12 Bond Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4E 3K2, Canada
414 11 A Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 4P3, Canada
12 Bond Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4E 3K2, Canada
414 11 A Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 4P3, Canada
353.3 km
1,942.0 km
1993
1993
330
Varies
1 to 12
JK to 12
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Academic
Traditional
Liberal Arts
15
10 to 12
Dedicated gifted school
In-class adaptations
$15,500
$10,300 to $18,350
No
Yes
0%
5%
None
3 to 12
$0
$10,000
28
0
0%
0%
75%
75%
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 1 - 12
Yes: grades JK - 12
No
Yes: grades 7 - 11
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.
Delta West was established in 1993 in order to provide families with something different, something new, within Calgary’s educational landscape. First located downtown, the school moved to its current location in 1998 in order to build programming and to accommodate a growing student body. Typically, when schools talk about bringing something new to the table, they often are thinking of all the things that fall under the umbrella of 21st century literacies: facility with technology, collaborative learning, student-driven inquiry, a focus on rhetoric and logic over rote learning. Delta West addresses all those things, though the focus, too, has been to consider the physical aspects of learning—the value of active learning, both within athletic and classroom settings. The classroom furniture is an indication of how the school approaches the learner in that regard; students can choose, for example, movement chairs, standing desks, or more traditional furniture. For many students, that’s a big deal. Movement, even very subtle movement, can help stimulate engagement and keep students on task. Again, that’s just one aspect of the school, but it’s an instructive one; Delta West has a history of working with students to increase engagement with the curriculum and with peers, and therein lies the school’s success. The ideal student is one looking for something different, and who will thrive in a very interactive, diverse, and stimulating environment.
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.
At Delta West Academy, we instill an "I can do that" attitude, called self-efficacy, in our students so they are inspired to be life-long achievers. They thrive in programs that are highly interactive yet academically rigorous, ultimately rewarding exploration & commitment. They are challenged in a dynamic journey of academic excellence, social intelligence and global citizenship. The result? A 100% transition of DWA graduates to university & colleges of their choice. Launch your child's inspired journey at DWA.
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.
There is only one Delta West Academy. Why should you care about that? For the same reason that you care about your child’s school experience…your child is unique and so is what DWA offers.
We instill an “I can do that” attitude in all of our students. Dr. Alberta Bandura calls it “self-efficacy: a person’s belief in his or her ability to succeed in a particular situation”. Students develop this belief when they experience success over and over again in all areas…academically and socially, at school and globally, in their sports teams, debate teams and volunteer teams. It is a belief nurtured, modelled and put into practice by our staff when they seek out interesting science projects like building thermometers, introduce a Grade 4 class to SCUBA diving, have a high school Biology class watch a live knee operation via video link, or spend time after school helping a student refine their test preparation strategies.
At DWA, it means students recognizing that every challenge has an approach angle and once it’s figured out, it is not really a challenge anymore, just another opportunity to succeed. It means developing strong problem solving skills whether that is tackling an algebra problem or a spat with a friend. It means bouncing back from failure secure in the knowledge that mistakes are a means of advancing learning whether that is a better story, a truly resonant stage performance or more soccer practice. It means school experiences as unique as your child.
Visit Delta West Academy and imagine your child on an inspired journey.
Liberal Arts
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.
Liberal Arts curricula share with traditional programs their emphasis on core knowledge-acquisition, but tend to borrow more best practices from the progressive approach. A Liberal Arts program might still feature group work and projects, for example, contrary to the more singular emphasis on tests and essays at a Traditional program.
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.
At Delta West Academy, students are provided with a well-rounded and enriching educational experience. Teachers create a learning environment that is exploratory with many active learning experiences and numerous field trips through all of the grades including high school. Students are in small classes to promote discussion, questioning and collaborative group work. Critical to their interactions with students, teachers encourage a growth mind set - an \"I can do that\" attitude and behaviours that reinforce persistence, critical thinking and problem solving for the achievement of academic excellence. The curriculum is based on the Alberta Program of Studies though enriched with second languages (French or Spanish), fine and performance arts, and physical education as mandatory components of the program from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
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.
Information not available
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.
Information not available
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.
Information not available
Balanced Literacy
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.
Balanced reading programs are typically Whole Language programs with supplementary phonics training. This training might be incidental, or it might take the form of mini-lessons.
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
DIBELS Testing: This school periodically uses DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
Equal balance
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.
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.
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.
Information not available
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.
Information not available
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
Expanding Communities
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.
The Expanding Communities approach organizes the curriculum around students’ present, everyday experience. In the younger grades, students might learn about themselves, for example. As they move through the grades, the focus gradually broadens in scope: to the family, neighbourhood, city, province, country, and globe. The curriculum tends to have less focus on history than Core Knowledge programs.
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.
Information not available
Communicative
These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
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.
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.
Information not available
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
Creative
These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.
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.
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.
Digital literacy at DWA is a core competency skill which is supported by a fully wireless environment and digital devices in all of the classrooms. The use of devices is increasingly personalized as the students progress through the grades. In Kindergarten to Grade 2, students use iPads primarily for independent skills practice at given times. By Grade 3, students are assigned a personal laptop which is now also used for research, presentations and writing as the students progress through the next grades. From Grades 6 to 9, students are able to take the laptops home. In high school, students choose their own devices and use them in an independent and responsible manner to advance their own learning needs. Ultimately, technological devices such as laptops, are viewed as tools that enable students to acquire and practice core learning skills.
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
The development of a healthy mind and body is critical to success.
DWA's philosophy about PE is grounded in the belief that all students require physical activity and the opportunity to participate in sports regardless of their ability and skill level. Sportsmanship, individual skill development and exposure to a wide variety of sports characterize DWA's athletics program. PE is important enough to have extended hours for all grades and is a required course from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Many of the sports modules are conducted off campus at recognized sports facilities such as the Canada Olypmic Park, Repsol Sports Centre, University of Calgary, etc. At these venues, certified instructors along with our PE teachers challenge the children to explore their physical personality with diverse activities that stretch their physical and mental boundaries reaching for new levels of fitness and skill. Sports Performance is a Boutique Option for Grade 4 - 9 focusing on mental and well as physical training..
Academic
Academic-based preschools and Kindergartens are the most structured of the different types, and have a strong emphasis on math and reading readiness skills. These programs aim to expose children to what early-elementary school is like. While time is still allotted to free play, much of the day is built around explicit lessons guided by the teacher. Classrooms often resemble play-based ones (with different stations set up around the room), but at an Academic program the teacher leads students through the stations directly, and ties these activities to a whole-class lesson or theme.
Delta West Academy Kindergarten students learn and play in a balanced setting that actively teaches both academic and social skills. They imagine, construct and explore independently in stations, but also learn academic skills in structured lessons. Our little ones also travel off campus to various destinations like the Zoo, the fire station or the Science Centre every month to experience the world around them. Students from Delta West Academy\'s Kindergarten class who head off to Grade 1, have the understanding of what it takes to be a successful student in their first year of formal education.
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.
Information not available
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.
The goal of DWA students is to have all post-secondary doors open to them when they graduate from high school. With this in mind, all teachers emphasize intellectual exploration, critical thinking, skill acquisition through practice supported by a strong work ethic. Students are actively mentored by teachers to improve specific individual skills. Parents are part of this collaboration and support from home speeds achievement. Competition is not encouraged between students, rather personal achievement is emphasized as all students are unique. However, a passing grade of 65% rather than 50% has been established to underscore the expectation of achievement.
"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."
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."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
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.
Information not available
Academy for Gifted Children - P.A.C.E. |
Delta West Academy |
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RecreationalRec. |
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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
3 - 12
0%
5%
$0
$10,000
75%
75%
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 1 - 12
Yes: grades JK - 12
No
Yes: grades 7 - 11
No
No
No
Yes: grades 1 - 6
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.
The ideal DWA student is curious, active and wants to explore the world. He or she is interested in high academic as well as social success, participating in unique experiences, and ready for change. Our programming works best for average to above-average and gifted students, with parents ready to support school initiatives, home practice and extra-curricular activities.
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.
Our Admission procedure is designed to inform you about DWA and to inform us about your child and family. We do this through a combination of a school tour, personal interviews, testing and the completion of an admissions package. The admissions package helps us to review your child's past learning experiences (unless they are applying for Kindergarten) from the point of view of academic standing, social interaction, and extra-curricular interests whereas the testing provides some independent evidence of skills and attitudes. For Grade 7 to12 applicants, testing is through the SSAT online service. Finally, the tour and interview is an opportunity for in-depth discussion and for the student's personal qualities to be highlighted.
The goal is determining an optimal educational fit between the DWA learning experience and you as the prospective family.
