A Blueprint for Innovation

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program at LCS. Great leaders tend to talk about three things: objectives, strategies and tactics. While often dry, and seemingly obvious, nothing could be further from the truth. Intelligent decisions in this regard form the arc of the world’s most successful enterprises—from businesses and governments to artistic and social movements. At a small school like LCS, educators find themselves at a unique vantage point. Not only can they see the whole picture in vivid detail, but they also have the independence to innovate as they see fit. This is very, very different. Understanding this is critical to understanding the impact of the Advanced Placement (AP) Program at The Grove. The basics of AP courses. Any discussion about AP courses begins with some basics. AP courses are developed by the AP College Board in the United States. Their purpose is to enable students to take college-level courses…

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Harnessing Harkness: the Art of Cultivating Communication

"I discovered I'm not the only one who's right. By really listening to the others in the discussion, I learned to be open to different ideas—and to build on them. The goal isn't to win, like in a debate. It's to come up with better, stronger ideas by listening and responding to each other." Grade 11 student Kylie Lee is speaking about participating in Harkness discussions in her English classes at Lakefield College School. More and more Lakefield is incorporating the Harkness Method into its English courses with an eye to enhancing communication skills. And it's working. "It makes you pay more attention than you do when the teacher leads discussions. You have to respond to what others say, so you can't hide—you don't have the option of not not putting up your hand," says another Gr. 11 student, Keely Matsusaki. Developed by the Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter) in New…

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You Don’t Find the Sugar Shack, The Sugar Shack Finds you

Smell is one of our most powerful senses. It evokes memories long forgotten. A particular aroma can take you straight back to childhood, vividly recalling your mother’s favourite spaghetti sauce. Or perhaps the first time you visited the local fair. For Lakefield College School’s Head of Cooper House and Outdoor Education Assistant, Garret Hart, his memory comes alive with the smell of maple syrup. When he describes the first time he came across the Sugar Shack at LCS, he doesn’t just tell a story—he paints a poignant, elaborate, detailed picture. “I was walking through the ropes course behind Colebrook House, and there was this amazing smell wafting through the air. I’ll never forget it. I followed it to see a motorcycle parked by a little tin shack. There sat Ken Sunderland in a puffy yellow down vest, casually reading an article from the American Association of Physicists. I remember it…

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