Meet Revel Academy's admission team at the Private School Expo: Ottawa (Sep 28). RSVP NOW
The big picture on Revel Academy
We summarized the school ourselves
Revel Academy offers a progressive, student-paced curriculum where kids have a lot of flexibility in and take responsibility for their learning. Students thrive in this small and inclusive school community, feeling a sense of belonging that fosters both personal and academic growth. Revel Academy consists of three “studios”—Spark for ages 4 to 6, Discovery for ages 6 to 11, and Exploration for ages 11 to 14—where kids work at their own pace using adaptive technology, hands-on challenges, and real-world apprenticeships. Extracurriculars include plenty of STEM, art, cooking, and entrepreneurship. Revel makes social, physical, and emotional development major areas of focus. For instance, it uses daily mindfulness practice in class and offers plenty of explorative playtime and activities.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"A member of the Acton Academy network, Revel Academy believes that each child has an opportunity to profoundly change the world. Our learner-driven community puts children at the centre of their learning, empowering them to create personal goals and relational covenants, and participate in meaningful real-world projects. Working at their own pace in multi-age studios, learners strengthen their character and leadership skills with Socratic discussions, adaptive technology, hands-on challenges, and apprenticeships."
Learners demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skills by earning badges and creating portfolios.
Families are invited to attend Exhibitions of Learning at the end of every six-week session.
After-school enrichment includes STEM, art, cooking, coding, Destination Imagination, and more.
Daily mindfulness includes yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques to develop strategies.
Learning and progress are transparent through the use of our online platform shared with families.
Family community that actively participates in Book Clubs, workshops, game nights, and events.
Revel Recap is sent to all families explaining what we worked on in each studio each week.
Learners can sled, ice skate, play sports, use play structures, climb trees, and explore at recess.
Inclusive and supportive environment for all cultures, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
Founder and coordinator of the entrepreneurial, Ottawa Children's Business Fair.
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Accredited by the International Association of Learner Driven Schools, Revel puts our students in control. In each mixed-age studio, learners create their accountability systems,...(more)
"Accredited by the International Association of Learner Driven Schools, Revel puts our students in control. In each mixed-age studio, learners create their accountability systems, develop personalized SMART goals, and work together to create a culture of warm-hearted and tough-minded leaders. Our learners, known as Rebels, are encouraged to question and think critically rather than blindly follow. As a skills-based program, we value creativity and curiosity over memorization of content."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
Information not yet available.
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?
Information not yet available.
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
Information not yet available.
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"As a self-paced and mastery-based school, learners who have been frustrated with the traditional age based approach, finally find a school where they can thrive. We believe that...(more)
"As a self-paced and mastery-based school, learners who have been frustrated with the traditional age based approach, finally find a school where they can thrive. We believe that providing a flexible learning environment where kids can work comfortably, take body breaks, and make decisions about which goal they'd like to tackle next greatly improves executive functioning skills and confidence."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"Our six-week-long project-based challenges, called Quests, combine the arts, maths, sciences, and social sciences, creating real-world learning opportunities. Learners not only...(more)
"Our six-week-long project-based challenges, called Quests, combine the arts, maths, sciences, and social sciences, creating real-world learning opportunities. Learners not only see themselves represented in the curriculum but are encouraged to use their strengths to tackle problems they care about solving. Starting in middle school our learners are also required to seek apprenticeships in fields of interest, developing how to pitch oneself, communicate professionally, and discover new passions."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Before joining Revel, some families are hesitant regarding the amount of choice, and freedom learners are provided. However, after only a short time, parents realize that the...(more)
"Before joining Revel, some families are hesitant regarding the amount of choice, and freedom learners are provided. However, after only a short time, parents realize that the structure of our program sets students up for success while developing time-management, self-advocacy, and perseverance."
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. 2 (current),SK (current) — My children love Revel! They play more and learn more, and spend less time standing in line, waiting for teachers to help other students, etc. Instead of needing to advocate for my children and their individualized needs in a public school setting, it's nice to go to a school where individualization is part of the school philosophy. I feel like I want to shout from the rooftops all the time about my jubilation over finding Revel Academy - it is like a perfect combination of homeschooling, gifted programming, and individualized learning. It's also a wonderful community, where the staff, parents, and children all work to lift each other and support each other. It's an ideal educational institution! I also love that my children can learn from amazing software programs for basic skills, and go to guides for help, instead of doing repetitive worksheets.
Gr. 7 (current) — When our son started at Revel Academy, he was disenchanted at the thought of school. He was bored and would find any excuse not to go. He was also shy around other kids his age. Revel ignited something amazing in him— it made him curious and engaged and eager to go to school every day. He finds the students kind and friendly and has really come out of his shell and has made some wonderful friends. He loves the collaborative nature at Revel Academy and the interesting projects and being able to deep-dive into things he finds interesting. He didn’t want to spend a week in Florida with our family because he didn’t want to miss school! When questioned he said that can’t think of anything disappointing about Revel!
SK (current) — Our child seems to have really enjoyed the autonomy to choose what they want to work focus on, the goals they want to work towards, and topics they are interested in learning about.
It has been extremely beneficial for them to be able to get up and move when they feel the need. Being able to let a guide know they need to move their body gives them the ability to dispel the energy and come back ready to focus.
Learning with real-world projects has given them many tools, such as a good foundational knowledge of money and what it takes to create a small business (learned via a unit where the studio developed a small business from conception through creating items, selling them, and then deciding what to do with the profits), and how to have conversations with a variety of people of all ages.
The time spent outdoors, especially with the other studios has provided a wonderful stretch environment. Playing with and learning from the older students has provided positive risk-taking and growth opportunities.
The opportunities to work with the older students for reading time and other school-wide activities are always a highlight.
Gr. 1 (current),Gr. 3 (current) — Revel Academy has reignited my child’s love of learning. The emphasis on self-direction has enabled my child to reach new levels of personal responsibility and instilled new confidence and a willingness to experiment, explore and seek new challenges. Given the opportunity to miss class, my child surprised me with a request to return to school because he was close to meeting a milestone and did not want to miss out. After one year at Revel, we cannot imagine a better environment for our children.
Both of my children have appreciated the opportunity to make choices at school. For example, like many children, my son is not sporty in the traditional sense. At Revel, he always has a choice of activities during PE, whether it is going for a hike or playing in the snow or practicing his floor hockey skills; he gets exercise without dreading another lesson in a sport he doesn’t enjoy.
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