The Claren Academy Approach
Like many independent schools, Claren Academy uses research-based, proven teaching strategies such as inquiry and project-based learning that are shown to improve confidence, creativity, and autonomy.
What sets Claren Academy apart from other schools?
Our dedicated staff, our school-wide focus on kindness, and our unique approach to levelled literacy and math.
Our dedicated, passionate teachers focus on individualized learning to help each student achieve their best work, and be excited about the results.
The most important focus to set our students apart from robots, which can never be automated, is kindness. Mindfulness, community, and service to each other are fundamental to the Claren Academy model, and it is a joy to see our students grow into individuals we are proud to care for and learn from in return.
For the core foundational subjects of literacy and math, Claren uses a levelled program that fits students into their ‘just-right’ group, regardless of grade. This approach allows students to have more support as needed, and to advance to the next lesson only when mastery of previous lessons has been demonstrated.
Our Curriculum
Like all schools in British Columbia, Claren follows the Big Ideas, Competencies, and Content laid out in the provincial curriculum. However, Claren Academy uses Backwards Design Approach, also referred to as an Understanding by Design Approach, to implementing the BC curriculum.
We start by identifying the core attributes that we want our students to develop, such as creativity, critical thinking, empathy, and resilience. From there, we design learning experiences that help students develop and practice these skills.
This backwards design approach ensures that everything we do at Claren Academy is aligned with our ultimate goal of developing well-rounded learners. It's not just about memorizing facts and figures - it's about developing the transferrable skills and growth mindset that will enable students to succeed in all areas of life.
Student-Centered Reporting
The Claren Academy Reportfolio is an innovative reporting system that encourages students to take ownership of their learning and share their progress with loved ones.
Students can easily upload their work to their Reportfolio on a weekly basis, along with a description and insights on what they learned. Traditional reporting that occurs only once a term, is typically told through the teacher’s voice and lens only. The Reportfolio provides timely, responsive feedback and allows the students’ voice to be heard first, promoting self-reflection, critical thinking, and the ability to receive feedback at an early age.
This unique reporting system allows students to showcase their growth and development over time, as they reflect on their own learning journey. By regularly uploading their work and sharing their insights, students become more engaged and invested in their own learning and have an authentic audience to view their work.
Parents and grandparents can also get involved by posting their comments and feedback on the student’s work. This engagement creates a supportive and collaborative learning environment, where students feel empowered and encouraged to take risks and try new things.
Overall, the Reportfolio aims to foster a sense of ownership and accountability, while also promoting collaboration and feedback from loved ones. With Reportfolio, students can take pride in their learning and share their successes in the classroom.
Claren Market
Claren Market is a months long school-wide project that is sure to bring out the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in all Claren Academy students. Inspired by the popular television shows, Shark Tank and Dragon’s Den, Claren Market challenges students to develop and pitch their own unique business ideas and culminates in a school based entrepreneurial fair.As Claren was very much founded by people with an entrepreneurial mindset, Claren Market is an integral part of our school year.
Unlike some entrepreneurial fairs at other schools, this is not an “add-on” project completed mostly at home with little support. The entire design cycle from ideation to prototyping and marketing is integrated into our existing ADST, ELA, and Math curriculum and fully supported at school with dedicated lessons, assessments, constructive feedback and weekly timelines.
From January to June , students have the opportunity to work individually or in teams, brainstorm innovative concepts, create prototypes, and develop comprehensive business plans. The student is always at the centre of the Claren Market experience. The ideas come from the student and all manufacturing is done in class. Staff and parents are only alongside to help keep students on track and support if there are tasks that require adult supervision.
Students learn the importance of market research, branding, and financial planning, as they prepare to pitch their ideas to a panel of “sharks” consisting of staff, parents, board members.
Just like in Shark Tank, the judges will be looking for originality, feasibility, and profitability. Students will need to convince the judges that their business idea is not only creative and innovative, but also practical and financially viable.
After prototypes and business ideas are approved by the panel, students then start manufacturing their product and preparing their marketing materials for the Claren Market day.
Claren Market Day
At the end of it all, Claren Market culminates in an exciting event that's not to be missed! All parents are invited to the school to view the amazing products that the students have developed. Parents can see firsthand the hard work and creativity that has gone into each project. From innovative gadgets, to necklaces, to crafts, there's sure to be something for everyone at Claren Market Day.
Not only will parents get to see the finished products, but they'll also have the chance to meet the young entrepreneurs behind each idea, put their marketing skills to the test, and purchase the finished product. This is a great way to encourage and support the next generation of innovators and business leaders.
Claren Market is an exciting and engaging project that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. It provides students with a fun and practical way to learn about entrepreneurship, and prepares them for the business world.
Technology at Claren
To say that we are a “technology” school is a misnomer. Our students do use the latest tools, including iPads, 3D printers, and electronic art and music materials, but they also use paper and pencils, clay and glue, and all kinds of other resources to build, create, and explore.
Mindful integration of technology is an integral part of our programming and Learner Profile at all grade levels. Our Kindergarten to Grade 2 students use iPads and beginning in Grade 3 students receive a Chromebook to assist in their learning journey.
At Claren, technology is seen as a tool to express creativity and hone critical thinking and research skills. Our technology teacher works closely with the classroom teachers to not only teach specific digital literacy and citizenship skills and expose our students to applications and software, but also to integrate in the technology to support learning in all subject areas from Applied Skills and Design Technology to Visual Art or Science. At Claren we want to expose our students to ever changing technology and its uses to help prepare our children to be adaptive and confident in using all types of technology to express themselves and enhance their own learning journey.
Physical Education at Claren
Our campus at 1085 Homer was formerly a gym, so we are fortunate enough to have a whole exercise room with a proper gym floor and space to really move and sweat. Our students also partake in additional external activities such as swimming, skating, and gymnastics.
Throughout the year our fitness advisor, Josh Crone, leads our students through lessons on Lacrosse, Martial Arts, Track and Field, and Ball Sports.
Meet our Fitness Advisor - Josh Crone, a proud First Nations, has over 20 years of coaching, martial arts, and strength and conditioning experience with a foundation in team sports- hockey, lacrosse, basketball and volleyball. Among Josh’s most notable sports achievements are founding Vancouver’s Flow Martial Arts academy, winning the Canadian national championship for field lacrosse as team captain, league all-star, and scoring champion and being an inductee in the city of Cambridge, Ontario (hometown) sports hall of fame. Josh is presently a second-degree black belt in Shotokan karate and a brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. In his free time Josh enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking and surfing and spending time in the mountains.
Community and Connections
We value our families, our connections, and our experiences outside of school.
Claren Academy was founded by one set of parents, but our growth and success are due to the families, educators, and community members who have contributed their support and energy from the very beginning. We value our roots, and are proud to watch our school and students growing together.
Coffee Mornings, Family Fridays, online portfolio updates, and morning “soft starts” give us frequent chances to connect. We welcome parent contributions in any form, from accompaniment to the park, hosting at open houses, and shared professional expertise.
We consider it a key component of our students’ education to learn about the community outside of our walls. Our field trips are such a central part of our curriculum that the costs are included in our tuition. We believe that our students will be well served by being confident, capable citizens of their community.
Forward Looking
No matter how much the world changes, creativity and inventiveness are skills that will always be in demand. The Oxford study The Future of Employment states, “Specialist occupations involving the development of novel ideas and artifacts, are the least susceptible to computerisation.” This includes occupations in the fields of science and engineering, but it also includes work in the fields of entertainment, helping, and the arts.
We foster creativity in our students by reducing emphasis on rote memorization, and by teaching them to find answers for themselves, critically assessing the information available and approaching problems with a growth mindset.
