Frequently Asked Questions
1. What age can children start?
Children must be 4 years old by December 31st to enroll as a JK student.
2. What are the school hours and are there half-day programs?
Creekford Academy operates from 8:00am until 2:30pm. Students in grades 1-3 attend full days. Part-time enrolment is available for JK/SK however these students also attend full days (Part time schedule - Tuesday & Thursday, every other Friday)
3. Are the children outside all the time?
Children will spend the majority of the day outside, however they will also have programming and instruction delivered inside the schoolhouse. Our blended curriculum makes use of both environments in order to provide the best learning outcomes.
Our diverse weather provides a multitude of opportunities for full sensory learning, new and ever changing environments for exploration, and enjoyment of nature in all its forms. In addition, children learn how to dress appropriately for the weather as well as other valuable skills such as how to regulate their body temperature by keeping moving and by adding or removing layers. They become resilient and seldom complain about being out in any weather. We will of course go inside in the event of a thunderstorm and during extreme cold.
4. What exactly is a blended curriculum?
This curriculum model has taken the best educational approaches from the Forest School method, as well as from the conventional approach of public education, through parts of the Ontario Curriculum.
Traditional Forest School uses an entirely emergent, inquiry-based curriculum in nature. While we see immense value in this approach to learning and the value of outdoor-based education as the sole delivery model, we also believe the numeracy and literacy skills set out in the Ontario Curriculum are necessary foundational building blocks for students in the primary years of schooling. These skills are best developed by combining teacher-centered instruction (both indoors and outdoors) with the experiential, emergent approach of Forest School.
5. What about other school subjects besides Language and Math?
The Arts (music, drama, art, dance) is a fundamental part of our programming whether connected to read alouds and stories, holidays and cultural celebrations, or special guests that come to the school to work with our students. Devoted spaces for art and music in the schoolhouse illustrate their importance in our holistic approach to learning.
Similarly, concepts connected to Science and Social Studies are embedded into our outdoor, experiential approach to learning. Rather than specific “classes” for these subjects, students acquire knowledge and skills through meaningful hands on experiences.
6. How are students graded?
Students progress and development is assessed continually throughout the year, and shared with parents/families using a variety of methods including conferences, school visits, as well as through progress reports that provide feedback on students’ strengths and areas of growth in all realms of their development. Formal or traditional “letter grading” is not provided to parents or students as it focuses on learning as an outcome rather than as a process.
7. What about EQAO and standardized testing?
Standardized testing begins in the public school system in grade three, however we believe that it does not provide an accurate or complete reflection of students’ knowledge, skills, intellectual capabilities, or their ability to learn. In addition, we value the diverse learning styles of students, which are not accounted for in a traditional written based assessment. As such, students at Creekford Academy will not participate in standardized testing.