Three Pillars of Cogito Academy
Structure
Description: A structured, organized environment emphasizing academic order.
Program Delivery: Structured classroom settings, teacher-led instruction, regular homework, recitation, and practice exercises.
Commitment
Description: A commitment from both students and parents to maintain the program’s high academic standards through focused effort and support.
Parent Role: Parents actively support learning at home by monitoring homework and encouraging study habits that align with program goals.
Student Role: Students demonstrate dedication through self-discipline, diligence, and active participation.
Behaviour
Description: Expectations for behavior that align with the program’s rigorous standards.
Program Delivery: Emphasis on work ethic, study habits, and a respectful, focused classroom environment.
Goals
- Achieve excellent academic results.
- Cultivate diligence and self-discipline in all students.
Benefits
- Enhanced reading, writing, and math skills.
- Strong critical-thinking, study habits, and organizational skills.
- Preparation for future academic, professional, and skilled employment opportunities.
The Cogito Academy Approach
Academic Excellence
Cogito Academy offers a faith-based curriculum that weaves Catholic values throughout its academic program. The program establishes clear achievement standards for each grade, creating a strong foundation.
- Academic rigor is expected and maintained.
- Students are set up to do their best as they access academic material and develop transferable knowledge-based skills.
- Achievement standards are clearly defined for each grade level.
Orderly Environment
This academy cultivates a focused learning environment through structured routines, clear academic and behavioral expectations, and minimal disruptions.
- Orderly learning environment with structured routines.
- Standard dress for students. (School uniform requirements)
- Minimal disruptions to learning.
- Group work is purposeful, and students remain on-task.
Emphasis on Literacy and Numeracy
Cogito provides a solid foundation for literacy and numeracy, as well as other fundamental academic skills. French Language acquisition begins in grade 1. Choral instruction.
- Foundational literacy skills, with explicit sequential phonics instruction.
- Explicit grammar instruction.
- Automaticity in foundational math skills.
- Critical mathematical thinking
- Access to French as an additional language beginning in Grade 1 OR Choral instruction beginning Grade 1.
Learning Extensions
Cogito Academy learning extensions provide opportunity for students to build confidence in their skill set as a learner.
- Emphasis on printing and cursive writing.
- Recitations
- Second language development and/or choral acquisitions.
- Access to French as an additional language beginning in Grade 1 OR Choral instruction beginning Grade 1.
Regular Homework
Cogito Academy challenges students to consistently produce their best work through homework assignments that reinforce classroom concepts. Daily homework is an expectation.
- Students are challenged to consistently produce their best work.
- Homework is meaningful, often extenuating from the school day.
- Students consistently complete homework.
- Homework is communicated clearly and presented in a structured format.
Timely Reporting of Student Progress
Cogito Academy provides clear and timely reporting of students’ learning in relation to the provincial curriculum, as well as the approved Cogito Academy curriculum. Student marks are reported as levels of achievement.
- Reporting is a clear and timely representation of student achievement.
- Two Evidence of Learning portfolios (sent home prior to three-way conferences)
- Three-way conferences in November and March
- Two Report Cards: February and June.
- Students are assessed on Alberta Education Learner Outcomes, using the EICS achievement scale (4, 3, 2, 1).
Maximizing Learning Time and Student Engagement
Student attendance, strong work ethic, and academic success build confidence, motivation, and engagement.
- Structured classrooms promote active participation, effort, and achievement to boost self-esteem.
- Focused learning environment where students stay engaged, work hard on tasks.
- Maximize learning time with minimal disruptions.
Whole Group Direct Instruction
Cogito Academy emphasizes whole group, teacher-directed instruction with gradual release of responsibility to the student (I do, we do, you do).
- Whole group, teacher-directed instruction.
- High expectations for student learning.
- Group work is focused and on task.
- Steps provided as scaffolding learning.
- Modeling and narrative demonstrations (think aloud).
- Higher level questioning
- Immediate corrective feedback.
- Teacher walking around the room, monitoring student progress.
Parents as Valued Partners
Cogito Academy recognizes parents as valuable partners in their child’s education.
- Parents act as valued partners in their child’s education.
- Consistent communication is an essential component of engaging parents.
- Teachers and school administration foster the active involvement of parents.