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Description
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Indicators
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Academic
Excellence
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Cogito Academy offers a faith-based curriculum that weaves Catholic values throughout its academic program. The program establishes clear achievement standards for each grade, creating a strong foundation.
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- Academic rigor is expected and maintained.
- Students are set up to do their best as they access academic material and develop transferable knowledge-based skills.
- Achievement standards are clearly
defined for each grade level.
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Orderly
Environment
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This academy cultivates a focused learning environment through structured routines, clear academic and behavioural expectations, and minimal disruptions.
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- Orderly learning environment with structured routines.
- Standard dress for students.
(School uniform requirements.)
- Minimal disruptions to learning.
- Group work is purposeful and students remain on-task.
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Emphasis on
Literacy and Numeracy
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Cogito Academy provides a solid foundation for literacy and numeracy, as well as other fundamental academic skills. French Language acquisition begins in Grade 1 Choral instruction.
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- Foundational literacy skills, with explicit sequential phonics instruction.
- Explicit grammar instruction.
- Automaticity in foundational math skills.
- Critical mathematical thinking.
- Access to French as an additional language beginning in Grade 1 OR Choral instruction beginning Grade 1.
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Learning Extensions
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Cogito Academy learning extensions provide opportunity for students to build confidence in their skill set as
a learner.
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- Emphasis on printing and cursive writing.
- Recitiations.
- Second language development and/or choral acquisitions.
- Access to French as an additional language beginning in Grade 1 OR Choral instruction beginning Grade 1.
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Regular
Homework
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Cogito Academy challenges students to consistently produce their best work through homework assignments that reinforce classroom concepts. Daily homework is an expectation.
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- Students are challenged to consistently produce their best work.
- Homework is meaningful, often extenuating from the school day.
- Students consistently complete homework.
- Homework is communicated clearly and presented in a structured format.
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Timely
Reporting of
Student
Progress
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Cogito Academy provides clear and
timely reporting of student learning in
relation to the provincial curriculum, as well as the approved Cogito Academy curriculum. Student marks are reported as levels of achievement.
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- Reporting is a clear and timely representation of student achievement.
- Two Evidence of Learning portfolios (sent home prior to three way conferences).
- Three way conferences in November and March.
- Two Report Cards: February and June.
- Students are assessed on Alberta Education Learner Outcomes, using the district achievement scale (4, 3, 2, 1).
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Maximizing Learning Time and Student Engagement
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Student attendance, strong work ethic, and academic success build confidence, motivation, and engagement.
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- Structured classrooms promote active participation, effort, and achievement to boost self-esteem.
- Focused learning environment where students stay engaged, work hard on tasks.
- Maximize learning time with minimal disruptions.
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Whole Group
Direct
Instruction
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Cogito Academy emphasizes whole
Group, teacher-directed instruction with
gradual release of responsibility
to the student (I do, we do, you do).
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- Whole group, teacher-directed
instruction.
- High expectations for student learning.
- Group work is focused and on-task.
- Steps provided as scaffolding learning.
- Modelling and narrative demonstrations (think aloud).
- Higher level questioning.
- Immediate corrective feedback.
- Teacher walking around the room, monitoring student progress.
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Parents as
Valued
Partners
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Cogito Academy recognizes parents as valuable partners in their child’s education.
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- Parents act as valued partners in their child’s education.
- Consistent communication is an essential component of engaging parents.
- Teachers and school administration foster the active involvement of parents.
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