Programs

PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

Focus on academic excellence and positive citizenship supported by committed master teachers and quality resources, and the use of technology.

English Core K-6 Program

• Students receive instruction in all subjects as set out in the Alberta Learning Curriculum.
• A music specialist for Kindergarten to Grade 6.
• A French as a Second Language specialist (for students in grades 4 to 6, ½ hour per day).
• Computer technology, supported by a computer lab, room computers, and smart boards have been integrated into different subject areas.

Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual K-6

• Students in the program study Alberta Learning approved curriculum with a 50% of instruction in Mandarin Chinese.
• Students in the bilingual program receive instruction in Mandarin in Mandarin language learning, math, health, art, and physical education.
• Computer technology, supported by a computer lab, room computers, and smart boards have been integrated into different subject areas.
• Please see below for further information regarding Mandarin Second Language Program.

Special Needs Student Programming

• Students identified for Literacy will be in a designated classroom.
• Special needs students are integrated when appropriate and programming is adapted to the students needs to ensure success.

Character Education  

“Intelligence plus Character – that is the goal of true education.” Martin Luther King

• Character Education programming helps student to realize the importance of demonstrating behaviors associated with global citizenship. Through various activities and events, we are working in conjunction with Chunqui Primary School in China, on the core values of; Morality, Ambition, Power of Thought, Inheritance, and Innovation.
• Leadership opportunities are integrated into daily life at Dovercourt.
• Students are identified monthly by teachers and peers for demonstrating Respect and Responsibility and awarded to our Student of Character Wall of Fame.
• Students are also recognized by teachers, staff, and administration daily.  

Benefits of Second Language Learning (Government of Alberta)

The Impact of Second Language Education study shows the benefits of learning a second language are much broader than simply the ability to speak in another language. It reports on research that affirms the importance of second language education on intellectual potential, scholastic achievement, first language skills, citizenship and the economy.

The research conclusions in each area are as follows:

Intellectual Potential

• Students fluent in two language score higher in both verbal and non-verbal intelligence.
• Students studying a second language are superior in divergent thinking tasks and in memory ability and attention span.

Scholastic Achievement

• Second language students have higher test scores in reading, language and mathematics.
• Each additional year of second language training created a greater positive differential compared to students not receiving a second language.

Effect on First Language

• Second language education significantly strengthens first language skills in areas of reading, English vocabulary, grammar and communication skills.
• The earlier the start, the greater the positive effect on the first language.

Citizenship

• Students studying a second language have superior cross-cultural skills and adapt better to varying cultural contexts.
• Students studying a second language display greater cultural sensitivity.

Economic Potential

• There is an urgent requirement for qualified speakers of languages other than English in areas of science, technology, medicine and global commerce.