Not all students are created equally, and Oakwood was created, more than anything else, with that idea firmly in mind. It was founded by Trillian Taylor and Michele Power, who remain directors at the school today. The school is intentionally small, allowing for a very individual attention to the unique needs of each student, including an overt attention to social and emotional development. Families who enroll here do so knowing that their learners are capable of a lot, while in the awareness that they would benefit from a different approach than is found elsewhere. Students entering Oakwood join a community of true peers, something which in itself can be transformative to their learning experience and academic success.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Oakwood Academy is a nurturing and specialized independent school dedicated to supporting children with diverse learning needs. We provide a warm, inclusive environment where students are seen, understood, and empowered to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. At Oakwood, we recognize that every child’s journey is unique, and we tailor our approach to unlock their full potential. We are recognized as the first and only recognized school in Canada to apply the DIR Model."
Individualized Learning for Every Child
A Strong Foundation in Social-Emotional Growth
Expert, Compassionate Educators
A Community That Feels Like Family
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Oakwood Academy is one of the only schools in Canada a that specializes in DIR therapy and learning. Oakwood combines a variety of different therapies to ensure that each...(more)
"Oakwood Academy is one of the only schools in Canada a that specializes in DIR therapy and learning. Oakwood combines a variety of different therapies to ensure that each students needs are well tended to and prioritized. Some of these therapies include: Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Music Therapy, Physiotherapy, and more. Our teachers combine therapy with education to best approach the needs of Oakwood students."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"At Oakwood Academy, we prioritize foundational growth over traditional academic structures, ensuring long-term success for our students. We limit technology use, focusing on...(more)
"At Oakwood Academy, we prioritize foundational growth over traditional academic structures, ensuring long-term success for our students. We limit technology use, focusing on hands-on, relationship-based learning that builds real-world skills. While academics matter, we emphasize learning how to learn, fostering emotional regulation, communication, and executive functioning—skills that support success in any setting. Instead of enforcing surface-level behavioural compliance, we address root causes, helping students develop self-awareness and regulation, which naturally lead to positive behaviours. By making these intentional choices, we create a deeply supportive, developmentally appropriate environment where students build confidence, independence, and lifelong learning skills."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"Oakwood Academy was founded to address gaps in education that traditional schools couldn’t overcome due to financial and systemic limitations. Recognizing that most schools...(more)
"Oakwood Academy was founded to address gaps in education that traditional schools couldn’t overcome due to financial and systemic limitations. Recognizing that most schools prioritized behaviour over child development, we built a model that places social-emotional growth at the core of learning. We became the first school in Canada to implement a full-time social skills and self- regulation program, integrating developmentally appropriate practices into the entire school day. Our success led public and government-funded institutions to seek our expertise, shaping broader educational approaches. By pioneering relationship-based learning and proving its effectiveness, we’ve influenced how education supports neurodiverse students, ensuring development, not just behaviour management, remains the priority. Today, we continue to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible in student centered learning."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"Oakwood Academy is ideal for students who benefit from a relationship-based, development-focused approach to learning. We support neurodiverse learners who may struggle in...(more)
"Oakwood Academy is ideal for students who benefit from a relationship-based, development-focused approach to learning. We support neurodiverse learners who may struggle in traditional settings due to challenges with **social-emotional regulation, communication, or executive functioning**. Our students thrive with **individualized support**, small class sizes, and a focus on **foundational skills** rather than rigid academics. Families who get the most from Oakwood value **collaboration, developmental progress, and a whole-child approach**. They understand that long-term growth comes from **building emotional resilience, communication, and self-awareness**, not just academic achievement. Parents who trust the process and see the **bigger picture**—that success starts with strong social-emotional foundations—are the best fit for our community."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"Oakwood Academy is not the right fit for families seeking a traditional behaviour-based therapeutic school or one that prioritizes rigid academics over developmental growth. Our...(more)
"Oakwood Academy is not the right fit for families seeking a traditional behaviour-based therapeutic school or one that prioritizes rigid academics over developmental growth. Our approach focuses on foundational ground-up approach as opposed to a top-down approach to learning. Families must be open to a developmental approach (DIR Floortime)—Parents must want some involvement and value thinking, relating and communication growth as the foundation for learning. Those looking for standard rote learning, or quick-fix behaviour management may find our methods misaligned with their expectations. At Oakwood, success comes from building connections, self-awareness, and intrinsic motivation, not forcing compliance. Families who embrace this philosophy will see their
children thrive in ways beyond traditional measures."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
Information not yet available.
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
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?
Information not yet available.
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
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