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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
InnovOak School

Grades Preschool TO Gr. 12 — Kitchener, ON (MAP)

InnovOak School:
THE OUR KIDS REPORT
REPORT CONTENTS:

Pages in this report:

  • Grades
    Preschool — Gr. 12
  • Gender
    Coed
  • Class Size
    12 — 15 students
  • Tuition
    $12,500 to 18,000/year
  • Language of instruction
    English
  • Associations
    N/A
  • Enrolment
    60 day students
  • Curriculum
    Traditional
  • EBROCHURE
    N/A

School address

  • 5 Michael Street, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 1L7 (MAP)
  • Busing available (View details)

School Busing:

InnovOak offers bus transferring. Service options offered are regular rider, door-to-door pickup.

The regions InnovOak offers busing from are:

  • Kitchener
  • Waterloo
  • Cambridge

Additional notes: Currently our school transportation serves Kitchener, Waterloo, and parts of Cambridge. There is a waiting list for transportation, so families should declare interest when accepting admissions. Service depends upon proximity to current routes and seat availability.

Our Perspective

How we see InnovOak School


Igniting a passion for learning and preparing students to achieve extraordinary success is the central mission of InnovOak. This means educating students within a culture of respect and collaboration to become future leaders, equipped with self-awareness, balanced character, and the ability to think critically. The curriculum at InnovOak goes above and beyond Ontario standards by integrating the latest research and insights to offer an effective and dynamic education. Their approach begins with mapping each student’s educational journey, developing a personalized path supported by responsive teachers. From their structured Kindergarten program to their LifeReady initiative, InnovOak ensures students develop essential skills for academic excellence. The teaching methods are expertly designed to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. InnovOak works to provide holistic education by nurturing creativity and adaptability and by building a culture of curiosity and resilience.

School's Perspective

Compare with:  

How InnovOak School sees itself


The school administration answered our questions

Who are you, as a school?

"At InnovOak School, we prioritize a well-rounded education that goes beyond traditional standards while integrating the innovations needed to prepare students for tomorrow's challenges. Our LifeREADY program fosters academic excellence, character development, critical thinking, and leadership skills. We carefully plan educational pathways to ensure students' future success, allowing parents to look back and proudly say, "What a remarkable young person they have become!""

  • Advanced Math Curriculum: Surpasses Ontario standards, integrating Singapore math in JK- 8
  • LifeREADY Proficiency Skills: Focus on essential skills for success in academics and beyond.
  • Traditional Values: Upholds strong academic foundations & personal development for well-roundedness
  • Innovative Approach: Integrate advanced teaching to enhance creativity, & educational standards
  • Advanced JK/SK Program: Focuses on early literacy and numeracy skills, that accelerates learning.
  • Respect for Family Values: Partners with parents, respect values to nurture each child’s uniqueness
  • Academic Preschool: Structured play to develop foundational skills through engaging activities
  • Differentiated Learning: Tailored teaching to meet each student's needs, starting at their level.
  • Curriculum excellence: Surpassing public school norms, ensuring rigorous academic benchmarks.
  • Arts and Science Programs: Essential for a complete and grounded student learning experience,

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

"InnovOak is chosen by families for its commitment to exceeding traditional learning foundations. Parents value our model that prioritizes distraction-free learning, exceeds Ontario standards, and fosters a positive environment where teachers develop fundamental skills in every student. We emphasize early reading and writing skills crucial for graduation success and mathematical fluency through our SPEAK Math approach. Our LifeREADY approach equips students with essential life and learning skills, alongside a robust curriculum including Arts, Science, Humanities, Coding, Financial Literacy, and Physical Education. Each grade supports a clear path to graduation, fostering well-rounded, independent learners. This comprehensive approach ensures students are thoroughly prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. We uphold traditional values that align with parents' educational goals, ensuring a supportive and enriching educational experience at InnovOak School."

What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

"ocated at the intersection of the Innovation and Heritage Districts within a tech startup space, InnovOak deliberately integrates innovation into traditional learning. Our unconventional setting in a renovated factory-turned-tech space is a testament to our commitment to combining innovation with decades of educational expertise. As InnovOak continues to grow, we expand our offerings to include a gym space, outdoor activities, and a focus on Arts, Science, Humanities, which enhances learning and provides a well-rounded student experience. While our space may defy tradition, our sensible and creative approach resonates deeply with families seeking a quality education. Parents are surprised that there is a school willing to focus on their child with the importance they deserve but may have been missing. Families that want to grow with us are in for an exciting journey that doesn't just get their kids to graduation, but prepares them for whatever their future holds."

What might families find surprising about your school?

"Families are surprised to learn that the following things are an important part of our school:
- We guarantee that our students can read, write, and express themselves mathematically by the time they enter Grade 1.
- Our students who start with us early surpass the expectations of the Ontario curriculum, meeting their grade expectations at the start of the grade rather than the end.
- We implement an effective guidance coaching model that surprises with its proactive, results-oriented approach.
- We focus on teaching our own Foundational Skillset (Learning Skills) to help improve each student's learning.
- We celebrate Canadian culture, maintaining traditional celebrations like Halloween and Christmas while also supporting cultural traditions that matter to our students.
- We focus on teaching students rather than the latest progressive trends in a neutral educational environment."

What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

"As a school we continue to enhance/ improve our physical building, the overall student experience, our academic advantage and manage our overall growth. Recent change include:
- Developed an enhanced Learning Skills Framework based on University of Waterloo's Cooperative Education.
- Created the InnovOak Honors Graduation Diploma integrating new locally developed adulting courses to the OSSD
- Established an AP Program plan from grades 9 to 12 for when students are ready
- Developed our own SPEAK Math focus integrating Singapore Math principles replacing Ontario curriculum
- Defined new Guidance Coaching roles to track foundational goals beyond Guidance Counselling
- Introduced financial literacy, coding, cooking and more across all grades
- Created an improved report card giving parents 90 specific "look fors" per grade.
- Added a gymnasium space to our school program
- Beginning the build out of enhanced dedicated senior spaces
- Created new student fitness space / playspace"

How will your school change in the next 5 years?

"We have an ambitious vision:
- Complete outdoor primary school play area to enrich learning
- Develop a comprehensive cooking curriculum to enhance life skills & culinary knowledge
- Introduce specialized positions in Music focusing on Vocal (Grades 1-3), Brass (Grades 4-6), and Strings (Grades 7-8) to bolster the music program
- Introduce Robotics into SPH3U/SPH4U
- Introduce grade-level/ school signature programs to enrich expected learning experiences
- Expand learning areas with specialized classrooms for Music, Visual Arts, Math Lab, Science Lab, Tech Lab, & Learning Commons
- Integrate Senior School rooms into Grades 1-8 learning for hands-on and real life and authentic experiences
- As we grow, cultivate a diverse array of extracurricular activities including clubs, lunchtime activities, participation in math contests, chess, LEGO competitions & individual team focused sports
- Initiate school musicals starting in 2026, fostering a new arts tradition across all grades"


School leadership

Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone


Message from school leadership

William Grobe, Principal / Head of School
B.E.S, B.Ed, M.Ed, OCT, SOQP

We welcome prospective parents to InnovOak School, KW's newest private school, where we blend innovation with traditional foundations to cultivate the leaders of tomorrow. Serving students from Preschool through Grade 12, InnovOak offers a unique and nurturing educational environment.

As an inspected high school, InnovOak proudly grants both the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and the InnovOak School Honors Diploma. Our commitment to excellence ensures that every student receives a robust and comprehensive education, starting from the earliest years in Preschool and Junior Kindergarten.

Our educational philosophy is centered on building strong foundational roots that not only meet but exceed the Ontario curriculum. From the outset, our youngest learners are immersed in an environment that fosters academic rigor while remaining accessible. We believe in preparing each student with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an evolving world.

At InnovOak, we uphold the values that parents seek in a school: a place that inspires, supports, and develops each student into a remarkable young person. We focus on teaching your child without the distractions found in many other educational settings, ensuring that their learning and personal growth are always prioritized.

We are committed to continually improving how and what students learn to give them a distinct advantage. For example, we integrate Singapore Math principles into our SPEAK Math approach, providing students with a strong foundation in mathematical fluency and problem-solving skills. Additionally, our LifeREADY Proficiency skills program ensures that students develop the essential competencies required for success beyond the classroom. By incorporating these skills into our curriculum, we prepare our students to navigate academic challenges with confidence and ease.

Our goal is to create a learning experience that is both rigorous and supportive. We strive to nurture well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also equipped with the life skills needed to excel in all aspects of their lives.

We invite you to explore the InnovOak School community. Here, your child's educational journey will be guided by dedicated teachers who build relationships to not only teach but coach your child towards growth and success.


InnovOak is Private School Reimagined - Where the innovation of tommorow begins with a strong traditional foundation of learning excellence today


THE OUR KIDS REPORT: InnovOak School

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