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The Program
Holistic Education
Holism in the curriculum therefore approaches the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects of human beings simultaneously. Roger White Academy endorses this approach to education, building on the nobility and dignity of children and empowering them to approach learning as a sustainable process of growth carried throughout human life. Plants simultaneously need water, sunshine, nutrients, fresh air and a nurturing setting. These components are also interdependent. If the plant is given much sunshine, it will require more water. All the needs of the plant must be met adequately and at the same time.
A curriculum oriented exclusively towards academic achievement, but devoid of artistic, ethical, and social interaction may, in the short run, produce scholars and high academic achievers while in the long run may not be able to produce balanced human beings capable of serving their selves, their family and humanity at large. Recent research by the Canadian Human Resources Department finds that many adults, despite high I.Q. (intelligence quotient) and competency in their fields, cannot hold jobs and are considered more disposable because of their low E.Q. (emotional quotient). At Roger White Academy, children are encouraged to aspire to become active members of the human family as the foundation on which to attain their academic, artistic and physical potential. Roger White Academy opens at 8:00 a.m. Children may be dropped at school from then until 8:40 a.m. when the school day begins. The children start the school day with songs, quote of the day and a short discussion of the virtue of the week. Classes run from 8:45 till 3:00 p.m. with a supervised lunch period from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. and an optional, supervised homework room from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Children must be picked up by 4:00. Twice a week the students receive Karate instruction from a qualified Karate instructor. Art, dance, drama and music are also included in the curriculum on a weekly basis.
The school uniform consists of navy blue pants/skirt/shorts/, white shirts/blouses/T-shirt (long and short-sleeved), red sweaters and black shoes for every day wear. A karate outfit must be purchased. Navy blue shorts and white T-shirts are required for dance and other physical education classes. Copyright © 2007 Roger White Academy Web Design by Blue Hydra Web Designs |
The human being is an organic entity having various aspects,
which together form a whole and complex system. Holistic education
regards human beings as fundamentally spiritual and capable of
acquiring knowledge. Human dignity and nobility are the primary
values introduced in this system. The human body is comprised
of complex and interdependent systems and organs. The development
or injury of one part of the body is felt by and affects the
functioningof the other parts. Similarly, holistic education
presents the development of children as a totality with all aspects
of their learning experience interconnected with other aspects
of their reality. Though human experience is made up of components
and evolves through a process, it is none-the-less, one multifaceted
whole. Progress or regress in a particular area will profoundly
alter the course of learning in other areas.
The school customizes the Ontario curriculum to reflect each
child's individual learning needs and style. Because of the small
size of the school children receive focused, individualized
attention from each teacher. Each child's strengths and weaknesses
are understood which enables the teacher to structure the program to
allow the child to progress at their own pace. The school firmly
believes in the unique nature of each child, that each child grows
and develops at their own speed. The school does not enforce working
only at the grade level demanded by age, but encourages students to
master concepts, and advance to the next level when they display
readiness. It is not uncommon at Roger White Academy to have a child
working at different grade levels in each subject. This method
fosters a child's confidence, providing positive reinforcement for
their areas of strength that in turn, builds the self-confidence and
self-esteem necessary to tackle their weaker subject areas. At Roger
White, children are not limited by the grade level and are
encouraged to explore, discuss and question.