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in-depth report
Chisholm Academy logo
OUR KIDS REPORT:

Chisholm Academy

Grades 6 — 12 — Oakville, ON (Map)
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School Busing:

Chisholm Academy offers bus transferring. Service options offered are regular rider, regular rider AM only, regular rider PM only.

The regions Chisholm Academy offers busing from are:

Additional notes: Bussing is determined annually, based on the locations of our students. We pick up at certral locations within walking distance of a students home. We do our best to minimize the time that each student stays on the bus. Routes are determined by our provider.

THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Chisholm Academy
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

School overview

  • Grades
    6 — 12
  • Gender
    Coed
  • Class Size
    8 — 10 students
  • Tuition
    $16,092 to 30,992/year
  • Language of instruction
    English
  • Special Needs Support
    Special needs school
  • Enrolment
    90 day students
  • Curriculum
    Traditional
  • Associations
    OIS, NAIS
  • LOCATION
    Oakville, ON (View address)

The big picture on Chisholm Academy

We wrote a book reviewing the school

The 50-page review of Chisholm Academy is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.

Read our in-depth review

We questioned the school administration

1. Who are you, as a school?

"Since 1971, Chisholm has supported those with mild-to-moderate learning or social needs. Our students are regular kids who have struggled in school & deserve to learn in an environment where they feel successful, understood, respected, & safe. Our teaching style is structured & always supportive. Many schools offer IEPs & additional support, but we provide the most comprehensive approach with class sizes of 10. Chisholm students achieve personal & academic success and are prepared for college or university."

  • Grades 6 - 12 with classes of 8 - 12 students
  • Accepting, respectful, and supportive environment
  • Multi-disciplinary staff
  • College and university bound classes
  • Comprehensive Individual Education Plans for all students
  • IEPs carefully written, thoroughly followed, and regularly reviewed
  • Advanced technology (Google School)
  • Study hall and homework support
  • Multitude of extra curricular activities
  • 95% of our students are accepted at college or university

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

Chisholm Academy (1971) is the first specialized school in Ontario for students with learning or social concerns. We created a "typical" school for those who require individual educational plans, taught in small groups. While we do not accept students with behavioural issues, we are pleased to accept students with LD, ADHD, anxiety or depression. 95% of our students attend post-secondary institutions. Our relationships with our students and parents is always supportive and long-lasting.

3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

We strongly believe that when students are comfortable in school, their ability to learn, increases dramatically. We ensure that our students connect with our staff and make friends at school. At times, their learning is postponed to be certain that they are feeling good about the school and who they are. At times, it may be important to sacrifice teaching and homework for comfort within themselves. Our short term goal is to ensure that all students fell accepted and competent.

4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

Chisholm Academy began as a support for students with reading and mathematical difficulties. In the 1980's, Dr. Howard Bernstein arrived with a vision. He established a psychology practice dedicated to understanding the needs of children and adolescents and to finding solutions that support their success. After completing thousands of psychoeducational assessments, the staff began to discuss the need for a full-time school. The Academy began with 6 students and grew to over 100. The school will never grow to a large population, as it would lose its personal nature. A new building was constructed specifically for students with the needs we serve. A decision was later made to register the organization as a charity, to be operated by a Board of Directors. The Academy has become a leader across Canada in serving students with mild and moderate exceptionalities.

5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?

As you walk through our building, you see a regular school, except for the small classrooms. However, all of our students have Individual Educational Plans based on their needs. Overall, our students are pretty regular kids who are somewhat concerned because they have not done well in school, and they want to be successful. They are sometimes diagnosed as LD, ADD, quirky, anxiety disorder or depression. A very large group of our students does not have a formal diagnosis, but their parents know they require more attention than is possible in a class of 30 without specially trained staff. As part of our admissions process, we regretfully exclude students who may not have the ability to attend post-secondary schools. This factor alone tends to normalize our student body. Our students express their desire to find their way, do better in school, make friends, develop confidence, and reach their goals for adulthood.

6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

Any special education school has obstacles. Some people view Spec Ed as a negative. Chisholm Academy, our staff, parents and students, view it as an opportunity to grow and develop. Special education does not mean settling for mediocrity but rather pulling away from mediocrity to success.

7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

The Executive Director is a doctoral psychologist with expertise in clinical & educational psychology. Our principal & vice-principals hold specialist degrees & teaching staff are required to complete special education training. We employ counsellors, child & youth workers, recreation leadership staff and specialists in art & drama. There is very little staff turn over, which attests to the atmosphere. At Chisholm, comfort, personal growth & development, are as important as curriculum.

8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

We are so proud of our reputation! We know of no other school where 100% of students requiring additional support, all attend post-secondary institutions.

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

No one is bullied at Chisholm. Some of our kids had difficulty in previous schools. We facilitate personal relationships & activities to ensure all students are accepted. Our staff is committed to extra-curricular activities & we required that every student participates in at least 2 activities. As students make friends & become increasingly confident, learning becomes easier. Our guidance department ensures post-secondary choices are appropriate & we consult with each student's new school.

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

The "normalized" environment we create, allows us to function as a traditional school yet employ all the aspects of individual educational plans. New students are immediately accepted and feel part of our family within days of starting at Chisholm. Our kids are are regular students who need that extra support in order to go on to college or university & lead successful independent lives. Moms & Dads quickly understand that their input is encouraged and appreciated.

11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

Information not yet available.

12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?

Information not yet available.


We reported on the school in articles

Profile of Dr. Howard Bernstein, Executive Director, Chisholm Academy

With roots in an educational psychology practice, Chisholm’s teaching philosophy views students’ emotional health as pivotal to their learning capacity. “We come at the whole school experience from a unique angle, in that our priority is to create an environment where kids feel comfortable,” says Dr. Bernstein.

 

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