Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
QUICK LINKS
Use the following links to help you find the answers specific to the subject or division you are inquiring:
Does PCA follow the Ontario Curriculum?
PCA follows the Ontario Curriculum and often teachers will strive to go beyond the grade level expectations. All Grade 3 and Grade 7 students participate in CAT4 testing annually. Year-over-year, results have shown the students score a grade or two higher in the areas of mathematics and language. Furthermore, PCA's mean national percentile rankings for mathematics consistently sit above 90% across all testing areas, and language consistently above 85% in all testing areas, respectively placing PCA in the top 10%-15% nationally.
How long are the waiting lists?
Waiting lists will depend on the grade and even the year. Unfortunately some families have had to wait up to 3 years, however having at least one child within the school could put other siblings at the top of the wait list.
Does PCA accept families with no faith background?
While PCA primarily exists and prioritizes serving, supporting, and strengthening the faith and lifestyle of Christian families, we welcome all families who share, respect, and adhere to our values, philosophy, and policies. You’re invited to read our Faith Statement and Core Family Values here.
Does your school provide support for ESL students?
While PCA does not offer ESL programs, our lead/resource teachers will be able to help individual students who need help with language (or other subjects) on a one-on-one basis as necessary.
Does your school offer special education programs and/or services for students with special education needs?
PCA does not offer a formal special education program as one of its main programs. However, if an official psychoeducational assessment from a licensed psychologist is provided, PCA will determine whether or not it will be able to properly service that student's needs. If so, our Vice Principal will work closely with the student and his/her family to develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to provide appropriate support.
What is the length of the school day?
School hours are from 8:20am (Gr. 6 to Gr. 12) or 8:30am (JK to Gr. 5) to 3:20 pm. Commencing at 8:00 am, staff are on duty at entrances to receive students.
Why are the class sizes larger than some other private schools?
Our 5 kindergarten classes are set at 20 students with the support of an Educational Assistant. Grade 1 class size is set at 25 students with a shared Educational Assistant. Grade 2-5 classes are set at 26 students. The class sizes are set in order to better manage the waiting lists within the Junior School.
Does your school provide before- or after-school care?
Yes. Please see the various options and opportunities below:
Free Before-School Care (7:00am - 8:00am): Parents can drop off their child(ren) as early as 7:00am (free of charge) as long as they are registered for the Before-School Club.
Free but Limited After-School Care (3:20pm - 3:59pm): There is also a generous dismissal 49-minute grace period of free after-school care.
Fee-Based Homework Club (4:00pm-6:00pm): After the dismissal grace period, students who have not been picked up are automatically enrolled in Homework Club (flat-fee service) unless they are registered in an extra-curricular program (fee-based) between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Students may also be registered for an economical monthly fee as opposed to the flat-fee service if after-school care is required on a regular basis.
Fee-Based Extra-curricular Activities (4:00pm - 6:00pm - times vary based on provider): Wonderful and engaging extra-curricular activities are conveniently provided and include, but are not limited to: piano lessons, chess club, math, language classes, dance, sports teams, and so on. Please consult the term schedule provided.
Does your school provide bussing?
No. PCA does not provide transportation for students. Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging their child(ren)’s drop-off and pick-up.
What is the Middle School student course load?
All Middle School students take the following 9 courses: Math, Science and Technology, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education, French, Music, Art and Bible
How does the Middle School program prepare my child for Secondary School?
MS Students follow a rotary schedule. Teachers are subject specialists and students often have a different teacher for each course. Students have one recess at lunch time and in Grade 7 and 8, students write final exams in certain subjects.
Do Middle School students write exams?
Yes. In Grade 7, students write the Social Studies and Science Exam. In Grade 8, students write the English and Math exam.
Do students go on any overnight trips?
Grade 6 and 7 students have an annual Outdoor Education Trip for 3 days and 2 nights. Grade 8 students have a 3 day, 2 night graduation trip to Ottawa.
What extra-curricular clubs and activities can my child participate in?
Battle of the Books, Drama Club, Intramurals & House Captains, Mens Club and God’s Girls, Running Club, Student Council and Worship & A/V Team.
What sports teams can my child join and who do they compete with?
Students can try out for sports teams such as: cross country, soccer, track & field, basketball, volleyball and badminton. PCA competes in tournaments and events organized by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International).
Can Middle School students participate in Waterloo's Math and Computing contests/challenges?
Students have the opportunity to participate in the following contests: Beaver Computing Challenge and Gauss Math Contest.
Is the Senior School inspected by the Ministry and does it have the authority to grant the Ontario Secondary School Diploma?
Yes, PCA's Senior School is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education and has the authority to grant the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). PCA's programs meet or exceed the ministry's expectations.
Does PCA's Senior School operate on a semester or term format?
The Senior School offers courses in both semester and term formats. The maximum course load per year is 9 courses - 6 are semester courses (3 per semester) and 3 are full year courses.
Semester 1: September to January
Semester 2: January to June
Full Year courses: September to June
What kind of Guidance support is provided for the students?
Guidance support includes PCA Guidance Website, Student Success, Resource Teacher, Mental Wellness, Peer Tutoring, Wellness & Socioemotional Support, Mental Health Awareness & Strategies, AP Support and more.
Is Bible/Religion courses compulsory for Senior School students?
Yes, Bible courses are compulsory at PCA. In Grades 9 and 11, they are credit courses. In Grades 10 and 12, they are non-credit courses.
What kinds of extra-curricular activities/clubs does the Senior School offer?
Students are encouraged to start clubs at PCA based on their interests. Some clubs/extracurricular activities we offer and have offered include: Art & Design, CASPIRE, Climbing Club, Debate Club, DECA, Engineering Club, Food Club, Mahjong, Missions Sending Team and HOSA. Students are also invited to apply for and be selected for the Missions team and Student Council.
What sports teams can my child join and who do they compete with?
Students are invited to try out for the sports teams such as: badminton, basketball, cross country, volleyball, soccer, softball, and ultimate frisbee. Senior School students compete in the SSAF (Small School Athletic Federation).
Can students participate in Waterloo's Math and Computing contests?
Students have the opportunity to participate in the following contests: Beaver Computing Challenge, Pascal, Fermat, Cayley, Canadian Senior and Intermediate Math and the Canadian Computing Challenge.
Is the Early Learning Centre (ELC) a licensed childcare under the Ministry of Education?
Yes, the Early Learning Centre is a licensed childcare provider governed by the Ministry of Education and subject to inspections to ensure that the best possible care is provided to our children and families.
What are the ELC’s hours of operations and closure dates?
PCA ELC is open from 7:00am - 6:00pm and is open throughout the year.
ELC is closed for all Statutory Holidays (including Easter Monday) along with a 2 week closure for March Break, a 1 week closure the week before Labour Day and a 2 week closure for Christmas Break.
What are the ELC’s class sizes and staffing ratios?
Classes are all preschoolers following the Ministry of Education ratio of 1:8 with classes capped at 16 children and 2 staff.
What are the qualifications of ELC teachers?
All classroom teachers are Registered Early Childhood Educators in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators. In addition, there are 2 Assistants that float between the rooms for extra help and coverage.
Does the Early Learning Centre accept children with special needs?
Yes, the ELC is committed to caring for every child that comes through the program. The ELC works closely with Early Intervention to develop an Inclusion Support Plan to assist the child in participating within our classrooms with modified programming using additional resources where it is needed. However, the ELC may not always equipped to accommodate all needs, therefore, a meeting with the ELC Director prior to enrolment can assist the team in determining how the child's needs are facilitated.
Does the Early Learning Centre participate in the Canada Wide Early Learning & Child Care (CWELCC) program?
No, the ELC does not participate in the CWELCC program.
Can we come for a tour of the Early Learning Centre?
Yes! The ELC is open for tours Monday - Wednesday from 9:00am - noon. Please contact the ELC to book a date and time and the team will be happy to show you our centre. 416-733-2010 Ext.110
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our school, please contact marketing@pca.ca