THE CITY’S FOUR SMALL, BUT SPECIAL, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Jean Augustine Girls’ Leadership Academy Students talk about women’s issues, read female authors and run a monthly school character assembly.

At the Jean Augustine Girls’ Leadership Academy, “we try to offer girls the opportunity to build leadership skills and self-confidence at an early age,” says teacher Jacqueline Smith.

Grade 7 student Aravi Shanmugalingam notes that “a girls’ class is really understanding, even when you say something wrong.”

But Grade 5 student Ryeann Rivers says she sometimes misses the boys: “because they always want to win. They’re competitive. And we have trouble getting work done because we’re always talking — ’cause it’s all girls.” Boys’ Leadership Academy He’s got the boys. Now principal Craig Tsuji wants to beef up the leadership part of the Boys’ Leader- ship Academy. He hopes to have students from Grades 4 to 8 work together one day a week next year on independent, hands-on research projects.

“We have to cater to creativity rather than the old industrial model; even I get bored working with pen and paper.”

Tsuji may have the boys work on problems together while they work out. “A little exercise, then stop, do a little brainstorming. Even I do my best thinking on a bike ride.” Ben Heppner Vocal Music Academy Students here sing together in the halls, in the lunch room, outside principal Brian Bennett’s office, but he doesn’t mind — he has a degree in music himself and this is, after all, the Ben Heppner Vocal Music Academy.

At 13, student Donte Brown chose this school because “music is a big part of me.” Bennett is proud that one-third of the students next year will be boys and argues music is no “frill”; it helps kids grasp math and build self-esteem.

Chimes in student Amaya Alexander: “Music is a good way to build confidence.” Downtown Vocal Music Academy You don’t have to be a singing superstar for the Downtown Vocal Music Academy — “We focus on student interest, not student talent,” says principal Kien Luu.

With fewer public performances than the Ben Heppner vocal school — and no interest in outside competitions — its more low-key approach includes each student working on a musical project, said Luu.

The vice-principal is a music specialist, as are three of the five teachers. The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music offers tutors to teach keyboard for free at recess and lunch. There’s a mass choir practice of all 68 students once a week.