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Go to child profileTLC offers specialized education for today's unique learners. We work with kids from grades 3 to 8 who are struggling to achieve their potential within a traditional academic environment. We nurture "out of the box" thinking while developing foundational and essential hard and soft skills that are necessary for navigating the landscape of our future. Approximately 20% of the mainstream classroom does not learn in the same way as the majority, and this is the demographic we know best.
What learning looks like now: At The Learning Common, we have created a hybrid online/in-class scheduling system with an effective virtual curriculum. All hard skill development in Reading and Math will take place inside the classroom. Because of our small class sizes and superior online teaching methods, we have had a very easy transition to the virtual learning space. We have procedures and protocols in place for screening, a thorough sanitation schedule, and a space that allows for effective social distancing. We have also incorporated a live streaming feature for our classrooms and created a content database for learners who are unable to attend class.
In-house micro-garden
TLC garden
It’s true that not all students learn in the same way, though it's also true that not all schools address the full range of learning within the populations that they serve. TLC was created to offer an option to students who, for a whole range of reasons, weren't finding the kinds of support, teaching, and student experience that they needed to learn best. In that, and much else, this isn’t your average school, which is exactly what makes it, for those who enroll, such a strong offering. The school is small, class sizes are very small, meaning there is pronounced personal attention. There is a focus on gaining a sense of confidence in academic and social abilities, and relationships with peers and instructors, rightly, is seen as the foundation of learning. Robyn Keystone, Head of School, is an Orton-Gillingham practitioner, applying a multi-sensory approach to instruction, and included in that is a desire to work with students to find approaches that work best for them. The staff is exceptionally experienced, empathetic, and work in collaboration with the families that enroll. It’s a unique offering, and for those who attend, an exceptionally welcome one.
Focus | Special needs |
---|---|
Academic | Special needs |
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 |
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 |
Full-time programming is offered for all students which is exclusively focused on one or more 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
Program | offered |
---|---|
Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
Curriculum delivery: This information is not currently available.
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) |
The Learning Common does not offer any competitive or recreational sports.
The Learning Common offers 3 clubs and extracurricular programs.
3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
Day | $19,500 |
Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Gr. 3 to Gr. 8 | Coed | Day | 12 |
Total enrolment | 12 |
Average class size | 6 to 12 |
% of international students (total enrolment) | 0% |
Number of different nationalities within student population | 1 |
3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Enrollment | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Assessment | Required | Grades |
---|---|---|
Interview | N/A | |
SSAT | N/A | |
SSAT (out of province) | N/A | |
Entrance Exam(s) | N/A | |
Entrance Essay | N/A |
Day students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry:
Yes
Application fee: $0
Registration fee: $0
Deposit:
20%
Parent interview and tour
Intake and Deposit
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 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 2 - 3 (100%) | 2 - 3 (100%) | 2 - 3 (100%) | 2 - 3 (100%) | 2 - 3 (100%) | 2 - 3 (100%) |
At The Learning Common, we want to support each student in finding their place and value in their community. Our effective teaching strategies help learners to gain confidence in their academic pathways and nurture creativity, innovation, resilience, collaboration, and empathy. Our small class sizes and teaching expertise results in a comfortable and positive environment for our 'out of the box' thinkers.
Approximately 20% of the mainstream classroom does not learn in the same way as the majority, and this is the demographic we know best. We understand that this type of thinking needs to be nurtured through research based and proven tactics to help each learner flourish and reach their potential.
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