Opportunities for learning through the Ivy Compass Lens

The Ivy Compass Program is a distinct component in the Crofton House School education . It fosters personal growth , leadership and engaged citizenship through real-life experiences inside and outside of the classroom . We encourage all students to learn more about themselves , their role in the community and their place in the world . Ivy Compass uses an experiential approach centered around the four cardinal points of the compass : New Horizons ( north ), Environmental Education ( east ), Service Learning ( south ) and World Citizenship ( west ). Each cardinal point encourages students to explore the roles that they play in their lives and how the quadrants can offer ways to deepen their experiences of each . Ivy Compass is the School ’ s vision come to life , where students are able to discover and pursue their personal excellence through a multitude of handson educational opportunities . The program exposes students to diverse perspectives and experiences , and explores complex issues around social justice , sustainability , service , mental health , sexual orientation and gender identity , Truth and Reconciliation , equity , diversity , inclusion and more . The goal of the Ivy Compass Program is to graduate inspired leaders and socially responsible agents of change .

A guiding question frames the exploration of Ivy Compass at each grade level :

NORTH : NEW HORIZONS

Students explore who they are , where their passions lie and what their future directions might be . Students are encouraged to join and engage in the Crofton House School co-curricular activities to gain an understanding of their interests and to pursue activities which support their self understanding . This quadrant has a central focus on Social and Emotional Learning , self-discovery and personal wellness .

EAST : ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Environmental education provides students with the knowledge , skills , attitudes and behaviours they need to become environmental stewards . Students are exposed to a range of outdoor activities that provide them with opportunities to understand and critically analyze global and local environmental issues . Students will develop skills that can enable them to become leaders in tackling these issues and in the stewardship of our planet . A central focus of this quadrant is sustainability at Crofton House School and beyond the ivy walls . Through our Outdoor Education program , students engage in outdoor pursuits , practice experiential leadership and develop an appreciation of nature .

SOUTH : SERVICE LEARNING

Service Learning is grounded in experiential education : learning by doing . At Crofton House School , it begins with service within the School community at Grade 8 and expands to include valuable life experiences through contributions to local , national and international initiatives from Grade 9 to 12 . By participating in service initiatives , our students build community

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