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Go to child profileArtsCalibre Academy is a fully accredited independent school in Victoria, BC -- providing outstanding, Arts-enriched education at an affordable cost. We use music, dance, theatre and visual arts as vehicles for meeting and exceeding the provincial curriculum in a safe, experiential and collaborative environment. Our dynamic program not only challenges students academically, but also builds their capacity to think creatively, to question the norm and embrace new perspectives...truly unlocking their full potential.
Too often when a public school board seeks to trim costs they look to arts programming. We like the three Rs, to be sure, and they’re important. But the division between those and the arts isn’t perhaps as clear as some might think. When the people, all those thousands of years ago, wanted to express themselves to others on the walls of the caves at Lascaux, they painted pictures and (presumably) told stories about them. They were communicating about hunting, or so it seems, and they did it through art. We do that too, of course. The arts—music, fine art, dance—are central to the way we express our thoughts, ideas, and our identities. As such, they are central to the way we understand the thoughts, ideas and identities of others. Which is the thinking that ArtsCalibre brings to the delivery of the curriculum. Rather than reducing and isolating the arts, they’ve decided to bring them forward. It’s not for everyone, perhaps, though for many students it’s an important means of engaging with the curricular content. The success that ArtsCalibre has had in the years since it was founded is certainly testament to that. The preschool and elementary programs are divided between two locations, giving each a sense of identity and, through proximity to the Cedar Hill Recreation facilities, an impressive range of resources, especially for a school of this size. Small classes, personal attention, a rich interface between faculty and families, and on it goes. In all, there’s a lot to love.
Reggio Emilia programs are offered by some schools at the preschool and elementary level. The approach aims to develop curiosity and problem-solving skills through the liberal use of projects (as opposed to activities or lessons): teachers design projects for children around their demonstrated interests. Projects can be geared to an individual student, a small group of students, or the class as a whole. They can last from a few days to the whole year. Art is strongly emphasized and is typically incorporated into every project. Teachers actively participate in projects alongside students, rather than sitting back and observing. The philosophy calls for a high degree of parent involvement as well, particularly when forming curricula and project plans (which happens throughout the academic year).
Focus |
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Arts: Acting • Dance • Performing arts • Music • Visual arts |
DIBELS Testing: This school periodically uses DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
Subject | offered |
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Evolution as consensus theory | |
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
Evolution is not taught |
Subject | offered |
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Biology | |
Chemistry | |
Ecology | |
Geology | |
Meteorology | |
Physics | |
Physiology | |
Zoology |
Subject | offered |
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Acting | |
Dance | |
Drama/Theatre | |
Graphic Design | |
Music | |
Visual Arts |
Expressive | |
Disciplined |
Subject | offered |
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Computer science | |
Robotics | |
Web design |
Flexible pacing style | offered |
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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 |
ArtsCalibre Academy offers no/limited support for students with learning difficulties or special needs.
Subject Type | offered |
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Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
Subject Type | offered |
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Accommodations | |
Modifications | |
Extra support |
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
Program | offered |
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Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
Curriculum delivery: Acceleration and enrichment (There is an equal emphasis on acceleration and enrichment.)
Program | offered |
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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) |
In grade Gr. 6, ArtsCalibre Academy students perform an average of 30 mins of homework per night.
PS | JK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
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ArtsCalibre Academy | 0 mins | 0 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins |
Site Average | 2 mins | 6 mins | 15 mins | 17 mins | 23 mins | 30 mins | 35 mins | 40 mins |
Lettered or numbered grades | K to Gr. 6 |
Prose (narrative)-based feedback | Preschool to Gr. 6 |
Academic achievement reporting | K to Gr. 6 |
Habits and behaviour reporting | K to Gr. 6 |
Parent-teacher meetings | JK to Gr. 6 |
Competitive sports: 1
Recreational sports: 5
ArtsCalibre Academy offers 8 clubs and extracurricular programs.
PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
Day | $4,750 | $5,850 |
Discounts
Discount Type | Enrolment Type | Amount |
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Full payment | all students | $5,500 |
2nd child (sibling) | all students | 5% |
This information is not currently available.
Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
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Group 1 | Preschool to Gr. 10 | Coed | Day | 180 |
Total enrolment | 180 |
Average class size | 10 to 20 |
% of international students (total enrolment) | N/A |
Number of different nationalities within student population | N/A |
PS | JK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
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Day Enrollment | 85 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Assessment | Required | Grades |
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Interview | JK - 8 | |
SSAT | ||
SSAT (out of province) | ||
Entrance Exam(s) | ||
Entrance Essay |
Day students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry:
N/A
Application fee: N/A
Registration fee: N/A
Deposit:
N/A
As a part of our admissions process we would like to meet you and your child and see what you are looking for in a school. As an independent school, we have the benefits of small class sizes, nurturing environments and academic challenge, but what sets us a part? At ArtsCalibre Academy, staff and students consistently bring their best as they work collaboratively to inspire an atmosphere of creativity, self-discipline, integrity and dedication.
PROSPECTIVE STUDENT Q & A.
We like all families to fill out our Prospective Student Questionnaire before booking a tour.
A TOUR
Prospective families are warmly invited to arrange to have a tour of our campus. This is an important piece of understanding the ArtsCalibre community of learners. As a close knit school, it is important to us to meet you and be able to answer any questions that you may have in person. Email [email protected] to set up an appointment.We also have regular open houses.
APPLICATION
Formal application to ArtsCalibre is made by completing the registration form. Once the application form is complete, please return it with your $75 non-refundable registration fee.
This is the percentage of applicants typically accepted into the school. So if 50 students are admitted out of 100 applicants, the school has an overall acceptance rate of 50%.
Student Entry Points
This shows approximately how many openings there are likely to be in each grade in a typical year, as well as the estimated acceptance rate for each grade level.
Student Type | PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 80 - 85 (90%) | 12 - 15 (90%) | 0 | 10 - 12 (90%) | 10 - 12 (90%) | 10 - 12 (90%) | 10 - 12 (90%) | 10 - 12 (90%) | 10 - 12 (90%) |
Walk through the doors of ArtsCalibre Academy at 7:30 AM, and you will see the teachers there busily preparing for the day. At 8:45 the doors open to our students, and they all enter beaming in anticipation of what the day holds for them.
But what is beyond those smiles? What is so special about our approach to education – the strong integration of the Arts into our curriculum? Why ArtsCalibre Academy?
The reasons are many, and widely and credibly documented. Years of research demonstrate that Arts education is closely linked to almost everything that we say we want for our children, and demand from our schools: academic achievement, social and emotional development, engagement and equal opportunity. Involvement in the Arts is associated with strong gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking and verbal skills. Arts enriched learning can also dramatically improve motivation, concentration, confidence and teamwork.
Why are our children so excited to come to school every day? The intrinsic stimulation and pure pleasure of an Arts enriched experience do more than enhance a child's learning. They connect him or her more deeply to the world, and open them up to new ways of seeing it – creating a foundation for forging strong social bonds and building community.
Combine these benefits with Stephen Covey's "The Leader in Me" Program, the “MindUP” Approach, and elements of so many other effective philosophies and tools that we embrace…and we feel that we truly have a “Win-Win” situation.
When I asked one of our Grade Five students what it is about ArtsCalibre Academy that she likes, she said "We are not taught to our grade, we are taught to our ability and skills. We are encouraged to challenge ourselves in every area." Another student reported “I don’t know…it just feels good.” Simple words – but to me they are profound and reaffirming.
Inspired, and want to know more? Please visit our website for a closer look at our programs, and feel free to contact us any time. I would welcome the opportunity to personally answer any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Sandra Walton
Principal and Founder
ArtsCalibre Academy
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