How we see GlenOak Academy
How GlenOak Academy sees itself
"GlenOak's mission is to provide an education as EXTRAORDINARY as your child! We provide customized and creative educational programming in a small school setting, both online and in-person, where students benefit from our low student-teacher ratios and dedicated teaching team. We start with heart at GlenOak, building meaningful relationships with our students. We pride ourselves on an outside-the-box and progressive approach to teaching and learning with a focus on student success. Connect with us to learn more!"
"GlenOak's strength is in its relationships-based approach to teaching and learning, with a focus on making meaning through DOING. We pride ourselves on connecting with students and families who have perhaps been let down by the "system" and who are looking not only to renew their hope, but to reconnect with a school community that strives to do its very best for everyone who walks through our doors. GlenOak is a small but growing community, and we welcome YOU!"
"Families who come to GlenOak are often looking for a different approach to learning, where their child is challenged and encouraged to extend their learning and inquiry within a safe and inclusive school community. They value the balance we offer in terms of academics and our relationships-based approach. At GlenOak, we're a "family" and we are often commended on the warm and welcoming culture we have created."
"Families are often surprised at how much we do beyond the curriculum at GlenOak! From school events & activities, to clubs & groups, to fundraisers & field trips, our students are always doing something. Our Indigenous program in the north offers another extension to programming & an opportunity for students to connect with & learn from one another. For 2022/2023 we're building on our community connections, which will see us offering martial arts, dance, & music lessons."
"GlenOak is a small school with a BIG heart ready to make a difference in the lives of our students and families. Our size enables us to create dynamic, engaging programming, and connects our school community with an inclusive "family feel". Why is this important? Because students flourish when they feel safe, accepted and supported to be the very best they can be."
"1. Our not-for-profit school opened in 2017 with only FIVE students & has since grown to more than 40!
2. We have two campuses -- one in Mississauga and one in Sault Ste Marie, where our Indigenous program operates.
3. Our Head Office is across the street from our Mississauga campus because we needed the space for our growing school.
4. We have an awesome Parent Council that meets to organize fundraisers, events, and MORE!
5. We are a community that cares, learns, & grows TOGETHER!"
GlenOak Academy operates summer camps and programs. Click here to learn about GlenOak Academy Summer Camp .
GlenOak Campus
Outdoor Classroom
COVID-Ready Classrooms
Pre-COVID Classroom
Hands-On Science
Learning Garden
School Office
Math in the Kitchen
How people from the school’s community see GlenOak Academy
Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone
Susan Goode, Founder & Head of School
OCT, B.Ed., B.A. (Hons)
Welcome students, parents, and staff to GlenOak’s FIFTH year in operation. What an incredible achievement!
The past four years have been ones of growth, transformation, and indeed, an ongoing and creative response to the challenges presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Certainly, I’m proud of our accomplishments, our resilience in the face of change and challenge, and our collective commitment to providing educational opportunities that are creative, responsive, and grounded in best practices in teaching and learning.
As we step into our fifth year as a school, GlenOak continues to promote an inclusive learning environment that goes beyond the four walls of the classroom and one which aims to serve the whole child. Our school community is built on the understanding that learning can happen anywhere, and indeed needs to extend beyond the four walls of the classroom.
This year, we celebrate programming at two campuses -- one in Mississauga and one in Sault Ste Marie -- where students are connected through programming and shared experiences, and a philosophy of education that centres around community, caring, and connection. I am truly humbled by the talented educators who have joined our team, the warmth, care and contributions of our families, and most importantly, the students who are at the centre of what we do as an educational team.
We have a bright future ahead, and I am always truly grateful to have this opportunity to be of service to this wonderful, growing school community. Here’s to another fabulous year!
If you’re considering a small school for your extroverted child, make sure it offers plenty of social opportunities, including the ability to seek out and interact with different peer groups. Since smaller schools have smaller and less diverse student populations than big schools, it can sometimes be more challenging for your child to find a like-minded group of friends—friends with similar interests, values, etc.
“It’s important to look at the social makeup of the school,” says Ruth Rumack of Ruth Rumack's Learning Space. "Is there enough variety that your child will have a group that they feel connected with? Because you want to have friends that are like-minded and you want to be in a social situation where you feel honoured and respected. Variety can also be found in extracurriculars, leadership programs, and sports activities, which tend to have kids with a wide range of personalities.”
Also, make sure a school’s teaching and learning approach is suitable for your social child. “For instance, a school focusing on individual learning instead of group learning may not play into your child’s strengths,” say Ann and Karen Wolff, Toronto-based education consultants at Wolff Educational Services. “You want to make sure the social, emotional, and academic realities of the classroom are a match for your child’s personality.”
Smaller schools often have small classrooms and tight-knit communities, which can make it easier for your introverted child to come out of their shell, make friends, and feel like they belong. Since they’re less socially overwhelming, your child should find it easier to navigate their social environment. And since they’re conducive to group work, small classes often have plenty of interaction, which can help your child develop critical interpersonal skills.
Of course, small schools normally have a less diverse student population than big schools, which can sometimes make it more challenging to find a group of like-minded peers—peers with similar personalities, interests, values, etc. This makes it especially important to ask a school about its extracurricular programs, which can help your introverted child establish an intimate social circle.
THE OUR KIDS REPORT: GlenOak Academy
Next steps to continue your research:
Continue researching GlenOak Academy with OurKids.net, or visit school website.