Grades 1-5 at Westmount Charter School

Our elementary school places a strong emphasis on enriched student learning that demonstrates proven performance. We celebrate student achievement and success through the use of Student Learning Logs. Teachers assist students in formulating Individualized Program Plans and Personalized Educational Plans that guide students towards achieving meaningful educational goals.

Fundamental to our program is the expectation that students are given direction for their learning by organizing Alberta Education curriculum learner outcomes into relevant learning experiences and products that demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.

Highlights of the elementary program include:
-A dual emphasis on challenging the intellectual growth and nurturing the exploration of multiple intelligences.
-Regrouping for math and language arts based on knowledge and skill.
-Core curriculum presented in an engaging and active format with mastery learning the goal.
-Core curriculum compacted into 60 percent of the recommended class time.
-Integrated Studies and Rotary courses provide opportunities to explore global topics through multiple intelligences and/or enhance an already existing interest or talent.
-Beginner Band program for grade 5 - click here for info sheet.
-over a dozen years of demonstrated excellence in educating gifted children. Our doors opened in 1996 as ABC Charter Public School, a small K-3 program, and gradually expanded to the full-program K-12 school we are today.

Student Activities

We believe that the overall well being of a student, their degree of happiness, and their level of achievement links closely with active participation in school clubs and activities. Our teachers are dedicated to providing lunchtime and after school activities such as: Chess Club, Choir Club, Debate Club, Volunteer Club, Student Leadership, Cross-Country Running, Intramurals/Lunchtime Gym Activities, Sports Day, Science Fair.

Elementary students have Daily Physical Activity, and Physical Education classes on a regular basis. The elementary PE program is designed to provide a variety of physical activities to develop students fitness, skill level and interest. The aim is to give students the tools, both physical and cognitive, to lead active and healthy lives. The students are encouraged to challenge themselves, to cope with success and limitations in their performance and to be mindful of others and the environment.

The students go off site to take part in skating lessons in the winter and swimming lessons in the summer. The program is set up to provide a team type activity and individual activity each week to create a variety of interest and challenges for our gifted students. Special active events are organized throughout the year with the emphasis on participation, these include our annual "Turkey Trot", SpecTAGular, Sports Days and the Terry Fox Run. Each year we try to add more of these special events which are always very popular.

School assemblies aimed at special events, guest presentations, and the celebration of student achievement are additional means in which students are exposed to valuable social and cultural learning opportunities. Although it is not our official "school song", a song named A World of Difference has a very special place in the heart of our elementary students and staff.

Special learning activities, such as the grade 5 Science Fair (and subsequent involvement in the city Science Fair) and grade 4 "Invent-an-Alien", are longer-term projects that blend creativity, fun and academic achievement.

Our School Day

K-5 classes begin at 8:30 AM and end at 3:15 PM

As noted at right, Gr 1-5 recess is from 1:38-1:57 PM, and there is a "body break" in the morning.

Gr 1-5 lunchtime is from 11:41 AM to 12:20 PM. This includes a time to eat lunch in the classroom, and an outdoor recess time. Westmount, as with all Alberta schools, practices Daily Physical Activity (DPA) - a mandated 30 minutes per day of physical activity for all grade 1-9 students.

Staff are available to supervise students from 8:15 AM-4:00 PM only. Please be at school to pick up your child(ren) by 3:30 PM. In order to promote student security, all visitors to the school, including Westmount parents, are required to obtain a Westmount photo ID badge, or sign in at the entrance to receive a visitor's badge. Parents picking up their children at day's end are asked to wait in the designated parent area, by the main security desk, or in the school's cafeteria.

To respect the needs of children with life-threatening food allergies, Westmount students are to refrain from bringing foods containing nuts or nut products to school.

25 August 2010

Elementary Links

Westmount's Provincial Achievement Test results.

Application procedure for elementary grades.

As a publicly-funded program for gifted learners, we do not charge tuition. For a schedule of our school fees, click here.

Click here for more information about how to choose a program for your gifted child, and Westmount's program philosophy!

Elementary School Day

K-5 classes begin at 8:30 AM and end at 3:15 PM. The day is comprised of a number of time blocks:

Home Room. 8:30-8:35
1. 8:35-9:14
2. 9:14-9:53
Body Break, snack and SQUIRT (Sustained Quiet Uninterrupted Independent Reading Time)9:53-10:23
3. 10:23 - 11:02
4. 11:02 - 11:41
Lunch/Recess: 11:41-12:20
5. 12:20-12:59
6. 12:59-1:38
Recess. 1:38-1:57
7. 1:57-2:36
8. 2:36-3:15