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Go to child profileCGS has been the neighbourhood private school of choice in Leaside for over 30 years, providing the best in early years education. This is where you will find an academically stimulating and personalized curriculum, delivered in a warm environment. The phonics program addresses the unique learning styles of boys and girls, leading to high levels of early literacy for all students. Highlights include public speaking, character education, mindfulness, outdoor education and daily arts. Extended care available.
What learning looks like now: At the time of this writing, it has been just over two months since schools were ordered to close in Ontario due to COVID 19. It has been an unprecedented time of upheaval and change for educators and students. CGS has made a highly successful shift to its CGS Spirit at Home online program. The enormous task of moving staff, students (and parents) to an online format for the first time ever, in such a short time, was nothing short of miraculous. Working with very young students presented unique challenges. Everyone has settled into a good routine now and students are progressing. Teachers are doing live and pre-recorded lessons, follow-up small group sessions and storytimes on the Microsoft Teams platform. Students have French, Gym and Creative Arts sessions as well as their usual Language Arts, Math, Science, Technology and Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) sessions. The children even have time in the schedule for mindfulness practise. Academics aside, staying connected during this time of isolation has been a top priority for CGS – making sure the children feel loved and heard, despite the varied challenges of an online learning environment. Maintaining beloved school events that typically take place outside of the classroom has also been a top priority. House Games, Track & Field, Public Speaking, Mother's Day celebrations, Principal's Club meetings and even virtual field trips have gone a long way to making school feel much more 'normal'.
JK in the playground.
Cross Country training at Leaside Fields.
Music and theatre come together for the Holiday Concert.
Our annual musical takes to the stage in May.
Displaying work at the Art Fair.
Happy parents on the first day of school.
Morning arrival.
The view from our front lawn.
Phonics in SK.
Counting the days in the month during Circle Time in Early Start (preschool).
Time for Math in Grade 1.
Can I create power from water? Grade 2 Science Fair project.
Parents and students enjoy the annual Science Fair.
Science is fun! Chamelea visits SK.
JK butterflies released in the garden.
SK students in the Computer Lab working on their keyboarding skills with Dance Mat Typing.
SMART Board phonics in JK.
Lunchtime for Early Start (preschool) in the gym.
Dance Party Friday always spills into the hallway.
Our library is well-loved by students.
CGS was founded in 1986 by Marie Bates, who remains as the principal at the school today. As that suggests, the school has remained very true to the founders’ initial intentions, namely to create a place that provides a strong academic foundation in a caring, open, and supportive environment. While reading, writing, and numeracy are key—just as they should be—so is the development of creativity and social engagement. Bates believes that children learn as much in music class as they do in math class, and she’s right of course. As such, the program promotes links across the curriculum, allowing children to see those connections while also broadening their horizons of interest. The strength of the program is reflected by the reputation that CGS has earned over the thirty-plus years of its life.
Reggio Emilia programs are offered by some schools at the preschool and elementary level. The approach aims to develop curiosity and problem-solving skills through the liberal use of projects (as opposed to activities or lessons): teachers design projects for children around their demonstrated interests. Projects can be geared to an individual student, a small group of students, or the class as a whole. They can last from a few days to the whole year. Art is strongly emphasized and is typically incorporated into every project. Teachers actively participate in projects alongside students, rather than sitting back and observing. The philosophy calls for a high degree of parent involvement as well, particularly when forming curricula and project plans (which happens throughout the academic year).
Focus |
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Academic |
DIBELS Testing: This school periodically uses DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
Subject | offered |
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Evolution as consensus theory | |
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
Evolution is not taught |
Subject | offered |
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Biology | |
Chemistry | |
Ecology | |
Geology | |
Meteorology | |
Physics | |
Physiology | |
Zoology |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Acting | |
Dance | |
Drama/Theatre | |
Graphic Design | |
Music | |
Visual Arts |
Expressive | |
Disciplined |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Computer science | |
Robotics | |
Web design |
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 |
Students remain in a regular classroom for most of the day, but are pulled out for extra support from a qualified special education teacher.
Subject Type | offered |
---|---|
Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
Subject Type | offered |
---|---|
Accommodations | |
Modifications | |
Extra support |
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
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.)
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) |
In grade Gr. 3, CGS students perform an average of 15 mins of homework per night.
PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CGS | 0 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins |
Site Average | 2 mins | 6 mins | 7 mins | 15 mins | 17 mins | 23 mins |
Lettered or numbered grades | Gr. 1 to Gr. 3 |
Prose (narrative)-based feedback | Preschool to Gr. 3 |
Academic achievement reporting | JK to Gr. 3 |
Habits and behaviour reporting | JK to Gr. 3 |
Parent-teacher meetings | Preschool to Gr. 3 |
Competitive sports: 1
Recreational sports: 12
CGS (Children's Garden School) offers 13 clubs and extracurricular programs.
PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Day | $14,600 | $17,700 | $20,750 | |||
Day (Half day) | $9,250 / | $11,700 |
This information is not currently available.
Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Preschool to Gr. 3 | Coed | Day | 100 |
Total enrolment | 100 |
Average class size | 8 to 12 |
% of international students (total enrolment) | N/A |
Number of different nationalities within student population | N/A |
PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Enrollment | 24 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 10 |
Class Size | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 10 |
Assessment | Required | Grades |
---|---|---|
Interview | PS - 3 | |
SSAT | ||
SSAT (out of province) | ||
Entrance Exam(s) | ||
Entrance Essay |
Day students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry:
N/A
Application fee: N/A
Registration fee: N/A
Deposit:
N/A
Completed application and fee of $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%.
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 | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 16 - 20 (90%) | 10 - 15 (90%) | 5 - 10 (90%) | 5 - 10 (85%) | 5 - 10 (85%) | 5 - 10 (85%) |
Alumni Highlights
Thank you for your interest in our school. CGS has been a home away from home for so many children, and their families, since it was founded in 1986. We pride ourselves on getting to know each child, to the fullest extent possible, while they are with us. Our young students, from Preschool to Grade 3 are protected, cherished, motivated and inspired during the first, and all important, years of their formal education. When you truly know your students it is easy to do what is best for them.
We are committed to our small class sizes and balanced curriculum. We believe that children can learn as much in Music class as they can in Math class. Along with our strong core curriculum, students are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the arts and physical activity. Our goal is to provide an education that is rich and diverse by placing importance on all aspects of a wide and varied curriculum.
As founding Principal, I have been honoured to work with, and support, a staff that is known for their dedication and commitment to the CGS philosophy. Each and every student is celebrated for who they are. The teachers deliver an exceptional program while keeping the heart in education. Please come and visit. See and feel first-hand what makes CGS the special place it is.
May 26, 2020
CGS Spirit at Home - A Neighbourhood Success Story
It’s been just over two months since schools were ordered to close in Ontario and it has been an unprecedented time of change.
Read full article
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