WE NEED YOUR DONATIONS TO CREATE AN EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL FOR OUR CHILDREN
About Our School
Teaching respect, honesty, accountability, kindness, responsibility and empathy by demonstrating through example, pointing out those who do well in these areas, doing community service, and by having expectations and consequences for behaviour. This value-based education will encourage the development of stand-up citizens who respect one another and have solid morals. We will take them out of the ‘me-first’ and competitive mind frame and foster kindness and caring for others. We will teach them social responsibility and how to use their energy to make a difference. We want children to feel they have a purpose and to appreciate all that they have.
We want our school to be open to all children and therefore it must be affordable for all families in the community – 1/3 of the children will come from each of the following 3 categories:
Category 1: Families with a gross income of under $100,000 per annum – no tuition.
Category 2: Families with a gross income of $100,000 – $150,000 per annum – 3% of gross income for first child, 2% for second child and 1% for third child. For additional siblings, no tuition.
Category 3: Families with a gross income above $150,000 per annum – same as Category 2.
Cell phones are a distraction.
Without cell phones children will:
- learn how to socialize face-to-face (rather than online)
- have less opportunity to be unkind
- have a greater chance for deeper connections
- have more opportunity to be creative
- have less exposure to electromagnetic frequencies
We are not against technology. It will be taught in the appropriate setting.
Our programs will prepare children for life in a world less dependent on systems. We will offer learning opportunities and experiences that may not be possible at home that will improve their physical and mental health and will benefit them for the rest of their lives. They will learn skills to help them thrive in society such as how to do finances, how businesses function and public speaking.
Our Nature Campus will be ideal in helping to ensure that every child will thrive. We believe children need freedom of movement and interactive ‘play’ for optimal development and lots of fresh air and exercise for their mental, physical and spiritual health. Our outdoor classroom will offer just that.
Every school hour will be used effectively and efficiently. We will ensure that students are provided with a solid understanding of the core subjects of math, science and english by providing practical applications and hands-on learning in real-life scenarios. Whether bringing in guest speakers from various occupations or visiting and volunteering at work places. Children will learn the basics before relying on technology, from multiplication tables to cursive writing.
Vernon OAK Elementary is a distinctive community bound together by a shared goal of seeking moral and intellectual excellence in a spirit of friendship.
We will have school uniforms which serve a visible expression of this
ideal. Our students are part of a united community of learners, whose purpose transcends differences in socio-economic status, ethnic, religious, or racial background.
In wearing their uniforms, students experience a sense of pride and belonging and are reminded of their obligation to represent their
school community well.
School uniforms serve several other important functions. They foster an environment that is conducive to learning by removing potential sources of distraction, anxiety, and peer competition. A uniform, properly fitted, worn and cared for, demonstrates respect for others and for oneself. By cultivating good outward habits in dress and decorum, students begin to internalize these habits.
Finally, uniforms can encourage students in the development of an authentic personality, defined not through artificial expressions of individuality, but through the cultivation of inner virtues, talents,
interests, habits, and traits that comprise genuine character.
Many children spend more waking hours at school with teachers and peers than at home with family. We want our students to feel a strong sense of belonging at Vernon OAK. Our goal is to make every child feel comfortable in expressing their authentic self and feel loved and accepted in a welcoming and safe environment.
At Vernon Oak Elementary, we are not just preparing children for the next grade; we are preparing them for life!
Kinderhouse
Enrichment Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find what you are looking for, don't hesitate to reach out.
Unlike private for-profit schools, independent schools are not-for-profit and receive Ministry funding. They are also accountable to the Ministry for the delivery of the BC Curriculum. However, they have the freedom to approach the curriculum from their own perspective and employ teachers who reflect these perspectives. (Example of private school: Aberdeen Hall. Examples of independent schools: Vernon Christian School and Okanagan Waldorf School.)
We are a not-for-profit. Private schools have an annual tuition fee many cannot afford. Our school is for children of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
It is a ‘concept-based approach to learning and a focus on the development of competencies to foster deeper, more transferable learning.’
All decisions are made by the board of directors who are community members and they do not receive payment from the government or any other organization.
Although our school is non-sectarian, we will be teaching children about various religions from an educational perspective as well as exposing children to the concept of the existence of a greater power.
We are looking for a location both for the Main Campus and Nature Campus.
Our educational consultant has advised us to start small. We plan to begin with Kindergarten to Grade 2 and add one grade each year up to Grade 7.
Yes, we plan to open a daycare on the same premises at the same time.
No, the daycare fees will be similar to those at other daycares in the area. These fees will help fund the education of school-aged children at the independent school.
We are applying as a ‘Group 3’ school for the first year which will provide no government funding but increases our chances of meeting Ministry approval. Once up and running ,we will apply for a ‘Group 2’ school, which means we can receive 35% of the funding that a public school receives per student. Future plans are to apply as a ‘Group 1’ school which increases the funding to 50%.
We will have a proactive program that covers all forms of bullying. Appearance, socioeconomic status, race, religion, culture, gender, and sexual orientation will all be covered. Incidentally, ‘as of Dec. 31, 2016, all BC school districts and independent schools are required to include specific references to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in their anti-bullying policies’. Contrary to popular belief, SOGI is not its own curriculum and SOGI 123 is not a mandatory but an available teaching resource. At this school, teachers will not be using the SOGI 123 teaching tool, however, we will ensure all students are accepted and will thrive.
We have a vision of providing care until 5:00pm every school day. In the future, the care will mainly be provided by grade 6 & 7 students (overseen by an adult) who will get paid a small fee from parents.
We understand how difficult it is to run a household when both parents work during the summer months. We would like our school to continue to be open for children of working parents, but activities would be more summer-camp oriented.
At least two directors and two school educators will be involved in hiring anyone working on school grounds. In addition, both parents and school staff will be asked to review school policies and sign their agreement prior to their involvement.
Children will learn about the biology of the human body as well as relationships and how they change throughout our lives starting in grade 4, but sexuality will not be taught until grade 7. Any additional topics required by the BC Curriculum that are not covered, will be offered using the Alternative Delivery method (at home).
Initially we will not have the resources required for special-needs children. Our goal is to add those resources in the next few years as our school grows.
We will select passionate and enthusiastic individuals from a pool of qualified applicants whose values align with ours. At least two directors and two school educators will be involved in hiring anyone working on school grounds.
Check Updates
A maximum of 20 children in Kindergarten and a maximum of 24 students per class for grades 1-12.
The directors want to make sure the school has a diverse group of students that reflects the community and creates a balanced school environment. A lottery system will be implemented for three family income categories. For more information, please see the home page regarding tuition and / or our school policy manual which can be found under the heading ‘Information’.
We are hoping our school will serve as a blueprint for other schools across Canada.
Please go to our Contact Page and connect with us there!
No. Like other schools, this school will not appeal to everyone. However, it will provide all parents with an additional choice of education for their child. Our school will satisfy the requirements set out by the Ministry, however, we will only be accountable to the parents and the children who attend our school and share our values. We will have an open-door policy for those parents! For people who have a different opinion about what makes a great school, please continue with your search or support the schools we already have.