12 Bond Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4E 3K2, Canada
7808 Pierre Drive, Summerland, British Columbia, V0H 1Z2, Canada
12 Bond Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4E 3K2, Canada
7808 Pierre Drive, Summerland, British Columbia, V0H 1Z2, Canada
353.3 km
2,176.7 km
1993
2016
330
240
1 to 12
JK to 12
Coed
Coed
Day
Day, Boarding
English
English
Academic
Academic
Traditional
Progressive, International Baccalaureate
15
Varies
Dedicated gifted school
In-class adaptations
$15,500
$12,500 to $15,500
$43,950 to $51,500
No
Yes
0%
30%
None
1 to 11
$0
$3,000
28
16
0%
25%
75%
70%
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
JK, SK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Rolling
Yes: grades 1 - 12
Yes: grades Preschool - 11
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.
The setting for the campus couldn’t be more attractive, nestled comfortably on 17 acres in the Okanagan Valley. The school prides itself on a ability to remain agile, and to innovate programs and approaches. It’s a candidate for the full IB continuum, though, as any school in a similar position, is of course already teaching to that curriculum. While we think of innovation in terms STEM instruction—engineering and digital design perhaps particularly—there is also a core belief in what outdoor education can offer, something that adds dimension to the academic delivery and the student experience. The boarding program adds depth and diversity to the student population. Founded in 2016, Unisus is comparatively a young school, though the leadership brings a wealth of experience in private schooling. The school was founded to offer an exceptional learning experience, something that it has proven, through hiring and program development, to be very adept at achieving.
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.
The Unisus (IB World School) is the Okanagan’s innovation school, fully accredited International Baccalaureate Primary Years (PYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) school and MYP (Candidate). STUDENTS have the opportunity to graduate with both the IB Diploma and/or BC Dogwood Diploma. BOARDING available and HIGH PERFORMANCE ACADEMIES in DANCE ; GOLF; HOCKEY and DOWNHILL SKI RACING with professional coaches, offering professional level training (sports psych, weights, nutrition, etc) and supports academically,
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.
Unisus School was founded on the desire to create an exceptional learning institution in the heart of the Okanagan. Significant resources have been utilized to ensure that from the beginning, Unisus is offering a world-class curriculum with dedicated and engaged teachers. To grow a new school takes patience, but we are sure that within a few short years Unisus will be recognized as a top BC School.
This growth requires dedication and perseverance, but perhaps it is the early arrivals to the school who benefit the most. We are still small and we can pay a great deal of attention to each student’s needs. Every child is known by all the staff. There is a great sense of community – and an entrepreneurial spirit of families who are benefiting from the strong learning environment.
The school is based on a few sound principles. First, our location and site create wonderful outdoor education opportunities. We will continue to develop this part of our curriculum so that students in all grades gain an appreciation of the environment and a sense of adventure as they try new activities.
Second, the collective experience of the founding team is rooted in the International Baccalaureate, the world’s top educational framework. We are on target to be fully authorized in all 3 programs in the shortest possible time: We are already a candidate school for both the IB Primary Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme. We all believe that the overall philosophy of the IB provides us a global foundation.
It is that international experience that is our third focus. Our Senior School will attract students from around the world, who will stay in a new and welcoming residence facility. They will learn using proven innovative strategies that pay attention to independence and engagement. We are developing partnerships with schools around the world so that our outlook goes well beyond Summerland. The mix of local and international students will create a unique global perspective.
You can also see that we are putting an emphasis on math, science, engineering and technology, while at the same time understanding that students need strong foundations in humanities and the arts. Indeed, the IB itself ensures that students have a well-balanced education.
We believe that our mission is to prepare our students for an increasingly unknown future. We will create thinkers who can analyze information and determine what is useful, and what is not. Our graduates will have developed a personal and independent approach to their learning, and will be able to approach problems and issues from a variety of perspectives, and through critical and creative thinking, come up with inventive solutions.
All of this is in a very nurturing environment. All of us care about each and every student, and want to engage with parents as partners in this journey through primary and secondary education.
In the end, it is the quality of the teaching staff that makes the difference. We have been looking globally for the best teachers possible, and you will experience their special contributions on a daily basis. They have taught all around the world, and are trained as International Baccalaureate practitioners. The culture is collaborative and supportive, striving for excellence through constant reflection and commitment to modern approaches to teaching.
We welcome you to explore this site, and contact us for a visit. We hope you will be part of this exciting journey.
Dr. James McConnell
Progressive
International Baccalaureate
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.
Progressive (sometimes called "in- quiry-based") curricula attempt to place children's interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. Instead of lessons being driven by predetermined pathways, progressive curricula are often "emergent", with learning activities shaped by students' questions about the world. Instead of starting with academic concepts and then tying it to everyday experience, progressive methods begin with everyday experience and work back to an academic lesson. Teachers provide materials, experiences, tools and resources to help students investigate a topic or issue. Students are encouraged to explore, reflect on their findings, and discuss answers or solutions.
Some private schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programming. The "Diploma Programme" is offered to students in the final two years of high school, while the "Primary Years Programme" (ages 3 to 12) and "Middle Years Programme" (ages 11 to 16) serve as preparation for the diploma program.
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 program: STEAM focused education Our trans-disciplinary focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) will prepare our students to take on leadership roles driving change and innovation. Inquiry-based curriculum We believe our students should have strong foundational skills. They should be global minded and collaborative thinkers. It is also important for our students to express their creativity and pursue their curiosity. Our approach: Our interdisciplinary inquiry based approach to learning is enabled by application of proven state-of-the-art technology to learning. Students are inspired to learn and to excel in areas of interest. As part of our effort to educate global thinkers and leaders, competency in English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese will allow our students to communicate with over 90% of the global population. We offer these languages starting from kindergarten. Unisus School a fully approved International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme school and IB Diploma Programme School. We are currently awaiting full designation for our MYP Programme but teach in this capacity.
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.
We stress on problem-solving techniques but also use traditional approach to help solve math problems
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.
Phonics is used in the lower grade while we use whole language reading program in the high school years.
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.
We focus on basic writing skill as well as creative writing.
Inquiry
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.
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.
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.
We used IB framework to teach science well discovery and research are important aspect of learning.
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.
We emphasis social justice but the curriculum also touche on contemporary and classic literature.
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
Thematic
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 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.
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.
IB PYP and MYP program emphasis on theme-based units of inquiry learning.
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.
IB framework emphasis on both perennialism and pragmatism 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.
Balance approach is the most effective way to learn foreign language.
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.
Our mission is to foster creative thinker and therefore art is one subject where students can freely express their creativity.
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Heavy integration
Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
A major effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy throughout the curriculum and in everything students do. Digital literacy is understood to be a fundamental skill in the 21st century: it therefore follows, the idea goes, that teachers should find ways to connect every lesson back to technology. Effort is made to ensure the use of technology is meaningful and advances students’ skills beyond what they would otherwise be from using computers outside the classroom.
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.
In our high school program, all students are required to own an ipad air as their technology tool. Programs and applications are taught where students gain skill in coding, robotics, animation, VR and AR.
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
The development of a healthy mind and body is critical to success.
Physical Ed integrates Outdoor Education in our program. We encourage students to be the stewart of our planet. We start our outdoor program as early as preschool age so that students enjoy the outdoor to balance their busy life. Our students are encouraged to complete the Duke of Edinburgh gold, silver, or bronze program. Archery is another sport we focused on so that students can compete nationally.
Play-based
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.
Pre-K OUTDOOR EDUCATION At our Pre-K Outdoor Education Programme, we believe that children are naturally resourceful, imaginative, intelligent, and inquisitive beings who thrive in a natural setting. Each day the children are encouraged to develop a deeper appreciation for the beauty of the natural world and our responsibilities related to its preservation. Children are provided with extended periods of time for working, playing and learning in a variety of areas of interest, thus creating an atmosphere that extends learning and encourages in-depth studies. By adapting to the natural pace of the children we allow them to explore their interests to the fullest.
Student-paced
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).
The main curriculum pace is non-standardized and is HIGHLY responsive to the pacing of individual students, (via differentiated instruction, differentiated assessment, etc). In theory, some students outpace the default/normalized curriculum, while others spend periods "behind schedule" if they need the extra time.
Learning at Unisus is personalized. Each student's learning plan is carefully tailored to the need and interests of each student with lesson planning guided by IB and BC Curriculum. IB takes the approach to teaching and learning to the next level.
Supportive
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 “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.
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.
NURTURING A LOVE OF LEARNING AND CREATIVITY We instill a love of learning and encourage each student to express their creativity through the arts, music, and physical activity. We develop a spirit of inquiry and foster learning through strong sets of habits and skills, We teach students to know themselves; to be reflective, independent, At Unisus, student’s education is personally tailored to their unique abilities and interests.•, we provide innovative programs that blend inquiry and student-driven learning.
"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
"We intentionally avoid all forms of public distinction between students in terms of academic performance."
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.
The IB curriculum is renowned at post-secondary institutions worldwide. We offer an enriched environment with small classes, a personalized approach, and a STEAM focus (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) that integrates languages, arts and culture, technology and outdoor education. Balance of academics, sports, culture, outdoors and extracurricular Our innovative programs of inquiry and student-driven learning blend technology, arts and culture and the outdoors.
Academy for Gifted Children - P.A.C.E. |
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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
1 - 11
0%
30%
$0
$3,000
75%
70%
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
JK, SK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Rolling
Yes: grades 1 - 12
Yes: grades Preschool - 11
No
No
No
No
No
Yes: grades K - 11
No
Yes: grades 7 - 11
No
No
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.
We intake different types of students to make the class dynamic. We do not only look at academics but what makes each student special. Students who are excited and motivated to learn is what we are looking for.
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.
Please visit www.unisus.ca and apply online. All applicants will be date and time stamped. As our classes are at capacity in many grades, only full applicants will be considered for the wait list if applicable.
