As image-bearers and part of God’s amazing creation, we are each individuals with special strengths, stretches, dreams, and characteristics. We have similarities and differences that together make up the beautiful tapestry that is our diverse John Knox community.

The Educational Support Services (ESS) staff are available at the school to facilitate meaningful and effective learning experiences for all students. Through our inclusive education and learning assistance teams, we provide in-class assistance as well as individual and/or small group directed interventions to support students who need a different approach or pacing to learn foundational academic and social-emotional skills. We collaborate with teachers, parents, students, behaviour consultants, speech language pathologists, and outside agencies to provide a multi-faceted approach that takes into consideration each student’s unique learning needs.

ESS staff implement a variety of interventions including push-in support (assistance within the class), small group or individual pull-out support (assistance outside the class), as well as class-wide support (assistance to the entire class). Focuses include but are not limited to social-emotional, literacy, and numeracy support; sensory integration programs (targeting coordination, focus, working memory, visual or auditory processing, etc.); coordinating speech and language services at school; and collaborating to provide enriched or adapted curriculum to suit the individual needs of students.

At John Knox, we are intentional about ensuring our capacity to provide an excellent and robust support program. This necessitates open and honest communication between all parties. For this reason, it is essential that applying families disclose any prior assessments or specialist interventions that have been provided concerning their child. If we are unable to adequately meet the needs of a student, the school may be forced to retract acceptance in care for the student, staff, and school program. It is our goal that every child that comes through our doors will find belonging, care, friendship, experiences, and learning that will help them to fulfill their unique potential, build on their God-given gifts, and carry them successfully into life after school.

To submit an ESS application for your child, please complete this form.