12 Bond Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4E 3K2, Canada
130 Commercial Avenue, Ajax, Ontario, L1S 2H3, Canada
12 Bond Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4E 3K2, Canada
130 Commercial Avenue, Ajax, Ontario, L1S 2H3, Canada
353.3 km
341.2 km
1993
2010
330
Varies
1 to 12
7 to 12
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Academic
Traditional
Traditional
15
5 to 15
Dedicated gifted school
In-class adaptations
$15,500
$10,650 to $12,650
No
No
0%
0%
None
None
$0
$0
28
0
0%
0%
75%
100%
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 1 - 12
Yes: grades 7 - 12
No
No
information not available
information not available
information not available
The PACE program was developed with gifted students in mind, based in an understanding of what they share—overall ability—as well as what they don't, such as specific talents, interests, and curiosities. The term of art is differentiated programming, though it's a term that can easily lend itself to misunderstanding. It doesn't mean that different students proceed through the curricula at different rates or are each given separate tasks based on their individual abilities. Rather, within a differentiated program all students proceed at the same pace through the material, while instructors provide multiple entry points that address the needs of individual students within the class. The ideal student is one who has been identified as gifted, and who requires challenge in order to succeed in academic work.
Cambridge International Academy is positioned to address a diversity of learners, including those who arrive domestically and those arriving from overseas. Families are drawn to the small class sizes and the individual instruction they allow, as well as the international gaze afforded through working and learning with students from a range of cultural backgrounds and experiences. English language learning and homestay programs support international students. While the academic program is strong, families are also drawn to the focus on interpersonal, emotional, and social development. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a close-knit, challenging environment, and who is preparing for success at university.
information not available
information not available
P.A.C.E. provides a differentiated curriculum built on greater depth and breadth of instruction. Our primary goal is to find and enhance the abilities of our students, while simultaneously addressing their social and emotional needs. P.A.C.E. is based on the premise that gifted children need high-powered learning experiences to challenge their minds and ensure intellectual growth and achievement. A fully balanced program, including Arts and Athletics, complements this specialized academic program.
Cambridge International Academy's primary objective is to assure students experience a safe and supportive school environment to ACHIEVE their academic best. We provide a high standard of education that is relevant & engaging so that students have opportunities to embrace collaboration, communication, creativity & critical thinking skills in their learning to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of education.
My journey at P.A.C.E. began in 1999 and in 2019 I was delighted to assume the role of Director/Principal. The most rewarding part of my job is interacting with the students. They are fun loving, witty and demonstrate an intellectual curiosity that is any educator's dream. The energy level in the building is very high, the questioning by the students is incessant, and there are a lot of laughs. The skills for succeeding at P.A.C.E., whether in the role of teacher or student, are the same: a love of learning, high motivation, an excellent work ethic and a sense of humour. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by excellent teachers and a strong administrative staff: Liana, the Assistant to the Director; our Vice Principals, Caroline Corbit and Joanne Abela; and our Administrative Assistant, Irina. Every September we look forward to yet another passionate and exciting year for all.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Cambridge International Academy. Our primary objective is to assure your child experiences a positive, productive, and safe school environment in which he/she will self-actualize and grow academically, emotionally, and morally. The staff at Cambridge International Academy creates an atmosphere of cooperative learning, and encourages each student to develop critical judgment and to become an independent thinker, able to work effectively with others, and be inspired with a life-long curiosity and love of learning. We believe achieving success is beyond the walls of a school classroom or an acceptance from a prestigious University; it is the inner motivation, solid work ethic, personal responsibility, drive, and an active way of life that helps students to thrive beyond post-secondary education.
Recognizing that parents are the prime educators, Cambridge International Academy is committed to working with parents and host families to develop and promote a common philosophy. Together, we share the critically important enterprise of preparing our children for active and positive living.
In addition to offering reach 'ahead credits' to grades 7 & 8, and promoting social responsibility, our small class sizes develop nurturing and positive working relationships with students. We support a learning environment that encompasses personal development, community involvement, academic achievement and leadership to be part of their Cambridge experience. Our teaching staff is dedicated to meeting the ever-changing needs of our students.
On behalf of the entire staff at Cambridge International Academy, we look forward to inspire and challenge your child to excel in all facets of his/her learning and to attain his/her potential. Visit Cambridge International Academy and experience a difference in education and innovation. This may be one of the best decisions you will make in your life. We invite you to look at our information package and discover an enriching way of education.
Traditional
Information not available
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.
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.
Not applicable
P.A.C.E. is a magnet school for students who have been identified as intellectually gifted by means of a psycho-educational assessment. The curriculum is differentiated through various methodologies and strategies i.e. compacting, identifying learning styles, creative problem solving, acceleration, inquiry-based learning, addressing the critical thinking skills, sophisticated field studies, greater depth and breadth of instruction, etc. in order to meet the special needs and characteristics of gifted kids. Our courses reflect high powered learning experiences for our gifted learners with the inclusion of the Advanced Placement designation as well, i.e. Gifted/ Advanced Placement, in grade 11 (Biology, French and Computer Science) and in grade 12 (English, Calculus), recognizing that the foundation begins in the younger years, starting with our Reach Ahead program in grade 8. To address the needs of the whole child, wonderful Fine Arts, Athletic, and Co-Instructional Programs complement our strong academic program. There is something truly special about being surrounded by people passionate about everything they do.
Our teachers acknowledge students learn at different times and in different ways therefore they use an interactive teaching strategy to best suit a student's learning profile. We offer continuous, varied and appropriate formative as well as summative assessments which provide evidence about every student's learning progress. This information helps teachers to immediately flag areas of concern to help a student in that subject. Triangulation assessments also help students, parents and teachers to select attainable learning goals. For students in high school, we administer Aptitude Tests to help each student plan their further education. We offer Early Childhood Education and Business Focus Career Pathways to students who thrive in a co-op learning environment.
Equal Balance
These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
P.A.C.E. is a blend of old and new, allowing for the mastery of basic skills while creating exciting new initiatives in how to learn mathematics. It's not all about numerical operations but the understanding of mathematical concepts and the application of mathematics to real world experiences.
Students in grades 7 and 8, we offer accelerated or individualized math systems whereby students work at different levels individually in a classroom, at their own pace and our teachers use a variety of strategies such as re-looping so that learned material is being reinforced. Middle School Math teachers use games, manipulatives, math journals, and technology to help students who struggle with math. Students in high school, our teachers us a variety of teaching strategies to help students comprehend and retain complex math concepts. Teachers use direct instruction, guided practice, peer tutoring, manipulatives, and assessments.
A number of different textbooks are used at the high school level. But, most importantly, we create Resources Booklets for our students which allows us to draw from many different sources.
Textbooks we use are from the Ontario Trillium List.
To foster the development of mental math students in grades 1-6 do not use calculators. Starting in grade 7 calculators are used for basic computational skills. Graphing calculators are taught and used in grades 8- 12, but only scientific calculators (without graphing capabilities) are used for evaluations.
Calculators are used in the classroom for high school math courses which require the use of a scientific calculator.
Not applicable
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.
Not applicable
Children entering in to grade 1 are reading at various levels; from one or two sentences with pictures, to chapter books. Therefore, often there are 2 or 3 reading groups each with different reading assignments. Typically, by January, all of the children have reached a comparable level in their reading fluency but not necessarily in their reading comprehension. By the end of grade one all of the children are reading the same novels.
Information not available
Not applicable
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.
Not applicable
Our children love to write, and we begin to introduce analytical writing as well as creative writing in grade one; the sophistication of which increases as writing assignments are introduced into writing categories: poetry, short stories, essays, and dialogues/monologues.
Information not available
Equal Balance
Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.
Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.
A variety of methodologies work best with our students. It is very important for our students to be exposed to the expert, to work effectively with their peers, and to creatively design their own scientific experiments.
Science is an exciting subject to teach students how things work in our world. Our teachers use a variety of teaching strategies such as lecturing with power point presentations, peer to peer teaching, current events, case studies, and hands on activities such as guided experiments and exploration.
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
Physics
Equal Balance
These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
Literature comes alive through multiple interpretations and rich performance tasks that include choral speaking, debates, trials, videos, music and drama.
Literature is authentic material that promotes interaction among students in a classroom. Our teachers carefully choose material that will suit the interests of their students to spark in-depth class discussions and share opinions. We have been successful to increase a student's reading interest by implementing Socratic Seminars, web-quests, current events, and reading journals. After completing a unit on literature, students feel a sense of achievement at understanding a piece of highly respected literature. In addition, teachers use the personal growth model which encourages students to draw on their own opinions, feelings and personal experiences.
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
Not applicable
The Thematic approach organizes the curriculum around certain themes or cultural universals. Students might spend time focused on food. Then they might focus on transportation or government, and so on.
Not applicable
Through our broad-based issues and themes, students learn in a very holistic manner as opposed to learning content and facts in isolation. The exploration of the dynamic activities enhance the critical thinking skills and students learn how to apply, analyze and evaluate information. It is through these theme based assignments that our younger students learn to hone their research skills - both through written report and oral presentation.
Information not available
Equal Balance
These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
Through our life skills course, civics, history, law, philosophy and classical civilization students develop their critical thinking skills through discussion, debate and analytical essay writing. Students enjoy discussing BIG IDEAS while respecting the opinions of their peers in a safe and open learning environment. Application to real life experiences remains an important aspect of any social science or humanities course.
Humanities promote active listening, critical thinking skills as well as encouraging students to make connections to history, and the world in which they live in. Students learn to make decisions based on values. Our teachers uses a number of strategies such as direct instruction, visual strategies, reciprocal teaching to increase dialogue between teacher and students, inquiry teaching where students develop their own questions, collect and organize data and draw inferences and problem solving. Field trips and role play may also be incorporated as part of the teaching strategies to give students the opportunity to be motivated in their learning.
Equal Balance
These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
The acquisition of French as a second language includes the concrete sequential mode of learning as well as interactive group work. Our French Language program addresses the four components: Listening Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Written and Oral Expression. Students study French cultural and language heritage as well as the constructs of formal grammar.
We offer on-line credited Mandarin courses as well as non-credited Mandarin classes during the weekends commencing in October 2016. We also have the flexibility to incorporate French in the curriculum if requested by a parent. French Homework is available commencing October 2016.
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
Information not available
Equal Balance
These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.
These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.
Students engage in making art come alive using a collaborative approach to learning. Taking risks, emoting and developing the aesthetic sensibilities create the ultimate performance in both drama and music.
Information not available
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Medium integration
Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
All students use personally owned devices to enhance learning experiences and opportunities in various disciplines throughout the regular school day. Robotics plays a very large role in our technology program and the instruction of coding begins in grade four.
CCIA accommodates students who require the use of a computer during the class to help them thrive academically. Students may use a computer to take tests which will aid to capture the best reflection of their knowledge and abilities. To help students with reading comprehension, reading fluency, eye tracking, building vocabulary, and improving writing skills, Cambridge International Academy has the renowned brain based programs of Reading Plus and MyLexia. Reading Plus caters to students from 4th grade to post secondary education. MyLexia is appropriate for struggling readers. This brain based program caters to students with reading skills from 1st grade to 4th grade.
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
The development of a healthy mind and body is critical to success.
CCIA emphasizes the science behind why we need to be physically active in our lives and to help students develop and maintain a high level of fitness. High school students at CCIA have the option to attend Lifetime Fitness Club in Ajax to improve their cardio-respiratory fitness, gain muscular strength and endurance, as well as increase their flexibility. Our intention for the middle school and high school students is to promote a healthy lifestyle and positively shift their behaviors to include physical fitness throughout their lives.
Not applicable
Not applicable
Information not available
Standard-enriched
The main curriculum accelerates beyond the pace of the provincial one; ALL students do the work of OLDER public-school peers in tangible and measurable ways. This accelerated pace is maintained by the teachers and school, (through textbook selection, topic selection, grading, assignment standards and expectations, etc).
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.
At CCIA, we offer on-line courses to students who are motivated to propel their academic studies to enter post-secondary education sooner. In addition, we offer School-Work Transition Career Pathways such as Early Childhood Education and a Business Focus. Co-op Classes are offered to gain work experience and OSSD.
Rigorous
A school with a “rigorous” academic culture places a high value on academic performance, and expects their students to do the same. This does not mean the school is uncaring, unsupportive, or non-responsive -- far from it. A school can have a rigorous academic culture and still provide excellent individual support. It does mean, however, the school places a particular emphasis on performance -- seeking the best students and challenging them to the fullest extent -- relative to a normal baseline. High expectations and standards – and a challenging yet rewarding curriculum – are the common themes here. Keep in mind this classification is more relevant for the older grades: few Kindergarten classrooms, for example, would be called “rigorous”.
A school with a “rigorous” academic culture places a high value on academic performance, and expects their students to do the same. This does not mean the school is uncaring, unsupportive, or non-responsive -- far from it. A school can have a rigorous academic culture and still provide excellent individual support. It does mean, however, the school places a particular emphasis on performance -- seeking the best students and challenging them to the fullest extent -- relative to a normal baseline. High expectations and standards – and a challenging yet rewarding curriculum – are the common themes here. Keep in mind this classification is more relevant for the older grades: few Kindergarten classrooms, for example, would be called “rigorous”.
The students at P.A.C.E. have high aspirations, 100% of which attend university. Their chosen fields of interest are science, law, business and accounting, computer engineering, architecture and actuarial science.
Cambridge International Academy keeps student-to-teacher ratio low so that we may focus on the individual needs of the student and support each student on his or her individual path to success. At Cambridge International Academy, we recognize that students have different learning styles. Our learning environment is set up to meet the needs of students .We use a complete approach, which reinforces verbal instruction with visual and written support, allowing the students to engage on many levels regarding the material being presented.
"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
Balanced
"Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation."
Balanced
"Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation."
Addressing the needs of gifted children through a well balanced education that attends to the cognitive as well as social emotional needs of the children allows for us to groom good people who will be productive citizens in society.
Cambridge International Academy pays equal attention to the emotional, social, and physical aspects of our students with emphasis on intellectual ability to inspire students to become critical thinkers.
Academy for Gifted Children - P.A.C.E. |
Cambridge International Academy |
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CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
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Badminton |
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Canoeing/Kayaking |
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Cricket |
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Cross-country skiing |
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Fencing |
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Field Hockey |
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Martial Arts |
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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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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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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
0%
0%
$0
$0
75%
100%
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 1 - 12
Yes: grades 7 - 12
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
The first critierion for P.A.C.E. is that the student is identified as intellectual gifted. We are looking for bright individuals who are passionate about learning and are productive citizens within the school.
Cambridge International Academy promotes a school environment where students are self-motivated, have a positive disposition toward learning and have aspirations to contribute to the school and the community in a meaningful way.
All students are required to have a psycho-educational assessment (WISC V). If the student scores in the 95th percentile or higher in verbal reasoning and visual perception, on paper, that child would qualify for P.A.C.E. The next step would be to have a meeting with the family and for the student to visit for the day. Feedback regarding the child's visit is provided.
Future students will be required to attend a scheduled interview as well as provide their written responses to two questions. Cambridge International Academy will request a confidential school report from a current homeroom teacher or guidance counselor.
