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Academics
Technology - SMART Boards
At SMLS, learning technologies are used to meet the individual needs of all students by addressing multiple learning styles and engages students to be active in creating their own understanding of the material. SMART Board interactive whiteboards allow teachers to present material in a dynamic and flexible way which focuses on student participation. Students can stand up and physically manipulate information, interacting verbally, visually and kinesthetically forming a deeper connection with a concept and one that has personal meaning. It is as much a tool of exploration as one of presentation.
Technology is a part of daily classroom life beginning in Junior Kindergarten. We use laptops whenever possible to enrich our academic programs. All students from Grades 1 through 6 participate in Information Technology classes.
Each classroom is equipped with a SMART Board to support innovative teaching and active learning.
Unique Structure
The Senior School program spans the traditional levels of Grade 7 to university entrance. During Senior 1 and 2 (S1 and S2) students complete the equivalent of Grades 7, 8 and 9 in two years.
The SMLS program:
- Allows students to move ahead academically at a time when they're ready and eager to learn.
- Promotes higher-level thinking skills, creative thinking skills, the application of knowledge, and the use of problem-solving skills.
- Pays special attention to the developing social needs of students at this age.
- Fosters positive self-image and a commitment to community.
- Incorporates the use of laptops to enhance academic performance.
As a result, students are able to take full advantage of our Advanced Placement program and complete more university admission credits in their final two years. They also have more time to participate in our outstanding Global Studies program that provides opportunities to learn beyond classroom walls.
Grad Seminar
Grad Seminars give our graduating students insight into the challenges and opportunities they will face as they enter post-secondary education. Skills they develop through this course include: self-assessment, teamwork, critical thinking, leadership, and decision-making.
In the fall, the focus is on researching universities in Canada, the U.S. and abroad. Many online resources are available to assist the girls in their research; as well, we meet individually to work through the process. In addition, most of the Ontario universities, and some out of province university reps, visit the School to make presentations and answer questions.
During the winter, recent SMLS alumnae are invited to return and share their stories about university life. This gives much needed first-hand advice concerning residence life, lectures, and money management. They also reflect on life after university - networking, careers, and balancing a career with a social life and family. These presentations are well received and the girls are free to ask questions and often share emails for future networking.
As the end of the year approaches, the focus shifts to university acceptances and planning for graduation.
As our grads complete the educational journey of a lifetime at SMLS, we hope this course helps them to make wise choices through a less stressful approach and with the support of staff, parents and alumnae.
Jessica Kainth '08, Nicole King '03, Ashleigh Breen '03, Heidi Ludwick '03, Fareen Ahmed
Alicia DeSa '08, Isabel Celis '02, Jenny Jackson '02, Shannon Senyk '08
Vanessa Magli '08, Aimee Kain '97, Alexis Green '01, Kathryn Mosley '08
Student Services and Counselling
Senior School students are well supported if they encounter academic or social challenges and when it comes time to plan for post-secondary education. Our girls have many opportunities to talk to counselors, meet with university representatives and attend open houses and career fairs. The Grad Seminar is a special program that supports moving to the next level of education from the online university application process to hearing alumnae guest speakers share their post-SMLS experiences. An array of university and college calendars and other reference materials are available in Student Services.
The Senior Resource Centre
The mission of the Senior Resource Centre is to provide resources to all the members of the SMLS community and to ensure that students and staff are effective users of information.
Directed by this mission, the Resource Centre staff work collaboratively with teachers to provide an integrated approach to information problem-solving.
Our students will:
- Use a variety of resources to find information.
- Define their tasks and identify their information needs.
- Identify and locate the appropriate resources.
- Evaluate and select resources to determine relevance and accuracy.
- Record, organize and synthesize information.
- Use various media to present their findings.
- Evaluate the process and the product.
Students have access to a wide variety of print and electronic resources, including a carefully selected number of online databases, available to them 24/7 through the School's intranet site. We also house an expansive collection of videos and DVDs and subscribe to numerous periodicals that support our curriculum.
In addition to assisting our students to develop their research skills, we encourage a lifelong love of reading by constantly developing our Canadian and international literature collection. Our students are keen participants in the Red Maple and White Pine reading programs - they eagerly look forward to casting their ballot for their favourite author on voting day. We introduce students to the new resources in our collection through book talks, and encourage frequent discussions about the books once they have read them.
The Senior Resource Centre is located at the heart of the School and is a welcoming environment that our students use on a daily basis for study, mentoring and conversation.