Venture Academy Troubled Teens Program (AB)

• Curriculum Traditional
  [Show definition of Curriculum]

  Central to your child's school experience is the underlying curriculum taught in the classroom. "Curriculum" refers to both what is taught and how it's taught. When considering the different curricula outlined in the next few pages, keep in mind that few schools fall neatly into one category or another. Most schools' curricula comprise a blend of best practices drawn from multiple curriculum types. Having said that, most schools do have a general overall curriculum type. These are identified for each school on OurKids.net.

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  Curriculum approach at Venture Academy: Traditional

  Venture Academy has a Traditional approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Liberal Arts, Progressive, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf approach).

  [Show: About Traditional?]

  Traditional curricula tend to be very content-based and rooted in the core disciplines. It is a structured approach that involves the teacher delivering a unified curriculum through direct instruction. Students usually learn by observing and listening to their teacher, studying facts and concepts in textbooks, and completing both tests and written assignments - which challenge students to not only demonstrate their mastery of content but their ability to analyze and deconstruct it critically. Class discussions are also used to create critical dialogue around the content of the curriculum.

  Curriculum at schools on OurKids.net

    Traditional - 44%
    Liberal arts - 16%
    Progressive - 27%
    Montessori - 11%
    Reggio Emilia - 1%
    Waldorf - 1%
  

  What Venture Academy says: Our day consists of academic learning and activities that focus on co-operation and structured socialization designed for emotional growth and academic success. We look for the “teachable moment,” during formal and informal instruction. When controversial issues emerge, our teachers address these situations and support students in problem solving and learning from the struggle. We do not believe our approach is alternative, but rather, an approach that is reflective of excellent teaching. Our teachers are part of a multidisciplinary team that includes onsite clinical staff. We believe in a collaborative environment that is supportive of the whole child. Beyond this, we believe in making learning fun and whenever possible look for opportunities to catch students doing well.Our teaching methodologies focus on individualized educational needs with low student teacher ratios.

  Approach:

  Focus	Special needs
  Academic	Special needs , Troubled Teens

  Pedagogies and subject courses:

  • Mathematics Equal Balance
    Mathematics approach at Venture Academy: Equal Balance

    Venture Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Traditional Math , Discovery Math approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.

    Mathematics at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 66%
      Traditional math - 30%
      Discovery math - 4%
    

    What Venture Academy says: This information is not currently available.

    Textbooks and supplementary materials: This information is not currently available.

    Calculator policy: This information is not currently available.

  • Science Equal Balance
    Science approach at Venture Academy: Equal Balance

    Venture Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Science (as opposed to Expository , Inquiry approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.

    Science at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 68%
      Expository - 6%
      Inquiry - 26%
    

    Teaching approach: This information is not currently available.

    Treatment of evolution:

    Subject	offered
    Evolution as consensus theory
    Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
    Evolution is not taught

    Topics covered in curriculum:

    Subject	offered
    Biology
    Chemistry
    Ecology
    Geology
    Meteorology
    Physics
    Physiology
    Zoology

  • Literature Equal Balance
    Literature approach at Venture Academy: Equal Balance

    Venture Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Literature (as opposed to Traditional , Social Justice approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.

    Literature at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 73%
      Traditional - 23%
      Social justice - 4%
    

    What Venture Academy says: This information is not currently available.

  • Humanities and Social Sciences Equal Balance
    Humanities and Social Sciences approach at Venture Academy: Equal Balance

    Venture Academy has an Equal Balance approach to Humanities and Social Sciences (as opposed to Perennialism , Pragmatism approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.

    Humanities and Social Sciences at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 82%
      Perennialism - 9%
      Pragmatism - 9%
    

    What Venture Academy says: This information is not currently available.

  • Foreign Languages

    What Venture Academy says: This information is not currently available.

  • Fine Arts
    Program offers:

    Subject	offered
    Acting
    Dance
    Drama/Theatre
    Graphic Design
    Music
    Visual Arts

    What Venture Academy says: This information is not currently available.

  • Computers and Technology Light integration
    Computers and Technology approach at Venture Academy: Light integration

    Venture Academy has a Light integration approach to Computers and Technology (as opposed to Heavy integration , Medium integration approach).

    [Show: About Light integration?]

    Computers are used in the classroom from time to time, but integrating technology into everything students do is not a dominant focus. Digital literacy is understood to be a legitimate skill in the 21st century, but not one that should distract from teaching the subject at hand, or more fundamental skills and literacies. The idea is today’s students, being “digital natives”, are likely exposed to computers and new media enough outside the classroom: the role of the school, rather, should be to develop competencies that may otherwise get missed.

    Computers and Technology at schools on OurKids.net

      Light integration - 22%
      Heavy integration - 31%
      Medium integration - 47%
    

    What Venture Academy says: This information is not currently available.

    Program covers:

    Subject	offered
    Computer science
    Robotics
    Web design

  • Physical Education

    What Venture Academy says: Healthy Lifestyle: Getting and Staying Fit Physical health is an important component of overall mental health and wellness especially troubled teens who may be experiencing anxiety depression etc. The research is overwhelming that a healthy body contributes to a healthy mind and spirit. At Venture Academy, we engage withdrawn and resistant teens and support them in re-establishing a more healthy lifestyle that includes positive leisure time. Our skilled teachers and counsellors get them interested again. Youth participate in a wide range of regular or seasonal, fitness activities.Teens make full use of the area’s natural resources as well as integrate into numerous community facilities and programs. This offers them opportunities to discover and pursue new interests and create lifelong memories of exciting experiences. Venture Academy offers youth beneficial and healthy alternatives to existing behavioural patterns.

  • Advanced Placement courses
    This information is not currently available.
  • Sex and health education Not Alberta curriculum
    Sex and health education approach at Venture Academy: Not Alberta curriculum

    Venture Academy has a Not Alberta curriculum approach to Sex and health education (as opposed to Follows provincial curriculum approach).

    [Show: About Not Alberta curriculum?]

    The sex education curriculum does NOT follow the provincial one taught in public schools - either in terms of structure, pacing, focus, and/or tone.

    Sex and health education at schools on OurKids.net

      Does not follow prrovincial curriculum - 46%
      Follows provincial curriculum - 54%
    

    Venture Academy's approach to sex-ed: This information is not currently available.

  
  

  Jump to:

  • Mathematics

  • Science

  • Literature

  • Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Foreign Languages

  • Fine Arts

  • Computers and Technology

  • Physical Education

  • Advanced Placement courses

  • Sex and health education
• Curriculum Pace Student-paced
  [Show definition of Curriculum Pace]

  This refers to the rate at which students move through the curriculum (e.g., topics, textbook material, skills, etc.). Curriculum pace is often defined in comparison to provincial standards.

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  Curriculum Pace approach at Venture Academy: Student-paced

  Venture Academy has a Student-paced approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Standard-enriched, Accelerated approach).

  [Show: About Student-paced?]

  The main curriculum pace is non-standardized and is HIGHLY responsive to the pacing of individual students, (via differentiated instruction, differentiated assessment, etc). In theory, some students outpace the default/normalized curriculum, while others spend periods "behind schedule" if they need the extra time.

  Curriculum Pace at schools on OurKids.net

    Student-paced - 28%
    Standard-enriched - 56%
    Accelerated - 16%
  

  What Venture Academy says: We continue your child's education with a focus on learning and catching up on lost credits. We also teach essential learning strategies that assist students to learn how to study, prepare assignments and manage their time, increasing their level of academic readiness.

  Flexible pacing style

  Flexible pacing style	offered
  Subject-streaming (tracking)
  Multi-age classrooms as standard
  Ability-grouping (in-class) as common
  Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace)
  Regular guided independent study opportunities
  Differentiated assessment

  What Venture Academy says about flexible pacing: Individualized instruction and engaging interaction gets our students back on track and restores confidence. The primary focus is on core subjects with other courses integrated as applicable.

• Academic Culture
  [Show definition of Academic Culture]

  Through the collective mindset of teachers, administrators, students, and parents, each school develops and maintains its own academic culture. This generally relates to the norms and expectations created around academic performance. Many parents look to private schools because they want a specific type of culture. Some want a rigorous environment that will elevate their child to new heights. Others want a nurturing environment that will help their child develop a passion for learning.

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  What Venture Academy says: This information is not currently available.

• Developmental priorities Balanced
  [Show definition of Developmental priorities]

  Schools have specific goals regarding how they want their educate and develop their students. This is part of a school's overall philosophy or vision, which is contained in its mission statement. While they tend have several developmental aims, schools tend to priortize certain aims, such as intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional, or physical development.

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  Primary Developmental Priority: Balanced

  "Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation."

  What Venture Academy says: Venture Academy's purpose is to assist youth to make and sustain positive behavioural change. Everything we do at Venture Academy points back to helping troubled teens make and sustain those positive changes. It's more than a mission statement, to us it's our purpose. At Venture Academy, our approach is attachment-based, solution oriented and holistic in nature. Programs are designed to invite positive change, build skills and focus on solutions and redevelop family attachments. The approach not only moves away from pathology, but moves towards a health, wellness and strengths orientation.

• Special needs support Special needs school
  [Show definition of Special needs support]

  Schools offer a wide range of approaches and services to support students with special needs. This may include individualized learning, one-on-one support, small classes, resource rooms, and learning aids. These supports may be provided in a number of different environments such as a dedicated special needs school or class, an integrated class, a withdrawal class, or a regular class with resource support or in-class adaptations.

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  Venture Academy is a Special needs school

  Full-time programming is offered for all students which is exclusively focused on one or more special needs.

  What Venture Academy says about their special need support: Venture Academy supports children with clinically diagnosed learning disabilities.

  Academic Support:

  Subject Type	offered
  Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation
  Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties

  Mild but clinically diagnosed ADHD:

  Subject Type	offered
  Accommodations
  Modifications
  Extra support

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  A - Forms of Support

  Accommodation:

  Modification:

  Remediation:

  B - Environments

  Indirect Support:

  Resource Assistance:

  Withdrawal Assistance:

  Partial Integration:

  Full-Time Class:

  
  

  Special NeedNeed

  Forms of SupportA

  EnvironmentsB

  ADHD

  • Learning disabilities
    Dyslexia (Language-Based Learning Disability)

    This is a learning disability that can limit a child's ability to read and learn. It can have a variety of traits. A few of the main ones are impaired phonological awareness and decoding, problems with orthographic coding, and auditory short-term memory impairment.

    Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

    This is a sound differentiation disorder involving problems with reading, comprehension, and language.

    Dyscalculia

    This is a kind of specific learning disability in math. Kids with this math disorder have problems with calculation. They may also have problems with math-related concepts such as time and money.

    Dysgraphia

    This is a kind of specific learning disability in writing. It involves problems with handwriting, spelling, and organizing ideas.

    Language Processing Disorder

    This is characterized by having extreme difficulty understanding what is heard and expressing what one wants to say. These disorders affect the area of the brain that controls language processing.

    Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NLD)

    These involve difficulties interpreting non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. They're usually characterized by a significant discrepancy between higher verbal skills and weaker motor, visual-spatial, and social skills.

    Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit

    A characteristic seen in people with learning disabilities such as Dysgraphia or Non-verbal LD. It can result in missing subtle differences in shapes or printed letters, losing place frequently, struggles with cutting, holding pencil too tightly, or poor eye/hand coordination.
  • Developmental
    Autism

    Refers to a range of conditions that involve challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal communication. They also involve unique strengths and differences. For instance, there are persons with both low- and high-functioning autism (some claim the latter is identical to Asperger's syndrome).

    Asperger's Syndrome

    On the autism spectrum, Asperger's is considered quite mild in terms of symptoms. While traits can vary widely, many kids with Asperger's struggle with social skills. They also sometimes fixate on certain subjects and engage in repetitive behaviour.

    Down syndrome

    his is associated with impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics.

    Intellectual disability

    This is a condition characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (e.g., reasoning, learning, and problem solving). Intellectual disabilities are also known as general learning disabilities (and used to be referred to as a kind of mental retardation).

    Williams syndrome

    This is a rare genetic disorder present at birth. It is characterized by intellectual disabilities or learning problems, unique facial features, and cardiovascular problems.

    Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

    Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy. These may include growth deficits, facial anomalies, and damage to the central nervous system, which can lead to cognitive, behavioural, and other problems.
  • Behavioral and Emotional
    Troubled behaviour / troubled teens

    roubled teens tend to have problems that are intense, persistent, and can lead to quite unpredictable behaviour. This can lead to behavioural and emotional issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, criminal behaviour, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.

    Clinical Depression

    This is a mental health disorder also called "major depression." It involves persistent feelings of sadness, loss, and anger. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms are usually severe enough to cause noticeable problems in relationships with others or in daily activities, such as school, work, or one's social life.

    Clinical anxiety

    This is a mood disorder involving intense, relentless feelings of distress and fear. They can also have excessive and persistent worry about everyday situations, and repeated episodes of intense anxiety or terror.

    Suicidal thoughts

    This involves persistent thoughts about ending one's life.

    Drug and alcohol abuse

    This involves the excessive use of drug and/or alcohol, which interferes with daily functioning.

    Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

    This is a disruptive behavioural disorder which normally involves angry outbursts, often directed at people of authority. This behaviour must last continuously for six months or more and significantly interfere with daily functioning.
  • Physical
    Multiple sclerosis

    This is a condition of the central nervous system. It affects the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of motor control, memory loss, depression, and cognitive difficulties.

    Cerebral palsy

    his refers to a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. CP is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture.

    Muscular dystrophy

    Muscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder which weakens the body's muscles. Causes, symptoms, age of onset, and prognosis vary between individuals.

    Spina Bifida

    This is a condition present at birth due to the incomplete formation of the spine and spinal cord. It can lead to a number of physical challenges, including paralysis or weakness in the legs, bowel and bladder incontinence, hydrocephalus (too much fluid in the brain), and deformities of the spine.

    Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder)

    This is a Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Also known as "sensory integration disorder," it affects fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It may also affect speech.

    Blindness

    Visual impairment is a decreased ability or inability to see that can't be fixed in usual ways, such as with glasses. Some people are completely blind, while others have what's called "legal blindness."

    Deafness

    Hearing impairment, also known as "hearing loss," is a partial or total inability to hear. The degree of hearing impairment varies between people. It can range from complete hearing loss (or deafness) to partial hearing loss (meaning the ears can pick up some sounds).

    Cystic Fibrosis

    Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic condition, which affects the body's respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. It affects young children and adults.

    Multiple physical

    Accommodating a wide range of physical conditions and disabilities.

  Read our guide to special needs schools and special education

• Gifted learner support In-class adaptations
  [Show definition of Gifted learner support]

  Schools support students with gifted or advanced learning abilities in a several ways. Whether they offer a full-time gifted program or part-time support, they normally provide some form of accelerated learning (delivering content at a faster pace) or enrichment (covering content more broadly or deeply). Many schools also offer a wide range of in-class adaptations to support advanced learners, such as guided independent studies, project-based learning, and career exploration.

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  Dedicated gifted programs:

  Program	offered
  Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school)
  Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class)

  Curriculum delivery: Acceleration and enrichment (There is an equal emphasis on acceleration and enrichment.)

  In-class adaptations:

  Program	offered
  Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement)
  Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement)
  Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement)
  Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement)
  Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others)
  Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement)
  Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement)
  Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement)
  Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement)

  What Venture Academy says: This information is not currently available.

• Language English
  Venture Academy offers English as the primary language of instruction.

  Language of enrollment include: English

A Message From Our Founder
Venture Academy Youth Counselling & Treatment Programs
 

What if…you could get the smiles, the hugs, and the love back…

What if…your family could be the way it was before the problems started…

What if…you could find a place here in Canada that would help your child turn their life around…

Dear Parents,

I ask the questions above because parents just like you tell us that is what they want. Somehow your child has strayed from your family’s core values and beliefs. Your child’s behaviour no longer matches your idea of how a healthy, happy family behaves. The ideals you set for your child are not being achieved and might not be, unless the right path is chosen. We are all too familiar with the pain and stress you are dealing with now.

Throughout my 27 years working with youth and families I have literally spoken with thousands of parents who have told me heartbreaking stories of their child’s behaviours and difficulties and resulting family struggles. I founded Venture Academy for families in need – loving and caring families, families who want to intervene and get help for their child before things get even worse. My goal was to develop the best possible services for troubled teens in Canada – an all encompassing and clinically comprehensive assessment service and treatment program that would actually meet the needs of youth and families.

I started Venture Academy from a deep personal desire to help families. I wanted to create a structure and environment that would produce the greatest possible success for each youth in the program and create the positive behavioural changes that youth need to successfully function in school, in the community, and at home. I wanted to develop a program that made sense to parents who were looking for help, a program that spoke to their beliefs and value systems.

My personal commitment to you:

1. We will have open communication with you – you are part of the solution.
2. We will incorporate your family values into our treatment and education planning.
3. We will support you as parents and follow up with you and be there for you every step of the way.
4. We will do everything possible to return your child the happy, loving person he or she once was and is capable of being once more.

Venture Academy was established in 2000 and since then, we have served hundreds of families from across Canada. Venture Academy was the first—and maybe the only—successful private residential treatment program and school of its kind for troubled teens in Canada.

I invite you to browse our website in order to gain an initial understanding of Venture Academy (www.ventureacademy.ca). I hope you’ll become familiar with our organization and I trust you will be comfortable with our approach and inspired as you read through our testimonials and information. If you have any questions whatsoever I encourage you to call.

We can help. 

Respectfully,

Gordon Hay

Executive Director / Founder
Venture Academy