Banbury Crossroads School

Deep-dive and commentary on programming

• Academics

  Academics Summary: [Hide summary]

  • Curriculum: Progressive
    • Mathematics: Equal Balance
    • Early Reading: Balanced Literacy
    • Writing: Equal balance
    • Science: Equal Balance
    • Literature: Equal Balance
    • Social Studies : Core Knowledge
    • Humanities and Social Sciences : Pragmatism
    • Foreign Languages: Communicative
    • Fine Arts: Equal Balance
    • Computers and Technology: Medium integration
    • Physical Education:
    • Advanced Placement courses :
    • Sex and health education: Alberta curriculum
  • Preschool/K Curriculum: Play-based
  • Curriculum Pace: Student-paced
  • Academic Culture: Supportive
  • Developmental priorities: Balanced
  • Special needs support: Withdrawal Assistance
  • Gifted learner support: Dedicated gifted school
  • Language: English
  • Homework Policy:
  • Report Card Policy:

  
  

  • Curriculum Progressive
    [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 Banbury Crossroads: Progressive

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

    [Show: About Progressive?]

    Progressive (sometimes called "in- quiry-based") curricula attempt to place children's interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. Instead of lessons being driven by predetermined pathways, progressive curricula are often "emergent", with learning activities shaped by students' questions about the world. Instead of starting with academic concepts and then tying it to everyday experience, progressive methods begin with everyday experience and work back to an academic lesson. Teachers provide materials, experiences, tools and resources to help students investigate a topic or issue. Students are encouraged to explore, reflect on their findings, and discuss answers or solutions.

    Curriculum at schools on OurKids.net

      Progressive - 27%
      Traditional - 44%
      Liberal arts - 17%
      Montessori - 10%
      Reggio Emilia - 1%
      Waldorf - 1%
    

    What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury's unique Self-Directed philosophy offers an individualized learning environment for children ages 3 through 18. Banbury is founded on mutual respect; thus, it enables students to achieve the academic mastery appropriate to their own interests, abilities and motivation. Character development is promoted. The combination of a low-ratio, student-paced program existing within a multi-aged setting, is most conducive to not penalizing students socially for being academically behind or ahead of their peers. Students are mentored to take responsibility for their own education through inquiry-based and kinesthetic projects, and community-focused learning. They devise their own schedules, develop intrinsic motivation, and learn skills in time management, goal setting and self assessment. Secondary students participate in contributive internships at community businesses. Students assess career options, develop meaningful and trusting relationships with adults, and cultivate altruism, empathy and communication skills. Banbury's well-balanced approach creates an enriching and inspiring school experience that promotes the development of autonomy and confidence. These two elements are necessary for students' engagement in the academic, emotional and social aspects of post-secondary education and adult life.

    Approach:

    Focus	Special needs
    Academic	Gifted

    
    

    Pedagogies and subject courses:

    
    

    • Mathematics Equal Balance
      Mathematics approach at Banbury Crossroads: Equal Balance

      Banbury Crossroads 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 - 68%
        Traditional math - 29%
        Discovery math - 3%
      

      What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury has both "Traditional Math" and "Discovery Math" teaching methods.

      Textbooks and supplementary materials: Math text books used are part of the Alberta Curriculum.

      Calculator policy: Calculators are used in our math programs, as a useful skill and resource.

    • Early Reading Balanced Literacy
      Early Reading approach at Banbury Crossroads: Balanced Literacy

      Banbury Crossroads has a Balanced Literacy approach to Early Reading (as opposed to Phonics-intensive , Whole Language approach).

      [Show: About Balanced Literacy?]

      Balanced reading programs are typically Whole Language programs with supplementary phonics training. This training might be incidental, or it might take the form of mini-lessons.

      Early Reading at schools on OurKids.net

        Balanced literacy - 56%
        Phonics-intensive - 42%
        Whole language - 2%
      

      What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury has a balanced literacy program. We teach children to read when they are ready, which could be any time from age 3 through age 7. We offer individual reading lessons, and teach story writing through dictated stories, as well as their own journalling and writing to accompany relevant activities. Phonics is taught as a strategy to de-code words.

      DIBELS Testing: This school does not use DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.

      What Banbury Crossroads says: This information is not currently available.

    • Writing Equal balance
      Writing approach at Banbury Crossroads: Equal balance

      Banbury Crossroads has an Equal balance approach to Writing (as opposed to Systematic approach , Process approach approach).

      [Show: About Equal balance?]

      Programs that balance systematic and process approaches equally likely have an emphasis on giving young students ample opportunities to write, while providing supplementary class-wide instruction in grammar, parts of sentences, and various writing strategies.

      Writing at schools on OurKids.net

        Equal balance - 82%
        Systematic approach - 10%
        Process approach - 8%
      

      What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury has a balanced approach to writing. Writing occurs in relevant and meaningful situations. Students are assisted individually, and encouraged to write independently as well. There is a huge focus on writing, all through the grades, as there is always a teacher available to assist students in their writing. Writing is only as good as a person's thinking. We assist students in clarifying their thoughts, organizing their points logically and reasonably, making linking statements and suitable introductions and conclusions. All students need to be shown how to "cut and paste" in the literal sense. This means that all students need instruction at some point of their lives in creating quality written work. We have had students write essays for diploma exams in which they receive 100%. Of course, individual talent is a huge contributor to this. However, we tend to increase students' skill in writing.

    • Science Equal Balance
      Science approach at Banbury Crossroads: Equal Balance

      Banbury Crossroads 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 - 73%
        Expository - 5%
        Inquiry - 22%
      

      Teaching approach: Banbury has a balanced approach to the Sciences. We include field trips, experiments and hands-on project work as fundamental means of making science come alive for our students.

      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 Banbury Crossroads: Equal Balance

      Banbury Crossroads 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 - 77%
        Traditional - 20%
        Social justice - 3%
      

      What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury has a balanced approach to literature. We follow the Alberta Programs of Study, and give students much leeway in choice of novels, plays, poetry, and so on, for their chosen assignments. We utilize projects with an interdisciplinary focus.

    • Social Studies Core Knowledge
      Social Studies approach at Banbury Crossroads: Core Knowledge

      Banbury Crossroads has a Core Knowledge approach to Social Studies (as opposed to Expanding Communities , Thematic approach).

      [Show: About Core Knowledge?]

      Usually focused on teaching history and geography at an early age, the core knowledge approach uses story, drama, reading, and discussion to teach about significant people, places, and events. Breadth of content and knowledge is emphasized. The curriculum is often organized according to the underlying logic of the content: history might be taught sequentially, for example (as students move through the grades).

      Social Studies at schools on OurKids.net

        Core knowledge - 43%
        Expanding communities - 25%
        Thematic - 32%
      

      What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury teaches core knowledge of history and geography.

    • Humanities and Social Sciences Pragmatism
      Humanities and Social Sciences approach at Banbury Crossroads: Pragmatism

      Banbury Crossroads has a Pragmatism approach to Humanities and Social Sciences (as opposed to Perennialism , Equal Balance approach).

      [Show: About Pragmatism?]

      Pragmatism in the humanities and social sciences emphasizes making learning relevant to students’ present-day experience. Assignments tend to centre around projects and tasks rather than argumentative essays; these projects will often have a “real-world” application or relevance. There might be more of a social justice component to a pragmatic program, though that isn’t always the case. Subjects like history and philosophy are still covered/offered, but they play a less prominent role in the overall program than in the case of perennialism. The social sciences (contemporary geography, sociology, psychology, etc), meanwhile, might play a more prominent role in pragmatic programs. The key goals are to make learning progressive and relevant, while teaching students real-life skills and critical thinking.

      Humanities and Social Sciences at schools on OurKids.net

        Pragmatism - 9%
        Perennialism - 6%
        Equal balance - 85%
      

      What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury has a more pragmatic approach to social sciences in Grade 7 and higher.

    • Foreign Languages Communicative
      Foreign Languages approach at Banbury Crossroads: Communicative

      Banbury Crossroads has a Communicative approach to Foreign Languages (as opposed to Audio-Lingual , Equal Balance approach).

      [Show: About Communicative?]

      The communicative method of language acquisition emphasizes the use of the target language in authentic contexts. The approach commonly features interactive group work, games, authentic texts, and opportunities to learn about the cultural background of the language. Drills and quizzes may still be used, but less frequently than with the audio-lingual method.

      Foreign Languages at schools on OurKids.net

        Communicative - 34%
        Audio-lingual - 2%
        Equal balance - 64%
      

      What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury uses the communicative method for teaching foreign languages.

    • Fine Arts Equal Balance
      Fine Arts approach at Banbury Crossroads: Equal Balance

      Banbury Crossroads has an Equal Balance approach to Fine Arts (as opposed to Receptive , Creative approach).

      [Show: About Equal Balance?]

      These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.

      Fine Arts at schools on OurKids.net

        Equal balance - 61%
        Receptive - 2%
        Creative - 37%
      

      Program offers:

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

      Visual studio philosophy:

      Expressive
      Disciplined

      What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury has an expressive approach in our visual studio program.

    • Computers and Technology Medium integration
      Computers and Technology approach at Banbury Crossroads: Medium integration

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

      [Show: About Medium integration?]

      Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.

      Computers and Technology at schools on OurKids.net

        Medium integration - 49%
        Light integration - 18%
        Heavy integration - 33%
      

      What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury includes the role of computers and technology in our curriculum.

      Program covers:

      Subject	offered
      Computer science
      Robotics
      Web design

    • Physical Education

      What Banbury Crossroads says: Physcial Education at Banbury, has an extensive outdoor component, including horseback riding, skiing, archery, golf, hiking, and canoeing. Many of our indoor activities such as volleyball, basketball, badminton and wall-climbing are conducted off-site in recreation centres. Other indoor activities include swimming, bowling, and yoga. Many games are played on the fields and grounds near our school.

    • Advanced Placement courses
      AP English Literature and Composition
    • Sex and health education Alberta curriculum
      Sex and health education approach at Banbury Crossroads: Alberta curriculum

      Banbury Crossroads has an Alberta curriculum approach to Sex and health education (as opposed to Does not follow prrovincialcurriculum approach).

      [Show: About Alberta curriculum?]

      The structure, pacing, focus, and tone of the sex education curriculum reflects that of the provincial one, taught in public schools.

      Sex and health education at schools on OurKids.net

        Follows provincial curriculum - 55%
        Does not follow prrovincial curriculum - 45%
      

      Approach to sex and health education:

      Banbury Crossroads has a approach Mostly value-neutral (as opposed to Fairly value-based approach).

      [Show: About Mostly value-neutral?]

      By and large, students are taught about sex free of any particular moral or ethical standpoint. The school doesn't impose any particular values or value systems (such as social, political, or ideological values) on students when teaching sex and related issues.

      Banbury Crossroads's approach to sex-ed: Our Sex-ed program is offered according to the Alberta Curriculum for each grade required.

    
    

    Jump to:

    • Mathematics

    • Early Reading

    • Writing

    • Science

    • Literature

    • Social Studies

    • Humanities and Social Sciences

    • Foreign Languages

    • Fine Arts

    • Computers and Technology

    • Physical Education

    • Advanced Placement courses

    • Sex and health education
  • Preschool/K Curriculum Play-based
    [Show definition of Preschool/K Curriculum]

    Preschools and kindergartens tend to have a particular curriculum or curricular approach. This refers to what is taught and how it's taught. Most preschools have a curriculum that comprises a blend of best practices drawn from multiple curriculum types. A preschool's curriculum may or may not, though, reflect its higher-level curriculum (if it's part of a school with elementary or secondary programs)

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    Preschool/K Curriculum approach at Banbury Crossroads: Play-based

    Banbury Crossroads has a Play-based approach to Preschool/K Curriculum (as opposed to Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, Academic approach).

    [Show: About Play-based?]

    Play-based programs are the most common type of preschool and Kindergarten, and are founded on the belief young children learn best through play. Largely open-ended and minimally structured, play-based programs aim to develop social skills and a love of attending school. “Pre-academic” skills are taught, but in a more indirect way than at, say, an Academic program: through children playing in different “stations” set up around the classroom, which children choose on their own volition. Stations often contain an indirect lesson or developmental goal. Play-based classrooms are highly social and active.

    Preschool/K Curriculum at schools on OurKids.net

      Play-based - 22%
      Montessori - 26%
      Waldorf - 2%
      Reggio emilia - 6%
      Academic - 44%
    

    What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury Crossroads has a Self-Directed Kindergarten and Pre-school program. The structure is based on the Modern British Infant System, from which came our modern ideas around "centers" and "integrated project work", as well as "constructivism" in the learning process. Our school follows this structure and philosophy from junior kindergarten through Grade Twelve. It involves multi-aged grouping, individualized instruction, mastery learning, kinesthetic projects, teacher mentorship, free play and contact with the community.

  • 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 Banbury Crossroads: Student-paced

    Banbury Crossroads 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 - 25%
      Standard-enriched - 58%
      Accelerated - 17%
    

    What Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury Crossroads is a Self-Directed school. Students take responsibility for their own education through inquiry-based and kinesthetic projects, and community focused learning. They devise their own schedules, develop intrinsic motivation, and learn skills in time management, goal setting and self assessment. Students learn to mastery.

    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 Banbury Crossroads says about flexible pacing: This information is not currently available.

  • Academic Culture Supportive
    [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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    Academic Culture approach at Banbury Crossroads: Supportive

    Banbury Crossroads has a Supportive approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Rigorous approach).

    [Show: About Supportive?]

    A school with a “supportive” academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a “rigorous” academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.

    Academic Culture at schools on OurKids.net

      Supportive - 49%
      Rigorous - 51%
    

    What Banbury Crossroads says: Self-Directed Learning is the norm at Banbury Crossroads School. We have a very supportive environment for academics at the school. The students have an attitude towards accomplishment more like that at university. There is no teasing for being "a brain" here.

  • 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."

    Secondary Developmental Priority: Emotional

    The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and con?dent individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."

    What Banbury Crossroads says: We know that learning happens in all realms at once: physical, emotional, intellectual, creative, social. Banbury\'s well balanced approach creates an enriching and inspiring school experience that promotes the development of autonomy and confidence. These two elements are necessary for students\' engagement in the academic, emotional and social aspects of post secondary education and adult life.

  • Special needs support Withdrawal Assistance
    [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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    Banbury Crossroads offers Withdrawal Assistance

    Students remain in a regular classroom for most of the day, but are pulled out for extra support from a qualified special education teacher.

    What Banbury Crossroads says about their special need support: Banbury can offer accommodations for children with mild 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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    Summary: We are not a special needs school. We can accommodate students with mild needs, as long as they can function within our self-directed learning classes.

    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 Dedicated gifted school
    [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 Banbury Crossroads says: Banbury is an excellent place for gifted students. It provides multitudinous opportunities for student ideas and input towards their assignments and projects. There is a huge component of long-term teacher mentorship and discussion. We use a hands-on approach and take students out into the world to explore. We offer internships, volunteerism and visits from interesting people. We see the world as our focus. We take older students on trips out of the country.

  • Language English
    Banbury Crossroads offers English as the primary language of instruction.

    Language of enrollment include: English
  • Homework Policy
    [Show definition of Homework Policy]

    Homework is work that's assigned to students for completion outside of regular class time. There's a long-standing debate over homework. Should homework be assigned to school-age children? If so, in what grades? And how much homework should be assigned? In selecting the right school for your child, it's important to look closely at a school's homework policy.

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    In grade Gr. 12, Banbury Crossroads students perform an average of No homework of homework per night.

    Nightly Homework

    	K	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
    Banbury Crossroads	0 mins	0 mins	0 mins	0 mins	0 mins	0 mins	0 mins	0 mins	0 mins	0 mins	0 mins	0 mins	0 mins
    Site Average	6 mins	15 mins	17 mins	23 mins	30 mins	35 mins	40 mins	53 mins	57 mins	69 mins	80 mins	97 mins	107 mins

    What Banbury Crossroads says about their flipped classroom policy: This information is not currently available.

  • Report Card Policy
    [Show definition of Report Card Policy]

    While all schools measure individual progress and achievement in students, they have different ways of doing this. For instance, many traditional schools gauge progress through report cards, which give students lettered or numbered grades. Other schools, meanwhile, measure progress in other ways, either in addition to or instead of giving grades. For instance, they may offer prose-based feedback (i.e, comments), academic achievement reporting, habits and behaviour reporting, and parent-teacher meetings. In choosing the right school for your child, take a close look at its policy for measuring the individual progress of students.

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    How assessments are delivered across the grades:

    Prose (narrative)-based feedback	JK to Gr. 12
    Parent-teacher meetings	JK to Gr. 12

• Extracurriculars
  [Show definition of Extracurriculars]

  While academics remain the priority for most private schools, many also place a strong focus on a well-rounded education and encourage participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts, or clubs. Involvement in extracurriculars helps stimulate students in their studies, makes them more motivated to learn, and can make school more enjoyable and fulfilling. Extracurricular activities can also provide students with a much-needed break from the stresses of academics, while helping them to develop skills and allowing them to take part in valuable social situations.

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  What Banbury Crossroads says:

  • This section is different for Banbury, primarily because the items ticked off above indicate activities that are usually conducted during school hours, not as extra-curricular hours. They bear mentioning, just to show that the physical education classes and other special project activities at Banbury cover a wide range of interests. We offer internships that occur off-campus. We also offer personal interest projects that may cover any topic whatever. In addition, we have had after-hour clubs for outdoor education, chess, scrabble, arts and handcrafts, whenever there is an interest in those subjects.

  Sports offered

  Competitive sports: N/A
  Recreational sports: 18

  Legend:     Competitive offered           Recreational offered

  all sports]

  • Archery
  • Curling
  • Badminton
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Canoeing/Kayaking
  • Cricket
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Cycling
  • Downhill skiing
  • Equestrian
  • Fencing
  • Field Hockey
  • Figure Skating
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Ice Hockey
  • Ice Skating
  • Lacrosse
  • Martial Arts
  • Mountain biking
  • Racquet Ball
  • Rowing
  • Rugby
  • Running
  • Sailing
  • Skateboarding
  • Snowboarding
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Squash
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track & Field
  • Volleyball
  • Weightlifting
  • Wrestling

  ---

  Clubs offered

  Banbury Crossroads School offers 12 clubs and extracurricular programs.

  Legend:     Clubs offered           Clubs not offered

  all clubs and programs]

    Foreign Language Club

    Habitat for Humanity

    Jazz Ensemble

    Math Club

    Musical theatre/Opera

    Ballet and Classical Ballet

    Online Magazine

    Outdoor Club

    Outdoor Education

    Paintball

    Photography

    Poetry/Literature club

    Radio club

    Robotics club

    Round Square

    School newspaper

    Science Club

    Scouting

    Student Council

    Yearbook

    Yoga

    Animation

    Art Club

    Astronomy Club

    Audiovisual Club

    Band

    Chess Club

    Choir

    Community Service

    Computer Club

    Dance Club

    Debate Club

    Drama Club

    Environmental Club

  
  
• Tuition & Financial Aid
  [Show definition of Tuition & Financial Aid]

  This can depend on a number of factors, including the type of school, living arrangements, what’s included in tuition, school location, resources, and facilities. Many private schools in Canada have tuition that ranges between $6,000 and $12,000 a year. While some schools, such as schools which provide room and board, can be more expensive, many of these schools provide ways to defray the costs of tuition. For instance, they may offer merit-based scholarships or needs-based financial aid (often referred to as “bursaries” or “subsidies”).

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  Day Day (International)

   

  	PS	K	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
  Day	$10,000	$9,000							$9,500			$10,000
  Day (International)			$15,600

  
  

  What Banbury Crossroads says about their tuition: This information is not currently available.

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  Discounts

  Discount Type	Enrolment Type	Amount
  Early payment	all students	4%
  2nd child (sibling)	all students	4%
  3rd child (sibling)	all students	4%

  ---

  Need-based financial aid

  Grade range that need-based aid is offered:	K to 12
  Percentage of grade-eligible students receiving financial aid	10%
  Average aid package size	$3,500
  Percentage of total enrolment on financial aid	10%
  Total aid available	$3,500

  Application Deadline:

  March 31, 2021  (Repeats annually)

  Application Details:

  This school works with other. for processing financial applications
  An interview with the Director of Banbury Crossroads School

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  Merit based Scholarships

  Banbury Crossroads School does not offer merit-based financial awards.
• Enrolment
  [Show definition of enrolment]

  Private schools come in all shapes and sizes. Some larger schools have enrolment numbers in the thousands, while some smaller schools have only a few dozen students. Boarding schools tend to be on the larger side, while alternative schools, such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf, are normally smaller. Besides the overall size of school, there are other important facts you’ll want to know about a school’s enrolment. For instance, here you can learn about a school’s enrolment for separate streams (if they have them), such as day and boarding, its average class size, and its average enrolment per grade.

  ---

  Enrolment Details:

  	Grades	Gender	Living Arrangement	Enrolment
  Group 1	Preschool to Gr. 12	Coed	Day	90

  Additional Statistics:

  Total enrolment	90
  Average class size	8 to 10
  % of international students (total enrolment)	10%
  Number of different nationalities within student population	5

  Student Distribution:

  	PS	K	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
  Day Enrollment	5	6	6	7	6	5	8	6	5	4	6	7	6	11
  Class Size	5	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10

• Admission
  [Show definition of Admission]

  Private schools in Canada have admissions policies. All schools have some required application materials, though these vary between schools. These may include letters of application, application fees, essays, and exams (such as the SSAT). Many schools also require interviews with prospective students, either with their parents, on their own, or both. Schools also have different standards and priorities when evaluating student applications, different acceptance rates (which may vary between grade levels), and target different kinds of students. To improve your child’s chances of acceptance, you should find out everything you can about a school’s admissions policies and how they assess applicants.

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  Application

  Admissions Assessments:

  Assessment	Required	Grades
  Interview		PS - 12
  SSAT
  SSAT (out of province)
  Entrance Exam(s)
  Entrance Essay

  Application Deadlines:

  Day students: October 31, 2020
  Offer mid-year entry: Yes

  ---

  Fees:

  Application fee: $175
  Registration fee: $175
  Deposit: 0.00%

  What Banbury Crossroads says:

  An interview and tour of the school is encouraged.  School records and assessments are to be submitted. No admissions test is administered. We take students who are gifted through average to struggling.  A match of philosophy is a must.  This is because we are a philosophically-driven, self-directed learning school.  Students work to mastery, so they keep progressing until they have completed units or projects or grades.  Classes operate with students in multi-aged groups, with 10 students per teacher, so students receive much personal attention.  This allows for students to work independently, as they receive instruction individually or in small groups or seminars.  We do not normally take special needs students, as we only have one teacher who is trained to work with such children, and she works only with the younger ones.  We also do not have ready access to special needs resources, nor do we have psychologists or other specialists on our staff.  Therefore, we generally only take students whose abilities are average through to gifted.

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  Acceptance

  Acceptance Rate: 100%

  This is the percentage of applicants typically accepted into the school. So if 50 students are admitted out of 100 applicants, the school has an overall acceptance rate of 50%.

  
  

  Day
  

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  Student Entry Points

  This shows approximately how many openings there are likely to be in each grade in a typical year, as well as the estimated acceptance rate for each grade level.

  
  

  Student Type	PS	K	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
  Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate)		3 - 5 (100%)	3 - 5 (100%)	2 - 3 (100%)	2 - 3 (100%)	2 - 3 (100%)	3 - 4 (100%)	4 - 5 (100%)	5 - 8 (100%)	5 - 2 (100%)	5 - 8 (100%)	5 - 9 (100%)	5 - 8 (100%)	5 - 7 (100%)

  Type of student Banbury Crossroads is looking for:
  We are looking for students who are able to work independently, as well as willing to work individually with a teacher. Students need to be willing to try new learning experiences, open to instruction, willing to attend, socially adept and responsive, mutually respectful, and pleasant and able to be responsible for their own behaviour. We are able to celebrate differences in abilities, interests and passions, motivation, and personalities. We simply want students who are motivated to learn, empathetic and caring, and able to not distract others. If they are self-directed to begin with, that is great. If not, they may learn how to be, here.
• University Placement
  [Show definition of University Placement]

  Where graduates of a school do their post-secondary studies can be an important factor in choosing a private school. Do you want your child to go to a Canadian university, an Ivy league school in the US, or some other institute? Regardless of your inclinations, take a look at a school’s university placement record, and the services they offer to support university applications and decisions.

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  Key Numbers

  Average graduating class size	4
  Students accepted into post-secondary studies upon graduation	50%

  Percentage of students who attend post-secondary institutions outside of Canada	5%
  Students who attended a Ivy+ school Number of students in the past 5 years that that attended one of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford or Cambridge (UK)	N/A

  Post-Secondary Schools Attended

  University of Calgary																																				35%
  University of Lethbridge																					20%
  University of Victoria																15%
  SAIT											10%
  University of Alberta											10%

  % of Graduates

  
  

  • Canada 6 universities
    • Mount Royal University
    • SAIT
    • University of Alberta
    • University of Calgary
    • University of Lethbridge
    • University of Victoria

  
  

  Areas of Study

  • Banbury Crossroads School
  • OurKids.net Site Average

  Banbury Crossroads School Graduates’ Post-Secondary Studies:

    25% - Liberal Arts and Sciences
    30% - Engineering and Applied Sciences
    20% - Business/Commerce
    5% - Fine and Performing Arts
    5% - Applied Health Sciences
    10% - Applied Professional Studies (Post-grad certificate / diploma)
    5% - Other
  

  Aggregate of All Schools’ Post-Secondary Studies:

    24% - Liberal Arts and Sciences
    25% - Engineering and Applied Sciences
    25% - Business/Commerce
    5% - Fine and Performing Arts
    13% - Applied Health Sciences
    2% - Applied Professional Studies (Post-grad certificate / diploma)
    6% - Other
  

  
  

  Services Offered to Students

  Career planning
  Internships

  Mentorship Program
  University counseling

  What Banbury Crossroads says:

  • Students who attend university after attending Banbury are extremely successful in that post-secondary life. We have had graduates attend universities in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Australia. By the time they graduate, they have learned how to take responsibility for their own learning. They have no trouble with the independent learning and organization that is required at university. They join student councils and other facets of university life, such as safewalk, leadership courses, frosh week activity coordination, and so on. They find their own tutors, create study groups, organize the timing of their work, and most importantly, visit with their professors and discuss the topics in their courses. They have positive expectations for their relationships with adults, and create networks of professional connections. They have entered faculties such as Sociology, Fine Arts, Medicine, Commerce, Psychology, Accounting, Business, Law, Urban Planning, Environmental Design, English, Naval Architecture, Airplane Mechanics, and Mechanical Engineering. Many receive second degrees, including Masters and Doctorates.
• Notable Alumni
  [Show definition of Notable Alumni]

  Many private schools in Canada have numerous graduates who have gone on to great things. Learn about a school’s most influential, important, successful, and famous alumni.

  ---

  Alumnus	Grad Year	Accomplishment
  Delaney Boyd	2016	Delaney Boyd has just graduated with a Ph.D. One site is http://wikipedia.org/wiki/plains_bison, where her thesis is referenced.

  ---

  Alumni Highlights

  • As we are a small school, and have few graduates each year, our alumni list is smaller than those of large schools. Nevertheless, our graduates are distinguished in many ways that are unusual. One is that their writing skills and their social/communication skills tend to be markedly superior. In addition, they often tend to be entrepreneurs. As one graduate said, "I realize that every job I have ever had, I created." We have started a section on our website called "Alumni Reflections" that highlights the experiences of our graduates, post-school, and how their lives were influenced by their attendance at Banbury. One of these graduates, Delaney Boyd, who graduated in 2003 with her Master's in EVDS in Ecology, was awarded the Gold Medal for the Faculty. She has now completed her Doctorate in EVDS, and is working as the Land Planning and Policies Officer for the Department of National Defence at Suffield Base in Alberta. Another site in which her thesis is referenced resulted from her invitation by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy as one of five delegates from around the world to present at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Parks Congress in Sydney, Australia, in November of 2014. An article on the basis of this work was published by GlobalPost at the following link: www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/groundtruth/bombs-biodiversity-military-lands-conservation-WPCSydney. Otherwise, many alumni keep in touch, and we have just begun to develop a formal alumni organization. Alumni are invited to anniversary events and other events hosted by the school.
• Principal's Message
  Diane Swiatek, Director

  B.A., B.Ed., E.C.S. Dip.

  Congratulations to us all! Banbury Crossroads School passed its 40^th Anniversary mark on November 1^st, 2019. The historical inertia represented in its continued existence warms my heart, because it means that the Banbury way of learning is still available for children in the Calgary region. It has been my passionate dream for the entirety of my adulthood for children to have the opportunity to be respected as individual people, and to be happy, visible, and nurtured while they learn in a holistic fashion. Over the years, the thinking and writing that was done from the very beginning is still valid and relevant. Our philosophy and practices of self-directed learning from those early years have become richer and validated through practice, flourishing into our present ways of being. The inspired devotion and multitudinous efforts of teachers, students, and parents have all contributed to create the actual way we are now. We are a very unique school, with our own particular identity. By this time, it is common for me to tell children and young adults, “At Banbury, we…” while explaining our ways of relating to others, engaging in learning activities and interest-based projects, developing emotional intelligence and self-regulation, connecting with the real world outside our walls, and creating the school culture inside them. 

  Over the years, Banbury has honed its mission to foster learning through self-empowerment, intrinsic motivation, management of time and resources, and active goal setting. Mutual respect is the foundational principle. So, all of us expect to have both rights and responsibilities. Some of the hallmarks of our school are the development of moral and logical reasoning, and competence in the soft skills that are crucial for smooth social functioning, We have developed expertise in developing communication and negotiation skills, and providing guided conflict resolution among willing participants.

  Academics matter, because students have an innate impetus for intellectual growth. They need to learn about, and master, their environment. To be respectful to our students, we allow them to work on material that suits their true level of accomplishment, rather than pushing them ahead or holding them back within same-age cohorts. This requires personalized and individualized instruction. So, students set their own schedules and deadlines, and pace their academics, individually working to levels of mastery in accordance with their abilities and motivation. The Alberta Programs of Study are the baseline; students often go beyond that.

  As a result, Banbury offers very unique schooling. The first difference is shown in how we treat children. Since we respect them as persons, we value their development in autonomy and self-sufficiency, while at the same time emphasizing their interdependence with other people. They are important individually, and so is everyone else. So, we put energy into helping them develop self-leadership, confidence, empathy, compassion, and social responsiveness. We emphasize the need to contribute to their communities.

  In order to enable such individualized mentoring, the student-teacher ratio is 10 to 1. This allows students to receive the visibility, attention, and nurturance necessary for optimal learning. Our choice of this small ratio allows the school atmosphere to be peaceful, comfortable, trusting, and optimistic. Joy happens here.  Within these small classes, in order to allow students to work at their true levels of competence, we have chosen multi-aged groupings. This is not unique in the world at large—indeed, this describes the world at large—however, it is certainly unique in schools. This multi-aged approach fosters peer learning, and trust and comfort between people of various ages. As well, it does not socially penalize those students who are working either ahead or behind their peers.

   

  Therefore, teachers need to use tutorial instruction, rather than lecture-based, teacher-paced instruction. This facilitates academic mentoring, with students being able to ask questions and receive assistance in answering them. In academic pursuits, students are encouraged to compete with themselves, to surpass their historical achievements, and work towards their current, personal goals. They may participate in designing their assignments and projects in line with their interests, and they use manipulative materials to carry them out. They participate in the community for real-world learning. In non-COVID years, we do this through field trips, volunteerism, internships, and international travel. Since it is a COVID year, because we have small class sizes, we are able to socially distance our students, and when we need to engage in remote learning, we contact our students daily. Banbury is the school when students may experience learning activities that are impossible in large institutions. Banbury Crossroads is a fine example of unique, innovative schooling!

   

  
• In the News
  

  September 21, 2020
  Banbury Crossroads School Celebrates 40th Anniversary

  On November 1st, 2019, Banbury Crossroads turned 40! We will be celebrating with a banquet and homecoming on May 28th, 2021. Contact us!
  Read full article

  
  

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