Nestled in a
picturesque valley in the heart of Toronto is Crestwood School, a private co-educational day school that has
been offering students from junior kindergarten to Grade 6 a superior education since 1980.
“We promote a school that facilitates learning, where students feel safe and respected,” says Dalia Eisen,
director at Crestwood School. “They know that their successes will be celebrated, and that when they
encounter difficulties they will supported.”
Students take part in a unique educational program that is structured around the individual needs of each
child. As the early years are the most developmentally important in a student’s life, it is essential to
ensure every child has the basic skills solidly established.
“You have to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each student,” Eisen explains. “They learn at
different rates and have different styles of learning. We’ll have different reading groups in a class or
different math groups all geared to their level of ability.”
Extracurricular clubs are equally tailored to the diverse interests and skills of Crestwood students,
providing ample opportunity to take part in everything from chess to taekwondo.
The junior school also ensures that sixth graders are prepared to transition into secondary education, where
most students choose to continue at Crestwood Preparatory College. This involves a shift in the academic
structure of their curricula, as well as the introduction of subtler elements of junior high and high school
life.
“We give the Grade 6 students lockers,” Eisen explains. “We put them on a mini rotary, so that they have one
teacher for English, one for math/science and one for social science. They deal with the challenges of
organizing themselves, moving to classes on time, and learning to fulfill the expectations of different
teachers.”
In Grades 5 and 6, students are taught to write formal essays and learn to peer-evaluate, a skill that offers
them the opportunity to give, and accept, positive criticism.
This level of comfort amongst Crestwood students lends itself well to the performing arts, and it comes as no
surprise that the school boasts outstanding drama and music programs.
Students in the fourth grade play the recorder, and students in fifth and sixth grade play band instruments.
The junior choir is invited annually to sing at the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival alongside senior choirs
from other schools.
This level of success extends to their drama program, where students put on one musical per year. Past
performances include Les Mis, The Lion King and Grease.
“[It’s] not your typical elementary school play,” says Eisen. “It’s always a Broadway musical, never
abridged. We’re often compared to high school performances.”
Crestwood supports the student, the athlete, the artist, the musician and the actress alike by encouraging
each child to develop his or her unique talent. This, according to Eisen, is one of the main goals of the
Crestwood staff: “We want to open as many doors as possible to give our students every opportunity to shine.”
•
Photo
courtesy of Crestwood School
