Adrienne Clarkson ES

We acknowledge that our learning is taking place on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Territory. We thank the Algonquin Nation for hosting us and recognize their enduring presence on this land.

Our School

Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School (ACES) was officially opened by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson in 2001. The school is positioned on a large property adjacent to Stonecrest Park. ACES is a triple track school which offers Regular English, Early French Immersion and Middle French Immersion Programs. At ACES, we take pride in providing a positive learning environment for our students and strive to develop a sense of community amongst our multi-cultural student body. Our school traditions, and safe and caring culture contribute to a strong sense of belonging. Through a co-operative arrangement with the City, students enjoy access to soccer pitches, baseball diamonds, play structures and a community rink. Children’s Village at Stoneway operates an extended day program within the school.

Academic Programs

Adrienne Clarkson is a triple track school offering Regular English (JK-6), Early French Immersion (SK-6) and Middle French Immersion (4-6). All classes receive instruction in French: JK to 6 Regular English students receive 20 minutes per day of Core French in JK/SK and 40 minutes per day of Core French in grades 1 to 6. The amount of French instruction in the Early French Immersion Program is as follows: 50% French in SK, 100% in Grade 1, 80% French in Grades 2 and 3, and 60% French in Grades 4 to 6. In the Middle French Immersion Program students spend 60% of the day learning in French.

Special Education and ESL Programs

Students with special needs (including gifted) are generally supported in their class by the regular teacher and depending on needs, by special education personal and/or an Educational Assistant. English Language Learners are monitored and supported by two part time teachers, typically during the regular classroom lessons. Students requiring additional support are referred by their classroom teacher to a School Based Team. The team meets weekly and is comprised of our LST (Learning Support Teacher), Principal and/or Vice Principal, classroom teachers, LRT (Learning Resource Teacher), and ESL (English as a Second Language teacher) as appropriate. Together, a course of action is determined with the goal of supporting the needs of the student. This may include further observation or assessment, accommodations and/or modifications within a regular classroom setting, and/or referrals to outside specialists such as speech/language pathologist, occupational therapist, psychologist and/or social worker. Our Special Education team is always available to assist classroom teachers in planning for the needs of all their students.

Assistive technology and computer software is increasingly being used in the classroom to support student learning. A body break/relaxation room (My Space) provides for students identified with such needs.

Adrienne Clarkson is currently home to 460 kindergarten to grade six students.  The diversity of our student population is evident in the wide range of languages spoken, including Arabic, Mandarin, Hindi, Urdu and Vietnamese. Upon completion of grade six, our students attend Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School. When invited to describe their school, ACES students suggested, ‘awesome’, ‘respectful’, ‘kind’, ‘intelligent’, ‘sportive’, ‘musical’ and ‘epic’. They also said, “The teachers care and they help the students. They encourage us to learn.” “Everyone gets along with each other and all of our teachers make learning fun.” “I enjoy the sports and activities in this school.” “I like the fact that we have a huge field.”