The mantra of private education is “fit”—finding the right environment for your child’s specific learning needs. Magnificent Minds is a great example of that concept, to be sure. While there are psychoeducational services and support in place for students who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the school’s approach can benefit a range of learning needs; most often children arrive here coming from environments that, for whatever reason, were unable to provide the supports they needed. The school is small, and for the families that enroll here, that is one of its great benefits. Instruction is student-centred, adapting to the needs of each individual. There is an emphasis on play, and an awareness of the benefits of growing a positive sense of self within a close community of peers. The context of possibility, of celebrating and building upon a child’s unique talents and ability, for many students has been transformational.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Magnificent Minds Inc. offers low-ratio classes for students from kindergarten to grade 8; using the science of learning, and a hands-on approach, we motivate our students to reach their best, and become resilient life long learners. With a strong emphasis on developing the whole child, and adjunct programs targeting executive functioning, mindfulness, community involvement, and social and behavioural skills, we offer programming that acknowledges the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to education."
Small Classes (maximum 8 students)
Low ratios (1:4)
Adjunct programs targeting executive functioning.
Adjunct programs targeting mindfulness, yoga and self-regulation.
Adjunct programs targeting life and adaptive skills.
Adjunct programs targeting use of technology/media.
Adjunct programs targeting community involvement.
Therapeutic approach.
Multi disciplinary collaboration (OT, SLP, ABA)
Clinical oversight
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Differentiated (and individualized) instruction occurs in all aspects of our programming as we work through academic and social-emotional curriculums specific to the needs of our...(more)
"Differentiated (and individualized) instruction occurs in all aspects of our programming as we work through academic and social-emotional curriculums specific to the needs of our students. In developing our yearly goals, we recognize that many of our students possess uneven learning profiles (advanced in one subject, behind in another) and work with our multi-disciplinary team to fill in gaps as we build on existing strengths."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"Our emphasis is on core academics, specifically language and math, as actualized through academic intervention, groups and learning pods. The trade off is deprioritizing second...(more)
"Our emphasis is on core academics, specifically language and math, as actualized through academic intervention, groups and learning pods. The trade off is deprioritizing second language learning, we don't offer a French program. The second thing we prioritize is language comprehension across all subject strands in order to address core deficits in our population and strengthen comprehension of content. The trade off is deprioritizing rote learning as a standard approach to skill acquisition."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"We first opened in 2011. By 2018 we had outgrown our space and mover into an expansive facility with a sensory motor gym and larger classrooms.
Began offering individual and...(more)
"We first opened in 2011. By 2018 we had outgrown our space and mover into an expansive facility with a sensory motor gym and larger classrooms.
Began offering individual and group psychotherapy to students and parents in 2022.
The establishment of our core clinical classroom in 2023, offering a bridging program for those moving from 1:1 learning to group ratios."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"At Magnificent Minds, we generally see students who have tried other learning environments and know a larger classroom isn't the right fit. Whether coming from a public school or...(more)
"At Magnificent Minds, we generally see students who have tried other learning environments and know a larger classroom isn't the right fit. Whether coming from a public school or another private school, our smaller classrooms and lower teacher-to-student ratios serve our population much better. Many of our students were traditionally the 'fall though the crack' kids. They may be shy, or get overstimulated easily, and end up struggling academically and/or socially in traditional learning environments. While they may survive the school day in a larger environment, they thrive in a smaller, more tailored environment like ours."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"We would advise against joining our school if you are looking for inclusion at all costs. While we do like learning all together, we offer different learning environments tailored...(more)
"We would advise against joining our school if you are looking for inclusion at all costs. While we do like learning all together, we offer different learning environments tailored to each type of learner.
We are all about least restrictive AND most effective learning, not one or the other. If you are looking for a program that is only the least restrictive, even if it is not the most effective, we may not be a good fit. All kids in our program have needs we are meeting. We are a special education program, and rarely have peer models."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Our expertise in specialized (individualized) education and our commitment to celebrating, and respecting, neurodiversity comes through in everything we do, from goal setting to...(more)
"Our expertise in specialized (individualized) education and our commitment to celebrating, and respecting, neurodiversity comes through in everything we do, from goal setting to planning community events for our students to enjoy."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"At Magnificent Minds, we pride ourselves on our reputation of being an ideal learning environment for kids who are struggling in larger classroom settings. When people think about...(more)
"At Magnificent Minds, we pride ourselves on our reputation of being an ideal learning environment for kids who are struggling in larger classroom settings. When people think about our school, they think about how much happier their kids are, and how amazing and dedicated our staff are."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
Information not yet available.
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
Information not yet available.
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"Recently we have made improvement to our classrooms, gross motor spaces, and outdoor playground. Classrooms are outfitted with additonal technology to assist with teaching and...(more)
"Recently we have made improvement to our classrooms, gross motor spaces, and outdoor playground. Classrooms are outfitted with additonal technology to assist with teaching and motivation. Gross motor spaces include updated equipment and sensory areas. Our outdoor playground was recently updated with new equipment, and an outdoor classroom."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"At Magnificent Minds we plan to grow with our students. We hope to offer higher grade levels, more adjunct programming, and community outreach in the future."
"At Magnificent Minds we plan to grow with our students. We hope to offer higher grade levels, more adjunct programming, and community outreach in the future."
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