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The big picture on Fern Hill School - Oakville
We summarized the school ourselves
At Fern Hill, academics are important, just as they should be at any school, but culture is important too, including a desire to capitalize on the individual strengths of the staff. Cross-curricular links are a focus, as is a desire to allow students to experience things that may, for the moment at any rate, seem to reside outside their immediate areas of interest. The program is focused on the development of confidence, skill, and social engagement.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Since 1982, Fern Hill has nurtured students ages 3-13, fostering confidence and a commitment to excellence. Our enriched rotary-based curriculum is taught by passionate, subject-specific teachers who inspire a love of learning. With diverse subjects, academic challenges, sports, clubs, performances, outings, and extended trips, students engage in rich and varied experiences. Blending traditional teaching with an enriched approach, we equip them with the skills to embrace challenges and excel."
We believe in giving highly qualified educators the opportunity to teach the subjects they love. With a teacher for each subject, our...(more)
"Professors specialize, why not teachers?
We believe in giving highly qualified educators the opportunity to teach the subjects they love. With a teacher for each subject, our students have the opportunity to find and share their passions for a subject with a teacher who feels the same way. Be it math, science, athletics humanities or the arts, there is a teacher at Fern Hill waiting to light the fire.
Almost all elementary schools in Ontario use a single grade teachers to deliver the core program. Fern Hill provides individual teachers for each subject in a rotary schedule similar to that used in Ontario high schools. Our students don't move rooms each period, but our teachers do. This allows our teachers to expand and share their expertise and passion for their subject with students across a number of grades. It also enables us to enrich or support the individual skills of the students in each subject."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"Fern Hill students all have a consistent homeroom teachers who greets them in the morning, eats lunch with them, and organizes them at the end of the day, but they also have a...(more)
"Fern Hill students all have a consistent homeroom teachers who greets them in the morning, eats lunch with them, and organizes them at the end of the day, but they also have a flow of subject teachers who move through the classroom according to the weekly timetable. This flow brings a regular change of personal connection and chemistry that we believe is positive, but that also requires an ability to transition and refocus quickly in preparation for the next subject. While many children appreciate the structure of a defined schedule, and find the change of teacher to be interesting and refreshing, some children may find this structure and its multiple transitions challenging."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"Fern Hill students enjoy coming to school each day and are motivated to learn and participate in their lessons. Our rotary timetable and the transition of teachers throughout the...(more)
"Fern Hill students enjoy coming to school each day and are motivated to learn and participate in their lessons. Our rotary timetable and the transition of teachers throughout the day encourage personal organization and the ability to adapt and focus on each new class. Our students learn to be flexible through the many experiential learning opportunities that may interrupt their schedule with overnight trips, cultural presentations, sports tournaments, etc.
Fern Hill families expect their children to participate in extracurriculars and to develop the courage to step out of their comfort zones to try unfamiliar or challenging opportunities. Character traits that our families value include respect, courage, leadership, persistence and resilience.""
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"Families looking for a single teacher approach may not find our rotary schedule of subjects and teachers appealing."
"Families looking for a single teacher approach may not find our rotary schedule of subjects and teachers appealing."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Families choose Fern Hill for a multitude of reasons, but at the heart of it is our commitment to providing a challenging academic program led by highly qualified teacher...(more)
"Families choose Fern Hill for a multitude of reasons, but at the heart of it is our commitment to providing a challenging academic program led by highly qualified teacher specialists. Here at Fern Hill School, we believe in kindling the academic potential of each student through engaging lessons and experiential learning.
What sets Fern Hill apart are our unique offerings. From Mandarin to Field Studies, Band, and an amazing selection of Arts programs, we provide opportunities for students to explore and excel in various disciplines. Our international travel and leadership opportunities broaden horizons and foster global citizenship.
Yet, beyond our programs, it is the palpable sense of warmth, community, and connection that truly defines Fern Hill. When families enter our doors, they immediately feel embraced by our supportive community."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"Fern Hill is a feeling. Parents who choose us will often remark on the community environment and the respectful way students address them when we encounter them in the halls or...(more)
"Fern Hill is a feeling. Parents who choose us will often remark on the community environment and the respectful way students address them when we encounter them in the halls or ask them questions visiting a class.
We have a reputation for strong academics that support applications to excellent high schools where our students excel. Our students leave Grade 8 as people who grew up in a learning environment that built confidence in themselves and their ability to connect with people, face and overcome challenges, and change the world."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
Information not yet available.
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Families who first visit Fern Hill Oakville often expect a strong academic program, a warm community, and engaging extracurriculars. But what truly surprises them is the depth of...(more)
"Families who first visit Fern Hill Oakville often expect a strong academic program, a warm community, and engaging extracurriculars. But what truly surprises them is the depth of our student leadership and the confidence our students develop. Many parents are amazed by how our students—from the youngest to the oldest—take on leadership roles, whether they’re running school assemblies, mentoring younger students, or leading service projects."
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?
"With a history that began in 1982, Fern Hill holds fast to the philosophy and ideals that were the foundation when we began. The journey from Preschool through Grade 8 represents...(more)
"With a history that began in 1982, Fern Hill holds fast to the philosophy and ideals that were the foundation when we began. The journey from Preschool through Grade 8 represents 11 years with each family and they need to be able to trust that the reasons they choose Fern Hill will hold true throughout their time with us. With careful attention to the Ontario Ministry of Education and their curriculum guidelines and recommendations, we endeavour to stay true to our proven delivery methods, school values and our core philosophy of teaching our students the importance of being 'dedicated to excellence'."
JK (current),SK (current) — My children both feel at home at Fern Hill. They arrive daily and are greeted by staff who make them feel welcome and seen. Both of my children have made strong connections with friends and their teachers. My child in grade 4 has enjoyed her year in grade 4 so far as it has offered many opportunities to be involved in sports teams and clubs. She also thoroughly enjoys the music program and the art program at Fern Hill. She had the amazing opportunity of being in the school play this year, which was a rewarding and unique experience for her. Both children use Edsby to keep up to date on their classes and assignments and benefit from the amazing communication from their teachers.
JK (current) — As a mother sending her first child to school for the first time, this experience can be very overwhelming … you are worried if your child will like school, settle in, and make friends … but then, come the first weekend, your child is crying because they DON’T have to go to school? That’s how you know they have fit right in, and there is no bigger relief! My daughter loves the comfort of a supportive and helpful homeroom teacher, Ms. D’Agostino, and is so attached to all the administrative staff. She enjoys the activities and diverse celebrations and says each day in her life feels like a new storybook! How awesome is that! Every morning, she wakes up excitedly to get to her newest adventure!
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