Educational Program
Academic Program:
Banbury Crossroads, as an accredited Private School, follows the curriculum of the Education Department of the Province of Alberta. Teachers are able to be closely involved with individual students, given the extremely small student:teacher ratio. The Integrated Day method also enables both students and teachers to work together in enriching the curriculum. This method is developmentally appropriate, and allows for a smooth transition through the grades. In addition to scheduled classes, Physical Education, Art, Drama and Music are all encountered through a variety of means, and in a variety of places. Individual interests are capitalized upon, and suitable instruction sought to develop them. Various options have been taught when numbers and interest warranted, in subjects such as Art, Drama, Music, Computer Studies, Banbury Economics, Journalism, Spanish, French, Russian and Personal Living Skills. In addition, occasional classes on other special topics have occurred in photography, stained glass, ceramics, sewing, computer science, bicycle repair, ballroom dancing, cooking, batik, etc. The list is as varied as our students. Newsletters and literary Gazettes have provided a public forum for the children's language arts skills.
Students progress through the grade levels in various subject areas upon mastery of the required concepts. They may be working at different grade levels at any one time. They are periodically given standardized tests and teacher-made tests when appropriate. Every year, students in Grades Three, Six and Nine write the Provincial Achievement Tests. Students in Grade Twelve write Diploma Examinations. Our basic goal is that students progress academically to the best of their ability, with special attention given to developing their unique interests and talents. Due to the flexible manner in which we approach instruction, lesson planning is handled in a manner consistent with the needs of the specific teachers and students. We must be able to respond to needs that arise for enrichment and remediation, and to be able to supercede previous plans.
The Core Curriculum
All students in each grade engage in activities that cover the following core subjects:
- Language Arts
- Science
- Social Studies
- Mathematics
- Physical Education
- Health