WESTMOUNT CHARTER SCHOOLOur elementary school places a strong emphasis on enriched student learning that demonstrates proven performance. We celebrate student achievement and success through the use of Student Learning Logs. Teachers assist students in formulating individual learning profiles and Personalized Educational Plans that guide students towards achieving meaningful educational goals.
Fundamental to our program is the expectation that students are given direction for their learning by organizing Alberta Education curriculum learner outcomes into relevant learning experiences and products that demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.
Highlights of the elementary program include:
-A dual emphasis on challenging the intellectual growth and nurturing the exploration of multiple intelligences.
-Regrouping for math and language arts based on knowledge and skill.
-Core curriculum presented in an engaging and active format with mastery learning the goal.
-Core curriculum compacted into 60 percent of the recommended class time.
-Integrated Studies and Rotary courses provide opportunities to explore global topics through multiple intelligences and/or enhance an already existing interest or talent.
-a dozen years of demonstrated excellence in educating gifted children. Our doors opened in 1996 as ABC Charter Public School, a small K-3 program, and has gradually expanded to the full-program K-12 school we are today.
Rotary courses
Elementary students choose from a variety of teacher-designed courses with a focus on exploring and developing the multiple Intelligences. Some areas representing Rotary offerings include: Musical Performance, World Sports, Cultural Studies, and Creative Science.
Student Activities
We believe that the overall well being of a student, their degree of happiness, and their level of achievement links closely with active participation in school clubs and activities. Our teachers are dedicated to providing lunchtime and after school activities such as: Art Club, Chess Club, Magic Card Club, Student Leadership, X-Country, Cranium Crackers, Intramurals/Lunchtime Gym Activities, Sports Day, Duathlon/Triathlon, Science Fair. Lunchtime intramural sports are run by Westmount High School Phys Ed students (with staff supervision) and all Grade 3-5 students are welcome each lunchtime to take part in a variety of activities from skipping to soccer and everything in between!
Elementary students have Daily Physical Activity, and Physical Education classes on a regular basis. The elementary PE program is designed to provide a variety of physical activities to develop students fitness, skill level and interest. The aim is to give students the tools, both physical and cognitive, to lead active and healthy lives. The students are encouraged to challenge themselves, to cope with success and limitations in their performance and to be mindful of others and the environment.
The students go off site to take part in skating lessons in the winter and swimming lessons in the summer. The program is set up to provide a team type activity and individual activity each week to create a variety of interest and challenges for our gifted students. Special active events are organized throughout the year with the emphasis on participation, these include our annual "Turkey Trot", a celebration of dance, Jump Rope for Heart, Sports Days and the Terry Fox Run. Each year we try to add more of these special events which are always very popular.
School assemblies aimed at special events, guest presentations, and the celebration of student achievement are additional means in which students are exposed to valuable social and cultural learning opportunities. Special learning activities, such as the grade 5 Science Fair (and subsequent involvement in the city Science Fair) and grade 4 "Invent-an-Alien", are longer-term projects that blend creativity, fun and academic achievement.
Our School Day
K-5 classes begin at 8:30 AM and end at 3:15 PM
Gr 1-5 recess is from 10:05-10:20 AM and from 1:40-1:55 PM
Gr 1-5 lunch (in classrooms) is from 11:40 AM to 12:20 PM, including a recess time.
Staff are available to supervise students from 8:15 AM-3:30 PM only.
In order to promote student security, all visitors to the school, including Westmount parents, are required to sign in at the office to receive a visitor's badge. Parents picking up their children at day's end are asked to wait in the designated parent area, in the north-east corner of the main floor.
To respect the needs of children with life-threatening food allergies, Westmount students are to refrain from bringing foods containing nuts or nut products to school.
QUICK LINKS:
Westmount's Provincial Achievement Test results.
Application procedure for elementary grades.
As a publicly-funded program for gifted learners, we do not charge tuition. For a schedule of our school fees, click here.
Click here for more information about how to choose a program for your gifted child, and Westmount's program philosophy!website © 2007-2008, Westmount Charter School logo ™ 2007, Westmount Charter School Society |