Proposed All-Boys' Academy: Edmonton Catholic School District
Why an All-Boys Academy?
Proposed Mission Statement
Edmonton Catholic School District's All-Boys' Academy exists to serve the unique educational, social, developmental and spiritual needs of boys from grades 4-9 who have demonstrated intellectual ability yet have not realized their potential. Our boys benefit from being in a single-gender learning environment where they achieve to their greatest potential.
The All-Boys' Academy, for the benefit of the students, their families and the community, will:
Why an All-Boys Academy?
- Edmonton Catholic Schools is looking at offering an All-Boys' Academy in one of the existing schools in the District. The Academy could start in grades 4 and 5 and grow one grade per year until grade 9 at which time the boys going into grade 10 would attend the high school that offers the programming they choose.
- The proposal of an All-Boys' Academy in Edmonton Catholic Schools has been seriously considered ever since the Jean Forest Leadership Academy for Girls opened its doors in 2005 and now the District is considering a boys' program to reciprocate the offer of gender-specific education for our boys. An All-Boys' Academy will target the learning styles and needs of boys in order to close the achievement gap for boys in terms of literacy and continue to promote math and science skills where boys typically excel. An All-Boys' Academy that addresses literacy issues early can assist boys in later years and ultimately reduce the drop-out rate of our young men. The program will teach them the study skills and habits that will allow them to be successful in school at a pace that suits their developmental needs.
Proposed Mission Statement
Edmonton Catholic School District's All-Boys' Academy exists to serve the unique educational, social, developmental and spiritual needs of boys from grades 4-9 who have demonstrated intellectual ability yet have not realized their potential. Our boys benefit from being in a single-gender learning environment where they achieve to their greatest potential.
The All-Boys' Academy, for the benefit of the students, their families and the community, will:
- provide the opportunity to build mentoring relationships with involved and dedicated teachers and staff who provide boys with positive role models
- offer the chance for teachers to nurture boys' strengths and directly address their challenges
- provide a learning environment that aims to balance exploration and development with discipline, so that students can excel both academically and personally
- commit to developing and implementing the most current research into how boys learn and offer a unique educational experience
- tailor instructional practices that are hands-on, kinesthetic and inquiry based
- engage students in 21st century thinking and problem-solving skills while embedding technology into the delivery of the curricula
- maintain a secure learning environment that encourages academic and personal risk-taking within a nurturing community
- strive to develop in its boys an awareness and love of God and a sense of moral responsibility
- inspire intellectual curiosity and a passion for learning
- strive for excellence and actively seek leadership opportunities in some aspect of school life
- be actively involved in community service and global outreach projects
- use their academic prowess with discernment and wisdom
- endeavor to develop personal spiritual growth to give full meaning to their intellectual and physical activities