3127 Bowwood Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T3B 2E7, Canada
26 Mallard Road, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 1S3, Canada
Indirect Support:
3127 Bowwood Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T3B 2E7, Canada
26 Mallard Road, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 1S3, Canada
2003
1990
285
150
Preschool to 6
JK to 8
Coed
Boys
Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Academic
Progressive
Liberal Arts
16 to 18
12 to 18
Learning, Developmental
Dedicated class; in-class adaptations
Dedicated class; in-class adaptations
$8,470 to $15,040
$19,000 to $36,000
No
Yes
0%
5%
None
JK to 8
$0
$2,500
29
14
0%
0%
90%
95%
Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades Preschool - 6
Yes: grades JK - 8
No
No
information not available
information not available
When discussing schools we often talk about curriculum, or resources, or instructional approaches, and while all of those things are important, so is the presence of a supportive, safe, familiar, and consistent learning environment. And, rightly, that’s where the program at River Valley School begins. The school describes itself as a community, and the description is apt. A safe environment, of course, is one in which a child feels a sense of belonging, and within which she is valued, able to play a role and have a voice. Instruction at River Valley is student-centred, informed by an overt intention to build upon students’ individual strengths and interests. There is a comfortable enrollment level, one that allows for a nice breath of programming while also maintaining that sense of place and belonging. Families look to River Valley to create a strong beginning to their children’s education as well as their social lives, and indeed that’s exactly what they find.
View full reportNorthmount School’s mission is to inspire boys to explore and achieve their greatest potential while teaching from a Catholic perspective. Small class sizes and enriched programs that take place both in and out of the classroom provide excellent academic outcomes and set kids up for success. Northmount is one of Ontario’s top-ranked elementary schools and offers advanced math and science programs. Team sports begin in Grade 1, and a wide range of extracurriculars include boy scouts, musical theatre, robotics, math club, and opportunities for leadership and community service. Families of all faiths are welcome at Northmount, though the school partners in education with the Archdiocese of Toronto, and the school community is firmly rooted in the teaching of the Catholic Church.
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"We are an independent school offering an exceptional early childhood and elementary school experience from Age 3 - Gr. 6. The wonder children possess is celebrated through our inquiry-based program where learning is driven by big ideas and questions. We facilitate experiences that inspire academic excellence and student well-being. Beyond our core subjects, RVS provides a robust offering of specialist programs including Art, Drama, Music, French, Outdoor Ed., Phys. Ed., Tech and Library. Wonder Lives Here."
"Northmount School for Boys is proud to be Toronto’s only independent Catholic boys’ elementary school (JK-8). Our strategically small class sizes and enriched program of study are designed to optimize a boy's education. Experiential learning that engages all of a young man's senses is critical for the delivery of our curriculum. Our lessons provide opportunities for movement, experimentation, presentation, and the building of core skills in order to achieve extraordinary results. As a small school, the opportunity for participation in the arts, athletics, clubs, and community service is available to students at each grade level. We believe that close, personal, home-and-school communications reinforce our exceptional Catholic Character Education Program. Northmount works in partnership with parents to instill in our boys a strong sense of character, leadership, service and a life long love of learning. At Northmount, it is our mission to inspire boys to explore and achieve their greatest potential."
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River Valley School is an innovative and inclusive independent school that harnesses the innate curiosity in children to ensure that every student, regardless of age or ability, will flourish academically and socially. Everything we do is grounded in our mission to embrace the unique talents of our students, while curating opportunities for learning and discovery. Our teachers and staff support different learning styles to ensure that every student is capable of achieving their personal best. With close to 15 years of history, River Valley School has created an environment where children feel loved and safe enough to explore to the full breadth of their individual ability. At the same time, RVS students feel encouraged to take on the rigours required to develop the foundational skills, resilience, and confidence to thrive in the 21st Century.
As a community, we learn and grow together respecting the values, opinions and beliefs of all. Students, teachers, and administrators work together to create a school where learners feel confident and free to appreciate each other, make good ethical decisions, and take age- and stage appropriate risks, leading to enhanced understanding and broadened inquiry.
RVS students know they are safe to try new things, make mistakes, discover new approaches, and explore innovative ways of seeing, contributing to and changing the world.
I am honoured to be the Head of School at River Valley School, and invite you to visit our campus to learn about our outstanding programs and meet our talented students, teachers and staff. I look forward to meeting you when you visit, and sharing more about what makes our school truly exceptional.
Carolyn Breland
Head of School
The world’s next generation will need leadership from responsible individuals who are morally sound and whose values speak to the Truth. For boys who aspire to have character when men, the journey begins at Northmount.
Our school community finds its foundations in the teaching of the Catholic Church. Families of all faiths, however, are welcome as we see our school as a microcosm of society. We teach from a Catholic perspective and this informs how we teach, understand right from wrong, and guide our boys to manhood.
The family plays an important role in Northmount’s vision for education. As the primary educators in their children’s lives, parents are active in the academic, co-curricular and faith development of their boys and in helping them to develop character. The school seeks out opportunities to engage with the family to round out the experiences in a young boy’s life.
Our academic program is one of which our school community is extremely proud, and our dedicated teachers ascribe to pedagogy that focuses on the needs of boys using contemporary tools. As a single-sex school and with significant research to back this focus, Northmount ensures that boys develop the necessary academic skills to find success in high school and beyond.
Life at Northmount is further enriched by our dedicated faculty through a strong co-curriculum program. Boys learn as much outside of the classroom as they do while in it, and hence Northmount has strong offerings in the Arts, athletics and club environs after school.
We at Northmount are committed to helping each boy find excellence in all facets of his life. Working with families, we aspire to develop the leaders of tomorrow who are faith-filled, know right from wrong and recognize the need to help one’s neighbour as well as himself.
We would love to have the opportunity to host your family for a visit. Please feel free to drop in and understand the “Northmount Way” during your search to find the right school for your son.
Sincerely,
Dr. Terence M Sheridan
Liberal Arts
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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.
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.
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Understanding that no child learns the same way as another, River Valley School ensures that each child receives what they need to flourish. Through an inquiry-based program, we provide hands on, engaging activities that incorporate nature, fine arts, technology, physical education and passion projects. We believe it is imperative for kids to explore, create, play, and make, in order to learn about the world around them. Acknowledging that some students have learning challenges, we also provide additional support through Resource, Speech Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy as well Arrowsmith Cognitive programming to those who require it.
Northmount School is an independent boys preparatory school (JK-8) grounded in the Catholic tradition. It helps students achieve their greatest academic potential in a supportive environment which emphasizes character development, values and service, leading to a meaningful, balanced and fulfilling life.
Traditional Math
Discovery Math turns traditional math on its head: it frequently begins by introducing a novel problem to students, and works its way back to “discovering” a method of solving the problem. The goal is to ground mathematical procedures and algorithms firmly in their applications, and to challenge students to think critically about how they might go about solving the problem right from the beginning. Generally associated with the “Chicago Math” movement and related Everyday Math textbooks (Grades 1 to 6), Discovery math spends less classroom time mastering established algorithms and more time getting students invested in and thinking critically about novel mathematical problems and concepts. In this sense Discovery Math aims to establish conceptual and applied understand before procedural 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.
At River Valley School students are provided with a robust mathematics program that allows them to investigate and make meaning of mathematical concepts in an active learning environment. Students learn to construct understanding through reflective thought, develop and apply mathematical language and communication, and connect mathematics to the real world. Resources used but not limited to for our math programming are: Maximizing Math (Edmonton Public, Number Talks (Sherry Parrish) in Grades 1-6.
Northmount School for Boys uses the Saxon Math program that works on building, reviewing and learning new challenging math skills in a modern context that is focused on boys learning.
Saxon Math
Scientific calculators are introduced to boys in grades seven and eight.
Balanced Literacy
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.
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.
In the Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Grade One classrooms you will see children learning to read and write using the Animated-Literacy™ program created by Jim Stone. Stone’s program was created using “current reading research, making direct use of language research and brain research including studies in memory, motivation, and the role of emotion in guiding attention and learning.” (www.animatedliteracy.com). Students are highly motivated to learn to read through songs, stories, actions and meeting the stuffed animal characters that correspond to the Alphabet letters and sounds. A daily home reading program begins in Kindergarten when students are showing reading readiness.
Reading is taught from the K level through the primary program. Focused is on engendering a love of reading. Phonics decoding and comprehension skills are the focus of the primary division. Literature studies are central to the rest of the grades.
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.
From an early age students are engaged in the writing process at RVS. Students are given a variety of opportunities to explore, shape and clarify their thoughts, and to communicate them to others. In the early years students use symbols and letters to help convey meaning (Animated Literary - Jim Stone). As students move through the grades they learn to use effective writing strategies, discover and refine ideas and compose and revise with increasing confidence and skill within narrative writing and expository writing experiences. Animated Literacy (Jim Stone), Empowering Writers (Barbara Mariconda) and Moving Up (Scholastic), are among a few of the primary resources used in the writing program at RVS.
Students are taught to write by the exposure to good literature, the scaffolded structure of assignments and the exposure to age appropriate exemplars.
Equal Balance
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.
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.
Students explore and nurture their sense of wonder within Science programming at River Valley School. Children are given time and space to explore and iterate with freedom while processes, such as design thinking, exploration, inquiry, and the scientific method structure the child’s investigation of their surroundings. They create, test, and develop skill and confidence while building a foundation of experience and understanding.
The boy scientific education is taught through both the teaching of theory and the inquiry based hands-on experimentation in a lab setting.
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
Not applicable
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.
At River Valley School, students are exposed to literature at an early age. We believe in the importance of students listening to stories, reading to others, participating in shared reading and reading independently on a daily basis. Formal reading assessments are done at the beginning and end of each year. Students read regularly with their classroom teachers who monitor progress in reading fluency and comprehension. River Valley School has a Home Reading program for Division 1 students, with an expectation for nightly reading of fluent material. In Division 2, students are exposed to more complex texts (fiction/non-fiction) and novels with content suitable to entertain the reader or with content that can be integrated into other subject areas to reinforce fluency and comprehension at a deeper level.
The boys are exposed to a wide variety of literature from a wide variety of sources. We offer a wide variety of sources that is boy- centric. Our literature program is cross curricular integrated with our social studies program.
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
Core Knowledge
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.
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).
Social studies programming at River Valley School provides opportunities for students to develop attitudes, skills and knowledge to be informed, engaged, active, and responsible citizens. Students have access to a variety of resource materials, have the opportunity to debate and discuss ideas and information, and are encouraged to develop and work through projects to learn more about an area of interest. Classroom experiences are enriched when working with specialist teachers as social studies concepts are examined from different perspectives and contexts, deepening the child’s experiences with and understanding of the subject matter. Travelling to other places around our city, province and country provide rich learning experiences in this curricular area. For example, our Grade Five and Six students travel to Ottawa every other year to connect with Canadian history and government.
The basis of our program is a core knowledge but is organized with themes running through it that is co-ordinated with our literature program. Social justice is a key focus of the school and is not relegated to our social studies program.
Perennialism
Perennialism in the humanities and social sciences emphasizes the idea of education being a kind of “conversation” between generations, and so frequently turns to “Great Works” and “Big Ideas” for teaching-content. Perennialist programs approach past works on their own terms; as if they might actually help students understand “today” better. Past works are not viewed as mere historical artifacts, but as gateways to a deeper understanding of the human condition. History (and, by extension, the humanities in general) therefore plays a large role in perennialist curriculums, though social sciences like economics, psychology, and sociology can still be taught. There is a strong Liberal Arts bent to perennialist programs. The key goals are to develop critical thinking, a strong foundation of core knowledge (or “cultural literacy”), and persuasion skills through informed debate and extensive practice in essay writing.
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Northmount students enjoy learning about the history and geography of the world around them. In the Senior Division, students will learn about exciting and important world issues, politics, and economics. They will learn about the important events that shaped modern day Canada, from First contact with European settlers through to New France, British North America and then Confederation. This journey is filled with inquiry, discovery, and interactive learning experiences. With the study of important and relevant historical events, as well as of current economic and political issues, students begin to learn valuable lessons and skills of how to be positive contributors of Canadian society. Field trips also form an integral part of the course – boys get to explore the real world as they learn the theory in the classroom.
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.
All RVS students participate in biweekly lessons in French. Our French teachers use the AIM program founded by Wendy Maxwell. AIM uses storytelling, gestures, collaboration and repetition to teach proficiency in oral and written French. In addition to scheduled Progress Meetings, student progress is shared with parents via video recordings, student work samples, and year end performances. Project work is also embedded in classes to ensure an engaging learning experience.
Our French program emphasis listening, interpreting, writing, and producing original French works.
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.
All RVS students are exposed to the arts within the classroom, as well as through expert specialists in Music, Drama and Art. Specialist instruction begins in Pre-Junior Kindergarten (Age 3) through to Grade Six. We believe fine arts in education bolsters independence, celebrates originality and demands personal discipline to hone skills. Cross-curricular connections are inevitable when the children are invited (and excited to!) engage, make and do. Curiosity is nurtured through the senses where hands-on learning is intensified in an environment of possibility and creativity.
Our visual arts begins on the expressive scale and develops into a more disciplined approach as the student matures.
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Light integration
Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
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.
A variety of digital tools are used to deepen, support, and extend learning opportunities for students at River Valley School. Students create with technology using such platforms as Smartboard technology, iPads, and laptops within a multitude of digital literacies from coding, micro-bits, app and website development, to green screens, movie-making, and augmented reality systems. This access offers students the ability to refine their skills, practice processes and create solutions to unique problems as they find, identify, evaluate, and use information across any curricular area. All students in Grades 4-6 have a 1:1 device provided by the school for their academic use.
Technology is scene as a tool to enhance learning in the curriculum rather than a discipline rather than itself.
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Physical education provides the opportunity to teach students about movement, strategies, teamwork, problem solving and health related fitness. The primary objectives are to foster in children a love of physical activity and play and to instill the need for physical fitness in each child. The program encourages positive interactions, good sporting behaviour in all activities, along with promoting the development of cooperation, teamwork, and leadership skills. At River Valley School our students take part in Physical Education in our two gymnasiums, outdoors in our playing fields, as well as many off site locations such as swimming lessons and skiing lessons. Outside of structured physical education classes, students participate in outdoor education pursuits and can participate in our competitive athletic team, The Rapids, in volleyball, basketball and soccer.
We believe strongly that the boys have daily physical education classes, with skill development, co-operative play and personal fitness as highlights.
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.
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.
River Valley School is a leader in Early Childhood Education and offers programming for 3, 4 and 5 year-olds. Our inquiry-based program focusses on practical and sensorial skills in addition to the core curricular areas, fine arts, physical education, outdoor education, and character development. While our programming is best described as Academic, our full-day 5 day/week programming encourages play-based exploration, in addition to lessons guided by the teacher.
The main focus of the Kindergarten program is for boys to develop a love of learning. Furthermore, the boys are given an excellent academic, athletic, artistic, social, and spiritual foundation. Northmount has an energetic and talented group of teachers that strives to individualize its instruction and programs. Teachers enrich student learning as well as provide additional help and encouragement when needed. It is so well developed that by the end of senior kindergarten our boys read, write and do mathematics at a Grade 1 standard, which sets them well on the path towards academic success.
Accelerated
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.
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 adaptive model of educational delivery offered at our school supports different learning styles to ensure that every student is capable of achieving their personal best.
Northmount's CASTLE Program is there to increase the stride in a students' learning pace. The CASTLE Program is an individualized instruction which allows each boy to achieve their greatest potential within our enriched and accelerated academic setting.
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.
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”.
At River Valley School, we have high and appropriate expectations for every student. Year after year, our kids rank in the top tier of provincial testing, academic competitions, arts and athletics. We offer a warm, nurturing environment where our students feel genuinely cared about and supported. This builds confidence and establishes a strong foundation for kids to explore who they are – their passions, gifts, hopes and dreams.
At Northmount School for Boys, the key to mastery of fundamental skills stems from the ability to tailor the curriculum so that it is personally relevant and engaging. We recognize that each student comes to us from a different background and as such our individualized instruction allows each boy to achieve their greatest potential within our enriched and accelerated academic setting.
"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.
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
Emotional
The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and confident individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."
Spiritual
The goal is to cultivate "individuals with inner resourcefulness, strong faith and respect for God or a higher power."
We develop leadership skills, confidence in self, compassion for others and provide opportunities for our students to make a difference. We value the social and emotional development of each child as much as their academic development.
We offer an advanced curriculum rooted in the Catholic tradition. Our students will become men who are competent and confident leaders; strong in both mind and body. They develop into contributing citizens with a moral conscience.
FORMAL SUPPORT FOR DISORDERS, DISABILITIES, AND EXCEPTIONALITIESA - Forms of SupportAccommodation:
Modification:
Remediation:
B - EnvironmentsIndirect Support:
Resource Assistance:
Withdrawal Assistance:
Partial Integration:
Full-Time Class:
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| Forms of Support | Environments | Forms of Support | Environments | |
ADHD (moderate to severe) This is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Children with ADHD may be hyperactive and unable control their impulses. Or they may have trouble paying attention. These behaviors can interfere with school and home life. | ||||
| Learning disabilities | ||||
Dyslexia (Language-Based Learning Disability) This is a learning disability that can limit a child's ability to read and learn. It can have a variety of traits. A few of the main ones are impaired phonological awareness and decoding, problems with orthographic coding, and auditory short-term memory impairment. | ||||
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) This is a sound differentiation disorder involving problems with reading, comprehension, and language. | ||||
Dyscalculia This is a kind of specific learning disability in math. Kids with this math disorder have problems with calculation. They may also have problems with math-related concepts such as time and money. | ||||
Dysgraphia This is a kind of specific learning disability in writing. It involves problems with handwriting, spelling, and organizing ideas. | ||||
Language Processing Disorder This is characterized by having extreme difficulty understanding what is heard and expressing what one wants to say. These disorders affect the area of the brain that controls language processing.
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Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NLD) These involve difficulties interpreting non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. They're usually characterized by a significant discrepancy between higher verbal skills and weaker motor, visual-spatial, and social skills. | ||||
Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit A characteristic seen in people with learning disabilities such as Dysgraphia or Non-verbal LD. It can result in missing subtle differences in shapes or printed letters, losing place frequently, struggles with cutting, holding pencil too tightly, or poor eye/hand coordination. | ||||
| Developmental | ||||
Autism Refers to a range of conditions that involve challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal communication. They also involve unique strengths and differences. For instance, there are persons with both low- and high-functioning autism (some claim the latter is identical to Asperger's syndrome). | ||||
Asperger's Syndrome On the autism spectrum, Asperger's is considered quite mild in terms of symptoms. While traits can vary widely, many kids with Asperger's struggle with social skills. They also sometimes fixate on certain subjects and engage in repetitive behaviour. | ||||
Down syndrome his is associated with impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics. | ||||
Intellectual disability This is a condition characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (e.g., reasoning, learning, and problem solving). Intellectual disabilities are also known as general learning disabilities (and used to be referred to as a kind of mental retardation). | ||||
Williams syndrome This is a rare genetic disorder present at birth. It is characterized by intellectual disabilities or learning problems, unique facial features, and cardiovascular problems. | ||||
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy. These may include growth deficits, facial anomalies, and damage to the central nervous system, which can lead to cognitive, behavioural, and other problems. | ||||
| Behavioral and Emotional | ||||
Troubled behaviour / troubled teens roubled teens tend to have problems that are intense, persistent, and can lead to quite unpredictable behaviour. This can lead to behavioural and emotional issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, criminal behaviour, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. | ||||
Clinical Depression This is a mental health disorder also called "major depression." It involves persistent feelings of sadness, loss, and anger. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms are usually severe enough to cause noticeable problems in relationships with others or in daily activities, such as school, work, or one's social life. | ||||
Clinical anxiety This is a mood disorder involving intense, relentless feelings of distress and fear. They can also have excessive and persistent worry about everyday situations, and repeated episodes of intense anxiety or terror. | ||||
Suicidal thoughts This involves persistent thoughts about ending one's life. | ||||
Drug and alcohol abuse This involves the excessive use of drug and/or alcohol, which interferes with daily functioning. | ||||
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) This is a disruptive behavioural disorder which normally involves angry outbursts, often directed at people of authority. This behaviour must last continuously for six months or more and significantly interfere with daily functioning. | ||||
| Physical | ||||
Multiple sclerosis This is a condition of the central nervous system. It affects the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of motor control, memory loss, depression, and cognitive difficulties. | ||||
Cerebral palsy his refers to a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. CP is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture. | ||||
Muscular dystrophy Muscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder which weakens the body's muscles. Causes, symptoms, age of onset, and prognosis vary between individuals. | ||||
Spina Bifida This is a condition present at birth due to the incomplete formation of the spine and spinal cord. It can lead to a number of physical challenges, including paralysis or weakness in the legs, bowel and bladder incontinence, hydrocephalus (too much fluid in the brain), and deformities of the spine. | ||||
Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder) This is a Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Also known as "sensory integration disorder," it affects fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It may also affect speech. | ||||
Blindness Visual impairment is a decreased ability or inability to see that can't be fixed in usual ways, such as with glasses. Some people are completely blind, while others have what's called "legal blindness." | ||||
Deafness Hearing impairment, also known as "hearing loss," is a partial or total inability to hear. The degree of hearing impairment varies between people. It can range from complete hearing loss (or deafness) to partial hearing loss (meaning the ears can pick up some sounds). | ||||
Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic condition, which affects the body's respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. It affects young children and adults. | ||||
Multiple physical Accommodating a wide range of physical conditions and disabilities. | ||||
Social skills programs
Occupational therapy
Psychotherapy
Speech-language therapy
Social skills programs
Occupational therapy
Psychotherapy
Speech-language therapy
Accommodations
Modifications
Extra support
Accommodations
Extra support
Social skills programs
Occupational therapy
Psychotherapy
Speech-language therapy
Social skills programs
Occupational therapy
Psychotherapy
Speech-language therapy
At Northmount School for Boys, we recognize the diverse learning needs of our community. For that reason, we proudly offer the CASTLE Program: a centre of enrichment and support. The acronym, CASTLE, stands for: Character, Academics, Athletics, Arts, Strengths (social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual), Toward, Leadership and Excellence. These are all traits that we hold in the highest of regard and truly believe that every one of the students in our charge can reach his greatest potential in each and every one of these areas. Sometimes though, we know additional help and resources may be needed; hence we have the CASTLE Program! The CASTLE Program is truly essential for Northmount as it helps address the needs of our students who are gifted, underachieving, ESL, or have other unique learning styles.
River Valley School welcomes students with a variety of learning profiles. Data is gathered twice annually to determine any gaps in learning. River Valley School communicates with families regularly about their child's learning development and ensures that any areas to be addressed are done so quickly and with school support.
Northmount school makes every effort to support a boy through his educational journey. Moderate individualization of instruction allows us to make some accommodation. We recognize the diverse learning needs of our community. For that reason, we proudly offer the CASTLE Program: a center of enrichment and support. The CASTLE Program is truly essential for Northmount as it helps students achieve their full potential.
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
JK - 8
0%
5%
$0
$2,500
90%
95%
Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades Preschool - 6
Yes: grades JK - 8
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Admission into River Valley School is based on several factors, the most important of which is knowing that you have found the right place for your child. At River Valley School academic testing is not required as part of the admissions process. As an inclusive school, we believe young children are capable and that they learn in many different ways. It’s our job to find out how they learn, what they enjoy and what steps need to be taken to fully master a level of learning before embarking on the next.
Boys of promise, strong in character, academics, and athletics. Students who are willing to learn and give of their time to others.
Families are first encouraged to book-a-tour with our Director of Enrolment, walk through our facilities, discuss our program and fees, ask questions, but most importantly help us learn more about your child and their needs. Interested Parents/Guardians are then asked to fill out our online application form and submit all required application documentation. We do not test for entrance.
In addition to the online application form, the following is required prior to an admission decision:
*In some cases, students may be asked to join us for an informal observation or classroom trial to determine a good fit.
*Children entering our Early Learning programs must be toilet-trained
STEPS TO ADMISSION
1.Please complete and return the on line application together with a copy of the applicant’s two most recent report cards.
2.Upon receipt of the completed application and the application fee of $200.00, a date will be scheduled for your son’s educational assessment and family interview with the Director of Admissions.
