Brighton School

Deep-dive and commentary on programming

• Academics

  Academics Summary: [Hide summary]

  • Curriculum: Traditional
    • Mathematics:
    • Early Reading:
    • Writing:
    • Science:
    • Literature:
    • Social Studies :
    • Humanities and Social Sciences :
    • Foreign Languages:
    • Fine Arts:
    • Computers and Technology:
    • Physical Education:
    • Advanced Placement courses:
    • Sex and health education: Ontario curriculum
  • Curriculum Pace: Student-paced
  • Academic Culture: Supportive
  • Developmental priorities: Balanced
  • Special needs support: Special needs school
  • Gifted learner support: No Support
  • Language: English
  • Report Card Policy:

  
  

  • Curriculum Traditional
    [Show definition of Curriculum]

    Central to your child's school experience is the underlying curriculum taught in the classroom. "Curriculum" refers to both what is taught and how it's taught. When considering the different curricula outlined in the next few pages, keep in mind that few schools fall neatly into one category or another. Most schools' curricula comprise a blend of best practices drawn from multiple curriculum types. Having said that, most schools do have a general overall curriculum type. These are identified for each school on OurKids.net.

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    Curriculum approach at Brighton School: Traditional

    Brighton School has a Traditional approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Liberal Arts, Progressive, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf approach).

    [Show: About Traditional?]

    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.

    Curriculum at schools on OurKids.net

      Traditional - 15%
      Liberal arts - 17%
      Progressive - 17%
      Montessori - 17%
      Reggio Emilia - 17%
      Waldorf - 17%
    

    What Brighton School says: Brighton is committed to using best-practices, evidence-based teaching methods and materials for its students.

    Approach:

    Focus	Special needs
    Academic	Special needs

    Pedagogies and subject courses:

    • Mathematics

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

      Textbooks and supplementary materials: This information is not currently available.

      Calculator policy: This information is not currently available.

    • Early Reading

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

      DIBELS Testing: This school does not use DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

    • Writing

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

    • Science

      Teaching approach: This information is not currently available.

      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

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

    • Social Studies

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

    • Humanities and Social Sciences

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

    • Foreign Languages

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

    • Fine Arts
      Program offers:

      Subject	offered
      Acting
      Dance
      Drama/Theatre
      Graphic Design
      Music
      Visual Arts

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

    • Computers and Technology

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

      Program covers:

      Subject	offered
      Computer science
      Robotics
      Web design

    • Physical Education

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

    • Advanced Placement courses
      This information is not currently available.
    • Sex and health education Ontario curriculum
      Sex and health education approach at Brighton School: Ontario curriculum

      Brighton School has an Ontario curriculum approach to Sex and health education (as opposed to Does not follow prrovincialcurriculum approach).

      [Show: About Ontario curriculum?]

      The structure, pacing, focus, and tone of the sex education curriculum reflects that of the provincial one, taught in public schools.

      Sex and health education at schools on OurKids.net

        Follows provincial curriculum - 50%
        Does not follow prrovincial curriculum - 50%
      

      Approach to sex and health education: Mostly value-neutral

      Brighton School has a approach Mostly value-neutral (as opposed to Fairly value-based approach).

      [Show: About Mostly value-neutral?]

      By and large, students are taught about sex free of any particular moral or ethical standpoint. The school doesn't impose any particular values or value systems (such as social, political, or ideological values) on students when teaching sex and related issues.

      What Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

    
    

    Jump to:

    • Mathematics

    • Early Reading

    • Writing

    • Science

    • Literature

    • Social Studies

    • Humanities and Social Sciences

    • Foreign Languages

    • Fine Arts

    • Computers and Technology

    • Physical Education

    • Advanced Placement courses

    • Sex and health education
  • Curriculum Pace Student-paced
    [Show definition of Curriculum Pace]

    This refers to the rate at which students move through the curriculum (e.g., topics, textbook material, skills, etc.). Curriculum pace is often defined in comparison to provincial standards.

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    Curriculum Pace approach at Brighton School: Student-paced

    Brighton School has a Student-paced approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Standard-enriched, Accelerated approach).

    [Show: About Student-paced?]

    The main curriculum pace is non-standardized and is HIGHLY responsive to the pacing of individual students, (via differentiated instruction, differentiated assessment, etc). In theory, some students outpace the default/normalized curriculum, while others spend periods "behind schedule" if they need the extra time.

    Curriculum Pace at schools on OurKids.net

      Student-paced - 33%
      Standard-enriched - 34%
      Accelerated - 33%
    

    What Brighton School says: Learning goals are adjusted to the abilities of each student. The teacher will vary the content (what the students learn), the process (how they learn, or the activities they do) and the products (what the student is required to produce to demonstrate mastery of the concept).

    Flexible pacing style

    Flexible pacing style	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 Brighton School says about flexible pacing: This information is not currently available.

  • Academic Culture Supportive
    [Show definition of Academic Culture]

    Through the collective mindset of teachers, administrators, students, and parents, each school develops and maintains its own academic culture. This generally relates to the norms and expectations created around academic performance. Many parents look to private schools because they want a specific type of culture. Some want a rigorous environment that will elevate their child to new heights. Others want a nurturing environment that will help their child develop a passion for learning.

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    Academic Culture approach at Brighton School: Supportive

    Brighton School has a Supportive approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Rigorous approach).

    [Show: About Supportive?]

    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.

    Academic Culture at schools on OurKids.net

      Supportive - 50%
      Rigorous - 50%
    

    What Brighton School says: Teaching of our core subjects in the elementary school is done in small Learning Groups of between three and six students. Students are assessed and assigned to their groups according to their ability levels in each subject. This allows students with uneven learning profiles to have their needs met in all subject areas, whether they are above grade level, at grade level, or lower than grade level. Secondary students are in small classes of three to eight students and both credit and non-credit courses are available.

  • Developmental priorities Balanced
    [Show definition of Developmental priorities]

    Schools have specific goals regarding how they want their educate and develop their students. This is part of a school's overall philosophy or vision, which is contained in its mission statement. While they tend have several developmental aims, schools tend to priortize certain aims, such as intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional, or physical development.

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    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 con?dent individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."

    What Brighton School says: Brighton School elementary program is designed for students who are experiencing challenges with academics or social skills, our program provides both curriculum-based and remedial programs in all core academics. Brighton's innovative Secondary program is designed to meet the needs of students who would have difficulty meeting the demands of a typical high school program and social environment. We offer Ministry of Education credit courses, pre-credit courses, and an alternative non-credit Transition to Adulthood program, which provides employment preparation and independent living skills.

  • Special needs support Special needs school
    [Show definition of Special needs support]

    Schools offer a wide range of approaches and services to support students with special needs. This may include individualized learning, one-on-one support, small classes, resource rooms, and learning aids. These supports may be provided in a number of different environments such as a dedicated special needs school or class, an integrated class, a withdrawal class, or a regular class with resource support or in-class adaptations.

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    Brighton School is a Special needs school

    Full-time programming is offered for all students which is exclusively focused on one or more special needs.

    What Brighton School says about their special need support: Our school environment and academic programming are specifically designed for students with learning difficulties.

    Academic Support:

    Subject Type	offered
    Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation
    Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties

    Mild but clinically diagnosed ADHD:

    Subject Type	offered
    Accommodations
    Modifications
    Extra support

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    Summary: This information is not currently available.

    A - Forms of Support

    Accommodation:

    Modification:

    Remediation:

    B - Environments

    Indirect Support:

    Resource Assistance:

    Withdrawal Assistance:

    Partial Integration:

    Full-Time Class:

    
    

    Special NeedNeed

    Forms of SupportA

    EnvironmentsB

    ADHD

    • 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.

      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.

    Read our guide to special needs schools and special education

  • Gifted learner support No Support
    [Show definition of Gifted learner support]

    Schools support students with gifted or advanced learning abilities in a several ways. Whether they offer a full-time gifted program or part-time support, they normally provide some form of accelerated learning (delivering content at a faster pace) or enrichment (covering content more broadly or deeply). Many schools also offer a wide range of in-class adaptations to support advanced learners, such as guided independent studies, project-based learning, and career exploration.

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    Curriculum delivery: This information is not currently available.

    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 Brighton School says: This information is not currently available.

  • Language English
    Brighton School offers English as the primary language of instruction.

    Language of enrollment include: English
  • Report Card Policy
    [Show definition of Report Card Policy]

    While all schools measure individual progress and achievement in students, they have different ways of doing this. For instance, many traditional schools gauge progress through report cards, which give students lettered or numbered grades. Other schools, meanwhile, measure progress in other ways, either in addition to or instead of giving grades. For instance, they may offer prose-based feedback (i.e, comments), academic achievement reporting, habits and behaviour reporting, and parent-teacher meetings. In choosing the right school for your child, take a close look at its policy for measuring the individual progress of students.

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    How assessments are delivered across the grades:

    Lettered or numbered grades	Gr. 1 to Gr. 12
    Prose (narrative)-based feedback	Gr. 1 to Gr. 12
    Parent-teacher meetings	Gr. 1 to Gr. 12

• Extracurriculars

  [Show definition of Extracurriculars]

  While academics remain the priority for most private schools, many also place a strong focus on a well-rounded education and encourage participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts, or clubs. Involvement in extracurriculars helps stimulate students in their studies, makes them more motivated to learn, and can make school more enjoyable and fulfilling. Extracurricular activities can also provide students with a much-needed break from the stresses of academics, while helping them to develop skills and allowing them to take part in valuable social situations.

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  Sports offered

  Brighton School does not offer any competitive or recreational sports.

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  Clubs offered

  Brighton School offers 11 clubs and extracurricular programs.

  Legend:     Clubs offered           Clubs not offered

  all clubs and programs]

    Foreign Language Club

    Habitat for Humanity

    Jazz Ensemble

    Math Club

    Musical theatre/Opera

    Ballet and Classical Ballet

    Online Magazine

    Outdoor Club

    Outdoor Education

    Paintball

    Photography

    Poetry/Literature club

    Radio club

    Robotics club

    Round Square

    School newspaper

    Science Club

    Scouting

    Student Council

    Yearbook

    Yoga

    Animation

    Art Club

    Astronomy Club

    Audiovisual Club

    Band

    Chess Club

    Choir

    Community Service

    Computer Club

    Dance Club

    Debate Club

    Drama Club

    Environmental Club

  
  

• Tuition & Financial Aid

  [Show definition of Tuition & Financial Aid]

  This can depend on a number of factors, including the type of school, living arrangements, what’s included in tuition, school location, resources, and facilities. Many private schools in Canada have tuition that ranges between $6,000 and $12,000 a year. While some schools, such as schools which provide room and board, can be more expensive, many of these schools provide ways to defray the costs of tuition. For instance, they may offer merit-based scholarships or needs-based financial aid (often referred to as “bursaries” or “subsidies”).

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  Day

   

  	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
  Day	$26,400

  
  

  What Brighton School says about their tuition: This information is not currently available.

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  Discounts

  Discount Type	Enrolment Type	Amount
  2nd child (sibling)	all students	20%

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  Need-based financial aid

  Brighton School does not offer need-based financial aid.

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  Merit based Scholarships

  Brighton School does not offer merit-based financial awards.

• Enrollment

  [Show definition of enrolment]

  Private schools come in all shapes and sizes. Some larger schools have enrolment numbers in the thousands, while some smaller schools have only a few dozen students. Boarding schools tend to be on the larger side, while alternative schools, such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf, are normally smaller. Besides the overall size of school, there are other important facts you’ll want to know about a school’s enrolment. For instance, here you can learn about a school’s enrolment for separate streams (if they have them), such as day and boarding, its average class size, and its average enrolment per grade.

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  Enrolment Details:

  	Grades	Gender	Living Arrangement	Enrolment
  Group 1	Gr. 1 to Gr. 12	Coed	Day	50

  Additional Statistics:

  Total enrolment	50
  Average class size	6
  % of international students (total enrolment)	N/A
  Number of different nationalities within student population	N/A

  Student Distribution:

  This information is not currently available.

• Admission

  [Show definition of Admission]

  Private schools in Canada have admissions policies. All schools have some required application materials, though these vary between schools. These may include letters of application, application fees, essays, and exams (such as the SSAT). Many schools also require interviews with prospective students, either with their parents, on their own, or both. Schools also have different standards and priorities when evaluating student applications, different acceptance rates (which may vary between grade levels), and target different kinds of students. To improve your child’s chances of acceptance, you should find out everything you can about a school’s admissions policies and how they assess applicants.

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  Admissions Requirements

  Assessment	Required	Grades
  Interview		1 - 12
  SSAT
  SSAT (out of province)
  Entrance Exam(s)
  Entrance Essay

  Day students: Rolling
  Offer mid-year entry: Yes

  Fees:

  Application fee: $150
  Registration fee: $1,500
  Deposit: N/A

  What Brighton School says:

  Parents interested in applying to Brighton School may wish to start the process by attending one of our Open Houses to tour the school, meet the teachers and hear an overview of our program. If that is not possible, parents may call to arrange a personal appointment with the Principal or the Director of Admissions. You may also request an application package be mailed to you, or you can download the appropriate Application package here: The application fee is $150, or $450 for International applications. Once we receive your Application Form with the requested information, including psycho-educational assessments (if available), report cards and other pertinent information, we will set up a student assessment. The assessment takes between one and two hours, depending on the age of the student and the information provided. If there seems to be a reasonable fit between the student and our program, a half-day class visit will be arranged for the student. Following this, the parents will be called to discuss the results of the assessment. We make every effort to expedite the process once the application is received. You may contact our Principal, Irene McRae, at 416-932-8273 ext 120.

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  Acceptance

  Acceptance Rate: 100%

  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%.

  
  

  Day
  

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  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	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
  Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate)	0 (100%)	0 (100%)	0 (100%)	0 (100%)	0 (100%)	0 (100%)	0 (100%)	0 (100%)	0 (100%)	0 (100%)	0 (100%)	0 (100%)

  Type of student Brighton School is looking for:
  This information is not currently available.

• Principal's Message

  Kathy Lear, Executive Director

  Welcome to Brighton

  We have what you’ve been looking for. A warm, vibrant school community that understands elementary and secondary students with learning challenges.  Learning Groups with only 3 – 6 students in each group.  Caring, qualified, trained and experienced Special Ed teachers who individualize learning to meet each students’ needs.  An evidence-based, best-practices curriculum that gets results. A focus on remediation, but also on ‘strengthening strengths’ so our students understand that while they have challenges, they also have gifts and abilities that make them shine.

  Our ‘Balanced Day’ schedule with two well-spaced 45 minute breaks (instead of short 15 minute recesses) helps keep our students at a consistent energy and attention level throughout the day.  After school clubs that allow students to experience a wide variety of different sports and arts activities, and are designed to build skills, friendships, teamwork and self-confidence.  A social skills program.  In-house tutoring.  Speech and OT services.  Dances. A large, bright gymnasium.  A stage.  A great playground.  A parking lot.  A before and after school care program.  Great students and parents.  Come and visit us to experience Brighton for yourself!

• Associations

  

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