Education is a gift, and Choice School, an independent institution located in East Richmond, British Columbia, excels at enhancing that gift. Distinct in its focus on gifted and twice-exceptional students, the school was recognized by the BC Ministry of Education in 2016 for its unique mandate to serve high-potential, high-ability, and gifted students. Established in 1985, what sets Choice School apart is its commitment to personalizing education, ensuring that each student receives the support they need to thrive, both academically and emotionally.
Sukhbir Bolina, Principal of Choice School, shares that the school helps every child realize their full potential by customizing instruction to the individual, “It is widely recognized that conventional one-size-fits-all teaching strategies frequently do not address the distinct learning requirements and interests of each student. Personalized learning involves adapting teaching methods to align with specific needs, interests, and learning preferences of each student.”
Instead of employing a uniform approach, personalized learning empowers educators to modify lessons, assignments, and resources to leverage students' unique strengths while also fostering their development in areas that require improvement. While Choice School specializes in the unique needs of gifted children, the school’s small, personalized classes and dedicated teaching staff provide an excellent all-around education suitable for many children. Choice School students thrive in a happy, supportive community.
The process of identifying gifted and twice-exceptional students at Choice School is comprehensive. According to Bolina, there are several ways to define gifted students. Listed below are some attributes that may describe your child:
- curious
- intensely interested in something
- quick learner and easily able to see relationships in ideas, objects, or facts
- excellent problem solver
- very imaginative
- very sensitive, emotionally and even physically
- well-developed sense of humor
- asks “what if” questions
- fond of learning new things
- interested in intellectual activity and displays intellectual playfulness
Admissions to Choice School is based on the following criteria:
- suitable evidence of academic ability
- school reports from previous and current academic years
- a successful day visit to the school
Once admitted, each student at Choice School is provided with an Individual Education Plan (IEP); this ‘living’ document helps to guide assessment, planning, collaborative communication, and teaching. Clear targets and goals are identified that focus on the social and emotional development of the child, as well as academic progress. Choice School believes that students deserve individualized care. In addition to small class sizes, each class has an educational assistant for support. Students also have the services of an occupational therapist, behavioral consultant, and psychologist at hand for additional support.
A key challenge that gifted students face in traditional educational settings is the lack of appropriate challenges and support. This situation arises mainly because educators may lack the knowledge or resources to effectively support these exceptional learners. Despite their superior intelligence, these students often struggle to thrive because the curriculum does not engage them, or they face social and emotional challenges that are not adequately addressed.
This is particularly true for twice-exceptional students with both a gifted designation and an additional learning need that requires special education support. Bolina highlights, “At Choice School, we have the resources and expertise to identify the needs of gifted students. Our trained staff come with a growth mindset and allow flexibility in their teaching styles to accommodate." Furthermore, regular professional development ensures that teachers continually improve their ability to support these students. Choice School's curriculum focuses on expanding core competencies through inquiry, critical thinking, and problem-based learning.
Beyond academic excellence, Choice School emphasizes social-emotional learning (SEL), which significantly improves academic performance by providing students with essential emotional intelligence and self-regulation abilities. This focus fosters greater engagement, motivation, and enhanced learning results. Establishing a nurturing classroom environment through positive relationships and effective pedagogical approaches supports SEL, thereby aiding in students' comprehensive development and well-being. Choice School equips students for future achievements by cultivating their social and emotional competencies in conjunction with their academic learning.
The advantages of small class sizes at Choice School are also paramount. Undoubtedly, the debate regarding the significance of class size has persisted for many years, to which Bolina responds, “Although some individuals continue to contend that class size does not significantly impact educational quality, research indicates otherwise. It is essential to comprehend the relationship between class size, student performance, and teacher retention, as this understanding is vital for advancing our educational system.” At Choice School, small classes of no more than twelve students ensure that children get ample individual attention.
As such, Choice School's curriculum goes beyond the standard BC Ministry of Education requirements, drawing on best practices to provide appropriate learning experiences for gifted students. Programs like the Choice Challenge Program and Passion Projects offer exceptional opportunities for students. Ultimately, success speaks for itself; Choice School students flourish not only with a strong academic foundation but also with the emotional and social skills needed to succeed in a bright future.
Choice School for Gifted Children
20451 Westminster Highway North
Richmond, BC V6V 1B3
T: 604-273-2418
W: www.choiceschool.org
M: office@choiceschool.org
