A small, dedicated school, March Academy is of particular interest to families of students who have had trouble assimilating or accessing a conventionally delivered curriculum within a conventional teaching environment. Teachers are adept at helping students find a place within the social network of the school, feeling involved and valued, as well as supporting a range of learning differences. The program begins with empowering students, helping them become aware of their talents, and encouraging them to employ them within a group learning setting. Parents report a high level of satisfaction, and a common regret perhaps is not turning to the school sooner. Frequent, open commination between faculty and families is also prized.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"March Academy is a dynamic learning environment that celebrates individual difference and teaches students to use their strengths to be effective learners. Small class sizes and experienced teachers create an environment that provides support and challenges students to achieve their true potential. Music, arts, nature, and daily physical activities are integral to educating the whole child. Through high expectations, recognizing learning styles and emphasizing the positive, we give each student a chance to shine."
Small school, small classes, experienced and caring educators
Instilling confidence by emphasizing development of the whole child
Recognizing individual strengths by personalizing education
Challenging students to reach their true potential
Enriched Daily Physical Education program including yoga, TaeKwonDo, running, cross-country skiing
Enhanced Music program including choir, music theory, individual piano lessons
Nature Study and outdoor education experiences
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"March Academy is a dynamic learning environment that celebrates individual difference and gives students the confidence to advocate for themselves and use their strengths to be...(more)
"March Academy is a dynamic learning environment that celebrates individual difference and gives students the confidence to advocate for themselves and use their strengths to be effective learners. Our environment provides support and challenges students to achieve their true potential. Music, arts, nature, and daily physical activities are integral to educating the whole child. High expectations, recognizing learning styles and emphasizing the positive, give students a chance to shine."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"To maintain small class sizes and an individualized approach, March Academy does not offer the breadth of extracurriculars or competitive sports found in larger schools. Instead,...(more)
"To maintain small class sizes and an individualized approach, March Academy does not offer the breadth of extracurriculars or competitive sports found in larger schools. Instead, it integrates enrichment activities such as music, yoga, and outdoor education directly into the curriculum, ensuring all students benefit from a well-rounded education without overwhelming schedules."
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?
"March Academy is an excellent fit for students who thrive in a supportive, small-class environment where individualized learning is prioritized. It is ideal for students who...(more)
"March Academy is an excellent fit for students who thrive in a supportive, small-class environment where individualized learning is prioritized. It is ideal for students who benefit from hands-on, experiential learning, enjoy an active school life with outdoor activities, and appreciate a close-knit community where teachers take the time to understand and nurture each child’s strengths and learning style."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"Families seeking a highly competitive, large-scale academic environment with a strong focus on standardized testing or rigid traditional teaching methods may not find March...(more)
"Families seeking a highly competitive, large-scale academic environment with a strong focus on standardized testing or rigid traditional teaching methods may not find March Academy to be the best fit. The school prioritizes individualized, holistic education, which may not align with families who prefer a fast-paced, high-pressure academic setting."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Families choose March Academy for our small setting, highly experienced educators, and enriched programming. Graduates report that March Academy helped them to better understand...(more)
"Families choose March Academy for our small setting, highly experienced educators, and enriched programming. Graduates report that March Academy helped them to better understand their strengths and needs as learners which gave them the confidence to be effective advocates for their learning in high school. Students appreciate and are prepared to embrace life-long learning."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"Over the years, the school has refined its approach to meet students where they are academically. Families see March Academy as a second home, a warm and comfortable school that...(more)
"Over the years, the school has refined its approach to meet students where they are academically. Families see March Academy as a second home, a warm and comfortable school that fosters confidence and a growth mindset."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"The program at March Academy has been carefully curated to enrich the whole child by including weekly opportunities for subjects such as Yoga, TaeKwonDo and Music which support...(more)
"The program at March Academy has been carefully curated to enrich the whole child by including weekly opportunities for subjects such as Yoga, TaeKwonDo and Music which support the more academic areas such as Math and Language. Despite the attention and support for individual student needs, our emphasis on working in and as part of a group of learners is critical to student development. All experiences complement each other for the benefit of overall learning."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Families are often surprised by how much their child enjoys coming to school every day and what their child is capable of learning and doing. Parents are often delighted to...(more)
"Families are often surprised by how much their child enjoys coming to school every day and what their child is capable of learning and doing. Parents are often delighted to report, "We have finally gotten our child back". Children rise and often surpass the expectations set out for them. Families come to realize and appreciate that teachers at March Academy have clear, specific, just-right expectations which reflect in the self-confidence they see in their children."
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. 1 (current) — My son loves going to school since moving to March Academy. He is engaged and passionate about many academic subjects (especially math and reading) and frequently shares concepts he learns with us. The school truly individualizes education and provides him with the academic enrichment he needs to stay engaged.
He also loves all the physical activity he gets on a daily basis in the gym and through recess games (in which the whole school usually participates).
One activity he does not love is choir practice, and yet the activity has been crucial for building his tolerance for engaging in non-preferred tasks towards a rewarding final goal (the various concerts). After the most recent holiday concert, he beamed with pride and asked if he could please go to March Academy next year as well. In other words, even things that, from our son’s perspective are not “his favourite” turn out to be very valuable for his growth.
He has also been learning so much socially and developing positive peer relationships and social skills. The impressive skillset of the educators and the structure of the environment bring out the best in him.
He loves his teacher, who sees his strengths and harnesses them daily, and also supports him through his areas of difficulty with so much patience and creativity.
I even heard my son telling his neighbourhood friends that they should come to his school because it is so great.
Gr. 3 (current) — My child is enjoying a number of things at March Academy. She loves her teacher and the fact that her teacher listens to her and helps her with questions. She is proud of the work she has accomplished and she is excited to learn more. My child has demonstrated progress in all subject areas, particularly reading and Nature Studies. She enjoys piano lessons which she has also demonstrated significant progress. My child loves the outside activities, particularly the cross-country skiing and the running program. She is fully engaged with the other students and has established some great friendships. The students put on a wonderful holiday pageant with plenty of singing and acting. This is a school that has actively learned my child’s learning style and idiosyncrasies. They have helped my child establish her learning goals and have supported her in reaching them. She loves going to school every day because she feels welcomed and important within the school community. Over this year the school has communicated regularly with me regarding my child’s progress providing me with the positives and the areas needing improvement. All in all, it has been a sound educational experience.
Gr. 2 (current),Gr. 2 (current) — Our twins love March Academy, particularly the amazing group of talented teachers, and the wide range of activities built into the week (from x-country skiing to yoga to piano and more). The family-inspired atmosphere builds relationships across the ages. We, parents, love hearing from our kids about their new-found love of learning - enabled by the small class sizes, and dedicated, caring, and inspiring teachers. After nearly 2 years at the school, our kids have no negative feedback. Additionally, the administration is always seeking to introduce new skills and experiences for the students - for example, in our first year, the kids learned fencing (so unique!). The school year has fun little field trips built in - from chickadee trail hikes, to spirit horse ranch adventures, etc.
Our son loves the variety of the activities at March: each student has an individual piano lesson each week and sings in a choir; they also have yoga, taekwando, cross country skiing in the winter, nature studies, art, French, time for reading and social time before school for games. The school has outings, put on a musical last Christmas, has a recital and other social activities for the students and their families. Reading is supported and encouraged, which our son enjoys. Portions of the learning are done with the entire school, which allows older and younger students to interact and to learn from each other. This creates a positive social environment that our son loves. The integration of academic education, social skills and different activities makes the learning environment a positive one for our son. He feels safe and supported with his teachers and peers.
March Academy has completely changed my child and his outlook on school. It is now a place he looks forward to going each day. He is thrilled that there is more to March than just academics. At March Academy they look at the student as a whole person, who learns in many ways, not just in a classroom.
My son loves that they get to do taekwondo, yoga, piano, cross country skiing and many other activities that he otherwise may not have tried. There is always something for your child to succeed in at March Academy.
At March Academy, my child feels accepted and he is accepting of everyone. He has become very aware of everyone unique differences and talents and understands the importance of inclusion.
March Academy has been amazing for our son and our family.
Our son struggled in the public system and would often come home frustrated and crying.
At March Academy, he has thrived and he comes home everyday with a smile on his face! He will always say “I love it here!" He enjoys the small class sizes and loves playing soccer in the huge field at recess. He has gained confidence and life skills that will assist him for the rest of his life.
He has enjoyed the martial arts! He even broke a board and received his yellow belt with all the children and teachers cheering him on. He has made some good friendships here at the school and they accept my son for who he is.
March Academy is the epitome of what schools should be. My son has flourished since he began attending. My only regret is not having him there sooner! He no longer begs me not to send him to school, not even once this whole year! He is much happier and content with life as a whole. He is always smiling and cheerful when he comes out the door at the end of the day. At his regular school he looked like he had been to war when he got off the bus. It is difficult to leave what is comfortable and go someplace new but the staff and students went out of their way to make him comfortable. The greatest attributes are the quality of teachers, small class sizes, and the focus on the "whole" child (including social skills).
Our eldest daughter completed JK-trough grade 1 in the public school system and it was painful to see her go every morning as her experience there was full of tears, disappointment and loneliness. So we researched several private schools in Ottawa and as soon as we met with the staff at March Academy we knew this was going to imply a monetary effort for us, but we also knew it was going to be worth it.
She started in grade 2 and since then she has been the happiest kid as she is thriving, so we haven't looked back and believe every dollar we spend is worthwhile.
Our daughter started to enjoy learning, she came home after school like a renewed kid. She has been attending March academy for three years now and is going onto her fourth one. Now both of our kids attend March Academy.
What we appreciate the most is the personalized attention they receive there; our kids' concerns and opinions are heard and valued. The personalized attention results in teachers getting to know the kids in a meaningful way, so the report cards that come home are a clear reflection of this.
Our kids are not afraid to be themselves or ask questions because they feel safe at March Academy.
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