InnovOak offers bus transferring.
Service options offered are regular rider, door-to-door pickup.
The regions InnovOak offers busing from are:
Cambridge
Kitchener
Waterloo
Additional notes: Currently our school transportation serves Kitchener, Waterloo, and parts of Cambridge. There is a waiting list for transportation, so families should declare interest when accepting admissions. Service depends upon proximity to current routes and seat availability.
Igniting a passion for learning and preparing students to achieve extraordinary success is the central mission of InnovOak. This means educating students within a culture of respect and collaboration to become future leaders, equipped with self-awareness, balanced character, and the ability to think critically. The curriculum at InnovOak goes above and beyond Ontario standards by integrating the latest research and insights to offer an effective and dynamic education. Their approach begins with mapping each student’s educational journey, developing a personalized path supported by responsive teachers. From their structured Kindergarten program to their LifeReady initiative, InnovOak ensures students develop essential skills for academic excellence. The teaching methods are expertly designed to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. InnovOak works to provide holistic education by nurturing creativity and adaptability and by building a culture of curiosity and resilience.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"At InnovOak School, we prioritize a well-rounded education that goes beyond traditional standards while integrating the innovations needed to prepare students for tomorrow's challenges. Our LifeREADY program fosters academic excellence, character development, critical thinking, and leadership skills. We carefully plan educational pathways to ensure students' future success, allowing parents to look back and proudly say, "What a remarkable young person they have become!""
Advanced Math Curriculum: Surpasses Ontario standards, integrating Singapore math in JK- 8
LifeREADY Proficiency Skills: Focus on essential skills for success in academics and beyond.
Traditional Values: Upholds strong academic foundations & personal development for well-roundedness
Advanced JK/SK Program: Focuses on early literacy and numeracy skills, that accelerates learning.
Respect for Family Values: Partners with parents, respect values to nurture each child’s uniqueness
Academic Preschool: Structured play to develop foundational skills through engaging activities
Differentiated Learning: Tailored teaching to meet each student's needs, starting at their level.
Curriculum excellence: Surpassing public school norms, ensuring rigorous academic benchmarks.
Arts and Science Programs: Essential for a complete and grounded student learning experience,
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"InnovOak School distinguishes itself with a focus on both academic excellence and essential life skills, starting with the youngest learners. Its accelerated curriculum, including...(more)
"InnovOak School distinguishes itself with a focus on both academic excellence and essential life skills, starting with the youngest learners. Its accelerated curriculum, including Singapore Math, ensures strong academic foundations. InnovOak’s LifeReady Program equips students with practical skills like managing finances, cooking, and personal branding, fostering independence from an early age. Beginning at 2.5 years old, students are introduced to foundational life skills alongside their academic development.
InnovOak sets itself apart through a blend of accelerated learning and personalized guidance. Its curriculum surpasses Ontario standards, building strong math and literacy skills. The school guarantees that by Grade 1, students will have mastered essential reading, writing, and math skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for ongoing success"
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"At our core, we believe traditional educational values and academic rigor come with deliberate trade-offs. We prioritize foundational learning skills—such as critical thinking...(more)
"At our core, we believe traditional educational values and academic rigor come with deliberate trade-offs. We prioritize foundational learning skills—such as critical thinking and perseverance—over simply rushing through the curriculum or focusing solely on content. This means students master how to learn, setting them up for long-term success as a person and learner. Our commitment to personalized learning and small class sizes means we deprioritize students as part of a large group, ensuring every student receives individualized attention. We foster creativity through inquiry-based learning, but less emphasis is placed on unstructured play as the primary learning method. Students prepare for future careers by integrating life skills and forward-thinking programs, choosing to prioritize real-world readiness over fleeting educational trends. By backward mapping from graduation, we focus on the end goal - ensuring that every student is equipped to thrive as a student and a person."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"We are building a culture that will guide us into the next 100 years. With a mindset that blends the agility of a startup with the depth of traditional learning, we continuously...(more)
"We are building a culture that will guide us into the next 100 years. With a mindset that blends the agility of a startup with the depth of traditional learning, we continuously reshape education to meet today’s needs while preparing students for the future. Unlike larger institutions, we ask, "Why not?" and "What do we tackle next?" allowing us to remake education where others haven’t, taking bold steps to improve the student experience.
Our key moments—from integrating Singapore Math and launching the LifeREADY program, to balancing inquiry-based learning with foundational skills—are driven by this approach. We assess, reflect, plan, and act with the speed of a startup, keeping us ahead in education.
Our location in the innovation and historical district reflects this fusion of tradition and innovation. We tackle new areas and address what others should have, setting a lasting culture focused on personalized learning and real-world readiness for future success."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"At InnovOak School, students and families who thrive align with our reimagined educational philosophy. Some students need more than they currently receive, including those...(more)
"At InnovOak School, students and families who thrive align with our reimagined educational philosophy. Some students need more than they currently receive, including those intrinsically motivated and seeking academic challenges and enrichment, yet lacking personalized attention in larger classes. These students excel in small groups and benefit from a coaching relationship with teachers, often missing in traditional settings. Self-sufficient students may also be overlooked in crowded classrooms. Families needing a solid foundation in traditional learning and upholding family-focused values will find our approach beneficial.
We are Private School Reimagined,!
We create a collaborative environment where parents and teachers work together to support growth but we do not interfere with parenting. We balance foundational education with innovative opportunities, aligning with our commitment to nurturing enthusiasm and ensuring a supportive, values-driven learning experience."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"We may not be the best fit for families whose children have learning needs far below grade level. Our approach requires students to engage with high academic standards, and we may...(more)
"We may not be the best fit for families whose children have learning needs far below grade level. Our approach requires students to engage with high academic standards, and we may not support those needing extensive remediation. Students must take an active role, developing independence and resilience. Families who are not supportive of learning beyond classroom time or who cannot support reasonable homework expectations, may find InnovOak challenging. We also expect parents to value and uphold uniform, attendance, and school policies, and families that cannot partner with the school would struggle with our values. InnovOak is not suited for families seeking a boarding school culture or those focused on elite status over student learning. For parents who expect a public school approach, or a tutoring-style model, InnovOak may not be a fit—our small classes are designed for engaged, personalized learning, and we are contantly removing limits that are found in today's public schools."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"InnovOak is chosen by families for its commitment to exceeding traditional learning foundations. Parents value our model that prioritizes distraction-free learning, exceeds...(more)
"InnovOak is chosen by families for its commitment to exceeding traditional learning foundations. Parents value our model that prioritizes distraction-free learning, exceeds Ontario standards, and fosters a positive environment where teachers develop fundamental skills in every student. We emphasize early reading and writing skills crucial for graduation success and mathematical fluency through our SPEAK Math approach. Our LifeREADY approach equips students with essential life and learning skills, alongside a robust curriculum including Arts, Science, Humanities, Coding, Financial Literacy, and Physical Education. Each grade supports a clear path to graduation, fostering well-rounded, independent learners. This comprehensive approach ensures students are thoroughly prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. We uphold traditional values that align with parents' educational goals, ensuring a supportive and enriching educational experience at InnovOak School."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"We are known for being a forward-thinking school that blends traditional values with modern innovation. Families recognize InnovOak for our high academic standards and our...(more)
"We are known for being a forward-thinking school that blends traditional values with modern innovation. Families recognize InnovOak for our high academic standards and our commitment to preparing students for the future. Our LifeREADY program is a standout feature, as it equips students with essential life skills like financial literacy and coding—skills that set them apart. We’re also known for offering personalized attention with small class sizes, ensuring that every student is engaged and supported.
In the public eye, InnovOak is associated with developing well-rounded individuals—students who excel not only academically, but also in areas like critical thinking, self-regulation, and leadership. Families appreciate our strong partnership with parents and our commitment to real-world readiness, balancing academic rigor with emotional and social growth. We stand out for reimagining private education in a way that resonates with the modern family, while remaining rooted in tradition."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"ocated at the intersection of the Innovation and Heritage Districts within a tech startup space, InnovOak deliberately integrates innovation into traditional learning. Our...(more)
"ocated at the intersection of the Innovation and Heritage Districts within a tech startup space, InnovOak deliberately integrates innovation into traditional learning. Our unconventional setting in a renovated factory-turned-tech space is a testament to our commitment to combining innovation with decades of educational expertise. As InnovOak continues to grow, we expand our offerings to include a gym space, outdoor activities, and a focus on Arts, Science, Humanities, which enhances learning and provides a well-rounded student experience. While our space may defy tradition, our sensible and creative approach resonates deeply with families seeking a quality education. Parents are surprised that there is a school willing to focus on their child with the importance they deserve but may have been missing. Families that want to grow with us are in for an exciting journey that doesn't just get their kids to graduation, but prepares them for whatever their future holds."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Families are surprised to learn that the following things are an important part of our school:
- We guarantee that our students can read, write, and express themselves...(more)
"Families are surprised to learn that the following things are an important part of our school:
- We guarantee that our students can read, write, and express themselves mathematically by the time they enter Grade 1.
- Our students who start with us early surpass the expectations of the Ontario curriculum, meeting their grade expectations at the start of the grade rather than the end.
- We implement an effective guidance coaching model that surprises with its proactive, results-oriented approach.
- We focus on teaching our own Foundational Skillset (Learning Skills) to help improve each student's learning.
- We celebrate Canadian culture, maintaining traditional celebrations like Halloween and Christmas while also supporting cultural traditions that matter to our students.
- We focus on teaching students rather than the latest progressive trends in a neutral educational environment."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"As a school we continue to enhance/ improve our physical building, the overall student experience, our academic advantage and manage our overall growth. Recent change include:
-...(more)
"As a school we continue to enhance/ improve our physical building, the overall student experience, our academic advantage and manage our overall growth. Recent change include:
- Developed an enhanced Learning Skills Framework based on University of Waterloo's Cooperative Education.
- Created the InnovOak Honors Graduation Diploma integrating new locally developed adulting courses to the OSSD
- Established an AP Program plan from grades 9 to 12 for when students are ready
- Developed our own SPEAK Math focus integrating Singapore Math principles replacing Ontario curriculum
- Defined new Guidance Coaching roles to track foundational goals beyond Guidance Counselling
- Introduced financial literacy, coding, cooking and more across all grades
- Created an improved report card giving parents 90 specific "look fors" per grade.
- Added a gymnasium space to our school program
- Beginning the build out of enhanced dedicated senior spaces
- Created new student fitness space / playspace"
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"We have an ambitious vision:
- Complete outdoor primary school play area to enrich learning
- Develop a comprehensive cooking curriculum to enhance life skills & culinary...(more)
"We have an ambitious vision:
- Complete outdoor primary school play area to enrich learning
- Develop a comprehensive cooking curriculum to enhance life skills & culinary knowledge
- Introduce specialized positions in Music focusing on Vocal (Grades 1-3), Brass (Grades 4-6), and Strings (Grades 7-8) to bolster the music program
- Introduce Robotics into SPH3U/SPH4U
- Introduce grade-level/ school signature programs to enrich expected learning experiences
- Expand learning areas with specialized classrooms for Music, Visual Arts, Math Lab, Science Lab, Tech Lab, & Learning Commons
- Integrate Senior School rooms into Grades 1-8 learning for hands-on and real life and authentic experiences
- As we grow, cultivate a diverse array of extracurricular activities including clubs, lunchtime activities, participation in math contests, chess, LEGO competitions & individual team focused sports
- Initiate school musicals starting in 2026, fostering a new arts tradition across all grades"