La Citadelle International Academy of Arts & Science offers efficient educational settings based on student-centered classrooms, a limited number of students per classroom (20), experienced and devoted faculty members and specialized facilities.
The school curriculum promotes a balance of the arts and sciences in its pedagogy and strives to create a well-rounded learning process. With the teaching of English and French as a first language in conjunction with a third language (Mandarin or Spanish), as well as the advanced bilingual teaching of science, mathematics, technological studies, liberal arts, arts, humanities and culture, character education and method of study, we seek to establish a marked impact on the holistic development of the learner.
The Development of Bilingualism:
The mastery learning of Canada’s two official languages, French and English, is at the core of La Citadelle’s bilingual curriculum. Our pedagogical approach to ensuring the proper acquisition of these two languages is accomplished by teaching both French and English as first languages concurrently while using them as languages of instruction and communication in a variety of academic subjects and extra-curricular activities as of Grade 1. To that effect and in order to establish a solid linguistic foundation in French, La Citadelle introduces the French language as its main language of instruction and communication at its 4 Kindergarten levels.
By navigating both languages concurrently throughout their learning, La Citadelle’s students henceforth acquire the knowledge, skills, and cultural aptitudes required to navigate both languages proficiently.
In that context and dedicated to purposefully promote the French language in its delivery of a truly comprehensive bilingual instructional program, La Citadelle formally recognizes its students who accumulate a standard minimal benchmark of approximately 1,100 instructional hours taught in both French and English from Grade 7 to Level IV (Grade 12) and who successfully complete Grade 12 academic French. This recognition comes in the form of a Certificate of Bilingual Studies proudly conferred upon successful students at the time of their graduation from our secondary school in Level IV (Grade 12).
To facilitate the integration of students entering our school at all levels with a wide range of linguistic abilities, as well as challenges, in French, La Citadelle offers newly enrolled students a modified language program that provides students with a more personalized linguistic support designed to enhance their learning of the French language in order to facilitate their integration into the normal bilingual stream at the appropriate time.
In that context and in consideration of the growing demand and the panoply of students’ linguistic and academic needs, La Citadelle has launched effective September 2020 its dual linguistic stream for its intermediary and secondary panels, commencing in Grade 7.
La Citadelle’s Academic Divisions:
- Daycare Division – Prep-Kindergarten & Pre-Kindergarten (2 & 3 years old),
- Kindergarten Division – Prep-Kindergarten, Pre-Kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten, and Senior Kindergarten
- Elementary Division – Grades 1-8
- Secondary Division – Levels I-IV (Grade 9-12)
La Citadelle’s school curriculum is structured in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s Guidelines and corresponds to the requirements of the The International Baccalaureate (IB). It promotes the arts and sciences in its pedagogy and strives to create well-rounded and solidly educated students.
An Arts & Science School – La Citadelle incorporates the following areas of study at each level:
- Communication and Languages
- Pure and Applied Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Technology)
- Social Studies (Canadian and International History and Geography)
- Social Sciences and Humanities (Philosophy, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Economics)
- Arts and Drama
- Music (Band) and Computer Music
- Physical Education and Health
- Method of Study
- Character Education and Civic Education
- Third Language (Mandarin or Spanish)
The school’s curriculum is both comprehensive and cumulative and entails the following considerations of student achievement / comprehension:
- Diagnostic evaluations
- Entrance exams
- Continuous evaluations
- Formal examinations
- Enrichment programs
- Remedial programs
- Summer programs
- Summer Daycare programs
- Summer School Credits Courses
- Francization Program (for students entering the school with little to no French instruction)
- Dual Language Stream in Math and Science offered as of Grade 7
The curriculum is supported by advanced, modern and tested educational resources, such as:
- Textbooks and Cahiers per subject
- A Science Lab
- Class Reference Books and Resources
- Classroom Computers
- Multilingual Educational Software
- A Student Lounge (Secondary)
- Conference Rooms
- A Guidance Department
- A Computer Music Studio and a Music Studio
- An Art Studio and a Drama Studio
- A Gymnasium and Physical Education Outdoor Pavilion
- First Aid Stations
- Individual student laptops at the Kindergarten and Secondary Divisions
- Multilingual Library
- Computer Laboratory
- Study Halls
It is further supported by the following services:
- Monitoring of class attendance per class period
- Supervised study periods and academic support
- Homework, projects and field trips (local, national, and international)
- Intramural and Extramural Sports
- Assemblies, Workshops & Guest Speakers
- Art, Science and Technology Fairs
- Yearbook Committee
- LCA Student Council