Why Choose Wildwood Academy:
Wildwood Academy offers students a safe place to learn and grow at their own pace. Our staff receive extensive annual training on up-to-date philosophies, methods of teaching and approaches for supporting students with varying backgrounds and diagnoses. At Wildwood, we believe in teaching the whole student and fostering not just academic growth, but social and emotional growth as well.
Individually Created Schedules
Unlike typical school environments, Wildwood Academy creates a customized schedule for each student. We believe that learning cannot take place if a student is bored, frustrated, or preoccupied with distracting thoughts. We ensure students are consistently assessed and the right-fit environment is provided for each subject area. Wildwood students move throughout the school to various classes, depending on their learning level in each subject area. No two student schedules at Wildwood are the same, reflecting the uniqueness of every student’s learning profile. For example, a Grade 4 student may be working at a Grade 3 level in math and a Grade 5 level in reading. Placing them in a grade 4 classroom would be both too challenging in math and too easy in reading. At Wildwood, students receive the level of instruction that reflects their readiness in that subject. As students make progress, they can quickly move up through our groupings so they are constantly engaged.
Advantages of Direct Instruction
Direct Instruction is a model of education that has been research validated for over 50 years. Many studies have found the effectiveness of Direct Instruction for students with neurodiversity and specific learning needs. One of the many features of Direct Instruction that provides benefit to our students is unison responding. This allows them to participate and give answers hundreds of times in a class, as opposed to only when they raise their hand or are called on. This drastically increases the amount of learning in a class, and often results in more learning in less time. Direct Instruction includes a proven sequencing of events that directly links concepts together, building on information and connecting past knowledge to new concepts. For more information on Direct Instruction, visit https://www.nifdi.org/what-is-di/basic-philosophy.htm
Positive Reinforcement
At Wildwood Academy, we believe positive reinforcement is the best way to support students. Wildwood has a school-wide positive reinforcement system. Students earn Tickets for class participation, acts of kindness around the school and overcoming challenges. These tickets can then be spent in our school store. Students all have their own bank books, and learn about saving, spending, change, and earning.
Emotional Intelligence Curriculum
Wildwood Academy is a member of the Private School Athletic Association (PSAA) and participates in sporting competitions against other Private Schools in Ontario. Students can try out for events such as track and field and cross country, and represent Wildwood in these events. With longer than typical school days (8:30-3:50), Wildwood is able to offer clubs and extracurriculars as part of the schedule. Students have three blocks per week where they choose to participate in an arts, social skills, athletic, or technology club.
Facility
Built in 2002, Wildwood Academy is built with guiding principles that support students with neurodiversity. Each classroom has large windows and doors leading to the outside. During transition times, students can enjoy fresh air and exercise in our large courtyard. Recesses are enjoyed on our sledding hill, soccer field, basketball courts, or large playground. Wildwood Academy has a full-sized gymnasium and library. When designing Wildwood Academy with their own son in mind, the founders used carpet in the entire school (except the gym!) to dampen noise and create a quieter environment. Natural wood, stone and sunlight are abundant in the hallways of Wildwood.
Technology
Wildwood believes that technology can support learning and help students express their knowledge. Every classroom has a new LED-projector to promote interactive learning and enrich lessons. Each student at Wildwood is assigned their own Chromebook for the year, and utilizes Google Classroom for homework and lessons. Wildwood has a 3D printer in our computer lab for enrichment activities. Each week, one class in every student’s schedule is dedicated specifically to computer literacy and navigating technology.
History
Wildwood was founded in 2002 by Bud and Laurie for their son, Jeff, who is on the Autism Spectrum. Bud and Laurie struggled to find a school where Jeff’s needs would be met, both academic and social. Failing to find an existing resource, they turned to creating their own. Every part of Wildwood is designed for students with neurodiversity from the foundation up. Although Jeff has graduated and moved on from Wildwood, Wildwood continues to fill an important role in the community.