Halifax Independent School
Encyclopedia
The Halifax Independent School (HIS) is an independent, coeducational day school with a curriculum from Pre-school through Grade 9. It is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia
, Canada
.
campus. The core of the programme is the in-depth study of various topics, under the umbrella of the larger “theme” and in which all the traditional core subjects are integrated. In working through theme, the students learn to question, analyse, classify and present their discoveries.
s.
The Pre-school programme includes age-appropriate instruction in Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, French, Physical Education and Swimming. Pre-school students are given two snacks and a full lunch.
The Elementary programme includes age-appropriate instruction in Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music (The core music curriculum is supplemented with Choir, Recorder, Ukulele), French, Physical Education and Swimming.
), Physical Education and Swimming.
Recent Middle School Theatrical Productions include:
The Board of Directors currently consists of 11 members. Permanent staff members serve by rotation and parents are chosen by election at General Membership Meetings.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The Theme-based learning curriculum
Theme-based learning was pioneered over 20 years ago at Halifax Independent School on the Dalhousie UniversityDalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
campus. The core of the programme is the in-depth study of various topics, under the umbrella of the larger “theme” and in which all the traditional core subjects are integrated. In working through theme, the students learn to question, analyse, classify and present their discoveries.
Pre-school
Halifax Independent School offers a school preparatory, play-based pre-school programme from September through July, for children turning 4 years of age by December 31. Licensed by the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services, the Pre-school's ratio of students to teachers is 8:1 with a minimum of 2/3 of the teaching staff certified as early childhood educatorEarly childhood educator
An early childhood educator is a teacher who works with young children in a classroom setting. This occupation emphasizes two goals of early childhood education :...
s.
The Pre-school programme includes age-appropriate instruction in Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, French, Physical Education and Swimming. Pre-school students are given two snacks and a full lunch.
Mixed-Age Classrooms, Class Names and Programme Specifics
To reinforce the understanding that mixed-age groupings were not simply split classes, the school’s first students were encouraged to establish names for their classes that did not make reference to conventional grades. The list of names has expanded with the programme offerings at the school, and the current list is as follows:- “Youngs” Primary
- “Middles” includes students in Grades 1 and 2
- “Olds” includes students in Grades 3 and 4
- “Elders” includes students in Grades 5 and 6
The Elementary programme includes age-appropriate instruction in Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music (The core music curriculum is supplemented with Choir, Recorder, Ukulele), French, Physical Education and Swimming.
Middle School
Limited to 20 students per class, the Middle School (grades 7 through 9) includes instruction in Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Fine Art, Music (Middle School Choir, Band, Jazz Choir), French (Extended Core French SEVECSevec
Sevec is a small settlement in the Slovenska Bistrica municipality in northeastern Slovenia. The main Ljubljana to Maribor motorway runs along the northern outskirts of the settlement. The area is part of the traditional region of Lower Styria. It is now included with the rest of the municipality...
), Physical Education and Swimming.
Recent Middle School Theatrical Productions include:
- All the World’s a Stage (excerpts)
- Twelfth Night 2010
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- The Compleat Wrks of Wm Shkspr (very abridged)
- Back to the 80’s
- Treasure Island
- Our Town
Origins
- 2004 - Halifax Independent School
- 1998 - Halifax Independent Elementary School
- 1992 - The Dalhousie Cooperative School
- 1972 - Dalhousie University, Faculty of Education - Dalhousie University Elementary School
Governance
The school is operated by the Halifax Independent School Society, via its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is composed of a combination of parents and staff, such that the number of parents on the board exceeds the number of staff members by one.The Board of Directors currently consists of 11 members. Permanent staff members serve by rotation and parents are chosen by election at General Membership Meetings.