The K- 5 Program
Personalizing Schools: Organizing for Success
Greater Victoria K-5 Elementary Schools
In the Greater Victoria School District, K-5 elementary schools advocate the importance of early years as the foundation of lifelong learning. The District recognizes the benefits of developmentally appropriate practices in optimizing student learning. K-5 elementary schools work to accommodate the broad range of students’ needs, their differentiated rates and styles, and their knowledge, experiences, and interests. The K-5 program’s significant focus on literacy, numeracy, exploration, and social responsibility is reflected in the early identification and intervention for students who have special learning needs.
The K-5 program is founded on the nine common beliefs listed below. These beliefs guide the decisions made by the K-5 schools. We believe that:
- Daily, meaningful participation in each of the five Areas of Development (Aesthetic and Artistic Development; Emotional and Social Development; Intellectual Development; Physical Development and Well-Being; Development of Social Responsibility) within the K-5 program promotes the development of the learner.
- Early intervention is critical and must be a planned systemic program of services and support to ensure the academic success of all students.
- Students actively participate in their learning through play and exploration.
- Students’ different learning styles and rates are addressed through curriculum and instructional strategies.
- Students learn both individually and in positively structured social groups.
- Assessment and evaluation involves the student, is ongoing, is based on clear criteria (derived from BC Performance Standards) and provides direction for next stages of learning.
- Formal reporting of student progress will be communicated in a structured written format.
- Parents’ active partnership benefits students’ development as learners.
- Planning and teaching collaboratively promotes the development, refinement and use of a wide repertoire of exemplary instructional strategies.