15 Madison Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2S2, Canada
7410 Blackfoot Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2H 1M5, Canada
15 Madison Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2S2, Canada
7410 Blackfoot Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2H 1M5, Canada
2001
1982
150
640
JK to 8
7 to 12
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English
English, French
Academic
Academic
Liberal Arts
Traditional
14 to 20
18 to 22
In-class adaptations
$19,500 to $23,500
$21,596 to $28,186
Yes
No
0%
0%
None
None
$0
$0
14
107
0%
0%
0%
0%
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
No
Yes: grades 7 - 11
No
No
information not available
information not available
Founded in 2001 by the visionary Australian educator, Jan Howlett, Howlett Academy is an embodiment of educational excellence, situated in the heart of Toronto. Under the guidance of Jan's eldest son, Court Howlett-Ben, the school has grown, while maintaining a student-to-staff ratio of less than 7:1. Howlett Academy distinguishes itself with its carefully crafted curriculum that, in addition to fundamental skills, nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and organizational skills. Embracing change and the unique pace at which each student develops, the school provides multi-age, flexible learning groups and individualized programs. Parents and students appreciate the school's commitment to fostering a respectful, calm learning atmosphere, and a growing sense of independence in students. The Howlett Academy's mission is to ensure its graduates are well-prepared for the demands of secondary education and beyond, embodying the characteristics of confident, organized, lifelong learners engaged with their community.
View full reportWest Island College was founded in Montreal in 1974, and was intended to provide a strong bilingual option for families living on Montreal’s West Island. The program there provided a foundation, and a name, for West Island College in Calgary when it was established in 1982. That said, the school quickly established its own independent operations and identity. As such, it was free to build and grow to meet the needs of its students, and it certainly has. The international programs are robust, as are the language programs, all of which contribute to the overall culture of the school. It’s a very interactive, engaging environment, one that requires a lot of the students who attend while also providing the support they need to succeed. The ideal student is one who shares the school’s foundational values and can thrive in a very active and engaging student environment.
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" ... teachers who are passionate, dedicated, energetic ..."
Catherine Maule - Parent (Feb 03, 2018)
We chose Howlett for 4 reasons. (1) My daughter (then 7) loved the feel of the classroom: students w...
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"...the teachers at WIC are effective communicators inside and outside of their classrooms"
Jing Li - Parent (May 22, 2020)
We have two sons in WIC, both of whom started from grade seven. My older son is graduating in June 2...
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"WIC provided me with a very balanced set of opportunities that helped me thrive academically in university"
Adam Broniewski - Alumnus (May 29, 2020)
My time at West Island College (WIC) was incredibly memorable and has been influential in shaping me...
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"Howlett Academy is a hub for educational excellence, blending innovation with heart. More than a school, it's a transformative journey marked by academic excellence and a nurturing environment. Our devoted faculty blends expertise with empathy, ensuring personalized attention. Embracing diversity, we celebrate each student's uniqueness, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. At Howlett Academy, education transcends conventional boundaries, cultivating curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love for learning."
"West Island College (WIC) in Calgary, Alberta is a Gr. 7-12 independent university preparatory school offering English and French Immersion programming. The College has a diverse school community that encourages unity, collaboration and holistic student development. With comprehensive support, students are nurtured in academic and physical wellness along with emotional well-being. International Studies, Outdoor Education and the Institute Program enhance learning so students can succeed in an ever-changing world."
"We provide two full-time teachers per classroom to ensure individualized support and foster academic excellence across all subjects. We offer dynamic extracurriculars, including extensive clubs and sports programs, along with community outreach opportunities to instill social responsibility and holistic development. The learning environment is respectful, calm and fosters a love for learning. Our commitment extends beyond education to shape confident, well-rounded individuals poised for success."
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"Families choose Howlett Academy for its engaging environment, dedicated teachers fostering a love of learning, and positive impact on students' lives. The supportive community, commitment to education, and transformative experiences set it apart, creating a well-rounded and exceptional educational choice."
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"Often under-appreciated is our commitment to fostering independence and executive functioning skills. While families recognize our strong academic focus, they may not fully grasp the profound impact these skills have on their child's long-term success. Howlett Academy uniquely equips students with crucial life skills, laying the foundation for resilience and adaptability in an ever-changing world."
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"Families are pleasantly surprised by our school's vibrant community spirit, where learning extends beyond textbooks. The personalized attention, innovative teaching methods, and emphasis on character development create an educational journey far richer and more transformative than anticipated."
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New messaging coming soon.
Traditional
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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.
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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Howlett Academy’s academic programs prepare our students for higher order thinking while ensuring they have many opportunities to develop their confidence and self-esteem. Each student develops at a slightly different pace, creating a need for fluid age groupings and an education plan that is tailored towards his or her cognitive, social and emotional needs. If the student is ahead or needs additional help, the education plan will be adjusted accordingly. As the student masters different disciplines, the teacher will adjust the curriculum to encourage and challenge the student to develop higher levels of thought and action. Individual progress is carefully monitored.
At West Island College incredible opportunities happen every day, in an environment where learning is tailored to each individual student; where relationships are nurtured through effective teamwork and collaboration; and where students are immersed in a community of enthusiastic learners. West Island College emphasizes respect, responsibility and citizenship. We believe that inspiring our students to pursue excellence in academics, leadership, athletics and global awareness prepares them for success in the 21st century. In addition to exceptional teachers, an Advanced Placement Program, Fine Arts Certificate, outstanding athletics, small class sizes and an extensive co-curricular program with leadership opportunities, WIC offers courses in French (Immersion or Second Language) and Spanish and an International Languages Certificate. From our International Studies program and authentic student leadership opportunities to Outdoor Education and WIC’s Business, Health Sciences and Engineering Institutes, students are challenged to go beyond their comfort zones and discover what experiential learning really means.
Traditional Math
Traditional Math typically teaches a method or algorithm FIRST, and THEN teaches the applications for the method. Traditional algorithms are emphasized and practiced regularly: repetition and drills are frequently used to ensure foundational mastery in the underlying mathematical procedures. The traditional approach to math views math education as akin to building a logical edifice: each brick depends on the support of the previously laid ones, which represent mastery over a particular procedure or method. Traditional Math begins by giving students a tool, and then challenges students to practice using that tool an applied way, with progressively challenging problems. In this sense Traditional Math aims to establish procedural understanding before conceptual and applied understanding.
Traditional Math typically teaches a method or algorithm FIRST, and THEN teaches the applications for the method. Traditional algorithms are emphasized and practiced regularly: repetition and drills are frequently used to ensure foundational mastery in the underlying mathematical procedures. The traditional approach to math views math education as akin to building a logical edifice: each brick depends on the support of the previously laid ones, which represent mastery over a particular procedure or method. Traditional Math begins by giving students a tool, and then challenges students to practice using that tool an applied way, with progressively challenging problems. In this sense Traditional Math aims to establish procedural understanding before conceptual and applied understanding.
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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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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.
WIC has a full time Science technician on hand to assist the teachers with preparing experiments. Thus ensuring steady hands on activities at all grade levels.
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.
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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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Usually focused on teaching history and geography at an early age, the core knowledge approach uses story, drama, reading, and discussion to teach about significant people, places, and events. Breadth of content and knowledge is emphasized. The curriculum is often organized according to the underlying logic of the content: history might be taught sequentially, for example (as students move through the grades).
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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.
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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.
20% of the school is a French Immersion track. Offering 60% French language classes in the Junior School and 40% in the Senior School. We also offer 125 hours of French or Spanish second Language instruction yearly to the Junior school students. French and Spanish language instruction (along with French immersion) is offered through Grade 12 Most students also complete the DELE or DELF A and B levels.
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
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.
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Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Medium integration
Computers are used in the classroom from time to time, but integrating technology into everything students do is not a dominant focus. Digital literacy is understood to be a legitimate skill in the 21st century, but not one that should distract from teaching the subject at hand, or more fundamental skills and literacies. The idea is today’s students, being “digital natives”, are likely exposed to computers and new media enough outside the classroom: the role of the school, rather, should be to develop competencies that may otherwise get missed.
Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
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Technology is available in most non movement classes. Including Ipads, Macbooks and PCs. All classes have wireless and teaching presentation stations. Technology is used as a tool in most classrooms, courses. Specific technology units taught at various grades, in multimedia, programming, app development, 3D design and printing, game design, html, website development.
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
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Daily phys ed is provided in the Junior School. Mandatory phys ed to Grade 10. We also provide PE 20 30, Sports Performance and Sports Med classes.
Not applicable
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.
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Throughout the day the teachers will work with individual children, small groups and the whole class. The kindergarten curriculum is based on a mastery approach to education, whereby fundamentals and concepts are repeatedly taught until the student has grasped a strong understanding of the material. Once proficient, new and more challenging material is introduced. Guided-played is used as a tool to help enhance the child’s cognitive, social and physical development. The kindergarten curriculum is well-planned and modified for those who are ahead or need additional help. Individual progress is carefully monitored.
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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.
Independent and accelerated studies are offered on a case by case basis.
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”.
Howlett Academy’s academic programs prepare our students for higher order thinking while ensuring they have many opportunities to develop their confidence and self-esteem. Each student develops at a slightly different pace, creating a need for fluid age groupings and an education plan that is tailored towards his or her cognitive, social and emotional needs. If the student is ahead or needs additional help, the education plan will be adjusted accordingly.
Information not available
"We intentionally avoid all forms of public distinction between students in terms of academic performance."
"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
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."
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CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
CompetitiveComp. |
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
0%
0%
$0
$0
0%
0%
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
No
Yes: grades 7 - 11
No
No
No
No
No
Yes: grades 7 - 12
No
Yes: grades 7 - 12
No
No
At WIC, we strive to attract and retain students who consistently demonstrate character, have strong morals and will uphold our values. As a university preparatory school, WIC offers challenging curricula that encourages students to explore their passions and work to their full potential. While we consider every applicant’s academic performance, WIC seeks out well-rounded students who are prepared to contribute to school life and the greater community. WIC encourages applications from students ready to embrace the College’s motto: Be Brave. Be Bold. Be Ready.
Our admission process is relaxed and informal. It begins with a tour and a conversation. A few spaces are open for next year and we welcome your interest.
WIC administers the CCAT (Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test), which is a 90-minute standardized test for students entering Gr. 7 – 12. Parents and students must understand that test results are only one part of the admissions process. Spending huge amounts of time and money preparing for the standardized test is not recommended.
Please note, we will accept the SSAT instead of our locally offered entrance exams. Choose West Island College as a recipient in the SSAT online tool.
