A Unique Approach to Education
Brooke Valley School is a unique educational Program, where the
tradition of one room schoolhouses is still thriving. The school
has been serving the community since the 1970s, providing
education to children and a space for the community to gather
and work collectively. Today, the school continues to uphold this
tradition, and strives to educate the whole child
through a balanced curriculum that draws on the Ontario
curriculum, Montessori and Waldorf pedagogies.
Nurturing the Whole Child Through Balanced Education
and Community Traditions. The school's curriculum focuses on the whole child, teaching critical thinking, flexible problem solving, and physical literacy, alongside a focus on the arts. The children learn their integral role as stewards of their environment through curious questioning and examining, and they learn varying skills from traditional skills to key life skills, thanks to the involvement of local artists, farmers and skilled tradespeople.
Fostering Social Emotional Learning
The school also places a high value on social emotional learning, teaching children self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills. The small class size makes it easier to observe social dynamics and use the opportunities to teach children necessary communication, empathy, and problem solving skills.
Seasonal Celebrations
The school also celebrates the changing of seasons with many annual traditions, such as the Fall Festival (Lantern Walk), the Perth Studio Tour Harvest Lunch, the Winter Bazaar, the Spring Festival, and the annual school play.
At Brooke Valley School, outdoor learning and risky play are encouraged, as children are empowered to manage some of their own risks. Spending time outside, both in structured learning and less structured exploration and play, is a crucial part of the school's curriculum. The children learn about their unique habitat, what lives there, and what they can do to keep the land healthy.
Embracing Technology While Prioritizing Community and Nature
The school embraces technology as a tool in the classroom, but seeks to create a balance where other ways of
learning are not overshadowed by work on computers. In today's world, where children spend less time engaging with
each other, caring adults, and the environment than ever before, Brooke Valley School is an oasis, a place where the community comes together to celebrate and learn, where children are encouraged to take risks, to explore, to learn from
nature and from each other, and to develop the social emotional skills they need to thrive in the world.
Handwork
Handwork is another essential aspect of Brooke Valley School's curriculum. Children work on projects that involve weaving, knitting, sewing, embroidering, carpentry, and carving, which develop fine and gross motor skills, spatial
awareness, and project planning skills. Handwork also lends itself to other curricula, as children apply measurement and geometry rules to building kites and other projects.
"Education in the arts is essential for the intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth. Through the study of music, visual arts, drama and dance, students not only develop the ability to think creatively and critically, but also develop physical co-ordination and the ability to work both independently and with others. In addition, the creative and practical work encourages students to express themselves in both verbal and non verbal ways." (Ontario Ministry of Education Curriculum)
A Collaborative and Inclusive Approach
At Brooke Valley School, the community is at the heart of everything. The school plays a vital role as a community hub,
with graduates of all ages, parents, teachers, and broader community members coming together to celebrate events and share in the school's success. The school is run by parents, teachers and the broader community, who work together to
cultivate a safe space where learning can flourish. The school also provides fundraising to make sure that tuition remains accessible to all families.
Days of the Week
Depending on student enrollment, students in grades 1-3 attend 3 days/week (Tues-Thurs), and students in grades 4-6 attend 4 days/week (Mon - Thurs). We generally run 9am-3pm or 9:30am-3:30pm. This fourth day gives the opportunity to focus on more advanced topics and begin projects that children work on throughout the week. We are working on plans to collaborate with community members to invite students who are younger for a pre-school program. Contact us for more details.
If you are interested, Please click here to add your child(ren) to the interest list and we will send you an email.