Is Innova Right for You?
Are you committed to Christ?
God’s word speaks to commitment in various aspects of life. Deuteronomy 6:5 outlines what Jesus later calls the first and greatest commandment of all: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” The community of Innova believes foremost that a love for God is foundational for being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. If you love God with all your heart, believe in Jesus as your personal Saviour through his redemptive work on the cross, are committed to serving Him with all your strength, and have a desire to point others to the same relationship with Christ that you have, we believe Innova is the right place for you.
Do you believe the Bible is relevant to all areas of education?
At Innova Academy, the Bible is foundational in our approach to teaching all subjects; it is not limited to a class added to our curriculum. Rather, we believe that every area of study must integrate biblical principles, and we teach that all knowledge and life extend from God. For example, in our study of history, we understand that the past relays God’s unfolding plan of redemption, and when we study science, we observe that the orderliness of the universe points to a Creator. If you are looking for a school that integrates biblical teaching across the curriculum, then Innova Academy will be a good fit for your family.
Does your family value education and do you characterize yourself as a life-long learner?
At Innova Academy, we believe God created us in his image. We are curious by nature and possess the ability to learn new things. God instructs parents in Deuteronomy 6:7, to “impress them [God’s Word] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” In other words, learning takes place at every opportunity. Scripture also speaks to the need for life-long learning. Proverb 16:16 states, “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” It is our desire that students develop a love for learning, for books and reading, and to become life-long learners. We teach the tools for learning: to be curious, to ask questions, to seek answers, and to draw conclusions. If you value life-long learning, then Innova is the right place for you.
Do you affirm that children ought to behave respectfully?
God has given parents the responsibility to train and mentor their children to become responsible citizens of God’s kingdom (Deut. 6:6-7). At Innova Academy, our teachers partner with parents to assist them in carrying out this task. We seek to promote a loving but structured environment with clear behavioural expectations in which children respect their teachers and each other. We expect parents to support our teachers and administrators as we work together to uphold high standards of conduct. If you value a learning environment that fosters a respectful relationship between teachers, parents, and students, and between the students themselves, then your children will do well at Innova Academy.
Do you believe in teacher-directed learning subject matter that interests him or her?
Today many educators promote child-centered learning, an approach in which the child initiates and directs his own education through exploring subject matter that interests him. With this approach, the role of the teacher is to facilitate rather than direct learning. At Innova Academy we believe that teachers have a responsibility to impart knowledge and skills to their students, that teachers ought to direct student learning, and classrooms should have an atmosphere of orderly engagement. This does not mean there is no room for students to pursue areas of particular interest, or that students are not encouraged to interact or to be creative, but it does recognize the role of the teacher as leader. If you support teacher directed learning, then we invite you to consider Innova Academy for your family.
Does your commitment to Christian education extend beyond your own children?
We view Innova Academy as a community of believers committed to mentoring children to grow in their academic and spiritual lives to serve Jesus Christ. We desire to partner with families whose commitment to Christian education and Innova Academy will extend beyond the years their children attend our school. Families of graduates provide valuable support in a variety of ways, including prayer, community awareness, volunteering, and financial support. If you view your involvement in Christian education as a long-term commitment, then you share Innova’s vision for a multi-generational school community.
Admissions Process
Innova Academy is a private classical Christian school located in Newmarket, Ontario that teaches and adheres to biblical principles in both policy and programming. Innova Academy is not intended to, nor does it align well with all potential students. To ensure and to maximize student success in a classical Christian school, Innova Academy restricts student admissions to only those students who*:
(i) reside with at least one parent or legal guardian who identifies themself as a born again Christian (John 3:1-7), who commits to practising Innova Academy’s Statement of Faith (see Statement of Faith below), and who desires their child to develop in relationship with God the Father through Christ Jesus;
(ii) demonstrate both the ability and the willingness to achieve academic success within the school’s classical curricular objectives and current programming;
(iii) demonstrate well-developed emotional (intra-personal), social (inter-personal), and physical skills necessary to co-operatively and fully independently participate within our current classical Christian school environment.
*As permitted by Section 18 of the Ontario Human Rights Code
Innova Academy assists Christian parents in their God-given role to educate their children and mentor them to grow in love, commitment, and service to Jesus Christ. As a classical Christian school, we provide a robust academic program emphasizing grammar, logic and rhetoric in all areas of study. Subjects are taught as parts of an integrated whole from a biblical worldview. We provide a clear model of a biblical Christian life and encourage each student to begin to develop his/her relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).
Innova Academy accepts applications for enrolment on an ongoing basis. It reserves the right to determine class size based on several variables, therefore, the school may consider applications for a waiting pool.
Application Process
Applications are reviewed based on several factors, including the student’s school records, up to three classroom visits, and the school’s ability to support the student using existing programming and staffing. A family interview and student testing are also part of the application process. Once the final decision has been made, the family will be notified; an acceptance letter and enrolment packet will be emailed to those applicants receiving an offer of admission.
1) Questions to Ask Yourself
Go to “Is Innova Right for You?” to determine if your educational convictions align with those of Innova Academy.
Read
An Introduction to Classical Education by Christopher A. Perrin
2) Contact & School Visit
Schedule a TourWe can be reached via telephone (905-806-1959) or email (info@innovaacademy.ca) to arrange a visit to our school.
3) Apply
- Families who have completed a successful school visit will receive an application package within 48 hours.
- Applications must include copies of all report cards, standardized tests (if applicable), health forms, Pastoral reference form, and a copy of the Statement of Faith from applicant’s place of worship.
- Early application, before January 31st, 2025, is recommended since spots are limited. The application fee is $200/student or $500/family. Payment can be e-transferred to payments@innovaacademy.ca. All application fees are non-refundable.
- All applicants will be notified whether or not they will proceed to the Parent Interview.
4) Family Interview
Both parents and prospective student(s) will meet for an interview with members from the Academy leadership team.
5) Student Assessment
During the interview process students will complete reading, writing and mathematics tests to determine suitability for enrolment.
6) Notification in Writing
Parents will be notified of the Academy’s decision in writing.
7) Enrolment
Families that have been accepted for enrolment will provide a non-refundable payment per family of $500 for the first student and $100 for each additional sibling within one week of their notification to secure a spot in their respective class(es). This deposit will be deducted from the annual tuition.
Tuition and Fees
Innova Academy is an independent, non-profit school committed to offering quality education in the classical Christian tradition. Our school does not receive any government funding, and expenses are covered by tuition
and personal donations. We strive to make our school affordable to as many families who qualify
for admission to Innova Academy as possible.
Tuition includes field trips (under $20) where participation is expected as an extension of our curricular objectives (including sports), yearbook, and gym uniforms (t-shirt and shorts for grades 3-8), with no refunds for students absent or not involved. Larger trips or events will require additional payment.
| Number of Children | Cost Per Child | Family Total | Monthly Payment (Over 10 months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Child | $11,600 | $11,600 | $1,160 |
| Two Children | $10,325 | $20,650 | $2,065 |
| Three Children | $8,650 | $25,950 | $2,595 |
| Four Children | $7,600 | $30,400 | $3,040 |
| Five Children | $6,800 | $34,000 | $3,400 |
| Part-time JK Student* | $7,000 | $700 |
* Multiple children tuition rates available for families with an enrolled part-time JK student. Please call the school to inquire.
Additional Fees
Payments
Monthly tuition payments can be made by submitting the completed Pre-Authorized Debit Agreement (PAD) to the office by Thursday, June 20, 2024. There will be a charge of $30 for any returned cheques or PAD payments.
Deposit – a non–refundable deposit of $500 for the first student and $100 for each additional sibling is required within one week of acceptance to secure your child’s spot in his/her respective class. The deposit will be deducted from your annual tuition.
Uniforms
School uniforms are mandatory. The approximate cost in the first year is $300 per student.
Please see our Uniforms page for more information.
Tax Receipts
Innova offers receipts for the before and after-school program since this is a direct form of childcare outside of our educational program. Receipts will be issued by the end of February for the previous calendar year.
CRA also requires the reporting of bursary income as well as related discounts. Considered a taxable benefit, T4As will be issued to bursary and discount recipients by the end of February for the previous tax year.
Bursaries
Investment in a Classical Christian Education
We believe Christians have been given the noble task of loving God and their children by ensuring that they are given an education with a biblical worldview, with God as central. This may take many forms and may look different from family to family, but the responsibility remains the same – to raise our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). We believe that a classical Christian school offers an ideal partnership with families in this noble task.
Our goal is to provide an education that shapes the hearts and minds of our young people to be authentic followers of Christ who love goodness, truth, and beauty, and through rigorous study, are able to affect change in their communities. The cost of this unique education must be carried by those who believe in the value of classical Christian education, not by others, as we are accustomed to assuming within the public-school system. We work against the cultural assumptions that education is “free,” that we are entitled to the services we want, and that it is someone else’s responsibility to provide this value for our children. The responsibility falls on us as parents, requiring both commitment and sacrifice on our part. We wholeheartedly believe that a classical Christian education is worthy of this cost and sacrifice.
Innova Academy understands that not every family is in a position to meet the financial commitment associated with private education. Some of our families receive support from relatives or friends, so that they may partner with us. In order to assist families that still cannot accept their offered seat because of financial need, Innova Academy provides a bursary program. Bursaries are made available exclusively through donations, which vary from year to year. Innova’s bursaries are for families who prioritize this education. Donors sacrifice these expenses themselves so that others can receive the education that they believe is so vital for our children.
The following principles guide Innova’s tuition rates:
EXCELLENCE
Whatever we do ought to be done to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31) with all of our hearts, as for the Lord (Col. 3:23). From the character and skill of our teachers, to the quality of our curriculum and learning environment, we will pursue excellence.
PRUDENCE
We want to be wise and thoughtful in all of our spending, ensuring prioritization of the essential components of a classical Christian education, and avoiding the superfluous costs, which plague many institutions. For the sake of faithfully functioning in a manner that allows for sustained dedication to the task of classical Christian education, consideration must not only be given to today, but also to tomorrow.
SACRIFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Conventional forms of education are not free; they are simply paid for by others. While shared responsibility is a source of many benefits and blessings, there is also the danger of adopting an attitude that our children’s education is someone else’s financial responsibility. Instead, we want to joyfully assume the responsibility given to parents, viewing our children’s education as worthy of the necessary sacrifices over other potential expenses, such as vacations, extra curricular activities, mortgage reduction, etc.
AFFORDABILITY
Our goal is to make Innova Academy accessible to as many as possible. It is our desire that financial costs would not be an obstacle to admittance, and we will be implementing several strategies to assist families with affordability, as able. It is important to note that our tuition costs at Innova Academy are overall lower than other such schools, and less than the average cost of full-time daycare in the Newmarket area.
GENEROSITY
While we must first take responsibility for ourselves, we must also look to the needs of others, and do our best to provide for those with greater needs. The free grace of God in Jesus Christ results in an explosion of joyful generosity (Matt. 10:8), which pleases our God, who loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). A classical Christian education is only made possible through the generous giving of God’s people.*
Here is how our bursary program works:
- Bursaries are granted on an annual basis, so applications must be submitted every year of need. Please note: A family may get a bursary one year and none the next, even with static or lowered income, as resources change from year to year.
- Bursary applications are reviewed by Apple Financial Services, an independent third party, to ensure an objective review and financial assessment.
- Returning families should submit their applications to Apple Financial Services between January 1 and April 30 for a September start.
- The deadline to submit a bursary application is June 1st for the following school year.
- Bursaries are awarded on a sliding scale dependent on financial need and cover from 10% up to 40% (including all discounts) of the regular tuition rate.
- After reviewing Apple’s recommendations, Innova Academy’s Bursary Committee will grant (or not grant) financial assistance at their full discretion.
- Bursaries may be granted as individual recommendations are made or after a pool of recommendations have been collected.
We strongly recommend submitting your application as early as possible and before the June 1st deadline.
Interested families who have received an acceptance letter from Innova Academy can fill out an online application at www.applefinancialservices.ca. There is a non-refundable application fee, billed by Apple Financial Services, of $120 per family.
Under Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations, bursary amounts received are considered a taxable benefit to the recipient (the student). As a result, Innova Academy is required to report bursary information amounts to CRA and issue out T4As to recipients for each applicable tax year. As individual tax circumstances vary, the reporting requirements of individual T4As will also vary. It is the responsibility of the recipient to determine the amount of any exemptions and what amounts need to be reported. Please refer to CRA’s website for the most current bursary reporting guidelines or contact your tax advisor.
*Content use with permission from Kawartha Classical Christian School