REVIEW OF Junior Academy BY parent, Laura Niu

(5) Student Experience

Enrolling my daughter at the Junior Academy, specifically in their STEPS classroom, has been one of the best decisions I have ever made about her development. Being on the Autism Spectrum, my daughter has always required unique learning and behavioural support which could not have been met through mainstream school systems. Since her first day at Junior Academy, my daughter has felt welcomed, supported, accepted and most importantly, encouraged to express her creativity and individuality. She has gained a great deal of independence and confidently navigates her way around the school. My daughter has made many friends over the last two years which has strengthened her social and communication skills. Junior Academy has been absolutely life-changing for our family and we are so incredibly grateful!

(5) School Leadership

The Junior Academy leadership team does an incredible job of coordinating with parents to support every aspect of their students' learning needs. Mr. Paul Bamberger, Mrs. Emily Duron, Mr. Matt Johnson and Mr. Nick Johnson always welcome feedback and promote open and honest communication with families. They are extremely responsive to emails and calls and have taken the time to send pictures or updates of my daughter's day. I have confidence that any concerns shared with the school will be addressed immediately and appropriately.

(5) Teaching

The teachers and staff at Junior Academy are truly impressive, and each one knows every student of the school by name. My daughter has personally developed a rapport with many members of the faculty outside of her STEPS classroom. The STEPS classroom is geared towards students on the Autism Spectrum and provides a small class size and a dedicated team who are genuinely some of the best in the industry. Most notably, Ms. Allison Leach, the STEPS homeroom teacher, has extensive experience in Special Education. She is thoughtful in her approach to teaching and develops learning plans tailored specifically to each student's needs and abilities. She is especially adept at building a team of skilled professionals who work together to support each student's goals. Allison goes above and beyond for each of her students to ensure that they are seen and heard, and she pushes them to break barriers and reach their full potential. Having a teacher like Allison has been life-changing for my daughter's educational and social development, and I simply cannot thank her and her team enough for all they have done for my daughter!

(5) Academics

Junior Academy provides a well-rounded academic program including core and arts-based subjects. The school offers an in-house Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist which are crucial in fostering students' academic achievements. The STEPS classroom is unique as it combines academic teaching with practical life skills. Each student's educational program is derived from the prescribed Ontario school curriculum and tailored to their unique learning styles and capabilities. Over the last year, my daughter had the opportunity to be integrated with the Grade 8 class for Book Talk and LEAP. This has broadened her educational experience and challenged her to navigate a new learning environment. Junior Academy has given my daughter the tools to succeed and ensured that she is prepared for her transition to high school next year.

(5) Extracurriculars

Junior Academy offers students the opportunity to participate in team sports such as basketball, badminton and track and field. My daughter has enjoyed many clubs that run during the lunch hour including Glee Club and Art Club and I was pleasantly surprised to learn of her interest in Science Club! The Junior Academy also hosts various events throughout the year for students and their families to participate in. My daughter also really enjoys the end-of-year summer camp which is rich in activities and trips.

(5) Students

The students at Junior Academy are respectful and considerate of each other. My daughter enjoys spending time with her friends both in the classroom, at recess and the after-care program. Students have familiarity with each other across the different grade levels. They are often together for school assemblies, events and clubs. The STEPS classroom has a wonderful mentorship program where STEPS students are paired with a mentor from another class. This is an enriching experience for both the mentee and mentor as it promotes the importance of friendship, sharing and learning from each other. My daughter has gained a great deal of confidence and feeling of acceptance through having having a mentor. It has been heartwarming as a parent to hear of the bond she has developed with her mentors.

(5) School Life

Junior Academy encompasses a very positive and welcoming learning environment for each student. The school demonstrates inclusiveness and each student is celebrated for their individuality. Students understand what is expected of them and are focused on their academic progress. The STEPS classroom provides a good balance between structure and routine with engaging activities. My daughter is genuinely happy to be at school and enjoys telling us about what she did each day. One of her favourite activities is organizing the breakfast cart as it teaches her the importance of teamwork. She also particularly enjoys when Sunshine Dogs visit the school. Her teacher strives to incorporate her special interests such as Art, Music and Dance into her education. This keeps her engaged and provides her with a sense of accomplishment.

(5) Community

The Junior Academy community is made up of like-minded families who share the common goal of having a safe educational space for their children to thrive in. In speaking with the families I've met, I was confident that Junior Academy would be a place for my daughter to grow and succeed. My family has enjoyed attending the school barbecues hosted by Junior Academy at the beginning and end of each school year. I was able to meet many other families at these events which made me feel welcomed and included in the school community. Junior Academy also organizes a number of events that parents are encouraged to participate in, for example baking treats for the Valentine's Day bake sale, family dances, and weekend ski and skating trips.

(5) School Location

Junior Academy is located on Bayview Avenue and surrounded by residential streets. Pick-up and drop-off is very convenient and the school admin team ensures student safety during these times. There is a playground in-front of the school which students have access to and the parking lot is blocked off for portions of the day to provide more free space during recess and lunch. The students participate in Outdoor Education in the park/forest/ravine area across the street.

(5) Admissions

Enrolling in a new school can be extremely daunting and stressful for any parent, especially one with a neurodiverse child. The Junior Academy administrative team: Matt, Paul and Nick, ensured a smooth admission process from beginning to end. Apart from managing the required administrative documents, the admin team coordinated three separate occasions where my daughter could visit Junior Academy and participate in the class routine. These visits were helpful in establishing her unique needs and curating her optimal educational experience.