning across all curriculum disciplines.  Core academic curriculum includes Language 1 (English), Language 2 (French), Mathematics, Science & Technology, Social Sciences (History & Geography), The Arts (Drama, Social SMaRts, Music) and Health & Phys. Ed.

d.       Secondary Division

The Secondary Division will cover Levels 9-12 of High School.  The goal is to ready students for the grade 12 International Baccalaureate Comprehensive Exam.  This curriculum is fundamentally at the advanced level.  For more detail please request the section called “Secondary School mandate and curriculum”.  This is the intended program and it will be modified based on feedback from both the Ontario Ministry of Education and The International Baccalaureate Organization.

e.       General

·      The school curriculum is in accordance with the Ministry of Education Guidelines and philosophically corresponds to the requirements of the International Baccalaureate Organization.

·      The school curriculum promotes a balance between the arts & sciences in its pedagogy and strives to create a well-rounded learning process.

·         The school curriculum is comprehensive and cumulative and includes:

·         Initial Diagnostic Evaluation

·         Continuous Evaluation

·         Formal Examinations (Middle School 2 & High School)

·         Enrichment Programs

·         Remedial & Cognitive Skill-based Programs

·         A Summer Program

·         The school curriculum is supported by class attendance, supervised homework study periods, projects, field trips, Intramural Sports, Assemblies, and Guest Speakers.

School Calendar for 2006-7

The Daily Schedule is determined by a student’s needs:

While the whole school will follow the base schedule below from the perspective of the timing of each period, the schedule will be customized to suit each student both academically and from a skill building perspective.

The basic day starts at 8:30 and ends at 2:45. The enhanced day starts at 8:30 and ends at 4:30 p.m..

Expected Costs:

a.       For the basic school day 8:30 to 2:45 p.m..  Tuition is $900/m for Pre-K and up to SK.  From grade 1  and on tuition is $1200/m for the first child; with a 3% discount for all children if there is more than one child.

b.       For the enhanced school day 8:30 to 4:30 p.m..  Tuition is determined based on needs and wishes of the parents. 

c.       Books and supporting materials.  Depending on the grade will range (pre tax) $550 in the junior grades to $1250 for the seniors and high school students.  This is determined each year.

d.       Uniforms for school day and gym excluding July & August.  Expect to pay in the range of $200 to $300 per student depending on your interest in amount of clothing.  There is a core uniform and then additions at your discretion.

e.       After school care between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. and between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m..  The current supervision rate is $6.00 per hour.

f.         Extracurricular & Supplies.  Estimated to be approximately $80/m.  Extra supplies needed, School trips, pizza lunches, external gym related, and seasonal festivities are planned.  This is your own petty cash account.  A personal account is set up and monies are pulled from this account on an as need basis.  A settling of the account is competed year end.

We are also accommodating:

a.       Some specialized options include e.g. Drama, Kumo Ju Jitsu, Gymnastics, and an Equestrian Club, Private Piano and these will have extra costs that will be commensurate with the cost of bringing in or going to such people/establishments.  The objective is to try and fit in extracurricular activities during the ‘school day’ families would normally pay for and accommodate outside the school day.

b.       Specialized gym activities.  There may be some additional costs associated.

In Total:

Parents can anticipate a base cost of $1300/m 1^st child, and $1240/m multiple child families for tuition and books for the basic school day.  Outside that additional costs will depend on the services parents desire for their child(ren).