Victoria School for Ideal Education

Message from Monique March 1, 2011

We tend to think of extraordinary schools as being for unusual children. And our daughter is unusual in some ways: from a very early age, she’s been unusually blessed in academics, creativity, and empathy.

But she could finally bloom at the Victoria School for Ideal Education. We moved her to the VSIE partway through grade 1. We saw her open up in confidence and sheer joy: it was like watching a crocus emerge from its waxy and perfect leaf.

After a month or so, we realized that she’d never relaxed in her previous surroundings. It wasn’t that her former school had melodramatic failings; it was just that her class had been too big for her to thrive. Here, at the VSIE, her strengths are now even stronger: she has published her work and begun editing a newspaper. But what strikes us most is her more basic, kid-like aspects that were finally allowed to grow.

At the VSIE she could exhale, try out new forms of play with a group of children that are like extended family. I’ll always remember the teachers telling me in great excitement when I arrived for pick-up one day in the spring that my daughter had been spotted “playing zombies” during recess! The funniest part of it was how happy the teachers were about it. Three years later, we still recall that conversation with a laugh.

What I love about the staff at the VSIE is that they truly see the children as individuals. They don’t fall prey to the big trends that sweep through the larger pedagogical system out there, although they are on top of any useful new learning about, well, children and learning.

Ultimately the VSIE teachers see all the children as people first, with character and dignity. Our daughter really gets that, and she loves them back for it. She thoughtfully returns the favour by reflecting to me at home on her teachers’ own strengths as teachers and as individuals in their own right. She sees them, rightly, as people with humour, insight, and affection.

Bloom on, my baby. Bloom on.

Lifting him up December 16, 2010

“Tom was in public school for junior kindergarten and kindergarten. It didn’t work well for him. ADHD and Sensory Integration Disorder made public school, with so many kids like being at a rock concert every day.  I read an article in Island Parent Magazine about VSIE and I kept hearing people talk about it.  When we came here everyone was so welcoming. Mrs. Lissamer totally “got” Tom right away. Tom loves art and so does she. While building self-esteem is important to every child, children with ADHD spend most of their day being constantly told to slow down, stand up, sit down, sit still,be quiet, be patient, pay attention, focus, listen, did you hear me? Imagine those formative years.  It can be exhausting just getting through a few hours of school and it’s very hard on them emotionally.  Instead of pushing him down, the teachers at VSIE were lifting him up, giving him responsibility and challenging him in a kind way. His move to Sister Kerry’s class was like being promoted.  These are things that make Tom really proud of himself and increases his ability cope and perform.  He is in Grade 3 now and we have seen real growth in him.
In addition, we also like the diversity here. Aside from daily meditation, teaching science of creative intelligence and environmental stewardship is in line with indigenous culture and our family’s values.”
-Ramona Reynolds