School Program & Curriculum

All of our certified, professional teachers are professing Christians. They teach a full Kindergarten through Grade 8 program at Dundas Calvin Christian School. The academic content is comparative to the course of studies suggested by the Ontario Ministry of Education, but differs substantially in interpretation; it is integrated with a Christian perspective. The curriculum consists of Bible instruction, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, computer, music, physical education, art and French.
Bible
The purpose of teaching Bible is to impart knowledge of the Bible to the children, to open up ways for children to know and love their Lord and to move children to a deeper faith. Teaching is primarily done through story-telling, the overall theme being God’s covenantal relationship with His people. Since Scripture is God’s revelation of Himself, our story-telling must reflect this. Memorization of Scripture is done regularly with passages relevant to the course of study.
Language arts
The primary language arts program involves listening, speaking, reading and writing in the foundational skills (this includes phonics, spelling, grammar and creative writing). Grades 1-3 emphasize a healthy blend of phonetics and whole language . Junior and intermediate language arts continue with a sequential, skill building program that includes development of comprehension, vocabulary, inferential skills, word analysis, sentence structure and a critical appreciation of how man responds literarily in creation.
Mathematics
Our mathematics series emphasizes math teaching from a problem-solving point of view. Concepts are introduced and reviewed in a sequential way from grade to grade. lStudents learn new skills by making practical and ogical applications of those skills, which they have already learned.
Science
Science units include: Man and his health – a study of who man is and how we care for him and a study of the human body; Animals, Plants and Ecosystems – a study of animals, plants and their interactions with the physical things; The Earth, Man’s Home – the solar system and the universe, the earth’s crust, the atmosphere, water; Matter, Energy and Technology – matter and energy, mechanics and technology, light and sound, magnetism, electricity and heat.
Social Studies
In the primary grades we begin with a foundational study of people - families, friends and neighbourhoods. In the junior grades there is a continuation in the study of people, lands and landforms around us. In the senior grades, Canadian History and The History of Christendom are studied. Geography is taught as a subject in the senior grades, and is approached from an ecosystem or biome perspective.
Computer
Developing computer literacy in our students is a goal for our program from Grades K through 8. The computer is used for subject integration and publishing, as well as developing technical skills for keyboarding, word processing, database creation and communication.
Music
Since we all have been created with one of the finest musical instruments, the human voice, music is an important part of our curriculum. In the primary grades we concentrate on singing, rhythm and beat. In the junior grades recorder playing enhances music skills and the teaching of theory. The Musicanada program is a curriculum resource throughout the grades. A school choir allows for the practice of good skills and the enjoyment of performance.
Qualified music teachers also offer private lessons in piano and violin during school hours. This service is not included in tuition, and is arranged between the instructors and the parents. Participating students may leave during class time to attend their lessons. Students who are able to play an instrument may also join the school orchestra.
Physical education
In the primary and junior grades the emphasis lies in the development of motor co-ordination, development of muscle tone and creative movement, as well as initial sports skills. The ensuing grades continue to develop these skills and focus somewhat more on team sports skills such as baseball, soccer, volleyball and basketball.
Art
Art work enables the children to recognize, explore and develop their creative talents, learning to pursue art media skillfully and applying concepts of line, colour, shape, form, space and value.
French
French is taught formally to the students in Grades 3 to 8, with regular exposure to the language already beginning in Kindergarten. Our purpose is to learn to speak and understand a second language and to learn to appreciate another culture. Our formal program provides maximum opportunity to hear and speak French. French is taught primarily through a conversational method in primary grades. Vocabulary, pronunciation and grammatical structures are developed mainly through situational dialogues.
Special Education
As a Christian school we take into account the variety of abilities and needs of our students, and seek to help each child develop to his/her full God-given potential. Students at Dundas Calvin Christian School who have special needs are referred to our Resource Room. Here they are provided with remedial programs on a withdrawal basis. The remedial program exists to serve the needs of those students (from any grade) with specific or general learning disabilities, while at the same time to help build self-esteem. The student may be referred initially by his/her parents or teacher. Parental permission is required before the child enters the program. Informal and some formal testing is done as deemed necessary, and an individual educational plan is made for the student. This plan is re-assessed annually. Progress reports are written three times a year, and regular communication with parents is essential.
Academic Standards
Every second year our school participates in the Canadian Test of Basic Skills, as recommended by the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools. Students in Grades 3 to 8 are tested. The average scores of our students have been consistently higher than the Canadian average. At Dundas Calvin Christian School, we put a strong emphasis on academic excellence, and we encourage each student to achieve his/her best.