Program information

We specialize in Kindergarten to Grade 2
Sherbrooke Academy Junior is one of the only junior schools in the area. We specifically cater to kindergarten, grades one and two students. We have a strong academic program that provides the foundation for our students to transition to the Senior School, which offers the Français Plus Model, allowing students to continue in the French Immersion Model up to Grade 4. Or, after grade 2, our students can opt to continue in various other programs.

In the junior years, parents and teachers get to know the child’s full potential, strengths, and interests. It is during this period that the best approaches are uncovered to enable the child to flourish academically and socially. Thus, providing critical information on choosing the best program suited for the child when moving on to the senior years of elementary school.

MATERNELLE

92% en Français | 1320 minutes
8% in English | 90 minutes

PROGRAMME DE PREMIER CYCLE 1ÈRE ET 2E ANNÉES

18% in English | 270 minutes

Physical Education 120 min | Ethics and Religious Studies and Introduction to English Literacy 60 min | Music 90 min

Physical Education

The goal of the Physical Education Program is to encourage students to develop and improve their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being through physical activities. Classes are held in our gymnasium or outdoors. Our gymnasium includes a stage, large screen and projector for assemblies and can easily accommodate approximately 354 people.

Music

Students are introduced to music through the exploration of various genres of music, instruments, rhythms, dance, singing, and more. During the year, students have the opportunity to showcase what they have learned in various school assemblies, concerts, and activities. Classes are held in our music room or gymnasium.

Facilities

Our school is surrounded by ample green space and a forest that borders a park, baseball and soccer fields, and an outdoor skating rink. The children have access to a large fenced-in playground with jungle gyms, artificial turf, grass, pavement, park benches, and an outdoor classroom. The school is housed in a two-storey building. There is a gymnasium with a stage, overhead projector, and screen. The daycare has its own wing, with separate entrances. Also, on the first floor we have a gross motor room, the Bouge Room, and a Music Room. On the second floor there is a Commons Learning Centre, Art Room, and Room to Breathe. We also have a Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC).

Commons Learning Centre

Our Commons Learning Centre has evolved from a combination library and computer lab into a full-service learning, research, and project space. The modern commons is a meeting place which offers at least one area where students can rearrange furniture to accommodate impromptu planning sessions or a quiet place to work. In response to assignments, which have taken a creative and often collaborative turn in the past two decades, the learning commons provides areas for group meetings and tools to support creative efforts. The learning commons’ strength lies in the relationships it supports, whether these are student-to-student, student-to-teacher, student-to-equipment, or student-to-information. It is a place alive with the voices of students working together; kinds of connections that promote active, engaged learning. The Centre also has a green wall for filming. The facilities are located on the second floor.

Art Room

The school also has a designated art room, with a sink and tables to accommodate our students’ creativity.

Bouge Room

The Bouge Room is a gross motor room offering the unique opportunity for students to play and have fun, while developing confidence in multiple areas of gross motor development, including climbing, running, jumping, ball skills, and balance.

Room to Breathe

The Room to Breathe encourages students to practice mindfulness. Studies have shown that mindfulness in schools improves a range of cognitive, social and psychological benefits.

Conference/Multi-Purpose Room

By the school lobby there is a conference/multi-purpose room that is used as a meeting room for parents and staff and also serves as a classroom for various extracurricular activities.

Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC)

Our TLC is an area that meets the needs of students identified as requiring movement breaks, quiet area to work, coaching or some academic support. It is staffed by teachers and support staff.

Outdoor Classroom

Sherbrooke Academy Junior has an outdoor classroom which allows our children to benefit from the forest and nature of our property. The outdoor classroom is equipped with a blackboard, stools, and storytelling area.

School Forest

The school’s property includes a small forest, in which students explore nature.

Playground Equipment Sets and Synthetic Soccer Turf

Our school yard has two playground equipment sets located in each of the kindergarten and cycle one yards. In the cycle 1 yard we also have a synthetic soccer turf area and basketball area.

The school yards are located adjacent to a forest facing Heights Park which has baseball and soccer fields, and in the winter, a skating rink, along with a play area.

Sustainable Happiness PAWS Program

We believe that learning is directly dependent on children’s attitude towards the task of learning. Children excited about learning and focused on getting along with others will do their best in school.

Sherbrooke Academy Junior implements Positive Behaviour Interventions Support through our Sustainable Happiness PAWS Program, which is based on encouraging students to Pause –Think-Respect; Accept Responsibility; Work Together; Stay Safe. Our program guides students to ensure success by creating a positive, safe, and nurturing environment. At our school we encourage all our students to reflect before making choices by following the PAWS principles:

Are you being respectful?
Are you being safe?
Are you being responsible?

We also understand that we learn from our mistakes. It is important to acknowledge our mistakes, take responsibility for our mistakes and reflect on how to make better choices. Through reflection our children are encouraged to review how better choices can be made.

Our program is basically a systematic approach for achieving social and academic goals while preventing problem behaviours with ALL students.

Purpose of our PAWS Program

The purpose of implementing the PAWS Program is to establish and maintain a safe and effective school environment that maximizes the academic achievement and socio-emotional behavioural competence of all students.

Components of the PAWS Program

Common approach to discipline
Positively stated school-wide expectations of all students and staff
Consistent use of an acknowledgement system and a consequence system
Behaviour expectations are taught to students
Procedures for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the program on a regular basis

Guiding Principles

Academic achievement and expected behavioral skills are the results of school, staff, and families working together to provide a continuum of support for all students.

A continuum of academic and behavioral support includes:

School-wide instruction for all students (Core Instruction)
Instructional interventions for students who are at risk for academic or social and behavioral needs (Supplemental Instruction)
Individualized instruction for students with intense or chronic academic or behavioral needs (Intensive Instruction)

Data Driven

Data is collected to determine the implemented program effectiveness. The data is also used to determine the required changes to make the program more effective for all students. The team uses the data to identify students who may need more instructional or individualized support in order to be successful.

Engaged Teachers and Staff

We are very fortunate to have teachers and staff who care, work collaboratively and support each other, all benefitting the children. This facilitates a smooth progression of learning. The majority of our lunch and after school activities are facilitated by our very own teachers: Drama Rama, Art, All Sports, Social Action, Choir, and Dance Fun Fridays are a few of the activities offered. We showcase our students’ talents through two concerts a year: Winter and Spring. This talent is also showcased during our Grade 1 guignolée (caroling) in December, within our school neighbourhood, and celebration of learning in March.

Community Partners

Through our community partners, such as Collective Community Services, Missing Children’s Network and local universities, our students benefit from social skills groups, music and art therapy, social skills workshops, safety workshops, guest speakers and various after school clubs.

Government Grants

Through government grants we offer language heritage classes after school in Spanish and Italian; and we are looking to expand. We have been able to invite authors, organized interactive-presentations, attend theatre presentations, experience outdoor activities, and more.