The Lower School, at SJK, is a dynamic, inquiry-based learning environment, where students are actively engaged in challenging classes and teachers understand and value individual learning styles and strengths.
SJK is one of two schools in the region to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP). This program, alongside the Ontario curriculum, helps students develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills through a trans-disciplinary approach to learning while making holistic connections across traditional subjects.
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) prepares the students in the Lower School at SJK to be life-long learners, who actively participate in developing an understanding of the interconnected world around them. The PYP is an inquiry-based, concept driven programme, specifically designed for young learners between the ages of 3 and 12 years. Students are encouraged to be globally minded, by developing an international perspective, where diversity is welcomed and celebrated.
The PYP provides a framework for the curriculum that is implemented in the Lower School, allowing students to acquire essential knowledge and skills, in an environment where the deeper understanding of concepts is nurtured. Both the Ontario Curriculum Expectations and the PYP Scope and Sequence Guidelines are
followed. A distinguishing feature of the PYP is the six trans-disciplinary themes of global significance. The students engage in meaningful, relevant inquiries that focus on making significant connections to the world, and developing enduring understandings. Each Unit of Inquiry is organized under one of the trans-disciplinary themes, and every school year the themes are revisited with increasingly complex information, key concepts and skills from the core subject areas of Math, Language, Social Studies, Science, The Arts, and Physical, Social & Personal Education.
The trans-disciplinary themes are:
Who we are
Where we are in place and time
How we express ourselves
How the world works
How we organize ourselves
Sharing the planet
Through the attributes of the IB learner profile and the demonstration of the PYP attitudes, the PYP encourages international-mindedness and a passion for learning. Students are asked to reflect constantly on their learning, and take meaningful action based on new discoveries.
PYP students are: caring, open-minded, knowledgeable, thinkers, principled, inquirers, communicators, balanced and reflective. (The IB learner profile)
PYP students show: appreciation, commitment, confidence, cooperation, creativity, curiosity, empathy, enthusiasm, independence, integrity, respect and tolerance. (The PYP Attitudes)
Academic instruction is balanced with a robust after school co-curricular program, which begins in Junior Kindergarten and results in the nurturing and development of the whole child. Leadership opportunities are provided to the students at a young age; opportunities that encourage responsibility and prepare individuals for
the world beyond the classroom.
The School’s whole child approach extends to its shared partnership with its families. Early morning drop-off and extended afternoon care is included in programming and offered through its Outdoor Experiential Education. Each week the outdoor activities, experienced on the School’s natural campus, are designed around a central theme guiding student exploration and learning.
Every day is an Open House - we offer personalized tours for any family that wants to learn more about us. The best way to get to know SJK is to see us in action! Please contact us to book a time to visit our campus.
At SJK students find their excellence within, love to learn, and graduate as confident, well-rounded individuals, fully prepared for post-secondary education and life beyond.
The journey begins here.