Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to this Student Interest Program at Don Mills MS?
A completed Central Student Interest Program Application is all that is required.
If the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces available, a waitlist will be generated.
How is the Learning Global Competencies Through the Arts (LGCA) different from the regular school program?
LGCA students will complete the same Ontario Curriculum Expectations as students in a regular school program. The core difference is that, compared to a regular elementary school program, they will more often express what they have learned in language and social studies through the visual arts.
So, while in a typical Language class, a Language teacher may have students express what they know about how to find the main idea in a text by writing out what the main idea of a text is along with evidence to support their claim. In a LGCA class, a student might convey this information in a graphic novel form.
Teachers in all classrooms in Ontario are creative professionals who craft a program that builds off of their strengths and their students’ interests. Undoubtedly, many teachers use the graphic novel form or some other form of Visual Arts media to engage their students.
The larger point is, thus, not that LGCA teachers are the only ones to integrate the Visual Arts with Language and Social Studies, but, that they will tend to do this much more often than in most ‘regular' classrooms.
Do LGCA students learn the Ontario Curriculum?
Yes. We follow the Ontario Curriculum content and standards.
Is LGCA a special class, club or subject?
LGCA is a specialized program that integrates traditional and digital art study and exploration with study in other subject areas, primarily Language and Social Studies.
LGCA students, like all elementary students, study in a self-contained class (i.e. they learn alongside the same group of students all year long).
Their LGCA teacher will be their homeroom teacher who often teaches a range of subjects (e.g. Language, Visual Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, etc.). They may also have rotary teachers who teach most of their non-core subjects (e.g. French, music, etc.).
Do LGCA students learn traditional and digital arts techniques?
Elementary Art-Based student interest programs like CyberArts and LGCA provide students with introductory lessons and exploration opportunities in digital and traditional art techniques.
At Don Mills MS, LGCA classes will engage in additional Visual Arts study through the incorporation of Visual Arts with Language and Social Studies year-round.
Do you accept students who have an IEP (Individual Education Plan)?
Yes.