REVIEW OF Fieldstone School BY parent, Grace Pasceri

(5) Student Experience

My child likes the curriculum from science to math to geography. He also enjoys the club activities, especially drama, coding and chess. He likes that he can play at recess with all grades up to grade 7 and how everyone is friendly and pleasant with him. He likes putting on his uniform everyday, especially his gym uniform and number one uniform with his blazer and tie. He loves his teacher, but also the teachers from his other classes, like French, music, gym or the teachers he just interacts with in the hallway. He also gets along well with the administration, from the principal right down to the accountant. He also enjoys the Junior playground, the flower garden in the front, and the rock structure seating area in the schoolyard.

(5) School Leadership

The community environment that the administration has created is very welcoming and comforting. The administration does respond to problems quickly and appropriately while still fostering a positive school environment. The administration does handle discipline issues fairly and judiciously. They communicate effectively with students and parents. The administration is always available to discuss any issue and rectify them within hours of the situation. They support the child immensely and whole heartedly like the child is their very own. It’s a pleasant environment for both parent and child.

(5) Teaching

The curriculum is what drew us to the school. It caters to the individual child’s needs and advances. We are very happy with the quality of the instruction. The teachers are so passionate about their subjects, especially in French, gym and music. All the teachers provide updates and useful feedback on our son. His homeroom teacher has given us useful books to read to our son, Geronimo Stilton is now a new favourite bedtime read. The teachers care for the students as if they were their own and it’s remarkable to see. All are patient, kind and go above and beyond of the students. Every teacher knows every student's name and develops a relationship with the student and parents that I have t seen at other schools.

(5) Academics

The Cambridge method cannot be compared to conceptual learning. An idea that is introduced in JK, then has that same idea grow and flourish as the child enters others grades. The administration calls it the spiral effect. Reading starts early, JK students are given short books to read weekly, my son can read them in 4 minutes! The academic culture and atmosphere that the school cultivates is one of inclusion and support. If a student is excelling, their teacher will give them more advanced work to keep them stimulated. Just another reason why we chose this school for our son. He’s been initially assessed as high-functioning autism and gifted and the school's curriculum works tremendously well for him. I strongly believe that the curriculum the school has been providing him will prepare him for the future.

(5) Extracurriculars

There are plenty of extracurricular activities at the school. Each season brings a list of activities to choose from. For the fall session, my son is in the coding club, chess club, drama club and book book club. There are also sports, French and art available in other sessions or seasons. A reflection of the variety of clubs displays how important having a well-rounded student is to the school.

(5) Students

The student body is small in comparison to other schools, with approximately 60 students. From JK to grade 8. This was another draw to this school, the smaller setting allows more one-on-one time with teachers. There is a tight-knit community feel with a joyful spirit. All grades look out for each other with such care and compassion that is wonderful to witness. The general atmosphere of the student body is composed of studious, dedicated, brilliant minds that are well beyond their years. The students get along very well, the smaller classes sizes, lunch and recess sessions that are held with the entire school, have allowed our son to have close friendships and bonds with all grade types. Where else would an SK student be seen getting a piggyback ride from a Grade 7 student?

(5) School Life

My son loves going to this school. Everyone is so nice and welcoming from the minute you drop off your child, you are assured that your child is in good hands. From the groundskeeper who greets you with a smile and a story to the homeroom teacher who is always smiling. I couldn’t imagine my son being at any other school and having this amount of comfort and ease to walk through its doors. They listen to the students. When my son first started he was scared to walk down the stairs to his classroom. The administration quickly changed the entrance for all students to use another door that had no steps. I’ve never heard of a school being so proactive and so quickly!

(5) Community

The parents are outstanding! From the first day, we were greeted with smiles and tips on how to set up our son’s locker by a parent whose child was in grade one. Instant bonds were formed! So much so that we have regular play dates and outings when school is not in session. Parents are very welcomed to be involved in the school through their parents' association. Parents are encouraged to volunteer at several events like book fairs, pizza days, pumpkin picking, movie nights, bingo, etc. Parents are also encouraged to help in fundraising efforts for the school. The classrooms have their own parent chat groups where information is shared along with school reminders. It’s a real community of parents who care for all the students. I haven’t seen this at my son’s other schools.

(5) School Location

The school's location is in a growing community. We’ve explored outside of the school and have enrolled our son in swimming lessons in the community centre nearby that has some of the other students attending as well. The school faces a major street with lots of access to nearby grocery stores and shops as well. Along with highly accessible parks nearby.

(5) Admissions

It’s the only school that we’ve seen that has a mandatory one-week assessment for the potential student. Which is so logical to do. The administration made the admission process seamless to ensure the school was a right fit for our son. The process was pretty quick, not intimidating and causal. From the start, it was a welcoming environment where the administration was helpful in explaining the process and the next steps. Very happy our son was accepted into the school.