The Booker School

The Booker School is simply exceptional! The experience our children had at this school was very enriching and has helped them grow as individuals. We are so glad they had an opportunity to be a part of the Booker community for three years.The children are encouraged to explore and receive unwavering support throughout their individual learning paths. The teachers and parents create a warm and positive environment for children. It truly feels like a close-knit family. I hope that every child has the chance to learn, flourish, and realize their potential in such a positive setting.

Release the spark; Honour the quirk; Cultivate the joy; Commit to the risk; Invite the doubt; Encourage the love; Inspire the quest; Find the beauty; Become the solution" ... These are words on the stairs at The Booker School and when I first read them I knew I had enrolled my son in the absolute best school for him. They are not just words on stairs

After a year of working with the team here at The Booker School, I think it's time I shared a review from my perspective as the current and continuing Head of School.I came to this school during a key transition period, where the school was trying to add clarity to its mission, its identity and its pathway. With the Founder stepping back and the Board bringing in an educator to lead the team forward, change was happening.I was attracted to this school for multiple reasons. The philosophy of education and the drive to bring something else to this community was key to me. With a province also having a turbulent time within its education department, democratising education and giving families an alternate option was deemed necessary.In my end of year address to the community, I shared that our school is in an old family home, and family is what we must be. We support each other to become the best versions of ourselves; sometimes we have to give each other constructive criticism, but we are in this together. Every student is valued and they must value one another. Policies are built on respect, trust and growth, and are helping us to pave the way forwards.We are fortunate to have an incredible team of educators, role-models and lead-learners in the school. Every teacher arrives at school with a positive mindset, with a common goal, and with the children's well-being at the centre of what they do. There is zero turnover going into our next academic year and this is representative of the dedication to the school's mission.Our students are happy and growing as individuals. Nothing is more satisfying than reflecting on a student's growth over the year and sharing how far they have come. Our students care about themselves, each other, their community and the wider world. Embedding the United Nations' Global Goals for Sustainable Development has given meaning and context to their learning. Our students are risk-takers, presenters, listeners and inquirers. They learn through an intrinsic drive to know and be more, and this is something we continue to encourage.The school's Board has helped me immensely in this first year. Together we have approved policies and put strategies in place to take the school forwards. Sustainability is at the core of what we do and it can only be attained through collaboration.I am proud of what the school has achieved during the academic year of 2017-18 and I eagerly anticipate the years to come. If you want to find out more, please visit our website, our social media, or arrange a time to come in and see it for yourselves. Our family is always open to growth.- James Weekes

We are profoundly disappointed in the Booker School and have withdrawn our child. After three years of watching this school struggle and pouring tons of support in, we give up. I agree completely with the previous review from Mr/Mrs G L. The school has amazing potential and has had great teachers but there are some current factors that doom it to failure. I wish all the great teachers there lots of success in their future jobs. If you decide to go to Booker, keep your eyes wide open, ask lots of questions, and ask past families about their experiences if at all possible. I really hope this school pulls it together since it could be a great place under the right circumstances.

We have been delighted with our child's experience at The Booker School thus far. As we draw near to the end of his first year, we are extremely impressed with the 'above-and-beyond' support provided to him not only by his teachers, but by everyone at the school. It truly is a 'community' as much as it is a school.

We sent our daughter to The Booker School because we wanted her to have a learning experience that focused on critical thinking and exploring the natural world. We've been overwhelmed with the growth, confidence and creativity we've seen in our daughter. Its much more than a school, its a community and its amazing to be a part of it.

I am very glad to have had the opportunity to work with students and teachers at the Booker School. Their youth outreach programs contribute an enormous amount to our community. I hope that one day it will be possible for every school in Nova Scotia to provide the standards of excellence in education that the Booker aspires to every day. Kudos to all the teachers and staff who are making a difference in the lives of their students.

We are building a collaborative relationship between The Booker school and the L'Arche community. This relationship has been evolving over many years, and it is exciting to watch the deep connection and level of respect that both sides share. We have been fortunate to watch the students weekly, as they carve out a range of wonderful activities- that take into account so many individual needs. This type of real world, hands-on experience is what makes the Booker School and its students shine.

Our son started attending The Booker School at the beginning of his grade 4 year. Not even one semester in and his attitude towards school has done a complete 180! He is happy and engaged and shares what he is learning with us. Small classes provide opportunity for the teachers to get to know the children and provide individualised instruction as well as ample communication with families. There is a focus on personal development (both academically and socially), lots of outdoor time, art and drama, french, a realization of community responsibility, a global perspective...We can't say enough good things about Booker!

What an amazing little school. The children who attend Booker are some of the luckiest kids in the world. This is not an institution but a family, where each student's individual needs are met and everyone is encouraged and enabled to pursue their interests. If every school were like Booker, the world would be a much better place.