Vincent Massey Academy couples a strong school community—one built over the course of more than three decades—with individualised instruction in settings that reflect, in all the best ways, the communities that they sit within. The program has grown considerably since the early days, which is always a good sign, and now operates two campuses. The interior spaces are bright, uncluttered, and inviting—the school understands that environment is important, and it shows. Instruction is cross curricular, and driven by student directed inquiry, in many ways very purposefully drawing on the best practices of the Reggio Emilia approach. The quality of the before and after care programs are a draw, so much so that a long roster of area schools have partnered with them in order to serve their own parent populations.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"VMA emphasizes collaborative, child-centred experiences that incorporate social-emotional learning to develop well-rounded, adaptable individuals equipped with the emotional intelligence necessary for personal and academic success. Our integrated and inquiry-based approach to learning prepares young minds to thrive in future academic, personal and professional challenges by developing critical thinking, adaptability, and creativity in a manner traditional educational approaches struggle emulate."
Small class sizes that allow students to progress through the curriculum self-paced
Individualized learning for each student to ensure students are challenged daily
Whole child development through a balanced approach to education
Focus on soft skills such as collaboration, social-emotional learning, and growth mindsets
Project-Based Learning to allow e real-world application and cross-curricular learning
Large, open classrooms designed to bring our student's learning to life and share self-expression
Social Justice and Global Citizenship exploration through community involvement and engagement
Regular connections with nature to deepen sustainability practices, and environmental stewardship
Social Emotional Learning to support emotional regulation and personal wellbeing
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"In a class size of 13 students for Kindergarten and 15 students in our Grade 1-6 classrooms, our students are provided with a space that allows for individualized learning, strong...(more)
"In a class size of 13 students for Kindergarten and 15 students in our Grade 1-6 classrooms, our students are provided with a space that allows for individualized learning, strong relationships between teachers and students and between peers, and learning that is built around the needs and interests of the students in our classes. Our classrooms celebrate diversity and individuality and take careful efforts to allow our students to be heard, seen, and understood at an individual level."
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?
"By ensuring intimate class sizes, VMA offers students an educational space that celebrates individuality and considers all avenues of developing the whole child. Our student's...(more)
"By ensuring intimate class sizes, VMA offers students an educational space that celebrates individuality and considers all avenues of developing the whole child. Our student's voices are heard and reflected in the learning that they take part in. Their voice and autonomy in their learning guide them in becoming confident and competent global citizens, and supports them in seeing themselves and how they fit into the changing world around them."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"VMA is located in the hub of our community and has access to many local resources and community personnel. As part of our approach to developing the whole child, our programs...(more)
"VMA is located in the hub of our community and has access to many local resources and community personnel. As part of our approach to developing the whole child, our programs frequently head out into the community to help our students draw real-life connections to the learning taking place in their classroom. Our programs visit local food banks, the library, local restaurants for cooking programs, and parks to extend their classroom learning experiences."
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?
JK to Gr. 2 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Clarisse Lievre to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Vincent Massey Academy.
JK (current) — Every child is naturally curious, and mine loves asking challenging questions. At Vincent Massey Academy, curiosity is encouraged, and students can admit when they don’t know something. This has made my child eager to learn without fearing shame or discipline for being too curious, fostering a positive learning environment.
My daughter also loves her community. It is small enough for her to know everyone on the staff, yet she makes new friends every year. She spends time with her friends during before- and after-school programs, participating in various activities that enhance her social and academic skills. The supportive environment at Vincent Massey Academy ensures she feels valued and connected, contributing to her overall development and happiness. I'm grateful for a school that nurtures her curiosity and sense of belonging.
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