Point Grey Mini School

General Info

The Mini School program is designed to provide academically able and motivated high school students with an enriched and challenging course of studies in a small and cohesive setting. The Mini School consists of 150 students from grade 8 to grade 12.

We strive to create a stimulating learning environment wherein the critical and creative thinking skills of the students are developed and extended, and independence and autonomy in learning are promoted. A wide variety of experiences are provided, including group projects, case studies, individual projects, traditional classroom lectures and demonstrations, multi-grade activities, guest speakers and field trips. In providing many group and outdoor activities, the program attempts to develop an atmosphere in which mutual support, cooperation, initiative, responsibility, and leadership are emphasized. Active student involvement in the school and service to others is encouraged. The development of a sense of community within and across the grades is fundamental to the program. Several extended field trips will be taken throughout the year. Students are expected to commit to the full five years (grade 8 to grade 12).

The Mini School seeks a high level of involvement by parents and encourages close communication, cooperation, and participation in the school. Mini School students retain full access to the facilities, clubs, and sports teams of Point Grey Secondary School. Also, the Fine Arts (Drama, Music, Visual Arts) and Applied Skills (Technical Education, Home Economics) courses are taken in the main school.

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Student learning is broadened through exposure to the community at large. Experiences include listening to guest speakers, visiting educational facilities, business and industrial sites, and attending cultural activities (field trips).

Program orientation and extended field studies are considered to be important. Mini School retreats occur early in the fall and during the winter. Examples of field studies include marine biology at Bamfield Marine Station and humanities at the Shakespearean Festival in Ashland, Oregon.

The Mini School students elect their own Mini School Student Executive (Mini President, Secretary, Grade Representative, etc.) and furthermore, as members of Point Grey Secondary School, they can also run for office in the Main School Student Council.

Service to the community is an important component of the program. Student service representatives identify volunteer opportunities and organize regular community service activities.

Parent involvement may include guest lecturing, organizing enrichment activities, membership in the Student conference planning committee, assisting with day and extended field experiences, fund raising, and attending monthly Mini Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings.

Courses by Grade

The academic program parallels and includes regular courses. Parts of the curriculum are covered in greater depth while other parts are covered at a faster pace to accommodate the many enrichment activities. Evaluation parallels that of the regular classes.

Grade 8, 9, & 10 Program

Courses taken in the Mini School:

• Humanities (A mix of English and Social Studies)

• Science

• Mathematics

• French

• Physical Education

• (Grade 9 only) Information Technology*

Courses taken in Point Grey Main School:

• Any fine arts or applied skills elective courses (e.g. Visual Arts, Drama)

*Information Technology is a course which covers multi-media publishing skills, use of the internet and guided research projects.

Grade 11 Program

Courses taken in the Mini School:

• English 11

• Social Studies 11

• French 11

• Chemistry 11 (optional)

• Physical Education 11

Other senior level courses and electives are taken in Point Grey Main School.

Grade 12 Program

Courses taken in the Mini School:

• English 12

• Leadership 12 (optional)

Other senior level courses and electives are taken in Point Grey Main School.

Physical Education (P.E.) is taken in grades 8 to 11 and follows the provincial curriculum. P.E. in grade 12 is not mandatory, but students can still select it as a course.

Trips

Pt. Grey Mini School offers many annual school trips to its students as part of its academic curriculum. There are trips that Mini School students of all grades attend, as well as grade-specific field trips.

ALL GRADES:

Mini School Orientation – an annual 3-day trip in early September. Students participate in activities or “workshops” and spend two nights in cabins provided by a camp. The orientation provides a chance for new Mini School students to get to know each other and familiarize themselves with present students. There is a rotation of 4 different camps – each year, students go to a different camp (Except for the fifth year, in which students return to the first camp).

Manning Park – a 3-day ski/snowboard trip in February. Students go to Manning Park Ski Resort to receive skiing and snowboarding lessons from instructors and to ski/snowboard by themselves for entertainment. In addition, cross-country skiing lessons are provided to students in grades 8-10. Students spend two nights in cabins provided by the resort. Students can either bring their own equipment or rent it from the resort.

OTHERS:

Ashland (Grades 9&10) – a bi-annual field trip for the Mini Humanities 9&10 class. The class, along with the Mini School teachers, travel to Ashland, Oregon to attend the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. For 5 days, students watch Shakespeare’s plays re-enacted by professional actors. Students must bring their own tents to sleep in.

Strathcona Outdoor School (Grades 9&10) - a bi-annual field trip for the Mini Humanities 9&10 class. Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre is committed to helping children and adults of all ages appreciate the wilderness and learn more about themselves and others. Students take part in active outdoor activities such as rock climbing and canoeing with the aid of professional instructors and camp in tents.

Bamfield (Grade 8) – a grade 8 only trip to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre where students learn about marine biology and experiment with marine organisms. For 5 days, students learn interactively by going out and physically coming in contact with all the organisms that Bamfield provides.

Vancouver International Writers’ Festival (Grades 8-11) – An annual day trip to the Vancouver International Writers’ Festival in Granville Island. As a part of a humanities course, students listen to lectures by writers and spoken-word poetry.

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival (Grade 8-11) – an annual Humanities trip in which students go to Vanier Park to watch Shakespearean plays acted out by professional actors. Plays include famous works such as Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and more.

Vancouver Playhouse (Grade 11) – Mini English 11 students go to the Vancouver Playhouse to watch professional production plays selected by their English teacher. The class goes to the Playhouse a total of five times each year.

Vancouver International Film Festival – a one-day Humanities field trip to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, where the annual International Film Festival takes place. Mini English Classes watch a film specifically selected by the Humanities teachers.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards

The Mini School also participates with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program. Although, students are not required to partake in the Duke of Edinburgh program, it is encouraged because it promotes students to be active by providing activities that interest them. There are three awards that can be achieved: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The Mini School has their own Duke of Ed counsellor/consultant that will provide information, answer questions, and help students achieve their goals. More information on the Duke of Edinburgh program can be found here: http://www.dukeofed.org/home.aspx