The Middle School years are a crucial time in students' development as learners and as young people. We support students by providing them with designated opportunities to discover and cultivate new passions and build new skills related to their growing independence. As our school's Mission is to provide "outstanding preparation for life," we offer innovative Exploratory and Executive Functioning courses that give them the space to do just that.

Exploratory

Exploratory classes are offered to all students to help give them experiences not normally found in the school day. Exploratory is offered within the regular school schedule and not as an extracurricular activity. Students try new things, pursue their passions and explore something that may pique their interest. No grades are assigned, giving students freedom to explore in a different way. Classes are also cross-grade, which gives the older students a chance to model leadership for the younger grades. 

Students choose three Exploratory units each year. Some Exploratory classes include:

• Bike Repair
• Biography
• Broadcasting
• Calligraphy
• Cooking
• Filmmaking
• Forensic Science
• Gardening
• Grade 8 Leadership Conference Planning
• Photography
• Robotics
• Survival Skills
• Ukulele
• Woodworking

Executive Functioning

Executive Functioning is a course that all Grade 6 students take that allows them to practise skills that may be completely new to them or that are in their infancy. Students learn about the executive functioning skills and self-assess their strengths and areas they want to develop, such as time management or organization. The course experience is personalized and tailored to each individual student to help set them up for success at the Middle School and beyond. There are no grades or percentages in this course; it exists to give students an understanding of executive functioning skills and a time to reflect on and hone these skills.