Elevate Learning Centre provides an opportunity for students with unique needs to thrive in a supportive environment. With programming designed specifically for diverse learners, students receive small group instruction, daily social and emotional learning, and structured literacy. Elevate believes all students can thrive when supported in the right way. Its programming focuses on literacy, numeracy, executive functioning, and socio-emotional skills, enabling students to learn strategies to self-regulate independently. A high educator-to-student ratio means students receive the support they need to thrive and build their academic and social confidence.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"ELEVATE is a charitable elementary school designed for the unique needs of students with learning disabilities, ADHD, Type 1 ASD, and other exceptionalities. Our students work in small groups with an educator providing direct instruction and evidence-based approaches based on student needs. Your child does not need to have an official diagnosis to join ELEVATE. Our mission is to create motivation to lessen learning gaps and empower your child to excel and feel confident in their learning journey."
Designed specifically for diverse learners
Direct instruction
Structured literacy
Low student to staff ratio
Daily social emotional learning
Charitable Organization
Evidence-based programming such as UFLI, Wilson, Zones of Regulation, SuperFlex
Small class size - up to 5 students
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"At Elevate Learning Centre, we believe that ALL students can thrive and succeed when they are supported in the right way. Our program was created to specifically support students...(more)
"At Elevate Learning Centre, we believe that ALL students can thrive and succeed when they are supported in the right way. Our program was created to specifically support students with diverse learning needs. We assess all students before they join us to identify their unique strengths and areas for growth. We use intense remediation and direct instruction in literacy and numeracy to solidify foundational skills with the goal of transitioning students back to their home school."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
Information not yet available.
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"ELEVATE Learning Centre was created in 2021 to address a critical need for students who may have been impacted by the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centre for...(more)
"ELEVATE Learning Centre was created in 2021 to address a critical need for students who may have been impacted by the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centre for Diverse Learners created different virtual programs to support learners including Core Skills, a 12 week virtual daily program specifically on lessening the gaps in literacy, mathematics and social emotional skills. From this virtual program, ELEVATE was created. ELEVATE is a daily, 6 hour school program providing targeted support to address the educational gaps and fostering holistic development in literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional skills. Other subject areas are addressed in the afternoon programming including the arts, science, social studies and healthy living. ELEVATE also empowers students to safely explore their community with our monthly field trips to local places of interest, most times accessibly by the Burlington transportation system."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"ELEVATE Learning Centre is a unique charitable private school for students with diverse learning needs. At ELEVATE, all students can thrive and succeed when they are supported. ...(more)
"ELEVATE Learning Centre is a unique charitable private school for students with diverse learning needs. At ELEVATE, all students can thrive and succeed when they are supported. Individual student strengths, interests and areas of growth are highlighted on our Success Plans. Our learning programs are designed to meet individual students where they are at and help them to learn and grow skills in a way that promotes motivation for learning."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
Information not yet available.
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Time and again our families emphasize our care and our expertise. They love that students are in small groups or working 1:1 for dedicated, tailored support. They report that...(more)
"Time and again our families emphasize our care and our expertise. They love that students are in small groups or working 1:1 for dedicated, tailored support. They report that students who hated reading are now reading chapter books. Students that were reluctant to go to school are excited each day. Our parents also appreciate our consistent communication about what strategies we're using, and how they can continue at home."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"We believe learning happens inside and outside of the classroom. We offer frequent trips into the community, enough that they can seem commonplace. This includes trips to the...(more)
"We believe learning happens inside and outside of the classroom. We offer frequent trips into the community, enough that they can seem commonplace. This includes trips to the library, to our local food bank to volunteer, weekly swim time, and in and around the city to support student learning. These trips are fun, but they are also a valuable opportunity for students to learn more about their community and get involved."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"We believe that open and reciprocal communication is the key to student success. We welcome parent and student feedback as it is a crucial component to student progress and...(more)
"We believe that open and reciprocal communication is the key to student success. We welcome parent and student feedback as it is a crucial component to student progress and achievement. You may be surprised to see students jumping on our little trampoline or sitting quietly on the couch with headphones on. We encourage our students to voice their needs, and we listen. If they need time, we will give them time."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
Information not yet available.
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
Gr. 3 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Nicole Fortunaso to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Elevate Learning Centre.
Gr. 4 (current) — To put it simply, my son loves going to school each day. In the past, he has been frustrated and often in tears after returning home due to feeling like he couldn't keep up with the rest of the class. Because he has a learning delay they have tailored the curriculum to him and at the same time have given him learning strategies. He actually recently told our principal that he "gets more work done here than at my old school!" and actually enjoys it. The individual attention and small group work/low student-to-teacher ratio are perfect for him. I'm continually amazed at the activities they have the children do - from interview skills to the process of creating a viable product to market.
Gr. 6 (current) — If I ask my son, he says he likes how the school goes to the food bank or goes swimming. He enjoys the independence of going to the public library and choosing books for himself. He loves the field trips they take too. All the kids love to see the dog at school and it gives the kids something they can all relate to and share common ground about, regardless of their personal interests. I personally like the fact that there is a low student-to-teacher ratio and he gets so much direct help in the areas he needs. He has always tried hard and had a great attitude about school, but had very few results to show in relation to the amount of effort. At Elevate, he has made leaps and bounds in his reading because they have found the right way to teach him. He's a bright kid, but with his dyslexia, the public schools could not teach him to read, no matter how amazing his teachers were.
Gr. 4 (current) — My child's experience at Elevate Learning Centre has been truly transformative. She has found a nurturing and supportive environment where her unique learning needs are addressed and embraced. What she appreciates the most about her experience at the school is the individualized attention she receives, as well as the strong connections forged with both her peers and educators. She particularly enjoys the engaging and adaptive teaching methods employed by passionate teachers, which makes learning not only accessible but also enjoyable. This has significantly boosted her confidence and enthusiasm for learning, leading to notable academic progress. As for disappointments, it's difficult to pinpoint any major issues. However, the initial transition to Elevate was accompanied by some apprehension and sadness due to missing her friends and siblings at her former school. Fortunately, this phase was short-lived, as she quickly adapted to the new environment and formed new friendships within the welcoming and inclusive community at Elevate Learning Centre.
Gr. 2 (current) — Although our child has just joined the school recently, we can say that he is enjoying his experience at Elevate Learning Centre. His favorite things about the school are the following: being able to work one-on-one with the teachers, being taught a lesson by a teacher while in a very small group of students, and having so many teachers available to help when needed (fantastic student-to-teacher ratio). Our child needs lots of encouragement and immediate feedback, and at Elevate, we feel that he gets those from the teachers every single day. The lessons are taught in a variety of different ways to accommodate our diverse learners, which not only enhances the overall experience but it also makes the children even more interested and eager to learn. Finally, our son thoroughly enjoys the various extracurricular outings in the community, whether it be for volunteering, exercising, or learning something new (read more in the "Community" section at the bottom).
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