Surrey Academy of Innovative Learning - SAIL »

Our academies target specific types of learners.

Overview: SAIL is a blended interdisciplinary school where students learn through inquiry and project-based learning using a variety of digital tools. Students learn face-to-face in a blended learning model at SAIL 4 days a week. Rather than traditional subjects taught in isolation, SAIL students focus on inquiry and project-based learning, integrating concepts from Science, Math, and Humanities. Students are in a multi-aged classroom (in elementary) / cohorts (in secondary) and have the flexibility to advance according to their learning capabilities. Students are challenged to embrace an innovator mindset.

SAIL’s STEAM K to 7 program combines four days of face-to-face interdisciplinary instruction with one day of home learning designed by our teacher. Our STEAM K to 7 program focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics to prepare our K to 7 students for a rapidly changing world. SAIL students develop a designer and maker mindset through a Makerspace where they have access to a variety of tools and projects. Students are grouped in flexible multi-age cohorts to maximize their learning. Our students learn through a variety of digital platforms becoming familiar with blogging, coding, and robotics. STEAM teachers and staff consult with parents to determine suitable grade-appropriate materials and strategies for parents to help their child’s learning from home.

Students who flourish in the STEAM 8 – 12 program  are passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math have a keen interest in wanting to understand how things work and like to build, create or design things. Our STEAM students enjoy learning through inquiry, experimentation, and reflection. Our STEAM students are self-motivated, like to learn independently, as well as in collaborative groups. STEAM students can cooperate with peers for group projects and explorations. Our learners thrive in a challenging and enriched academic environment. They contribute to a positive and respectful classroom and online community. Our learners are open to sharing and celebrating their learning. The STEAM 8 – 12 program combines four days of face-to-face interdisciplinary instruction with one day of supported online learning. Each student has an academic advisor to help in developing a learning plan and educational goals. Our STEAM blended program explores Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics through the lens of arts and design. Our learners develop a designer and maker mindset through a Makerspace – a creative synergy of tools and projects at all levels of expertise. Our students embrace the innovator mindset and develop their capacity through inquiry, experimentation and project based learning. Students learn in an open, collaborative, contemporary space that fosters engagement.

The STEAMX 8 – 12 accelerated program This pre-university program prepares academically gifted adolescents to achieve their goals of early entrance to university and successful studies thereafter.Through an inquiry lens and engaging activities that provide students with a strong socioemotional foundation, students will build upon their core and curricular competencies as well as inter and intrapersonal skills. Students will accelerate through high school courses through a collaborative, and interdisciplinary approach to learning, allowing them to be prepared for university rigor and university life in 3 years.

Students have 4 days of face-to-face interdisciplinary instruction with one day of supported online learning. The gifted education team includes two BC certified public school teachers assigned to each cohort, plus support teachers in specialized areas. Students must have completed Grade 7 and be at least 12 years of age before September. There is an in-depth application process consisting of a literacy and numeracy assessment, student learning portfolio, reference letters, and an intake interview to ensure student success in the program.

The COMPASS 8 -12 program combines 1 – 2 days of face-to-face interdisciplinary instruction with one day of supported online learning. Each student will have an individualized program and be assigned an academic advisor. Our COMPASS one year blended model allows students to work at home and also have the opportunity for face-to-face interaction with the teachers at SAIL. In addition, teachers are also available via Skype, email or phone. Students have the opportunity to access a variety of digital tools, platforms, and Makerspace environment. Flexibility and personalization are key components of the student’s learning program. The hope is that with time, our Compass Learners can join our STEAM cohort (4 days a week). The SAIL ONLINE 10 -12 program offers online courses to full-time and part-time students. All courses have online teacher support as well as face-to-face teacher support. Our SAIL ONLINE program uses inquiry and project-based learning as a foundation for our online courses. SAIL ONLINE offers over 80 online courses at the secondary level (Grades 10-12). Students have the convenience of flexibility which allows for a balance of school, work and family. Students registered at another secondary school, and non-graduated adults are also eligible to enrol. No cost registration is open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent residents in the lower mainland.

We know that learners are looking for a different way of learning. Our individualized academies meet the student’s learning needs.

Our Vision Statement of Learning Without Limits seems to resonate with our learners as they come to SAIL for our Academies that are designed to meet their learning needs.

The school is only two years old. We find that our students seek us out for our Academy’s flexible learning structures. Our students have come to us by word of mouth, and the Academies have doubled in size from year one to year. Three of the four Academies have waiting lists.

We are constantly asking students for their input. As a teaching staff, we are in a constant state of Beta, as we try new lessons and make adjustments to our program delivery to ensure students are engaged in their learning. We focus on students taking control of their learning in a very supportive atmosphere.

Elementary Video:

Secondary Video:

STEAM Video:

Compass Video:

Each Academy has it’s own inquiry questions.

Makerspace Inquiry Questions:

1. How does design thinking affect learning that students do in other subject specific areas?
2. How does integrating more Makerspace into specific curricular areas for senior grades (grades 11 &12) impact student engagement?
3. How can we incorporate the core competencies language throughout the year to deepen the learning of student’s  makerspace curricular competencies?
4. How can collaboration with teachers lead to increased teacher participation in the Makerspace?

SAIL Online Inquiry Questions:

1. How will the new school app increase student complete rates?

2. How does better integration and documentation of self and peer assessment in our courses benefit our students?

3. How will integration of face to face (brick and mortar) time and online studies (DL time) within classes benefit our students?

STEAMX Inquiry Questions:

1. How does a specific focus on mindfulness help our gifted learners reduce their anxiety?
2. How does the continuation of developing the specific social and emotional needs of our gifted students help them to mature in 2017-2018?
3. How will integration of the year 1, 2 and 3 STEAMX students socially and emotionally impact STEAMX students for 2017-2018?

STEAM Inquiry Questions:

1. How does designing certain spaces within the school create a safer more welcoming learning environment reduce student anxiety?

2. How does establishing and maintaining strong student-school relationships increase student engagement?

3.  How does our new teacher-advisory program for Compass students ease student anxiety?

Our staff will continue to collaborate on a weekly basis and when needed. Fridays are designed by teachers to  collaborate, plan and learn from each other. We will have more structure around our Friday morning planning time in 2017-18.  We like to use this time for STEAMX & STEAM teachers and support teachers to meet to plan their makerspace activities for the following week.

As well, staff will use Department Head release days to plan and develop new teaching strategies.  

Since we are in a constant state of beta, we, as a staff, understand that we will need continuous professional learning to stay attuned to the latest instructional practices.

Our plan for 2017-18 is to continue to:

1. Collaborate with regular weekly Friday meetings (e.g. Friday collab meetings)
2. Deepen, our knowledge in inquiry, assessment, technology, curating work, new curriculum (competencies).
3. Live in Beta: Questioning, disagreeing, grappling, agreeing, challenging, etc.,
4. Come out from “under the radar” and share our methodology and pedagogy with others in the school district and province.
5. Be prepared to share our programs and our methodology and pedagogy  with other schools (STEAM K-7 and grade 8 & 9 based in regular high schools and elementary schools)
6. Decentralize our SAIL Online into regular high schools t so that all high schools benefit from the flexibility of online learning..
7. Continue to BUILD A LEARNING CULTURE that emphasizes:
   • EVERYONE IS A LEADER! … BUILDING LEADERSHIP CAPACITY!