Rundle Studio
Grade 7–12 Program
Through our Pathways to Learning program, the Studio encourages students to strive for success in academics, build solid character, and engage in co-curricular activities. Although we want students to achieve the highest level of academics, we believe that focusing on character development is paramount.
Through social interactions, learning experiences, and co-curricular activities, students continuously develop their character and self-confidence. The Studio delivers curriculum from Alberta Education at grade level with no modifications.
In fall 2024, our program expands to include grade 11 and we will celebrate with our first graduating class in 2026.
If you are interested in learning more about Rundle Studio before September, please email Greig Ewing and we’ll be happy to host a private information session with you.
Mia and her parents share their thoughts about the positive impact the Studio has had on her learning journey since joining the Studio in the fall of 2021.
DAILY PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Students engage in focused goal-oriented tasks in the learning process in order to deepen their understanding of the curricular content.
During the school day, students are given opportunities to connect in a variety of interpersonal ways as we recognize the value of social connections for teens. While being supervised in a safe environment, students can make choices and engage with each other through fun experiences, allowing for creative and social skill development.
It is important for students to connect with others. Rundle Studio provides opportunities for students to reach out and connect with their communities in a variety of ways. By reaching out to help those in need in the community, volunteering for a local organization, or spending time with family and friends, connecting with others is an important piece of a student’s character development.
Through co-curricular activities, such as esports, students engage in opportunities to collaborate, strategize, communicate, and interact with peers from a variety of places all over Canada and around the world.
During TA time, students in small class sizes interact with each other to learn, solve problems, and engage in collaborative projects. Throughout the year, students are given challenges to complete as a group. Students compete in House Teams to earn points, which are collected throughout the school year and provide students with a friendly environment to compete in a fun way with other students.
Physical activity is vital to keeping students energized and healthy. Every student is expected to engage in daily physical activity and are provided instruction. By allowing for personalization and choice, students increase the likelihood of creating positive lifelong habits. Students keep track of their progress over time and make regular reflections to guide their goals.
Being mindful provides students a chance to reflect on internal feelings and make connections to the world around them. Rundle Studio provides time for students to centre themselves and focus on metacognition.
Throughout the day, students are provided with small breaks to allow their minds to relax. This allows their brains to recharge for the moments when deep learning occurs. Students, like all people, require a chance to let their minds wander without a specific goal in order to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
In order to consolidate the learning that takes place during the day, students require a good night’s sleep. By teaching students the importance of creating a balanced schedule, they will learn to develop better sleep habits, which enable them to function at their best during the day.
Students are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits. Typically, students with complex learning needs exert a lot of mental energy throughout the day as they concentrate and focus on applying personalized strategies while learning. As such, Rundle Studio teaches students the importance of nutrition and its effects on their minds and bodies. In collaboration with their families, students work to plan healthy meals and snacks to optimize their learning experience and potential.
Student Services provides academic guidance and social and emotional counselling to ensure each student is well-supported in all areas of their life. This work aligns with Rundle’s mission to help students discover their potential and prepare them for an ever-changing world.
Qualified, knowledgeable, and skilled counsellors are available virtually to support Studio students.Student Services works closely with teachers to track student progress, and monitor academic and personal development. The department also provides comprehensive career and post-secondary support for students from junior high through high school.
Learn more about Student Services at Rundle Studio here
Technology Requirement
As an online school, we have specific requirements to ensure we are connected when we need to be.
All Studio students must have access to a fast internet connection and it must be consistent at all times of the day (bandwidth)
- A minimum download speed of >50 Mbps
- A minimum upload speed of >20 Mbps
All Studio students are required to have the following:
- Macbook Air with M1 chip or better, 8GB memory, and 256GB storage
- iPad 9th generation or better with 64 GB minimum
Suggested optional components include:
- a second monitor
- VR Headset (Meta-Quest 2 is a popular choice)
How Our Online School Works
The Lead Teacher (LT) delivers curricular content using clear, direct instruction to all students in the grade. After the lesson, students move to small breakout groups where the Teacher Advisor (TA) consolidates the learning through highly dynamic, engaging, and personalized activities.
While in TA groups, students ask questions, interact with each other, collaborate on activities, and demonstrate their understanding of the day’s material. Once the lesson is complete, the TA connects with the LT to review student progress and prepare for the next lesson based on the results.
Our studio students engage daily on Zoom and use collaborative and communication tools as part of their school day. Learning applications like IXL, ST Math, and Sora support their daily learning. Many lessons are delivered in Virtual Reality (VR) spaces, allowing students and teachers to engage with their lessons on the Metaverse. Our Rundle Studio Esports Teams use Discord and Twitch to learn skills like livestreaming.
Grade 7-12 Schedule
A typical school day at the Studio may follow this schedule.
Time | Activity |
8:45 am – 8:55 am | Teacher Advisor (TA) Check-in Time: Meet with teacher to review announcements, take attendance, discuss upcoming events |
9:00 am – 9:50 am | ELA Lead Lesson: Synchronous |
9:00 am – 9:50 am | ELA TA Activity: Asynchronous |
9:55 am – 10:50 am | Math Lead Lesson: Synchronous |
9:55 am – 10:50 am | Math TA Activity: Asynchronous |
10:50 am – 11:00 am | Break |
11:00 am – 11:50 am | Science Lead Lesson: Synchronous |
11:00 am – 11:50 am | Science TA Activity: Synchronous |
11:55 am – 12:45 pm | Social Studies Lead Lessons: Synchronous |
11:55 am – 12:45 pm | Social Studies TA Activity: Synchronous |
12:45 pm – 1:15 pm | Lunch / Early Check-Out on Fridays |
1:15 pm – 2:05 pm | Literacy/Numeracy |
2:05 pm – 2:55 pm | CORE / Options |
2:55 pm – 3:45 pm | PE/Health/CALM |
3:45 pm | TA Check-Out: Students complete daily agenda |