| Innova Academy | Public | |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Role Models | All Innova teachers are committed Christians and active participants in their local churches. All agree to Innova’s statement of faith. They actively strive to foster a Christ-like environment in their classes and the school. | Belief systems are taught in the classroom. These include militant secularism, humanism, and moral relativism. |
| Educational Approach | Innova is a classical Christian school. The Christian worldview undergirds all courses taught, and thus, all learning is Christ-honouring. Classical texts (e.g. Homer, Shakespeare, Lewis, etc.) are used to consider ideas. Issues that may arise from secular texts are considered in light of biblical teachings, which serve as the moral and philosophical filter. | Public schools adhere to the progressive educational movement. God has been deliberately removed from the curriculum, and Christian teachers are unable to share their faith or worldview. |
| Academics | Innova is dedicated to academic excellence. The rigorous curriculum helps students exceed the Ontario curricular expectations. Knowing students are capable of far more learning than they are given credit for, Innova uses the best possible curricular resources available and helps students to think logically and express their ideas clearly, while fostering a growing love for learning. | The program works to meet the Ontario curricular expectations. However, universities are finding that those expectations are often not being met, and students are finding a gap when entering university. |
| Athletics | Physical education is an integral part of the Innova program. While we strive for excellence, sportsmanship and integrity are valued over athletic success. Innova is part of the York Region Athletic Association. | The program offers various sports at school, often for an additional cost. Specific health and sex education content is provincially mandated. |
| Art & Music | Masters of Music degree and Art degree Specialists lead the students in developing their unique, God-given gifts. | Subjects can be taught by teachers who are not experts in the field. |
| Advocacy in Student Development | All Innova staff advocate for students not only in academic excellence but also in a growing faith of Christ, encouraging growth in knowledge and wisdom and shaping these students to become passionate followers of Jesus Christ. | Teachers support students academically and socially. |
What Will Innova Students Take?
Starting in Grade 9 through to Grade 12, students will take the following courses:
- History – Innova teaches history comprehensively and causationally, so that students don’t just know the full, chronological story of what happened, but why it happened and where they fit into that world as Christ followers.
- English – Students study am array of great classical texts, from ancient through modern, allowing them to understand the great conversation over 2800 years of the key points of what it is to be human and made in God’s image. They are also taught a rich blend of reading, writing, and speaking skills, which are practised in assignments and debates.
- Science – God’s design and His scientific principles are rigorously studied and joyously celebrated from a Christian perspective.
- Physical and Outdoor Education – Because we are Incarnate beings, striving for physical excellence and knowledge give glory to God, and thus considerable emphasis is put on physical education from this perspective.
- Art/Music – Beauty in all forms is one of Gods most glorious gifts to us, and it is explored rigorously at Innova through visual arts, music, and drama.
- Math – While these studies teach and practise concepts and computations necessary to life and expected by provincial standards. Innova extends that learning into real-life critical thinking and problem-solving skills, recognizing God’s order and design in mathematics.
- Latin and French – Students will learn French, giving them access to what is thought to be one of the most beautiful languages currently spoken, and Latin, giving them access to a language which undergirds a vast amount of English vocabulary and grammar.
- Logic – While critical thinking skills have always been important, one could argue that they have seldom been more important than now. Innova students receive a thorough training in thinking correctly and how to spot logical fallacies.
- Theology – Innova students are well grounded in the foundations of the Christian faith, learning not only what these are, but how to defend them in a modem context. Students also learn the value of practising both the classical and theological virtues in their lives.
All truth is God’s Truth (Augustine), and subjects are framed around the biblical worldview.