As Crofton House School celebrates its 125th anniversary, it is looking to the future with a new strategic plan, Thriving in Possibility, centred on three commitments - belonging, agility, and responsibility.
Crofton House provides a supportive and innovative girl-centred learning environment for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, with major intake years in Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten, Grade 6 and Grade 8. Financial assistance is available for students entering Grade 8, covering up to 98% of tuition and program-related costs. The school is committed to welcoming applicants who will thrive in this unique learning environment regardless of financial circumstances.
A comprehensive approach to learning
With an educational approach that focuses on the whole girl - valuing equally intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual and physical development - Crofton House recognizes that a sense of belonging is essential for well-being.
Belonging has long been at the heart of the school’s social and emotional learning (SEL) program, which is an integral component of its whole-girl approach. SEL helps students develop positive relationships, feel and show empathy for others, make responsible decisions and stay open to learning throughout their lives. In addition to being central to student well-being, it is the foundation for academic achievement.
To embed SEL across campus, the school has a coordinator of student well-being and social and emotional learning in the Junior School and Senior School. Together, they develop an SEL curriculum and provide ongoing support to students and teachers.
In Grades 8-12, students engage with SEL in their advisory classes. Linking thoughts to feelings, coping strategies, the science of emotions, communication, sleep and healthy habits are just some of the topics addressed.
Senior School classes offer opportunities to explore SEL through different lenses. In the Career Education department, for example, self-awareness is encouraged throughout the exploration of career paths and responsible decision-making is tied into discussions about work-life balance, well-being and financial planning.
Learning with real-life applications
SEL is also an essential component of Crofton House School’s signature Ivy Compass program, where students discover their passions through real-life learning experiences. Like a compass, the program comprises four directions: north, new horizons; east, environmental education; west, world citizenship; and south, service learning.
“The north quadrant is largely made up of that SEL work,” explains Kady Huhn, coordinator, experiential learning (Ivy Compass), Senior School. “We contribute to that by helping students discover passions through clubs, teams and activities, including service, that we infuse into every Ivy Day.”
Leadership and staff at Crofton House are working towards fully integrating SEL into all aspects of the school.
“We wouldn’t expect students to learn how to do calculations in math without being taught the fundamental skills. The same applies to SEL,” describes Joanne Kimmel, coordinator, student well-being & SEL, Senior School. “We have been given an amazing opportunity to teach students how to be effective communicators, how to talk about their emotions and how to build healthy relationships.”
This focus on SEL is a direct reflection of the school’s commitment to belonging and desire to put student wellbeing at the heart of its approach to education.
To learn more about Crofton House School’s comprehensive approach to education, visit croftonhouse.ca/someday.
