This text is part of the special section Private schools
At the heart of its community and at the service of the well-being of its students: Regina Assumpta College allows its students to flourish and teaches them to become responsible citizens, regardless of their interests.
Founded by the sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame, the Collège Regina Assumpta has been run since 1995 by an independent corporation, “which has the well-being of the students at heart,” confides Julie Duchesne, director general.
The one who was previously director of educational services and who has lived in Ahuntsic for 25 years sees how much the college is part of the life of the citizens of the neighborhood, who can access the sports facilities and the Marguerite-Bourgeoys hall, a professional auditorium located at the heart of the college.
For a successful lashing
In an effort to ease the arrival of students in secondary school, the College initiated actions last year to better align primary and secondary education. “It’s essential to develop the full potential of students. We want to reduce their stress, increase their sense of belonging and give them a better organization of work”, summarizes Katia Fornara, director of educational services. The shock can, in fact, be great for pupils who come from around forty primary schools (attended by a few hundred pupils) and who suddenly find themselves rubbing shoulders with nearly 2,300 young people.
Thus, rather than moving between their lessons, the pupils of the first secondary stay in the same premises, and it is the teachers who move most of the time. Fourth and fifth secondary students also act as guardian angels and can answer questions from the youngest. Efforts are being made to better align the material with the primary, and the teachers are adopting a common way of managing groups of students and giving instructions. “It allows you to establish good routines, to help them become independent students,” concludes Ms.me Duchesne. The transition continues in Secondary II, where students begin to walk around more, but with sustained support.
Five routes, one novelty
“Parents choose Regina Assumpta for the high quality of teaching, but also for the access to different centers,” says Ms.me Duchesne. Thus, five courses are offered from the first year to the third year: science and robotics; sports; dance ; music and technology; arts and multimedia. Concentrations are open to all students, regardless of background. “Teachers adapt to the level of the students. There is room for everyone,” says Katia Fornara.
A new music concentration component will also soon be offered, that of digital music creation. A course in electronic music creation and production had already been integrated into the musical component, “but we are taking a step further than last year”, remarks Mme Fornara. The component was designed in partnership with Station clip, the only school specializing in the subject in Quebec. Extracurricular activities have also been set up for young people who would like to begin the transition to this component.
Extracurricular and civic activities
Even by choosing a course, students have the opportunity to diversify their interests: access to the gymnasium, sports teams in a dozen disciplines, extracurricular activities. They can also start learning a musical instrument after school or attend a concert at the Marguerite-Bourgeoys hall. Invitations to all students for spontaneous musical activities are also launched, for the pleasure of making music. A panoply of extracurricular and socio-cultural activities (chess, improvisation, student radio, fencing, golf, etc.), cultural and sports outings as well as short trips are offered.
At Regina Assumpta, students learn to become citizens of tomorrow and to act for the ecological transition. Each of them can get involved in different committees, student councils or causes. Students of all levels (and their parents) are also invited to activities on various digital-related themes (cyberaddiction, website credibility, digital footprint, etc.). They can even take up their first job at college, at the Marguerite-Bourgeois hall or at the Health Bar of the Cultural and Sports Center.
“We offer a global experience, in one place. It saves energy and time for the parents and it increases the feeling of belonging to the school,” summarizes Ms.me Duchesne.
The open house will take place on Saturday September 17, face-to-face. Admission is based on file review.