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Go to child profileGuiding Light Academy is a Catholic private elementary school in Streetsville, Mississauga. We offer an enriched curriculum for JK, SK & Grades 1 to 8 that far exceeds the Ontario standard. We focus on spiritual development, academic excellence & an extensive co-curricular program that includes music, gymnastics, sport, drama, elocution & dance. The Spiritual Guidance is under the full responsibility of The Heralds of the Gospel & Lumen Veritatis Academy. Each school day begins with Daily Mass at our local Parish.
What learning looks like now: For the academic year 2020-2021, Guiding Light Academy is offering both in school classes and full day interactive online classes. Parents have complete flexibility in moving between the in school classes and online classes. Guiding Light Academy will also be following Peel Public Health guidelines when implementing masking requirements and physical distancing guidelines.
Curriculum delivery:
Living Arrangement | Grades | Delivery Model | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
Day | JK - Gr. 8 | Hybrid/blended | Full-time |
What Guiding Light Academy says: For the academic year 2020-2021, Guiding Light Academy is offering both in school classes and full day interactive online classes. Parents have complete flexibility in moving between the in school classes and online classes.
View recent COVID-19 updates from Guiding Light AcademyOne of the reasons that private school is attractive is because there is no assumption that one size fits all, and Guiding Light is a great example of that. It presents both traditional and Montessori instruction in consort with the values and lessons of the Catholic church. It’s not for everyone, though for some, it provides a strikingly tailored fit. The ideal family is one that is active within the Catholic faith and looking for a school that will support that spiritual life. Families who enroll are drawn by the strength of the academic program, as well as by the breadth of extra-curricular offerings, all offered within a very close-knit school community. There is no other school like it, and for the families that enrol, that's perhaps Guiding Light's greatest strength.
Particularly popular in the younger grades (preschool to elementary), but sometimes available all the way up to high school, Montessori schools offer an alternative vision to the standard lesson format of most classrooms. Instead of listening to whole-class lessons, Montessori classrooms allow students to choose which "tasks" or activities interest them. These tasks centre around special Montessori puzzles - their essential feature being they contain a right answer and allow for selfcorrection. A strong emphasis is therefore placed on lessons being concrete and rooted in practical experience, along with students developing a sense of self-sufficiency, confidence and curiosity.
International curriculum & programs at Guiding Light Academy: Cambridge IGSCE, British National Curriculum
Program | offered |
---|---|
Montessori toddler | |
Casa | |
Elementary | |
Middle School | |
High School |
Focus | Special needs | Religious-based |
---|---|---|
Academic | Gifted | Christian (Roman Catholic) |
If you want to learn more about faith-based education, check out our comprehensive guide.
If you want to learn more about Christian education, check out our comprehensive guide.
If you want to learn more about Catholic education, check out our comprehensive guide.
DIBELS Testing: This school does not use DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Evolution as consensus theory | |
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
Evolution is not taught |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Biology | |
Chemistry | |
Ecology | |
Geology | |
Meteorology | |
Physics | |
Physiology | |
Zoology |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Acting | |
Dance | |
Drama/Theatre | |
Graphic Design | |
Music | |
Visual Arts |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Computer science | |
Robotics | |
Web design |
Primary | Lower Elementary | Upper Elementary | Middle | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Age groupings How children are grouped by age for each class.' |
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Uninterrupted work periods The longest uninterrupted work period for each class.' |
– | – | – | – |
Tests and assignments How often students are given tests or assignments in each class.' |
Occasionally (Moderate Orthodox) | Occasionally (Moderate Orthodox) | Semi-regularly (Moderately Non-Orthodox) | Semi-regularly (Moderately Non-Orthodox) |
Graded work How often students have their work graded in each class.' |
Semi-regularly (Moderately Non-Orthodox) | Semi-regularly (Moderately Non-Orthodox) | Regularly (Non-Orthodox) | Regularly (Non-Orthodox) |
Arts and crafts The percentage of a typical student's day that is spent on arts and crafts in each class.' |
10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
Whole-class lectures should be given semi-regularly (e.g., at the beginning of a lesson or a week). While students often learn best through group and independent work, it's sometimes important for teachers to set the stage for and contextualize learning.
External special education support is quite important. Outside specialists are needed for a fairly wide range of special needs, such as developmental and learning disabilities.
We have many specialist teachers and classes (for instance, in languages, music, art, gym, science, and math). It's important that students receive specialized instruction in many subjects.
Modern technology is used fairly regularly. For instance, computers and other digital media might be used for research, writing, multimedia projects, and to learn keyboarding skills. Teachers may sometimes also use digital media, such as interactive whiteboards, to teach lessons or introduce topics.
Overall approach : Which option best describes your overall curricular approach?
Schools that are faithful to the original Montessori program and principles, but often supplement it with modern curricular approaches or materials.
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 |
Guiding Light Academy offers no/limited support for students with learning difficulties or special needs.
Subject Type | offered |
---|---|
Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
Subject Type | offered |
---|---|
Accommodations | |
Modifications | |
Extra support |
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
Curriculum delivery: Acceleration and enrichment (There is an equal emphasis on acceleration and enrichment.)
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) |
In grade Gr. 6, Guiding Light Academy students perform an average of 1 hour of homework per night.
JK | SK | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guiding Light Academy | 30 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins |
Site Average | 6 mins | 7 mins | 6 mins | 15 mins | 17 mins | 23 mins | 29 mins | 34 mins | 39 mins |
Lettered or numbered grades | Gr. 1 to Gr. 6 |
Prose (narrative)-based feedback | JK to Gr. 6 |
Academic achievement reporting | JK to Gr. 6 |
Habits and behaviour reporting | JK to Gr. 6 |
Parent-teacher meetings | JK to Gr. 6 |
Competitive sports: 9
Recreational sports: 1
Guiding Light Academy offers 22 clubs and extracurricular programs.
JK | SK | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
Day | $10,000 |
Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | JK to Gr. 8 | Coed | Day | 100 |
Total enrolment | 100 |
Average class size | 5 to 16 |
% of international students (total enrolment) | N/A |
Number of different nationalities within student population | N/A |
Assessment | Required | Grades |
---|---|---|
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 part of the application requirement, we ask that the parents along with the child meet with the school's admission team to discuss the child and the school's curriculum.
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 | JK | SK | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) |
We at Guiding Light Academy are blessed to share the integral role of guiding our children during the formative years of their lives.
Through outstanding learning and teaching, with constant reinforcement of core values, we strive to prepare our children for the tapestry of life.
On a personal note, I have founded and managed School of Knowledge, Sharjah, U.A.E., for the last 30 years. My gratification is when my students, now young adults, feel that the best years of their lives were the ones spent in our care! This sense of achievement is what I endeavour to bring to the field of education in Toronto as well.
Does Guiding Light Academy have good reviews?
You can read 6 reviews about Guiding Light Academy via this link.
When is the application deadline for Guiding Light Academy?
The application deadline for day students is typically open year-round based on availability. More application details are available here.
What is the acceptance rate at Guiding Light Academy?
The overall acceptance rate at Guiding Light Academy is 90%. This rate varies depending on the grade. More details about acceptance rates per grade are here.
What is the curriculum pace at Guiding Light Academy?
Guiding Light Academy has an Accelerated approach to curriculum pace (as opposed to Standard-enriched or Student-paced). Learn more about curriculum pace here.
How many students attend Guiding Light Academy?
There are 100 students enrolled at Guiding Light Academy from JK to Gr. 8. More details about enrollment are available here.
Do students at Guiding Light Academy wear uniforms?
Yes
Does Guiding Light Academy offer a hot lunch program?
Yes
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