40 Chapel Hill Drive, Kitchener, Ontario, N2R 1N2, Canada
3450 Boundary Road, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5M 4A5, Canada
1892
1993
60
32
JK to 8
8 to 12
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Traditional
7 to 12
3 to 6
$8,900 to $21,000
No
Yes
0%
0%
None
8 to 12
$0
$5,000
5
6
0%
0%
0%
0%
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades JK - 8
Yes: grades 8 - 12
No
No
information not available
information not available
The Christian programming and curriculum offered at Carmel New Church School educates kids holistically while protecting their innocence and promoting spiritual and academic growth. This small, peaceful school runs from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 and prides itself on cultivating the development of unique talents, creativity, and high academic achievement. Extracurricular activities include musical theatre, choir, the school newspaper, photography, and a wide range of sports. Staff share the belief that a happy and productive life begins by developing an affirmative outlook toward God and through charitable conduct with one another. These values are reflected in the school’s programs and ensure that it provides a cohesive community in which kids learn, play, and form close and lasting friendships.
View full reportWhytecliff is different, something the youth and families who attend deeply appreciate. … For students with diverse learning needs, especially those who have struggled with anxiety or depression, Whytecliff is a refuge—an island of stability in a turbulent world. The hallmark of the Whytecliff program is that it’s community-based and anchored in real relationships.
The school began operations in 1993, though is an expression of a larger program of activity that dates back to 1975 with the creation of the Focus Foundation, a non-profit intending to provide social and educational support for youth aged 13-19. Since the beginning, the force of the programs was in working with assets, rather than deficits: finding talents and passions, and using those as the means of developing skills and engagement. The school extends that mandate, providing a positive, understanding environment for students who, for a range of reasons, haven’t been able to thrive in prior academic settings. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding, and that’s demonstrated through high rates of attendance, course and degree completion, and academic success. Students arrive with a range of challenges, though also with a shared experience of finding themselves on the periphery of their various social circles. In that sense, while they may be different from each other, here they are different in the same way. The school, for many, is the first truly positive, inclusive community they’ve been a part of. That forms the basis of the work of the school, as does a faculty that brings a wealth of professional and therapeutic accreditation and experience.
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"The academic program at Carmel was excellent."
Ayla Van Der Meulen - Alumnus (Jan 24, 2024)
My best school experiences were at Carmel New Church School. The maximum class size I was in was ten...
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"When my son wakes up on Saturday morning, he is so disappointed that school is not open during the weekend."
Aishwarya Balan - Parent (Mar 27, 2024)
My son loves his school. When he wakes up Saturday morning he is so disappointed that school is not ...
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"Established in 1892, Carmel New Church School offers a century of experience in a modern facility and rural campus. Our Christian school educates children holistically, protects their innocence, and promotes spiritual and academic growth. Customized programs inspire and support the development of unique talents, creativity, and high academic achievement. We believe that a happy and productive life begins by developing an affirmative outlook towards God and through charitable conduct with one another."
"Whytecliff Centres in Langley & Burnaby offer a highly successful Gr. 8-12 curriculum tailored for youth with diverse learning/personal challenges. Our caring and competent staff gently weave the academics with a positive strengths-based therapeutic program, paving the way for whole-life success. Despite struggling in other schools, attendance here soars, and course completion increases 4 to 8 times. 95% of students entering grade 12 graduate, and later self-report as 9.3 out of 10 for being on a solid life path!"
"Our school seeks to provide a spiritual overlay to all the learning that takes place. Each day includes worship, and each subject is infused with Christian principles. Teachers and staff, working together with parents, can explore the ways that God would have students conduct themselves. Education for usefulness is a core theme."
"We reach kids on an emotional level. We’re not bound by a lot of the same rules and structures that some schools are. Everything that we do here, in the end, comes down to relationships. And the program that we’ve created here is a family. What we do here is create a warm, caring environment. It’s like a home."
"At Carmel New Church School, our commitment to core values drives intentional tradeoffs to serve families effectively. One significant tradeoff is prioritizing personalized learning over uniformity. While uniformity streamlines some aspects, personalized learning meets unique needs, fostering deeper engagement. We prioritize creativity over strict discipline, nurturing well-rounded individuals adaptable to change. Emphasizing classical education may reduce technology integration, but it builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These tradeoffs prioritize individual growth, creativity, and timeless wisdom. We value transparency to empower families in educational choices."
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"Parents choose us because of the faith-based curriculum that teaches loving the Lord and the neighbour on a daily basis. They see their child benefit from the personalized attention that comes with small class sizes and they develop closer relationships with their peers."
"Most students are at Whytecliff because things didn't go well at other schools. Students chose us because they're looking for a fresh start, a new approach; a school that might have success where others hadn’t. And once here, both parents and students find it life altering."
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"Since we are a Christian school, we encourage students to follow the Lord’s Word, We teach students to love and respect our Creator and all His gifts to us, including nature and one another. We believe in providing quality education and using that education to serve the Lord and our neighbours."
"Since the beginning, the force of the programs was in working with student assets, rather than deficits: finding talents and passions, and using those as the means of developing skills and engagement. It’s unlike any school in the region or, for that matter, the country."
"Since the school backs onto fields and forest, classes are often taken outside to learn and see their lessons in action. We are currently developing some of our outdoor space for outdoor classrooms and nature-based playspaces, as well as a garden area."
"Parents are always surprised with the changes they see in their child and how quickly thrive at Whytecliff. Despite struggling in other schools, student attendance at Whytecliff soars, and course completion increases 4 to 8 times. 95% of students entering grade 12 graduate, and later self-report as 9.3 out of 10 for being on a solid life path."
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I believe in educating the heart as well as the mind. Through lessons from the Word and a caring, supportive Christian community, we give students a strong foundation to build quality character. We take advantage of our spacious grounds to take learning beyond the classroom and keep children engaged.
I am thankful to be part of CNCS and for the opportunity to teach and help children grow into themselves. As principal, I work closely with passionate educators and loving parents to ensure students’ needs are met and that they are given the best opportunities to encourage their talents.
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Traditional curricula tend to be very content-based and rooted in the core disciplines. It is a structured approach that involves the teacher delivering a unified curriculum through direct instruction. Students usually learn by observing and listening to their teacher, studying facts and concepts in textbooks, and completing both tests and written assignments - which challenge students to not only demonstrate their mastery of content but their ability to analyze and deconstruct it critically. Class discussions are also used to create critical dialogue around the content of the curriculum.
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New Church curriculum is developed in hand with the Ontario curriculum according to stages of development: Primary students thrive on movement, sensory experiences, singing, simple tales, and praise & affection. We use this to create a love of learning and develop basic skills in reading and mathematics Junior students demonstrate more social awareness as they begin to see deeper levels of meaning in stories, characters, and events. Through student-led inquiry, academic concepts are grounded in tangible examples so students can build on these connections to better understand curriculum principles. Intermediate students are encouraged to transition from knowing to understanding through focusing on the application of that knowledge. By viewing the Ontario Curriculum through a Christian lens, students look for positive, useful applications for the concepts they learn.
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These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
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Systematic-phonics programs teach young children to read by helping them to recognize and sound out the letters and syllables of words. Students are then led to blend these sounds together to sound out and recognize the whole word. While other reading programs might touch on phonetics (either incidentally or on a “when needed” basis), systematic phonics teaches phonics in a specific sequence, and uses extensive repetition and direct instruction to help readers associate specific letter patterns with their associated sounds.
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Programs that balance systematic and process approaches equally likely have an emphasis on giving young students ample opportunities to write, while providing supplementary class-wide instruction in grammar, parts of sentences, and various writing strategies.
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Inquiry-based science emphasizes teaching science as a way of thinking or practice, and therefore tries to get students “doing” science as much as possible -- and not just “learning” it. Students still learn foundational scientific ideas and content (and build on this knowledge progressively); however, relative to expository science instruction, inquiry-based programs have students spend more time developing and executing their own experiments (empirical and theoretical). Students are frequently challenged to develop critical and scientific-thinking skills by developing their own well-reasoned hypothesis and finding ways to test those hypotheses. Projects and experiments are emphasized over textbook learning. Skills are emphasized over breadth of knowledge.
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Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
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In traditional literature programs students focus on decoding the mechanics of texts: plot, characterization, and themes. These texts tend to include a balance of contemporary and “classic” literature. When studying a past work, students investigate its historical context -- but only insofar as this adds understanding to the work itself. Past works are therefore studied “on their own terms”, and not merely as historical artifacts to be deconstructed: traditional literature programs are firmly rooted in the humanities, and carry the belief that great literature can reveal fundamental and universal truths about the human condition. These programs emphasize class discussions and critical essay writing, and aim to develop in students critical thinking, communication skills, and a cultivated taste and ethos.
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Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
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Pragmatism in the humanities and social sciences emphasizes making learning relevant to students’ present-day experience. Assignments tend to centre around projects and tasks rather than argumentative essays; these projects will often have a “real-world” application or relevance. There might be more of a social justice component to a pragmatic program, though that isn’t always the case. Subjects like history and philosophy are still covered/offered, but they play a less prominent role in the overall program than in the case of perennialism. The social sciences (contemporary geography, sociology, psychology, etc), meanwhile, might play a more prominent role in pragmatic programs. The key goals are to make learning progressive and relevant, while teaching students real-life skills and critical thinking.
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The communicative method of language acquisition emphasizes the use of the target language in authentic contexts. The approach commonly features interactive group work, games, authentic texts, and opportunities to learn about the cultural background of the language. Drills and quizzes may still be used, but less frequently than with the audio-lingual method.
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Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
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Creative arts programs are studio-driven. While historical works and movements may still be taught to add context to the program, students mainly engage in making art (visual, musical, theatrical, etc). The goal is use the actual practice of art to help educate students’ emotions, cognition, and ethos.
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Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
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Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
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Web design
Robotics
Computer science
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Play-based programs are the most common type of preschool and Kindergarten, and are founded on the belief young children learn best through play. Largely open-ended and minimally structured, play-based programs aim to develop social skills and a love of attending school. “Pre-academic” skills are taught, but in a more indirect way than at, say, an Academic program: through children playing in different “stations” set up around the classroom, which children choose on their own volition. Stations often contain an indirect lesson or developmental goal. Play-based classrooms are highly social and active.
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We have a small Kindergarten class that follows the four frames of learning, Belonging, and Contributing, Self-Regulation, and Well-Being, Demonstrating Literacy and Mathematics Behaviour, and Problem-Solving and Innovating (how does learning happen) together with our school's faith and scripture foundation to support children in their development and growth in the JK/SK years.
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Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.
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A school with a “supportive” academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a “rigorous” academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.
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As a school connected with a Church, we look at a child’s education as part of the bigger life picture. Yes, we want to equip each child with the knowledge that will serve them in finding a career one day. However, it’s not their career that will bring them happiness, but rather their relationships with others and their inner connection with God.
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Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
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CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
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RecreationalRec. |
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Badminton |
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Baseball |
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Basketball |
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Canoeing/Kayaking |
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Cricket |
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Cross-country skiing |
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Cycling |
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Downhill skiing |
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Equestrian |
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Fencing |
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Field Hockey |
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Figure Skating |
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Football |
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Golf |
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Gymnastics |
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Ice Hockey |
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Ice Skating |
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Lacrosse |
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Martial Arts |
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Mountain biking |
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Racquet Ball |
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Rowing |
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Rugby |
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Running |
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Sailing |
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Skateboarding |
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Snowboarding |
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Soccer |
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Softball |
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Squash |
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Swimming |
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Tennis |
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Track & Field |
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Volleyball |
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Weightlifting |
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Wrestling |
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Archery |
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Curling |
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Ultimate |
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
8 - 12
0%
0%
$0
$5,000
0%
0%
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades JK - 8
Yes: grades 8 - 12
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Whytecliff considers applications of any child in the Lower Mainland or Fraser Valley, age 13-18, who is not being successful or engaged in school. The majority of children we accept have challenges with anxiety & depression and are seeking an environment where they can feel safe ⎯ a real school offering Dogwood and Evergreen graduation that doesn’t seem remedial or like an ‘alternative school’, and a place where they can begin to relax, feel normal, and develop their personal abilities and self-esteem. Many of the children who are successful and qualify for acceptance at Whytecliff have been labelled within a diagnosed category such as: –ADHD –FASD –Dyslexia –Dyscalculia –Dysgraphia –Language Processing Disorder –Nonverbal Learning Disorders –Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit –Chronic Health Impairment –Gifted –High Functioning Autism –Asperger’s Syndrome –Behavioral and Emotional Challenges –Troubled Behavior –Clinical Depression –Clinical Anxiety –Suicidal Thoughts –Drug and Alcohol Abuse –Oppositional Defiant Disorder If you don’t see your child’s challenge listed above, that doesn’t mean they won’t qualify; we have a policy of actively considering all applications to the program.
Please visit our website www.carmelnewchurchschool.org for our admissions process and next steps
To apply for a place in one of our programs, contact us, ideally by email.
Most of our intake occurs in August or early September, for the full school year, and in January and before February 10th for the Spring session.
We’re also happy to call you and get further details if you would prefer to apply that way. As we’re seeking to build a real community, we like to make sure the program is a good fit for each student.
We also have several Open Houses during the year. To find out our next open house date or arrange a private tour, please contact us.
40 Chapel Hill Drive, Kitchener, Ontario, N2R 1N2, Canada
3450 Boundary Road, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5M 4A5, Canada
