School offers personalized education
>> CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO FIT INDIVIDUAL CHILD, RATHER THAN CHILD FITTING THE LEARNING PLAN
From the admissions process, through 13 years of education ( JK – Gr. 12), and beyond as alumni, Collingwood School provides a unique personalized approach to each student’s interaction and education. The Admissions Department works with each student and family through personal assessments and interviews with each applicant. Once a student is accepted at Collingwood, located in West Vancouver, students are continually provided a personalized approach through small class sizes ( 10 students per teacher) in the junior years to ( 20 students per class) in the middle and senior years. Together with the student adviser program and grade counsellors, Collingwood focuses on the individual in everything they do. Students who require extra support in numeracy and literacy are provided with extra resources, beginning in the Junior School and continuing through in the later years. The flexible timetable allows students to advance in certain disciplines so that they are continually engaged and taking courses that align with their personal interests, passions and talents. Collingwood focuses on helping students avoid the stress of last- minute post- secondary planning, by preparing a detailed university plan and providing individual guidance counselling throughout their time at the school. The school’s university preparation mandate is designed to let students engage in a multi- year program of university guidance, which is structured to allow them to make informed decisions about both their choice of post- secondary institution and their intended program of study. While introduced to university guidance initially in Grade 9, in subsequent years the four full- time professional staff continues to meet with students both individually and in small groups. The guidance department offers multiple evening information sessions for parents and students looking to apply to Canadian, American or international post- secondary institutions. University tours are offered to students in grades 10, 11 and 12 and provide an opportunity for students to visit a wide range of schools, meet admissions staff and benefit from the experiences of current Collingwood alumni attending these schools. On average, approximately 90 per cent of Collingwood students are accepted to their first choice of post- secondary school. With more than 70 organized visits to individual colleges for lunch- hour information sessions, and visits to the Canadian Universities Event and the Vancouver Area Independent Schools Fair, Collingwood ensures students are made aware of all of the options. Additionally, Grade 12 students have a dedicated weekly class in which to work with the guidance office on their post- secondary and scholarship applications. With an extremely low guidance counsellor- to- student ratio, Collingwood is able to offer a personalized experience to its student population. By working with our students continuously over a four- year period, counsellors are able to effectively guide students through the process of selecting university programs best suited to their individual interests and strengths. The individual counsel offered to students is just one of the ways Collingwood tries to adapt to the needs of its student body. With flexible academic programs — designed for students who are pursuing highly demanding fields such as dance, hockey and figure skating — and a broad banquet of co- curricular activities such as vocal and instrumental groups, Collingwood sticks to the idea that every student has an individual path. As such, its individual learning plans cater to the needs and goals of each student. Students learn in an environment built around the curriculum fitting the child, rather than the child fitting the curriculum. Students at all grade levels have the opportunity to build on their strengths and passions, as well as acquiring the necessary expertise to be successful in the academic arena, both at Collingwood School and beyond.