Who Could Thrive Here
Choosing the right school is more than simply academics, just like the right workplace is more than just a paycheck. While the salary is important, satisfaction comes from empowerment, fulfillment and support from others. For students, a school is no different. A child needs those same elements, empowerment, fulfillment and support, to grow and become their best selves.
Just like every student, every school has a unique personality. OPEL Academy is progressive as we provide a supportive academic community where students can explore who they are and who they want to become. We strive to be that collaborative space where student agency meets academic guidance, where students link concepts between subjects. A place that empowers students to ask questions and forge their own path.
Our prospective students are seekers of truth, both academically and personally. Students who not only think about what is, but dream about what could be. We hope to develop a new generation of hardworking self-starters willing to not only build up communities, but work within them as well.
Students who will thrive at OPEL Academy are likely those who:
- aspire to become self-starters, problem solvers, and community leaders
- want to be involved in their education and set their own academic goals
- are interested in making personal and academic connections the different subjects and concepts studied
- respect others boundaries and are willing to communicate their own
- value collaborative learning and empathy
- keen to apply classroom knowledge in authentic ways such as projects
- prioritize personal growth as much as academic growth
Homeroom Classes and Teachers
Homeroom Classroom
Each Homeroom Class Size = 15 Students
This size ensures students are receiving the as much individual student support as possible.
Central Communication Hub
A strong system is needed to support student success just as a day planner is vital to those with busy schedules. This communication hub serves the same purpose while also providing recommendations for additional support.
Student Lockers & Storage
Another useful role for homeroom classrooms is as a central storage location for student items outside of class time. Planned storage includes a full length locker, a coat rack, and a project table for unusually sized objects such as student projects.
Homeroom Teacher Support
Homeroom teachers are dedicated support teachers that follow a homeroom class from grade 7 to grade 12.
Homeroom teachers support students and parents in the following ways.
Subject Class Push-in Language Support
School Event Reminders and Communication
SEL Support Strategies Recommendations
Other Ongoing Parent Support Communication
Behavior Support and Recommendations
Maintain Homeroom Classroom Structures
Elective Courses
Elective courses are chances for students to push their learning and expand their personal educational aims
Elective Courses
Process
one semester ahead OPEL Academy will put out a interest gathering & forecasting survey to parents and students. Upon review of these surveys, OPEL will choose a variety of courses based on popular choices and trends, current teacher availability, and needed teacher availability. Students will then be given a final choice from the finalized list.
Anticipated Courses
Junior High School
Courses which allow students to explore personal interests and formally study subjects that may not be offered in other schools they might attend.
Senior High School
Courses in line with university freshman and sophomore classes related to students planned degree programs and courses related to personal interests.
Homeroom Classes and Teachers
Homeroom Classroom
Each Homeroom Class Size = 15 Students
This size ensures students are receiving the as much individual student support as possible.
Central Communication Hub
A strong system is needed to support student success just as a day planner is vital to those with busy schedules. This communication hub serves the same purpose while also providing recommendations for additional support.
Student Lockers & Storage
Another useful role for homeroom classrooms is as a central storage location for student items outside of class time. Planned storage includes a full length locker, a coat rack, and a project table for unusually sized objects such as student projects.
Homeroom Teacher Support
Homeroom teachers are dedicated support teachers that follow a homeroom class from grade 7 to grade 12.
Homeroom teachers support students and parents in the following ways.
Subject Class Push-in Language Support
School Event Reminders and Communication
SEL Support Strategies Recommendations
Other Ongoing Parent Support Communication
Behavior Support and Recommendations
Maintain Homeroom Classroom Structures
Possible Student Schedules
Proposed Daily Schedule
The planned daily schedule for students
Possible G7 Student Schedule
An example of what a weekly schedule might look like within the proposed program
Possible Student Schedules
Proposed Daily Schedule
The planned daily schedule for students
Possible G7 Student Schedule
An example of what a weekly schedule might look like within the proposed program
Student Support
Success Counselling
At OPEL we don’t stigmatize support and recognize that all students will need it from time to time
By reducing anxiety around seeking aid we boost student collaboration and overall happiness
Individual Education Plans (IEP)
The goal of individual education plan is to provide targeted support for students who may be struggling and help get them back on track
Honors Program Additional Support
A program aimed at tracking student success that goes above and beyond in their studies in order to raise GPA and receive school awards.
Behaviour Counselling
Our approach to behavior management is focused on repairing harm rather than punishments.
This practice shows greater long term success building student accountability and allows everyone to be heard.
Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports (PBIS)
This behavior management strategy engages the offending student in discussion about their behavior and asks them to reflect on why it occurs and how they might make healthier choices.
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
This behavioral management strategy separates behavior into three progressively serious categories to handle situations fairly and consistently across the student population.
College Counselling
College Counselling begins in grade 8 and continues onward until grade 12 to give students the greatest chance of making informed personal choices related to university.
Student Support
Success Counselling
At OPEL we don’t stigmatize support and recognize that all students will need it from time to time
By reducing anxiety around seeking aid we boost student collaboration and overall happiness
Individual Education Plans (IEP)
The goal of individual education plan is to provide targeted support for students who may be struggling and help get them back on track
Honors Program Additional Support
A program aimed at tracking student success that goes above and beyond in their studies in order to raise GPA and receive school awards.
Behaviour Counselling
Our approach to behavior management is focused on repairing harm rather than punishments. This practice shows greater long term success building student accountability and allows everyone to be heard.
Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports (PBIS)
This behavior management strategy engages the offending student in discussion about their behavior and asks them to reflect on why it occurs and how they might make healthier choices.
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
This behavioral management strategy separates behavior into three progressively serious categories to handle
situations fairly and consistently.
College Counselling
College Counselling begins in grade 8 and continues onward until grade 12 to give students the greatest chance of making informed personal choices related to university.
Clubs (Open Classroom)
The last period of every day allows students to take charge of their education by choosing activities that best support their personal growth. In this way, students are encouraged to engage with multiple clubs during the school year, which allows them to explore interests, receive private teacher tutoring, study independently, work on personal projects, attend guest lectures, or engage in other school-related activities.
Significantly, by granting students the ability to change activities freely, we empower them to build self awareness and confidence. As they build trust in themselves, we encourage them to show leadership by creating clubs mid-semester. Students making such choices build independence, responsibility, and lifelong decision-making skills.
How does this work? We give students options two weeks prior and communicate their choice before the day of the event. If additional clarity or assistance is required, the homeroom teachers will be there to support. On the day of the activity, the students will either attend their chosen activity, engage in independent study, or receive private tutoring from a teacher (with a note). This flexible system permits us to allow for student choice, while supporting academic journeys.
Experiential Education
Personal Projects
Each year, students complete a personal project on a topic that matters to them. With guidance from a mentor teacher, they choose the focus, manage their learning, and present their work at the end of the year. This builds accountability, resilience, integrity, and a stronger college profile by showing long-term interests through meaningful work.
Grade Projects
Each year, students work together in their cohort to choose, plan, and prepare for a shared group learning event. Possibilities may include hosting an international cultural holiday, joining a harvest-to-table rural experience, completing a multi-stage hike, or organizing an international school conference. These events build teamwork, responsibility, confidence, and lasting memories.
Service Learning
Students at OPEL Academy are asked to volunteer as a way to learn to give back to the communities in which they live. The projects can relate to any area of personal interest, but will include at least one of each of the three types of service during their time with us. As a safety measure we plan to keep close records of who/what students do for student safety reasons and to build a community catalogue to aid student volunteering projects.
Ongoing Project
This is a project that is done on an ongoing basis such as volunteering at a library or pet shelter.
School Group
These are projects that are done as part of a group for the benefit of a particular group or society at large.
Personal Community Development
These are noncommercial (non-fundraising) ideas that make the community better in some tangible way.
Field Trips
Every month, students will take a themed field trip that takes place during school hours. Field trips work to expose students to relevant local cultural, ecological, and outdoor sites and resources. These projects help highlight to students how learning is a frame of mind that can take place anywhere and is not just something that happens in the classroom or at school.
Experiential Education
Personal Projects
Each year, students complete a personal project on a topic that matters to them. With guidance from a mentor teacher, they choose the focus, manage their learning, and present their work at the end of the year. This builds accountability, resilience, integrity, and a stronger college profile by showing long-term interests through meaningful work.
Grade Projects
Each year, students work together in their cohort to choose, plan, and prepare for a shared group learning event. Possibilities may include hosting an international cultural holiday, joining a harvest-to-table rural experience, completing a multi-stage hike, or organizing an international school conference. These events build teamwork, responsibility, confidence, and lasting memories.
Service Learning
Students at OPEL Academy are asked to volunteer as a way to learn to give back to the communities in which they live. The projects can relate to any area of personal interest, but will include at least one of each of the three types of service during their time with us. As a safety measure we plan to keep close records of who/what students do for student safety reasons and to build a community catalogue to aid student volunteering projects.
Ongoing Project
This is a project that is done on an ongoing basis such as volunteering at a library or pet shelter.
School Group
These are projects that are done as part of a group for the benefit of a particular group or society at large.
Personal Community Development
These are noncommercial (non-fundraising) ideas that make the community better in some tangible way.
Field Trips
Every month, students will take a themed field trip that takes place during school hours. Field trips work to expose students to relevant local cultural, ecological, and outdoor sites and resources. These projects help highlight to students how learning is a frame of mind that can take place anywhere and is not just something that happens in the classroom or at school.
Student Council
The student council is not just a student organization. Student Council at OPEL Academy is planned to allow students to make real policy changes that provide hands on leadership experience and see how school policy can affect the students at OPEL Academy. Working with a teacher advisor, student leaders will get the opportunity to write some school policy, create school events, and establish and maintain school traditions that will have a long-lasting effect on the character of the school they attend.
President
Primary Role:
Speaks for the Council, Leads Meetings
Supported By:
Teacher Advisor, Sr. High President (once established)
Vice President
Primary Role:
Ensures Council Work is Complete, Acts as President when Needed
Supported By:
Teacher Advisor, President
Grade Level Representative
Primary Role:
Listens and Represents All Students at their Grade Level
Supported By:
Teacher Advisor, Homeroom Teachers, President, Vice President
Treasurer
Primary Role:
Maintains Group Financial Records
Supported By:
Teacher Advisor, School Accountant, President, Vice President
Secretary
Primary Role:
Maintains Council Records, Keeps Meeting Notes
Supported By:
Teacher Advisor, School Admin, President, Vice President
Publicist
Primary Role:
Promotes Student Events to School, Develops Promotion Strategy
Supported By:
Teacher Advisor, School Publicist, President, Vice President
Student Council
The student council is not just a student organization. Student Council at OPEL Academy is planned to allow students to make real policy changes that provide hands on leadership experience and see how school policy can affect the students at OPEL Academy. Working with a teacher advisor, student leaders will get the opportunity to write some school policy, create school events, and establish and maintain school traditions that will have a long-lasting effect on the character of the school they attend.
President
Primary Role:
Speaks for the Council, Leads Meetings
Vice President
Primary Role:
Ensures Council Work is Complete, Acts as President when Needed
Grade Level Representative
Primary Role:
Listens and Represents All Students at their Grade Level
Treasurer
Primary Role:
Maintains Group Financial Records
Secretary
Primary Role:
Maintains Council Records, Keeps Meeting Notes
Publicist
Primary Role:
Promotes Student Events to School, Develops Promotion Strategy