Ark Elementary
Completion of the Noah’s Ark Preschool program does not mark the end of the Ark learning journey. In fact, by age five or six, the child is embarking on a new journey of growth potential. At this time, the learner is ready to build upon the concrete learning pathways of preschool and move to the more abstract concepts in the elementary program. Montessori wrote, “The successive levels of education must conform to the successive personalities of the child”; that “The education of the very young child does not prepare him for school, but for life.“
Ark Elementary Program (6-11 years of age) nurtures students in a home-like environment. The Ark Elementary School is small - less than 30 students in total - including kindergarten to Grade 5, according to Ministry of Education age designations. However our students commonly exceed prescribed academic learning outcomes by one to three years. The number of students in our classes is limited, and the collaborative learning process, child-centered. We are small enough to feel like a family, but big enough to provide a variety of options and depth beyond the Ministry of Education’s Grade level learning requirements and outcomes.
What is most key for parents to know about the Ark Elementary program is that an enormous focus is heavily centred on social and emotional development. Building character, integrity, accountability, self-awareness and self-esteem is a highly complicated, challenging task which can only happen in an environment where relationships are prioritized. This ‘invisible’ curriculum requires a common understanding of shared personal values between our school, our teachers and the families we work with each day.
The Ark Program is a continuum of the preschool experience: highly individualized, non-competitive learning, cooperative group work, development of critical thought, choice and independence. As the world is rapidly changing and our approach to knowledge and the methods and acquisition of knowledge changing with it, the very best we can offer our children is opportunity to foster a deep love of learning, strong social skills and the confidence to know how to look for this knowledge and use it. The development of solid work habits and the deeper self-understanding that comes with mastery and its internal rewards are the goals of the Ark Program. As such, study, organizational and planning skills, public speaking, self-evaluation and assessment and presentation techniques are important for us in addition to the basic skills of reading, handwriting, creative writing, spelling, mathematics, social studies and science, which are all part of our program.
Social skills are actively taught at Noah’s Ark: How to make – and keep-friends, peacefully negotiate desired outcomes, collaborative listening and group work and developing mentorship as well as social responsibility skills. Great emphasis is placed on conflict management and resolution as mastering this ability when faced with uncomfortable feelings and unpredictable situations can directly contribute to a child’s sense of confidence and security over the long-term.
Our dedicated and caring staff closely know each child as an individual, and develop curriculum platforms to better meet the learning styles and multiple intelligences of each child. The critical thinking and problem solving skills developed in our Preschool program form the foundation of our elementary curriculum. Social, academic and emotional progress is carefully monitored. Parents are expected to work collaboratively with goal-setting, facilitating research and support for dedicated time and physical space for homework.
Something many parents already intuitively understand, is that each child’s development and abilities are not limited to his or her chronological age group, often needing support and assistance in one area and requiring greater supports in areas of challenge. A multi-aged setting allows for greater scope and flexibility for effective individualized learning. Multi-aged environments offer opportunity for peer mentoring, exposure to a variety of abilities, expanded understanding and practice of social skills and expectations as well as important opportunities to develop leadership skills. At the Ark, we believe every child is gifted. When the time comes for a child to move beyond our program, we find that he or she is not only intellectually very competent with solid learning habits, but also possesses compassionate leadership and collaboration skills, as well as a deep love of learning that is clearly evident, most importantly, to the child himself or herself.
In a nutshell:
Unusually small class sizes, high staff to child ratios
Dedicated and caring educators in warm, natural learning environments
Highly individualized, flexible, multi-age, small group learning
Progressive Montessori and Reggio Emilia blended curriculum practices
Exceeds Ministry of Education BC Curriculum outcomes
A strong emphasis on character and social skills development
Oration and public speaking expectations
On-going emphasis on music & drama programming
Physical games for coordination and teamwork skills, weekly Taekwondo
Outside-the-box, expansive learning-in-the-field experiences
Whole family-centric outdoor education programming
Program Schedule
Elementary School: Monday to Friday / 8:45 AM - 3:15 PM
