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Royal Ontario Academy ACADEMICS & Curriculum
Page Contents
Curriculum
[Show definition of Curriculum]
Curriculum approach at Royal Ontario Academy: Traditional
Royal Ontario Academy has a Traditional approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Liberal Arts, Progressive, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf approach).
[Show: About Traditional?]
What Royal Ontario Academy says about their overall curriculum and approach:
Royal Ontario Academy follows the curriculum guidelines established by the Ministry of Education of the Province of Ontario and is inspected annually to ensure compliance with Ontario standards for private schools granting OSSD credits. Our courses are designed to meet provincial expectations while also making learning clear, engaging, and relevant for students.
Approach
| Focus |
|---|
| Academic |
Pedagogies and subject courses:
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Mathematics
Mathematics approach at Royal Ontario Academy: Equal Balance
Royal Ontario Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Traditional Math, Discovery Math approach).
[Show: About Equal Balance?]What Royal Ontario Academy 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.
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Science
Science approach at Royal Ontario Academy: Equal Balance
Royal Ontario Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Science (as opposed to Expository, Inquiry approach).
[Show: About Equal Balance?]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 Royal Ontario Academy says:
This information is not currently available.
Program covers:
Subject Offered Canadian lit American lit European (continental) lit World (non-Western) lit English lit Ancient lit Humanities and Social Sciences
What Royal Ontario Academy says:
This information is not currently available.
Foreign Languages
What Royal Ontario Academy says:
This information is not currently available.
Language instruction offered in:
Subject Offered Chinese-Cantonese Chinese-Mandarin French German Greek Italian Japanese Hebrew Latin Russian Spanish ESL Fine Arts
Program offers:
Subject Offered Acting Dance Drama/Theatre Graphic Design Music Visual Arts What Royal Ontario Academy says:
This information is not currently available.
Computers and Technology
What Royal Ontario Academy says:
This information is not currently available.
Program covers:
Subject Offered Computer science Robotics Web design Physical Education
What Royal Ontario Academy says:
This information is not currently available.
Advanced Placement courses
This information is not currently available.Sex and health education
What Royal Ontario Academy says:
This information is not currently available.
Language
Learn about Royal Ontario Academy's languages of instruction and enrolment.
Royal Ontario Academy offers English as the primary language of instruction.
Language of enrolment include: English
Online Learning
Royal Ontario Academy's online learning approach and offerings. Learn about this school's online programs and courses offered, its course formats, and its teaching and learning approaches.
Royal Ontario Academy operates as an online school.
What Royal Ontario Academy says about their course flexibility:
ROA courses are designed for maximum flexibility. Students can register and start immediately, with no fixed intake periods for most courses. There is no minimum or maximum number of courses a student may take, so families can choose a single course, multiple courses, or a full academic year based on their goals. Students work at their own pace within the course timeline and choose when to complete lessons, assignments, and final exams. At the same time, courses are structured so students complete each lesson before moving forward, helping them build understanding step by step.
Course format
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Distance | |
| Asynchronous | |
| Synchronous |
What Royal Ontario Academy says about their course format:
Distance: ROA delivers fully online courses without required real-time instruction. Students learn at their own pace through structured, high-quality course content. Support is readily available, with teachers providing regular feedback and communication through the LMS. The Principal is also available daily to meet with students virtually to address questions related to courses, postsecondary planning, report cards, and application processes (OCAS, OUAC, UCAS).
Asynchronous: ROA’s model is primarily asynchronous, allowing students to engage with course material on their own schedule. Teachers provide ongoing support by grading submissions and communicating through LMS messaging every two days. This consistent interaction ensures students remain supported, receive timely feedback, and can progress effectively while maintaining flexibility in their learning.
Academic support and services
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Dedicated teacher per course | |
| Exam proctoring | |
| Student progress tracker | |
| Regular office hours | |
| Additional support | |
| Study groups | |
| Special needs support |
What Royal Ontario Academy says about their academic support and services:
Student progress tracker: Students have access to a gradebook within each course that displays their results on assignments, quizzes, and exams. This allows them to monitor their academic standing in real time and track their progress throughout the course.
Regular office hours: The Principal is available Monday to Friday during regular business hours to support students. Teachers maintain consistent communication, responding within 48 hours on weekdays and within 72 hours when messages are received on weekends or statutory holidays.
Curriculum Pace
[Show definition of Curriculum Pace]
Curriculum Pace approach at Royal Ontario Academy: Student-paced
Royal Ontario Academy has a Student-paced approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Standard-enriched, Accelerated approach).
[Show: About Student-paced?]
What Royal Ontario Academy says about their curriculum pace:
Our curriculum is student-paced because students progress through lessons, assignments, and assessments on their own schedule. Students also choose when to write their tests, quizzes and final exams, with the date and time determined by the student rather than the school. Final exams are proctored to ensure academic integrity standards
Flexible pacing style
| Type | 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 Royal Ontario Academy says about their flexible pacing:
Our courses are designed to ensure students complete each lesson before proceeding to the next. This approach encourages steady progress, reinforces understanding, and helps students build the knowledge and skills needed for success in later lessons.
Academic Culture
[Show definition of Academic Culture]
Academic Culture approach at Royal Ontario Academy: Supportive
Royal Ontario Academy has a Supportive approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Rigorous approach).
[Show: About Supportive?]
What Royal Ontario Academy says about their academic culture:
For students who demonstrate strong engagement on our online learning platform and participate fully in all aspects of the course curriculum including frequent and open communication with their teachers and school staff, our Principal may consider requests for second attempts in certain situations and make exceptions where appropriate. This reflects our belief that learning is a process, and that committed students should sometimes have the opportunity to reflect, improve, and show stronger understanding.
Developmental priorities
[Show definition of Developmental priorities]
Primary Developmental Priority: Emotional
The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and confident individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."
Secondary Developmental Priority: Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
What Royal Ontario Academy says about their developmental priorities:
Royal Ontario Academy aims to develop independent, responsible, and resilient learners prepared for postsecondary pathways and beyond. We prioritize critical thinking, real-life application of knowledge, and strong communication skills, while fostering integrity and accountability. Through flexible, student-centered online learning, students build self-discipline, time management, and ownership of their progress. Course design emphasizes practical, real-world connections so learning is meaningful and transferable beyond the classroom. We also promote the ethical use of technology, including AI. Our goal is to graduate confident, capable, and motivated individuals who can apply their learning effectively in academic, professional, and everyday contexts.
Special needs support
[Show definition of Special needs support]
Royal Ontario Academy offers Indirect Support
Students remain in a regular classroom for the whole day; the teacher receives special training in accommodating special needs and/or learning disabled students.
A - Forms of Support
Accommodation:
Modification:
Remediation:
B - Environments
Resource Assistance:
Withdrawal Assistance:
Partial Integration:
Full-Time Class:
Special NeedNeed
Forms of SupportA
EnvironmentsB
ADHD
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Learning disabilitiesDyslexia (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.DyscalculiaThis 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.DysgraphiaThis is a kind of specific learning disability in writing. It involves problems with handwriting, spelling, and organizing ideas.Language Processing DisorderThis 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 DeficitA 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.
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DevelopmentalAutismRefers 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 SyndromeOn 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 syndromehis is associated with impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics.Intellectual disabilityThis 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 syndromeThis 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.
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Behavioral and EmotionalTroubled behaviour / troubled teensroubled 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 DepressionThis 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 anxietyThis 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 thoughtsThis involves persistent thoughts about ending one's life.Drug and alcohol abuseThis 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.
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PhysicalMultiple sclerosisThis 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 palsyhis 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 dystrophyMuscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder which weakens the body's muscles. Causes, symptoms, age of onset, and prognosis vary between individuals.Spina BifidaThis 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.BlindnessVisual 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."DeafnessHearing 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 FibrosisCystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic condition, which affects the body's respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. It affects young children and adults.Multiple physicalAccommodating a wide range of physical conditions and disabilities.
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
Academic support
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
| Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
Mild but clinically diagnosed learning disabilities
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Accommodations | |
| Modifications | |
| Extra support |
Additional support
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Social skills programs | |
| Occupational therapy | |
| Psychotherapy | |
| Speech-language therapy |
Gifted learner support
[Show definition of Gifted learner support]
Curriculum Delivery: This information is not currently available.
Class structure
| Program | Offered |
|---|---|
| Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
| Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
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 Royal Ontario Academy says about their gifted learner support:
This information is not currently available.
Report Card Policy
[Show definition of Report Card Policy]
How assessments are delivered across the grades
| Type | Grades |
|---|---|
| Lettered or numbered grades | Gr. 9 to Gr. 12 |
