Beachcombers Community School is holding an open house Aug. 30 between 1 and 4 p.m.
New and existing students and families are welcome, as is any potential new families who are interested in touring the school.
"We are very pleased to be welcoming two new staff members this year and we invite students and the broader community to come and welcome them before school starts. We also welcome any families who may be interested in having their children attend Beachcombers to come and tour our lovely school,” said principal Wendy Preston.
“We have an exceptional program and pride ourselves in having quality academics in a supportive learning environment. We also have lots of extra programming including coastal science, water sports in the spring, languages, visual arts, our wonderful respect and care program, organic gardening, and many field trips,” says Preston.
Beachcombers offers preschool to Grade 8 and follows the Montessori model of mix-age classes. Small class sizes, from 12 to 16 students per class, ensure that students receive individualized attention and quality education.
“We know from experience that class size has a tremendous impact on quality of education, but I was enthused to see a study released last fall which said exactly that,” said Zoe Lambert, executive co-ordinator of Beachcombers Education Society. “The long-term effects are particularly interesting.”
The 2012 study published by the US National Council of Professors of Education found that small primary class size increased student achievement, students' mastery of skills, and allowed for more effective teaching.
Long-term effects of small classes resulted in a substantial increase in high school graduation, a greater likelihood that students would attend college, and shifted students to higher-income careers.
“At Beachcombers our staff are able to give personalized attention to students while also having access to our wonderful location. I feel that the school environment and program is a wonderful opportunity for my son,” said Lambert.
The school has panoramic views of the ocean, and students enjoy watching the sea lions and oyster fishers during the school year. True to its name, on a nice day students may occasionally be found beachcombing across from the school!
Everyone is welcome to attend the open house at 7375 Island Highway, across from the Fanny Bay Government Wharf. Turn right onto Station Road (if you’ve gone out of view of the government wharf, you’ve gone too far).
For more information, email principal.beachcombers@shaw.ca or leave a message at 778-427-4007. For more information about Beachcombers School, visit www.BeachcombersSchool.ca.
— Beachcombers Community School