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Applewood Academy for Progressive Learning ACADEMICS & Curriculum
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Insider community voices
Hear directly from Applewood Academy for Progressive Learning community as they share insights into the Academics.
Curriculum
[Show definition of Curriculum]
Curriculum approach at Applewood Academy: Progressive
Applewood Academy has a Progressive approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Traditional, Liberal Arts, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf approach).
[Show: About Progressive?]
What Applewood Academy says about their overall curriculum and approach:
Many of our students have experienced frustration and lack of success in the school setting. Some also struggle with peer connections in this setting. We strive to create a program in which our students feel emotionally and practically supported in reaching their highest potential in the school setting. The elementary program focuses academically on the a direct instruction program model and Ontario curriculum. The high school program focuses on direct instruction programming and supported distance education through local community schools and Independent Learning Courses. Applewood Academy for Progressive Learning is structured around 5 key presentational competencies that support successful transition through school and into adulthood: 1. Academics: The student increases his/her academic functioning; 2. Internal Regulation: The student improves emotional and behavioural functioning; 3. Social Presentation: The student matures in social functioning equivalent his/her ability; 4. Safety: The student achieves and maintains a safe presentation; 5. Participation: The student maintains an academic based placement
Approach
| Focus | Special needs |
|---|---|
| Academic | Special needs , Troubled Teens |
Pedagogies and subject courses:
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Mathematics
Mathematics approach at Applewood Academy: Traditional Math
Applewood Academy has a Traditional Math approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Discovery Math, Equal Balance approach).
[Show: About Traditional Math?]What Applewood Academy says:
Applewood provides direct instruction programming until the student achieves Ontario Curriculum grade level in remedial math.
Textbooks and supplementary materials:
Variety of material are used to support the mathematics program. Each students receives an individual program that is developed by the teacher using several learning tools the meet the students need.
Calculator policy:
Students are allowed to use calculators only when they have shown they are able to add, subtract, multiply and divide independently as a basic skill.
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Early Reading
Early Reading approach at Applewood Academy: Phonics-intensive
Applewood Academy has a Phonics-intensive approach to Early Reading (as opposed to Whole Language, Balanced Literacy approach).
[Show: About Phonics-intensive?]What Applewood Academy says:
Applewood uses the direct instruction reading programs. Kindergarten to Grade 2 level teach sounds and sounding out. Grades 3-8 focus on grade level vocabulary, reading fluency and reading comprehension. Students who are not receiving direct instruction are completing programs from the Ontario Curriculum and/or individual academic programs developed to enhance a specific academic skill.
DIBELS Testing: This school periodically uses DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
What Applewood Academy says:
A psycho-educational assessment is completed for each student and is updated yearly using assessments - such as the Wiatt.
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Writing
Writing approach at Applewood Academy: Equal balance
Applewood Academy has an Equal balance approach to Writing (as opposed to Systematic approach, Process approach approach).
[Show: About Equal balance?]What Applewood Academy says:
Applewood delivers writing instruction with a focus on the conventions of proper spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation. Students learn the basic structures of the paragraph and the essay, along with the writing skills necessary to produce them, There is an emphasis on clear and concise communication.
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Science
Science approach at Applewood Academy: Equal Balance
Applewood Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Science (as opposed to Expository, Inquiry approach).
[Show: About Equal Balance?]Teaching approach:
Applewood exposes the elementary students to the Ontario Science Curriculum standards through a variety of hands on activities and highly visual presentations. High School level students receive courses through community High School programs and/or academics individually developed to teach and expand academic skills.
Treatment of evolution:
Subject Offered Evolution as consensus theory Evolution as one of many equally viable theories Evolution is not taught Topics covered in curriculum:
Subject Offered Biology Chemistry Ecology Geology Meteorology Physics Physiology Zoology Literature
Literature approach at Applewood Academy: Equal Balance
Applewood Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Literature (as opposed to Traditional, Social Justice approach).
[Show: About Equal Balance?]What Applewood Academy says:
Applewood uses a variety of texts to enhance students learning. Students are exposed to a variety of literature through their individual learning programs, direct instruction, and through curriculum based learning.
Program covers:
Subject Offered Canadian lit American lit European (continental) lit World (non-Western) lit English lit Ancient lit Social Studies
Social Studies approach at Applewood Academy: Core Knowledge
Applewood Academy has a Core Knowledge approach to Social Studies (as opposed to Expanding Communities, Thematic approach).
[Show: About Core Knowledge?]What Applewood Academy says:
Students are exposed to the experiences of children their own age around the world and in different historical time periods.
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences approach at Applewood Academy: Pragmatism
Applewood Academy has a Pragmatism approach to Humanities and Social Sciences (as opposed to Perennialism, Equal Balance approach).
[Show: About Pragmatism?]What Applewood Academy says:
Applewood uses real life, current, and past examples of what students of similar age would be experiencing in other countries in present day as well as what experiences would be relevant to those in other historical periods. Individual and curriculum based programming is included in the Social Sciences.
Foreign Languages
What Applewood Academy says:
This information is not currently available.
Language instruction offered in:
Subject Offered Chinese-Cantonese Chinese-Mandarin French German Greek Italian Japanese Hebrew Latin Russian Spanish ESL Fine Arts
Fine Arts approach at Applewood Academy: Creative
Applewood Academy has a Creative approach to Fine Arts (as opposed to Receptive, Equal Balance approach).
[Show: About Creative?]Program offers:
Subject Offered Acting Dance Drama/Theatre Graphic Design Music Visual Arts Visual studio philosophy:
Expressive Disciplined What Applewood Academy says:
The visual arts program is student-driven with a focus on creativity and art as a therapeutic outlet.
Computers and Technology
Computers and Technology approach at Applewood Academy: Medium integration
Applewood Academy has a Medium integration approach to Computers and Technology (as opposed to Light integration, Heavy integration approach).
[Show: About Medium integration?]What Applewood Academy says:
Computer are used in the school to enhance learning experiences and/or as a defined accommodation but are not a focus which would distract from the core learning required by our students.
Program covers:
Subject Offered Computer science Robotics Web design Physical Education
What Applewood Academy says:
The Ministry of Education supports and promotes the participation of students in daily physical activity. Consequently, Applewood Academy must ensure that all elementary students, including students with special needs, have a minimum of 20 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity each school day during instructional time. The goal of daily physical activity is to enable all students to improve or maintain their physical fitness and their overall health and wellness, and to enhance their learning opportunities. Daily physical activity may include walking, active games, yoga, dance, aquatics, sports, and fitness and recreational activities (where facilities permit). In addition to daily physical activity Applewood provides Ontario Curriculum based learning.
Advanced Placement courses
This information is not currently available.Sex and health education
Sex and health education approach at Applewood Academy: Not Ontario curriculum
Applewood Academy has a Not Ontario curriculum approach to Sex and health education (as opposed to Follows provincial curriculum approach).
[Show: About Not Ontario curriculum?]Approach to sex and health education:
Applewood Academy has a approach Mostly value-neutral (as opposed to Fairly value-based approach).[Show: About Mostly value-neutral?]What Applewood Academy says:
Applewood supports the Ontario initiative to openly educate students about sex-education. Applewood works in conjunction with our local health unit to deliver programming that encompasses topics relevant to the maturational and developmental needs of our students. Applewood, additionally provides alternative prevention programming targeting high risk behaviour and topics chosen based on an assessment of our clients needs.
Language
Learn about Applewood Academy for Progressive Learning's languages of instruction and enrolment.
Applewood Academy offers English as the primary language of instruction.
Language of enrolment include: English
Curriculum Pace
[Show definition of Curriculum Pace]
Curriculum Pace approach at Applewood Academy: Student-paced
Applewood Academy has a Student-paced approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Standard-enriched, Accelerated approach).
[Show: About Student-paced?]
What Applewood Academy says about their curriculum pace:
Applewood Academy recognizes that our students require highly individualized academic programs. We meet these needs through differentiated instruction while working to help our students achieve provincially standardized curriculum requirements.
Flexible pacing style
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Subject-streaming (tracking) | |
| Multi-age classrooms as standard | |
| Ability-grouping (in-class) as common | |
| Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace) | |
| Regular guided independent study opportunities | |
| Differentiated assessment |
What Applewood Academy says about their flexible pacing:
We tailor the instruction of multiple subjects to meet the individual needs of the students. Cyber learning and technology are used to support and enhance the learning/experience, enticing and encouraging learning that is not well served through traditional educational practices.
Academic Culture
[Show definition of Academic Culture]
Academic Culture approach at Applewood Academy: Supportive
Applewood Academy has a Supportive approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Rigorous approach).
[Show: About Supportive?]
What Applewood Academy says about their academic culture:
Applewood treats all students with respect and compassion. The following fundamental principles make up our service philosophy to enhance academic achievement: • We work in partnership with all of our students in a way that fosters dignity, self-respect and independence. • We demonstrate cultural proficiency, gender sensitivity, diversity and respect for individuals’ needs and strengths and promote these values within our professional networks and collaborations. • We focus on the students strengths in all aspects of programming, and promote individual achievement as a primary treatment objective.
Developmental priorities
[Show definition of Developmental priorities]
Primary Developmental Priority: Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
Secondary Developmental Priority: Emotional
The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and confident individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."
What Applewood Academy says about their developmental priorities:
Applewood aspires to shape our students into those who: - Have an improved understanding of self; identity, personal strengths, community and cultural awareness, existing resources and personal goal setting. - Achieve academic success and personal achievement with the consistent support and encouragement of the team. - Develop appropriate coping skills, ability to address emotional/behavioural problems and improved mental health. - Experience increased expectations regarding self-management and life skills, in correlation with functioning potential, until reaching full maturity.
Special needs support
[Show definition of Special needs support]
Applewood Academy is a Special needs school
Full-time programming is offered for all students which is exclusively focused on one or more special needs.
What Applewood Academy says about their special need support:
• Integration of psychometric and outcome measures into ongoing Treatment Plan. • Development and adherence to the student’s Treatment Plan. • Provision of clinical consultation services to Applewood Academy based on the student’s level of risk and need. • Treatment Update meetings and Program reviews with Clinical Director • Provision of clinical services to the student internally and/or externally depending on the student’s need. Recommendations for clinical services may include but are not limited to, art, group, play, cognitive behaviour and solution focused therapies. • Fostering the student’s sense of belonging in a school environment, peer group and/our community. • The identification and accessing of community based supports for both the student and family. • Provision of predictable staff availability to support the student in processing historical and current school/life experiences and, whenever possible, to maintain the same educational and clinical team.
A - Forms of Support
Accommodation:
Modification:
Remediation:
B - Environments
Resource Assistance:
Withdrawal Assistance:
Partial Integration:
Full-Time Class:
Special NeedNeed
Forms of SupportA
EnvironmentsB
ADHD
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Learning disabilitiesDyslexia (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.DyscalculiaThis 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.DysgraphiaThis is a kind of specific learning disability in writing. It involves problems with handwriting, spelling, and organizing ideas.Language Processing DisorderThis 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.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 DeficitA 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.
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DevelopmentalAutismRefers 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 SyndromeOn 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 syndromehis is associated with impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics.Intellectual disabilityThis 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 syndromeThis 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.
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Behavioral and EmotionalTroubled behaviour / troubled teensroubled 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 DepressionThis 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 anxietyThis 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 thoughtsThis involves persistent thoughts about ending one's life.Drug and alcohol abuseThis 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.
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PhysicalMultiple sclerosisThis 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 palsyhis 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 dystrophyMuscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder which weakens the body's muscles. Causes, symptoms, age of onset, and prognosis vary between individuals.Spina BifidaThis 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.BlindnessVisual 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."DeafnessHearing 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 FibrosisCystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic condition, which affects the body's respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. It affects young children and adults.Multiple physicalAccommodating a wide range of physical conditions and disabilities.
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
Academic support
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
| Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
Mild but clinically diagnosed learning disabilities
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Accommodations | |
| Modifications | |
| Extra support |
What Applewood Academy says:
Applewood engages in regular assessment of it's students, supporting and accommodating those who have learning difficulties. The ongoing attention to a students Academic Care Plan allows the team to adjust a students plan as necessary while measuring goal achievement. Those with clinically diagnosed learning disabilities are welcome at Applewood Academy.
Additional support
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Social skills programs | |
| Occupational therapy | |
| Psychotherapy | |
| Speech-language therapy |
Gifted learner support
[Show definition of Gifted learner support]
Curriculum Delivery: Acceleration
The main focus is on acceleration. This means that all students work at a much quicker pace than public school peers (usually working at least one grade-level ahead).
Class structure
| Program | Offered |
|---|---|
| Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
| Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
In-class adaptations
| Program | Offered |
|---|---|
| Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement) | |
| Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement) | |
| Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others) | |
| Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement) | |
| Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement) |
What Applewood Academy says about their gifted learner support:
We approach gifted learners by enhancing their abilities to move past a basic level of recalling information and providing them with the opportunity to increase their understanding and abilities to analyze information while building new concepts related to the specific learning expectations with the Ontario curriculum.
Homework Policy
[Show definition of Homework Policy]
Nightly homework
In grade Gr. 12, Applewood Academy students perform an average of No homework of homework per night.
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applewood Academy | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins |
| Site Average | 26 mins | 31 mins | 37 mins | 44 mins | 56 mins | 60 mins | 75 mins | 84 mins | 100 mins | 107 mins |
What Applewood Academy says about their flipped classroom policy:
This information is not currently available.
Report Card Policy
[Show definition of Report Card Policy]
How assessments are delivered across the grades
| Type | Grades |
|---|---|
| Lettered or numbered grades | JK to Gr. 12 |
| Prose (narrative)-based feedback | JK to Gr. 12 |
| Academic achievement reporting | JK to Gr. 12 |
| Habits and behaviour reporting | JK to Gr. 12 |
| Parent-teacher meetings | JK to Gr. 12 |
