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Go to child profileRichland Academy is a progressive, innovative Reggio-inspired and International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP Authorized and MYP Candidate School for children from Kindergarten to Grade 8. We are a community of learners who are active, responsible, and compassionate global citizens. At Richland we cultivate students who are deeper thinking, confident, and world ready. “Voted #1 Private School in Richmond Hill by The Readers’ Choice – Metroland Media Group in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and by Top Choice Awards in 2020, 2021!”
What learning looks like now: Our priority is the safety and well-being of all of our students, families, teaching faculty and staff while delivering on-site instruction and personal connection between all involved. The following expectations and procedures are in place to ensure that health, safety and hygiene standards are met. In general, all movement around and within the building is to happen with the expected 2m/6feet distance. Children and staff are not to be in school if they show any symptoms of illness and must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning. Students are on campus only for the duration of the school day. Students may not enter the building before their arrival time unless they are enrolled in the before care program. Parents/guardians will be expected to provide their child with a personal face covering (non-medical mask) to wear at school to reduce the spread of their own respiratory droplets to protect others. From Junior Kindergarten to 8, students will wear non-medical or cloth masks while in school. Staff and faculty will be wearing face masks or face masks and visors. We are very pleased to offer students not on campus opportunities for distance learning if they are not able to come to school for any reason. Students who remain home due to a significant health risk will be able to access lessons and activities similar to those of their in-school classmates.
Curriculum delivery:
Living Arrangement | Grades | Delivery Model | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
Day | JK - Gr. 8 | In-person | Full-time |
Soccer Field
Indoor Gym
Early Years playground
Music room
Art Studio
Piazza
New building entrance
Lockers
Junior School Classroom
Kindergarten Classroom
Science
Computer Lab
Cafeteria
Library
Richland is a Reggio Emilia inspired school, though the administration historically hasn’t been afraid to innovate and put their own spin on things. One example is the house system around which the community of the school is organized. It’s emblematic of the culture of care, and the house names—Suzuki, Fox, and Keilburger—are emblematic as well. Those things hint at an undercurrent of service and engagement that runs through the culture of the school. The instructional programs are strong, but often it’s that culture/values piece that is also a primary draw.
Some private schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programming. The "Diploma Programme" is offered to students in the final two years of high school, while the "Primary Years Programme" (ages 3 to 12) and "Middle Years Programme" (ages 11 to 16) serve as preparation for the diploma program.
Program | offered |
---|---|
Primary Years | |
Middle Years | |
Diploma program | |
Career-related program |
Focus |
---|
Academic |
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 |
Expressive | |
Disciplined |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Computer science | |
Robotics | |
Web design |
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 |
Students remain in a regular classroom for the whole day, and periodically receive break-out support (individually or in small groups) within the classroom from a qualified special education teacher.
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: Enrichment (The main focus is on enrichment. This means that while students may work at a marginally quicker pace than public school peers, the primary aim is to study subject in broader and deeper ways.)
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. 7, Richland Academy students perform an average of 1 hour of homework per night.
JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richland Academy | 15 mins | 15 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins |
Site Average | 6 mins | 7 mins | 15 mins | 17 mins | 23 mins | 29 mins | 34 mins | 39 mins | 51 mins |
This school frequently "flips the classroom": asks students to learn material at home and do the "homework" in-class (with teacher support).
Lettered or numbered grades | Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 |
Prose (narrative)-based feedback | JK to Gr. 8 |
Academic achievement reporting | Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 |
Habits and behaviour reporting | JK to Gr. 8 |
Parent-teacher meetings | JK to Gr. 8 |
Competitive sports: 6
Recreational sports: 12
Richland Academy offers 19 clubs and extracurricular programs.
JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
Day | $22,000 |
Discounts
Discount Type | Enrolment Type | Amount |
---|---|---|
2nd child (sibling) | all students | 5% |
3rd child (sibling) | all students | 5% |
4th child (sibling) | all students | 5% |
Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | JK to Gr. 8 | Coed | Day | 220 |
Total enrolment | 220 |
Average class size | 15 to 20 |
% of international students (total enrolment) | 3% |
Number of different nationalities within student population | N/A |
JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Enrollment | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Class Size | 18 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
Assessment | Required | Grades |
---|---|---|
Interview | JK - 8 | |
SSAT | ||
SSAT (out of province) | ||
Entrance Exam(s) | 1 - 8 | |
Entrance Essay |
Day students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry:
Yes
Application fee: N/A
Registration fee: N/A
Deposit:
N/A
Applying to Richland Academy involves three steps:
1. Submit an Application Online!
Please go to richlandacademy.openapply.com to submit an application for your child.
With your completed form, please include:
2. Arrange for a Personal Day Visit at Richland
After reviewing your application, we will schedule an appointment for you to visit our school and meet with the Head of School. All applicants are welcome to spend a day or two at Richland. During this visit, we will conduct an assessment for students in Grades 1 to 8 to determine their academic abilities. For children in Early Years, we schedule a family meeting with our Early Years Lead Teacher. For the JK-SK, we use a comprehensive tool to get to know them better.
3. Receive your Offer of Placement
We want to ensure that we are able to meet, and exceed, the needs of all of our students. Decisions are made based on the thoughtful observations and assessment by Richland faculty and staff; and are made in the best interests of the students. Richland’s student population benefits from a range of abilities, and we recognize the potential in every child. Once a decision has been made to offer your child a placement at Richland Academy, you will receive a written offer of placement along with a registration package.
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 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 1 - 20 (80%) | 1 - 10 (80%) | 1 - 5 (80%) | 1 - 5 (80%) | 1 - 5 (80%) | 1 - 5 (80%) | 1 - 5 (80%) | 1 - 5 (80%) | 1 - 6 (80%) | 1 - 6 (80%) |
Richland is committed to being a leading Reggio inspired IB World School; inspiring, supporting, and nurturing our multi-cultural students to be well- educated, balanced and empathetic global citizens. Founded in 2002, Richland continues to build upon a solid foundation of academic excellence and rigor combined with a warm, nurturing and inclusive environment in which all students feel welcomed and valued.
At Richland Academy, our committed faculty facilitate student learning about the world in which we live, helping them become internationally minded global citizens. Exciting and engaging learning experiences take place in the classroom, on the stage in school musical productions, in the art studio, learning commons, and natural outdoor learning spaces. Our students also learn about the importance of giving and sharing with the wider world through action. We are a professional learning community following a holistic approach to education. We educate the whole person; academically, artistically, physically and socially. No two students or journeys are alike and we will go out of our way to find and nurture each student’s unique abilities. Ultimately, we work together to shape 21 st century leaders who have the courage to take intellectual risks as they work effectively with others.
The first thing you will notice when you arrive at Richland Academy is that the excitement is tangible; you will feel the energy and sense the vibrancy as soon as you enter the school. You will grasp the wonder of discovery in the classrooms as each student and faculty member engage in authentic critical thinking and learning. I invite you to come and join me for a tour of Richland Academy where I am confident you will feel the same joy I did when I walked through the school and was reminded that there has never been a more exciting time to work in the field of education!
With best wishes,
Sandi Fischer
Head of School
Does Richland Academy have good reviews?
You can read 2 reviews about Richland Academy via this link.
When is the application deadline for Richland 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 Richland Academy?
The overall acceptance rate at Richland Academy is 95%. This rate varies depending on the grade. More details about acceptance rates per grade are here.
What is the curriculum pace at Richland Academy?
Richland Academy has a Standard-enriched approach to curriculum pace (as opposed to Accelerated or Student-paced). Learn more about curriculum pace here.
How many students attend Richland Academy?
There are 220 students enrolled at Richland Academy from JK to Gr. 8. 3% are international students. More details about enrollment are available here.
Do students at Richland Academy wear uniforms?
Yes
Does Richland Academy offer a hot lunch program?
Yes
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