The one-room-school-house of the past is back, but it’s retooled and positioned to be the school of the future. Dubbed “micro schools,” these independent, often progressive schools have been opening across the UK, the US, and here in Canada. Many, though, have been around for decades. Read more
Langley, British Columbia — Whytecliff is a safe, empathetic & supportive place for teens with a diverse range of learning needs / personal challenges. Our positive community & high-growth environment pulls each child up to be their very best! View School Profile.
Grades:
8 to 12 (Coed)
Type:
Progressive
Tuition:
$8,900 to $19,500
Living:
Day/Homestay
Enrollment:
47
Avg. Class:
3 to 6
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Ajax, Ontario — Cambridge International Academy offers an enriched curriculum from grades 1 to 12 in Ajax. Central to the school’s philosophy is the belief that students learn best both inside and outside the classroom. View School Profile.
Grades:
1 to 12 (Coed)
Type:
Progressive
Tuition:
$15,000 to $66,000
Living:
Day
Enrollment:
0
Avg. Class:
6 to 15
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We are a therapeutic boarding school for Gr. 1-12 students requiring individualized academic, clinical, and behaviour-management solutions in small class sizes and professional home stay or boarding environments
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HongDe School provides K-Grade 7 students a Chinese (Mandarin) bilingual education in a safe and supportive learning environment that recognizes the individual needs of each student.
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Established in 1974, Somerset Academy is an independent, not-for-profit private school that provides education to students in JK Grades 8. Somerset Academy has an average class size of 13 to 18 students.
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Private Secondary School in Stratford, Ontario dedicated to providing a holistic education that values happiness, academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility.
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Hawthorn School is located in Toronto. We offer a co-ed toddler-SK program and an all girls program for grade 1- grade 12. Our unique mentoring program is tailored to help students reach their full potential.
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GlenOak Academy offers an educational experience as EXTRAORDINARY as your child! Our innovative, engaging approach to teaching and learning focuses on positive relationships, character development and academic success.
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Founded in 1990, Yip's Montessori Program cater to children from 1.5 to 6 years old. Yip's campuses are located in Markham and Unionville.
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Niagara Christian Collegiate offers both middle school and secondary school programs from Grades 6-12. Graduating students achieve top university placements around the world. We accept both day and boarding students.
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We go beyond curriculum expectations to provide opportunities for students to earn admission into their choice of university using our AP accreditation, staff expertise and individual goal setting in small classes.
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Century Private School in Richmond Hill runs from preschool to grade twelve, with small class ratio to ensure best learning for our students.
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Oak Learners inspires meaningful learning every day for students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight. Passionate teachers nurture children’s natural curiosity about their world with hands-on experiences.
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Carmel New Church School provides a loving, peaceful place with indoor and outdoor classrooms where students are taught to become productive and caring people, both in this life and the next.
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Sycamore School offers grades 8-12 personalized education in an alternative program that addresses the needs of secondary school students who may thrive in a small community of learners while working toward graduation.
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Through our dynamic individual education plans, mentorship, and therapeutic counselling we ensure all students feel comfortable, respected and cared for, so they stay actively engaged in their educational journey.
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Shepherd Montessori Private Catholic School in Mississauga offers Casa Montessori programs for children a ged 2.5 to 6. Before- and after-school care and summer camps also available.
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The Dunblaine School empowers students with learning disabilities to reach their full potential. It offers programs for students from grade one to eight, with an average class size of 5-7 students.
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Some of the greatest inventors, authors, and entrepreneurs of our time had minds that differed from the average. Our unique methodology addresses the needs of learners with ADHD and Dyslexia.
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Venture Academy is a therapeutic treatment and education program for students who may be struggling with mood disorders & anxiety disorders, behavioural challenges, substance misuses, ADHD, ADD and ODD
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Our friendly, helpful and inclusive environment makes us unique! TBC cultivates respect. We expect our students to work hard, to think critically and creatively. A parent coined it a "Boutique School". Proud to be.
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NOW WITH LICENSED DAYCARE! Bring your child for a free trial to let him or her experience the difference. Don't be surprised if he or she doesn't want to go home at the end of the day! SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS AVAILABLE!
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ATI is a school for ambitious teens who want to develop into independent, curious, self-motivated individuals who thrive in school and in life. Gain the skills, knowledge and agency to build the future that you want.
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WILD stands for Wilderness Integrated Leadership Development. Our core program integrates the Ontario Curriculum with a whole student approach focusing on our four pillars: mental, emotional, metaphysical and physical.
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At Olivet School, we focus on building the "whole child". We create a warm, caring environment for our students through small class sizes and integrating Christian values and character development into all that we do.
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Edelweiss Private Academy offers elementary education to students with ASD and other exceptionalities, maintaining small teacher to student ratios. We promote strong academic, physical and social-emotional development.
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Located in Brantford, Ontario, Montessori House of Children (MHC) provides excellent programs for grades Nursery to 3 and helps young children reach their learning potential with both independent and self-directed learning. MHC also offers support for students with learning differences.
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A daily goal is for our children to arrive at school excited for the day ahead. Aside from our excellent academic programs, we plan many fun events for the children to enjoy throughout the school year.
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Venture Academy is a therapeutic treatment and education program for students who may be struggling with ADHD, learning challenges, underachieving, behavioural issues, and a variety of clinical diagnoses.
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Founded in 1997, the Abelard School is a small independent school for grades 7 through 12, located in downtown Toronto. It offers small class sizes and an enriched, integrated curriculum to bright, motivated students.
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Quo Vadis, through a Polish-English bilingual program, aims to assist in the formation of well-rounded, responsible individuals, promotes academic excellence and encourages self-esteem within a Catholic environment.
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Authentic Montessori Preschool. Students completing our 3 year program at The Maria Montessori School test extremely well. We balance academics, exploration and skills guided by your child's natural interests.
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In a welcoming environment , HFAS assists our exceptional learners to reach their potential and to succeed. We focus on personal responsibility, initiative, independence, organization, self-regulation and time management
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Kingsley's small classes and personal approach help students reach their unique potential. Each child is seen, heard, and respected. French, music, and phys-ed round out a program which includes plenty of time outdoors.
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A special needs education private school in Mississauga offering programs using the Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-Based (DIR®) Model. Theme-based DIR® March/Summer Camps are also available.
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Magnificent Minds Inc. caters to students whose needs are not being met in traditional school environments, pursuing personal best through a balanced approach to education.
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Revel Academy is a learner-driven micro-school that utilizes adaptive and mastery-based technology, Socratic discussions, hands-on projects, and real-world apprenticeships in an innovative, character-forging community.
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March Academy offers an alternative program for students in grades 1 through 8. Small classes with enriching academics as well as weekly lessons in music, the arts, nature, yoga, taekwondo, and daily physical education.
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ABA based curriculum and individualized approach targets not only academic success but also emotional, social, vocational and life skills that are the core skills of life-long success of each student.
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Vancouver's only dedicated STEM high school, VISST offers the full BC curriculum with accelerated & enriched STEM including computer science starting from Grade 8. Students will learn from domain experts and PhDs.
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While micro schools can vary in many ways, one thing they have in common is their size. Micro schools, as you might expect, are small and have an intimate learning environment. In particular, you can expect a micro school will have most of the following features related to its size:
While micro schools vary in their aims and goals, they tend to share a common approach. This approach is in stark contrast to that of more traditional or conventional schools. Indeed, micro schools tend to have the following alternative or progressive characteristics:
It is widely accepted that any current education system must continually adapt and reform to keep pace with the needs of the future. It can be a struggle, though, for large schools to make effective changes to keep up. It is exactly this ability of micro schools to adapt and manage change quickly that makes them so successful.
Little bureaucracy and lower overhead costs allow for a flexibility in education not experienced in other models. Micro schools can be adaptable and innovative, and can apply best practices, new programs, and methodologies that are being developed and implemented in other parts of the world.
Small classes and programs make on-going evaluation and assessment of programs and student achievement easier to do in real-time. They also provide the flexibility to make improvements right away.
The curriculum at micro schools tends to be student-driven to increase engagement and an appreciation for lifelong learning (similar to Montessori and Waldorf schools). The focus is on developing each child, with their unique abilities, strengths, interests, and personal learning goals in mind.
This contrasts with the “one-size-fits-all,” standardized curriculum that is still the norm, despite being developed to educate the masses over a century ago. Newer, innovative approaches in education that favour the development of 21st century skills, such as inquiry and project-based learning, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education, and an integrated curriculum are easier to apply effectively in the small setting of a micro school.
“Personalized learning” programs are commonplace in micro schools, with the educator team working collaboratively to guide and support students in all aspects, including academics, 21st century skill development, and social-emotional needs. The collaborative “it-takes-a village” approach allows for a seamless transition from year-to-year, with a continuation of goal-setting and skill development, because all staff members understand each student’s needs and work together to provide support. This individualized approach supports the development of the whole child: academically, socially, and emotionally.
Micro schools focus on 21st century skills, modern approaches, personalized learning, and have an intimate home-like environment. This “old-is-new-again” model is quickly becoming an appealing option for many families looking for a more progressive and innovative approach to education. The growing coverage of these schools in the media means bringing their unique take on learning to the forefront of discussions on the definition of school.
These schools thus have the unique opportunity to take huge steps forward in education. This is the reason their founders and directors have decided to open up shop and take education reform into their own hands. The drive to be innovative, efficient, and effective helps ensure big success for students. This ability to be so adaptive and responsive to the individual needs of students is very appealing in an age where the pace of change is hard to keep up with.
Micro schools do have their limits of course, such as fewer extracurriculars and sports clubs. However, the addition of these schools provides much needed choice in education. This is becoming more important as we look to meet the changing needs of our students, so that they can succeed in the 21st century.
—Amanda Dervaitis, founder and principal of Summit Micro School in Toronto
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