Whether you are from Dryden or new to the community, we all have a lot to learn about Enfant-Jésus school, which has been offering a fully integrated French language teaching and learning system for 15 years.
L’Enfant-Jésus Catholic School’s journey began 15 years ago when the community of Dryden was approached by the CSDC des Aurores boréales to determine whether there was an interest in opening a French school.
The community responded with great enthusiasm, and within a very short period, a local building was purchased, and the renovations began. Enrollments from JK to Grade 8 increased day-by-day as parents and students looked forward to being part of a flourishing Francophone community at the heart of Dryden.
Enfant-Jésus stands apart from other schools in Dryden in that it is a fully integrated French language teaching and learning system that offers the best opportunity for children to emerge perfectly bilingual. Our students are completely engrossed in the French language and culture through daily teaching and learning at school.
Many activities are provided for students regionally and provincially throughout the school year that allow students to interact and share the French language heritage with artists, community partners and organizations in meaningful contexts.
In choosing a French-language school, parents are motivated by the fact that they want their children to be fully integrated in a French school environment, have the advantages of being fluent in both official languages, and to identify with the French language heritage.
École catholique de L’Enfant-Jésus (Image: Submitted)
Kara Bange, a parent of a student at Enfant-Jésus, explains that since her daughter has been enrolled at the school, ‘’Her French language skills have exploded! She speaks French with confidence and ease. It has been amazing to see the progress she has made!’’
Enfant-Jésus presents a unique model in its approach to education. Having multi-grade classes exposes students to more opportunities to develop leadership skills in a greater diversity of situations and cross-age mixing of students allows younger students exposure to lessons and expectations of older students as well as opportunities to receive personalized tutoring from them.
Smaller classes allow students to have a strong sense of connection to their school community since staff and students all know one another and develop strong relationships. A low student to teacher ratio permits close monitoring and tracking of learning development, delivery of differentiated instruction as well as ensuring that the child is challenged but feels safe and supported.
Hands-on learning is easy to organize and manage and the learning outcomes are exceptional. There is much more freedom for collaborative student work and fun activities that bring learning to life. For the student, this promotes a sense of belonging, of pride in their community, their school and themselves.
‘’As a parent of a child with special needs who graduated from Enfant-Jésus, I am grateful to the staff for offering him the support he needed in his studies as well as developing his social skills’’, explains Élaine Lavoie. ‘’This small school provides a family environment that allows students to connect and show empathy towards others.’’
Enfant-Jésus uses an educational approach that equips students with deep learning competencies that enable them to be creative problem solvers and who can work collaboratively with others. Using digital leverages to accelerate and deepen learning, our students are applying learning to real-world problems that require the creation of new knowledge.
There is meaningful integration of technology and inquiry-based learning in the classroom that supports students’ interests and elevates student engagement levels. Such an approach prepares students for life after school and promotes a mindset of life long learning.
We invite you to visit our website, Facebook page or you contact the school at 807 937-4249 to learn more about us and what we can offer to your child’s education!
Registration is always open, and questions are always welcome. Bienvenue chez nous!
