How we see Oak Bridge Academy
Oak Bridge Academy is designed for kids with exceptional learning and/or behavioural needs. Its academics are strong thanks to small class sizes, and a dedicated highly trained teaching and behavioural support staff. Oak Bridge’s individualized educational and social and emotional development support helps kids thrive. Kids also learn organizational strategies, as well as interpersonal, collaboration, and self-regulation skills. Oak Bridge also offers adjunct programming in life skills and a host of other exciting extracurriculars. Offering Kindergarten through Grade 9, Oak Bridge was founded on the core belief that all kids are able to learn and make progress when provided with the appropriate support.
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How Oak Bridge Academy sees itself
"Oak Bridge Academy offers a blended academic and therapeutic environment using evidence-based teaching methods of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and specialized remedial literacy and numeracy programs. OBA is spearheading a paradigm shift where parents no longer need to choose therapy or school for their child with exceptionalities. We are an accepting and supportive small school environment that fosters personalized attention."
"Oak Bridge Academy's vision statement encompasses our belief and conviction "where success is presumed and actively pursued". With intentionality and conviction to this statement, we are committed to be the leading provider of educational services for students with exceptionalities. Our values include acceptance of differences, succeeding together, inspiring the love of learning, providing a welcoming, diverse and inclusive community while prioritizing training and evidence based practices."
"Oak Bridge Academy believes that every child has the right to an education and that the love of learning is the most precious gift a child can receive. We believe it is our responsibility to help support our students with exceptional learning needs to become engaged citizens and community members by helping to support them academically, emotionally and socially. This is done in an environment where staff receive ongoing training and every students' strengths and needs are valued."
"For many of our students there has been a history of learned behaviour to be sent home from school due to their behaviours. Many of our families felt ostracized and ultimately pivoted to OBA where their child now attends school daily from 9-4 and instead of feeling ostracized families have found a strong school community that supports, understands and accepts their child's differences."
"The impact of our learning environment on families is priceless. Oak Bridge Academy intentionally works with students and families on alternative behavioural responses instead of suspending or sending children home. Family dynamics are more about living and loving than coercing and bribing "appropriate behaviour". Perhaps most importantly, families no longer need to choose between therapy and education; both are provided at OBA."
How people from the school’s community see Oak Bridge Academy
Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone
Kathie Shaw, Principal
MSW, RSW, BCBA
Dear Parents,
Thank you for considering Oak Bridge Academy for your child. We understand that deciding on a school for your child with exceptional learning and/or behavioural needs is one of the most important decisions you will make for their future.
Oak Bridge Academy was founded on the understanding and core belief that all children are able to learn and make progress when provided with the appropriate support. The co-founders of Oak Bridge Academy are parents of children with exceptionalities who, like you, wanted more for their child. Oak Bridge was founded on this belief and continues to strive to support all children academically, socially and emotionally.
Academics is a core focus and an important part of each day at Oak Bridge Academy, however, mindfulness and working to be flexible in thoughts and behaviours are the skills and strategies that are intertwined throughout the day and incorporated into all learning activities. Oak Bridge Academy also intentionally teaches skills such as initiation, organizational strategies, interpersonal skills, collaboration, self-regulation and responsibility.
We use a model that has shown great success in several schools in the USA, following a model by Dr. Mark Dixon. This model uses the evidence-based principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
We understand that finding the right school to foster your child’s academic, social and emotional growth is critical. You can feel confident that your child’s individualized learning needs will be accepted and supported at Oak Bridge Academy.
All of our Ontario Certified Teachers and our Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) work closely with families as an essential part of our school model.
We look forward to the opportunity to meet you and your child and discuss how Oak Bridge Academy can support your child’s educational journey.
Co-Founder, Director and Principal
Kathie Shaw
THE OUR KIDS REPORT: Oak Bridge Academy
Next steps to continue your research:
Continue researching Oak Bridge Academy with OurKids.net, or visit school website.
