Student Success

Designed to meet the needs of students whose commitment to their sport requires extended absences from school for training or competition, the Elite Athletes Program pairs a student with an educational coach. These coaches act as liaisons between the individual student and their teachers, provide education support and tutoring as required, and guide their student's personalized learning plan.  

Success coaches work with students in a variety of special circumstances, from diverse learning profiles to the requirements of extra-curricular responsibilities. Success coaches work with students to help develop the executive functioning skills and habits of mind to enhance academic success. They are also skilled educators able to identify and address the learning gaps can lead to better outcomes. 

Through the Learn2Learn Club, students in Grades 9-12 are exposed to the neuroscience behind learning and what scientific studies have identified as the most effective ways to study. Topics include active recall, the importance of sleep in learning, why we procrastinate and how to avoid it, as well as learning about many study strategies like Pomodoro method, spaced repetition, and using analogies and metaphors.  Lots of animated discussion helps students understand how these strategies can be applied to life at Elmwood to improve learning. 

After-school Success Studios run all year, every day of the week.  Open to students in grades 6-12, Success Studios are designed to provide students with a structured, supportive environment to complete homework, develop effective learning strategies, and strengthen executive function skills.  They take place Monday to Friday, from 4-5 p.m. in the Learning Commons.

For students who need specific support to meet the rigours of a particular class, additional tutoring support is available for students in a variety of subjects. Elmwood Edge tutoring is coordinated by the school and conducted on campus by Elmwood-approved educators. 

Peer Academic Learning Support Program (PALS), designed to foster collaborative learning and peer support.  Grade 11 and 12 students volunteers to support younger students and reinforce what you’ve learned by re-teaching it to others.  The PALS program is held in the Learning Commons during Success Studios after school from 4:00-5:30 pm, five days a week.

The Student Success Centre works with teachers and families to develop educational strategies for neurodiverse students, ensuring their unique learning needs are met. This team collaborates to design personalized learning plans, incorporate adaptive technologies, and implement supportive teaching methodologies with the goal of fostering an inclusive learning environment that celebrates neurodiversity and enables each student to achieve academic success and personal growth. 

The Student Success Centre plays a pivotal role in early learning intervention by identifying young learners who may benefit from additional support. Through early assessment and Tier 3 intervention strategies, this team provides targeted instruction and resources - for home and for school - to address developmental delays and learning challenges. Their efforts ensure that every child gains the foundational skills necessary for the future academic success, fostering a positive start in their educational journey. 

Through initiatives like Experts@Elmwood and Knowledge Cafés, the Student Success Centre provides parent education on topics as varied as the role of failure in healthy growth to the importance of sleep. These sessions also act as important opportunities to bring families together to connect with, learn from, and support each other. 

The Student Success Centre is instrumental in curriculum planning and the development of educational strategies that prioritize individual learning styles and needs. By analyzing student performance data and feedback, the centre identifies effective interventions and support mechanisms. Their work ensures the implementation of personalized learning paths, fostering an environment where every student can excel academically and personally.