Cogito Academy

Cogito Academy

The Elk Island Catholic Cogito Academy is an alternative program designed to foster academic excellence and success for students in Kindergarten to Grade 4 in a structured, disciplined setting. It delivers the Alberta Education Curriculum at an accelerated, sequential pace, offering enhanced learning opportunities. With a clear, direct teaching approach, the program emphasizes consistency and high expectations, helping students to reach their full academic potential building a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Cogito Academy Interest Form

The Three Pillars of Cogito Academy

1. Structure

  • Description: A structured, organized environment emphasizing academic order.
  • Program Delivery: Structured classroom settings, teacher-led instruction, regular homework, recitation, and practice exercises.

2. Commitment

  • Description: A commitment from both students and parents to maintain the program’s high academic standards through focused effort and support.
  • Parent Role: Parents actively support learning at home by monitoring homework and encouraging study habits that align with program goals.
  • Student Role: Students demonstrate dedication through self-discipline, diligence, and active participation.

3. Behaviour

  • Description: Expectations for behavior that align with the program’s rigorous standards.
  • Program Delivery: Emphasis on work ethic, study habits, and a respectful, focused classroom environment.

Program Goals

  • Achieve excellent academic results.
  • Cultivate diligence and self-discipline in all students.

Program Benefits

  • Enhanced reading, writing, and math skills.
  • Strong critical-thinking, study habits, and organizational skills.
  • Preparation for future academic, professional, and skilled employment opportunities.

The Cogito Academy Approach

 

Description

Indicators

Academic

Excellence

Cogito Academy offers a faith-based curriculum that weaves Catholic values throughout its academic program. The program establishes clear achievement standards for each grade, creating a strong foundation.

  • Academic rigor is expected and maintained.
  • Students are set up to do their best as they access academic material and develop transferable knowledge-based skills. 
  • Achievement standards are clearly
    defined for each grade level.

Orderly

Environment

This academy cultivates a focused learning environment through structured routines, clear academic and behavioural expectations, and minimal disruptions. 

  • Orderly learning environment with structured routines.
  • Standard dress for students.

    (School uniform requirements.)

  • Minimal disruptions to learning.
  • Group work is purposeful and students remain on-task.

Emphasis on

Literacy and Numeracy

Cogito Academy provides a solid foundation for literacy and numeracy, as well as other fundamental academic skills. French Language acquisition begins in Grade 1 Choral instruction.

  • Foundational literacy skills, with explicit sequential phonics instruction.
  • Explicit grammar instruction.
  • Automaticity in foundational math skills.
  • Critical mathematical thinking.
  • Access to French as an additional language beginning in Grade 1 OR  Choral instruction beginning  Grade 1.

Learning Extensions

Cogito Academy learning extensions provide opportunity for students to build confidence in their skill set as

a learner.

  • Emphasis on printing and cursive writing.
  • Recitiations. 
  • Second language development and/or choral acquisitions.
  • Access to French as an additional language beginning in Grade 1 OR Choral instruction beginning  Grade 1.

Regular 

Homework

Cogito Academy challenges students to consistently produce their best work through homework assignments that reinforce classroom concepts. Daily homework is an expectation.

  • Students are challenged to consistently produce their best work.
  • Homework is meaningful, often extenuating from the school day. 
  • Students consistently complete homework.
  • Homework is communicated clearly and presented in a structured format.

Timely

Reporting of

Student

Progress

Cogito Academy provides clear and
timely reporting of student learning in

relation to the provincial curriculum, as well as the approved Cogito Academy curriculum. Student marks are reported as levels of achievement.

  • Reporting is a clear and timely representation of student achievement.
  • Two Evidence of Learning portfolios (sent home prior to three way conferences).
  • Three way conferences in November and March.
  • Two Report Cards: February and June.
  • Students are assessed on Alberta Education Learner Outcomes, using the district achievement scale (4, 3, 2, 1).

Maximizing Learning Time and Student Engagement

Student attendance, strong work ethic, and academic success build confidence, motivation, and engagement. 

  • Structured classrooms promote active participation, effort, and achievement to boost self-esteem.
  • Focused learning environment where students stay engaged, work hard on tasks.
  • Maximize learning time with minimal disruptions.

Whole Group

Direct

Instruction

Cogito Academy emphasizes whole
Group, teacher-directed instruction with 

gradual release of responsibility

to the student (I do, we do, you do).

  • Whole group, teacher-directed 

     instruction.

  • High expectations for student learning.
  • Group work is focused and on-task.
  • Steps provided as scaffolding learning.
  • Modelling and narrative demonstrations (think aloud).
  • Higher level questioning.
  • Immediate corrective feedback.
  • Teacher walking around the room, monitoring student progress.

Parents as

Valued

Partners

Cogito Academy recognizes parents as valuable partners in their child’s education.

  • Parents act as valued partners in their child’s education.
  • Consistent communication is an essential component of engaging parents.
  • Teachers and school administration foster the active involvement of parents.