Somerset Academy

At Somerset Academy, we promote intellectual curiosity. We encourage students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 to interpret, evaluate, and communicate ideas knowledgeably and confidently within a framework of high academic, artistic, and athletic standards. Working one year ahead of their chronological grade level, our students experience an enriched academic program with a balance of Visual Arts, Physical Education, Music, and Computer Study, as well as many diverse extracurricular activities.
We look forward to meeting you and your child.
All Somerset teachers and students are members of one of the three Houses - Flaming Maples, Beavers, and Yellow Lightning - and remain in the same House throughout their time. Siblings are always placed in the same House unless their parents specifically request otherwise.
The House system is aimed at building relationships that transcend grade boundaries and encouraging team spirit. Each term, one House organizes a community outreach project to raise awareness of or fund a local charity. Recent projects have included tree planting in a local conservation area, visiting elderly residents of a Unionville seniors' home, and organizing letter-writing to an orphanage in Ukraine.
The House system rewards extra effort in non-academic areas, and House Points are tallied and reported to students every week. Each term, there is a special Civil Day for the winning House, when students in that House may come to school in "civil" clothes. At the end of the year, the overall winning House is presented with the highly-contested House Cup.
At Somerset Academy, we promote intellectual curiosity and encourage students to learn effectively. Our students are taught to interpret, evaluate, and communicate ideas knowledgeably and confidently within a high academic, artistic, and athletic standards framework. We also nurture respect for the individual, foster a sense of responsibility towards the environment, and instill an awareness of the community's needs.
The administration and staff of Somerset Academy believe that a well-rounded education can only be built on a solid academic foundation. This is the cornerstone of our approach to learning. However, we are also concerned with the education of the whole child. 
So time is spent helping students develop self-confidence, independence, respect for themselves and others, and a sense of responsibility towards the world in which we live.
The school recognizes the need for structure yet remains a hot and supportive environment. There is a strong sense of community, which is evident in the relationship between students and staff, and great emphasis is placed on the concept of the "Somerset Family. Our goal is to enable every child to develop to their fullest potential and produce academically successful, confident, and responsible young people.
Our Primary program includes full-day Junior and Senior Kindergarten. Using an activity-centered approach, the curriculum emphasizes good listening skills and fine and gross motor development and fosters an awareness of and appreciation for individual abilities. Subjects including Music, Art, French, Physical Education, Nature Studies, Computer Studies, discussion, and drama, are used to encourage individual growth and social development.
Instruction in Reading and Mathematics are introduced to our Kindergarten students as soon as they are ready. In Grades One and Two, there is further development of skills in the traditional core subjects of writing, reading, and mathematics. Besides, through various approaches and resources that cater to individual learning styles, students are introduced to science, Geography, and History/Cultural Studies. Because of the school's accelerated and enriched program, students work at a level approximately one year above Ministry of Education guidelines.
As in all Divisions, the small class size (maximum of 18 students per class) allows maximum attention and encouragement for each student. The curriculum is supplemented by activities such as field trips, museum visits, and unusual activity days. The Junior program is designed to provide a developmental period of skill consolidation. The curriculum is geared towards giving students a solid foundation in Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, History, Geography, French, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Health.
Ministry of Education guidelines are enhanced by specific instruction on organization, working independently, and following a study and homework log. Also, high behavioral expectations are set to get the most out of their school day. Computer lessons are scheduled into the timetable, and the integration of curriculum and technology is emphasized at all times.
As in the Primary Division, small class sizes allow individual attention and encouragement to enable all students to maximize their potential. As the students progress towards the top of the school, the core academic subjects continue to be the mainstay program. Students' abilities are refined and extended during this period, and focus is placed on problem-solving, reasoning skills, and the development of good study habits.
There is an emphasis on preparation for High School, whether public or private. To this end, students are challenged to extend themselves, as our goal is to leave Somerset Academy feeling confident about their skills and ability to work independently. Formal examinations begin in Grade Six.
As in all other grades, class size never exceeds eighteen, and the curriculum is enriched by particular activities, studies, and field trips. Students in Grades Seven and Eight are also offered the opportunity to take part in a three- or four-day visit to either Ottawa or Quebec (alternating each year, so all students get to visit both cities), building team spirit and encourages personal independence.