Feedback From: Eaton Arrowsmith School Students, Div 5 – Grades 9 through 12
Responses and Insights From 2nd and 3rd Year Students in Div 5
(Written on January 22, 2008)

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 9
I have seen changes in my work load (how much work I can do at a time). I also see changes in how long I can concentrate and how fast I can read. I have gotten better at English and Math. I find it easier to do essays and get my ideas on paper. I also like being at school now.

3rd Year Male Students – Grade 8:
In the Arrowsmith Program I have noticed a lot of changes. The top thing I have noticed is that I have better social skills. This year I understand math concepts quicker with more abstract thinking. I also can read much quicker and I don’t hate it like I use to. I am writing more with better quality. After three years I have a better memory than before. I have a better understanding of what I am learning.

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 10
I have seen strengths in many things. I have gotten better at reading, writing, spelling, speaking, grammar, social skills, and most importantly better memory. Due to my improvements I can now think faster and my writing is more legible. I am now at a Grade 10 reading level and at grade level in Math and English. My improvements have helped me dramatically and I can now understand why people do things that are mean or nice. I can tell why a person makes an action that maybe troublesome or helpful. Using my knowledge of the person I can tell what they may do next or how they may react to an action I may make towards them.

3rd Year Female Student – Grade 9
I used to hate reading, but I enjoy it more because I understand things more. Another change that I’ve realized was socializing. I used to be the shiest girl in my grade. I also seem to talk way more, and laugh which I wasn’t exactly like before. Another change I’ve noticed is my writing. My printing/handwriting looked like a child’s scratch before, but now I can actually read it! I think another change I’ve seen is my understanding. I seem to understand things more, and it takes less time to actually get it.

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 10
I am thinking more before I speak. My writing is a lot neater. I am understanding English and Math faster. I can also do math in my head now. I am speaking more clearly than I use to and I am talking more.

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 8
This year I’ve seen a lot of changes in my writing, math and also comprehension. I also have seen big changes in my writing and neatness. I have also seen huge changes in my organizational skills, like keeping work spaces neat and tidy. I am also better at English essays with capitals, periods and exclamation marks and with sentences.

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 9
I have seen changes in my written output. My spelling is also getting better. Math has gotten easier and I find that I can do more complicated equations. My awareness of time and distance has also gotten better. My reading speed is faster and I can remember more from what I read.

2nd Year Female Student – Grade 8
I have seen changes in my writing. I can write faster. I have better grammar. I can remember things for longer periods of time. I can arrange thoughts in my head and say them without making a fool of myself. I am understanding math before other people in class. I read every night before going to bed. I have better social skills, but still not that good at spelling.

2nd Year Male Student – Grade 9
I have seen many changes slowly but surely. A lot of my impulsiveness is gone and I am able to handle friendships a lot better. I have a better memory for stuff like closing my drawers, or hanging up my towel. My reading has gotten a lot better, along with my writing and spelling. I can definitely see major improvements. I can read an analogue clock so easily now. I really like that I see changes.

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 8
I can write a lot better than before and faster. I like reading now because I can read faster and understand most of the words in the book. I am finding that I am starting to write for fun too. I like to write short and long stories. I can also draw a lot better, because I see what I want to do in my head. Plus one of the best things is that I don’t forget to do all the simple things in my day. So, I have seen some changes.

2nd Year Male Student – Grade 8
I have better social skills A.K.A. making better friends. I am able to remember better. I can read faster and also remember what I read. I can write more things down on paper and I am thinking and knowing what to say. I am able to stay on topic and not wonder off topic. I am able to think before I say something and actually mean what I say.

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 8
I have seen changes in my understanding, and that I think things through more. For example, when I read, I understand what I am reading and what is going on in the book. When I see that someone is not in the mood for a joke I will most likely not make one.

3rd Year Female Student – Grade 9
I have seen many changes. My writing is way neater and I am faster at reading. It is easier for me to understand what I am reading. I use to not be able to understand jokes and now it doesn’t take me as long to get them. I have seen changes in my social skills and my math. I have seen a big improvement in my spelling. My friendships are easier to keep and make. I can stay on task for a longer time. I am starting to LOVE Math and English. In English when I have free time I like to write poems, which I hated before.

Feedback From: Eaton Arrowsmith School Students, Division 4, Grades 7 and 8
Responses from Students in 2nd or 3rd Year at EAS
(Written on January 25, 2008)

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 7
I have really noticed a big change in my focus when working or playing games. I am just way better at staying focused. I remember in Grade 3 are teacher would be talking at the front of the classroom and I couldn’t stay focused on what she was telling us. She would tell me that it was too bad that I wasn’t listening. So, I would get the worksheet and guess about what I had to do. Another thing that I have noticed is that I can win more arguments with both my mother and father. I think that is because of the Clocks exercise. Another thing that I have noticed is a HUGE change in my writing and how neat it is. I think the biggest thing that has changed is my understanding stuff, like Math and books and why I have to do stuff.

2nd Year Male Student – Grade 8
I think people around me have noticed changes. My parents are always saying how I couldn’t do that before. I do know my writing has gotten better. I think I am going to be a lot better in school than I use to be. I know that I am a lot smarter than I use to be.

2nd Year Female Student – Grade 7
When I first started the Arrowsmith Program I had a hard time with my reading and writing. Throughout this program I have seen a massive amount of change in both areas. I used to hate reading because I thought it was so boring and such a waste of time, but I have come to realize that it isn’t that bad. I had never really been able to picture or follow the story and what was happening in my head. It is like magic now. I never thought I could accomplish such a great thing. As I read more books I have noticed that my writing has become way better and I am now using bigger and more grown up words. I think this program for me is really working. I am hoping that my Sup Motor will come along so than I will be able to master my level right now (2B4). One of my goals for next year is to come back and not have to do homework. Another thing that I have noticed by coming to EAS is that my self-confidence has become way better. I used to never want to talk to anyone at EAS because I wasn’t confident in myself, but now I have a ton of friends and I am really happy here!

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 7
I have seen changes in my reading, reading speed and not skipping lines. I am better at sounding out words. In my writing I have seen changes in my writing speed and quality. My spelling has improved.

2nd Year Male Student – Grade 8
My mom says that I have gotten a lot better at being organized and staying on track more. I can also find the solution to things a lot faster then I used to. I can read a lot faster and I can write a lot faster.

2nd Year Male Student – Grade 8
I have become more mature since I have come here. I have been able to focus more.

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 8
Where I have seen changes in my life is that I can add, subtract, multiply and divide faster. Before, I had a hard time to do Math. Now, it is easy and it will be easy because I have finished Sup Motor and Flash Cards. I see the biggest change and improvement in Math because of this school and the cognitive work.

2nd Year Male Student – Grade 8
I have seen changes in some areas like my Math. From Flash Cards I can now multiply faster than I could before without having to count. When I read now I can get the main idea of what is important and what isn’t. Also, I find I read a lot more now than a few years ago. Now I don’t skip lines or words. I can figure out someone’s facial expressions easily now, what they are thinking and how they feel. I have always been good with directions but now I am even better than I was before. My ability to write faster has mostly improved in speed and quality. I think I can decide if I should do something or not and what the price would be if I did something wrong (my cousin should take Clocks).

3rd Year Female Student – Grade 7
Where I have seen changes in myself is not getting frustrated with myself and not getting upset. I have also seen changes with writing and reading. I don’t skip words and I can now create spaces between words when writing. I have seen changes in my Math and with understanding things like body language of people and how they feel. I have seen changes with my speech. I have seen changes in my understanding of time and what is going on in life around me. I have seen a change with my ability to stay focused and in my understanding of math problem solving. There is a change in my remembering where I put things or where I had left them. I have seen change in all my cognitive exercises and I hope I can go far in life with this great experience. Thank you Arrowsmith Program!

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 8
I’ve seen drastic changes in my writing, reading and spelling. I’m very proud of myself. My mom has seen a big improvement in focusing and math. So, that makes me happy!

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 8
I have seen changes in my writing, spelling, math and lots of other things. I can really speak up for myself and I do not repeat myself when I talk. I am just smarter. I am better at mental math. I can be organized. I take lots of notes in class and I am very focused in my work. I do things beforehand and it makes life easier. My memory is better and I am more responsible. My thinking process is better. Like when I read I see the stories in my head and on Friday, January 30th I read four books – like 300 page books. I just have more confidence in myself. This school has helped a lot and I am pleased with my ongoing results. I will do well in public school next year. I am good at many things.

3rd Year Female Student – Grade 7
I have seen change in myself. I write my letters in small print. When I read I don’t skip sentences anymore. I can understand what the book is talking about, which makes the book way more interesting. When I handwrite I don’t need to think of the letter in my brain before I write it. When I copy stuff from another book, I get the letters right and then I don’t need to do it twice. In Math I understand the stuff I learn. It makes more sense than it did before. When someone tells me something I’ll remember it after a long period of time.

3rd Year Female Student – Grade 8
I have seen change in a lot of places. I use to struggle with Math, but now I am one year ahead. When I go shopping I can find the stores without having to walk around for half an hour. My handwriting is a lot neater than it use to be. I am a lot more comfortable in social situations than I use to be and I’m less shy than I was before I started this program. I don’t get stage fright anymore either. This is a really big shock to those who know me well. I can read a book in one day. I would never be able to write this much in 15 minutes. I remember things better than I use to before.

2nd Year Female Student – Grade 7
I have seen changes in my self-confidence, my math, reading, writing, printing, spelling and understanding when I read things. I don’t have to read it 5 times for me to understand what I was reading. Eaton Arrowsmith School has really impacted my life. I would never have done all the things I’ve done without this school.

3rd Year Male Student – Grade 7
The things I have seen improvement in is reading (I am able to read faster and understand better). I have seen improvement in understanding things by getting to the main point. Another place I have seen improvement in is speed in writing, the neatness and smaller print. I have also seen the ability to get an idea quickly even if I was not expecting it. I can react with an answer quickly.

Most recent updates from the 2007 Graduating Class

A critical goal of Eaton Arrowsmith School is to keep close observations on our graduates. Over the last two weeks the parents of our first graduating class (2007) were asked to provide updates on their children’s transitions to public and private schools. The following are highlights from these written responses. I have received 9 responses from the 10 graduates in 2007 that transitioned to public or private school. Needless to say the feedback thus far is very encouraging. We will request further updates in another two months:

“We are very excited to report that we received his interim report today. All the comments were good or excellent, except for English and IT that were satisfactory. Thank you for the opportunity we had at your wonderful school.”
(Private School Transition, Grade 10)

“Overall her transition to public school has gone very well. She is doing well in Socials (A) and English (B), but is finding Science (C+) and Math (C+) more challenging. Socially she is not having any problems, nor were we expecting her to. She had a good friend at the school already and is making new friends.”
(Public School Transition, Grade 9)

“He is doing very well. He is operating very independently with regard to his school work – he uses his planner to keep track of homework and so far that seems to be working well. He has not had below an 85%, with the exception of in English were had had difficulty with a spelling test and a comprehension test on a short in-class story looking for deeper understanding. He seems to have a good relationship with his teachers and coaches, and is doing well amongst his peers.”
(Public School Transition, Grade 8)

“The meetings with his teachers went really, really well! I was so proud and happy (and relieved). He is able to focus in class (no appearance of distractibility), he is starting to be able to keep up with note writing, and he does not seem to need longer for any of the tests he has written so far. He is currently getting 82% in Math 10 principles, 77% in Science, and 62% in English. Not bad, eh? He seems like he might be one of your success stories!
(Public School Transition, Grade 9)

“She competed for and was selected to enter the pre-college summer program at the San Francisco Art Institute this summer. SFAI is one of the top 10 art schools in the USA. She achieved a 4.0 GPA in the program, and was granted university/college transfer credits. She then received permission to be admitted early to Vancouver Community College. Most students can not enter VCC until they are 19. Thank you for Eaton Arrowsmith, Howard. You work miracles!”
(Transition to College)

“So far, she is making good progress. I have to remember that she has not really been in a curriculum based setting for close to 4 years. She has been ready for a challenge. She is quite pleased with her report card. She is doing some homework every night and is enjoying most of her classes. In every one of her classes she has received a satisfactory for her work habits, good for attitude and behaviour and usually completes her homework and assignments.”
(Private School Transition, Grade 10)

“She is doing fine at public school in Grade 10 in the areas of organization, study skills, self-esteem, and social communications but then she has always been strong in these areas. Academically, she is mostly getting the equivalent of As and Bs on tests and assignments. She is having no trouble reading but is weak when it comes to spelling, grammar and editing. She doesn’t seem to be held back or embarrassed by her learning disabilities and this is a change from her last experience of public school.”
(Public School Transition, Grade 10)

“Just an update on his transition from Eaton Arrowsmith back to Public School.  I am extremely pleased with his transition to grade seven.  First of all he has a lot of confidence and has joined several extra curricular activities.  During the first week of school, his home room teacher asked for a volunteer to present an argument to the Principal about why the grade seven students should be allowed to sit on bleachers rather than on the floor during assembly.  He volunteered and his teacher made a point of telling me how impressed she was with his speaking  and  "ability to think on his feet".
 
His teacher sends all of his math tests home to be signed and he is doing very well.  Considering that math was one of his main weaknesses he is averaging about  80 to 90 percent on the curriculum math work. As far as spelling he almost always gets100 percent on his tests and according to him, he and another boy are the top students in the class of 28.   His teacher called one day and left me a message on my answering service saying, "He is such a joy to teach and a wonderful student," of course I was very proud of him.
 
As far as homework habits, he comes home and does his work right away and finds it particularly easy after the homework of the  Eaton Arrowsmith Program.  I think it really has taught him to sit down and focus. He is actually doing better than I expected because  I was concerned about his math in particular.
 
I would say because of his increase in confidence that he has made a very smooth transition socially with the other boys.  More than half of the boys in his class have been at this school since Kindergarten.  I thought it may be difficult for him to be the new kid, especially at twelve years old but this has not been the case and he is very happy at school.
 
One thing that has surprised me is his progress in his French class.  As you know he started out in French Immersion in Preschool and Kindergarten but was not doing well and in fact had problems in grade one with English reading and spelling.  He is now taking French once a day with his other classmates  and to my surprise he is doing well and keeping up even thought he has had no exposure to French since Kindergarten.
 
All in all I would say I am extremely pleased with his progress and he really enjoys going to school. Thanks for all your help.”
(Transition to Public School, Grade 7)

Overall, he is doing very well in the local high school. Most of his test and assignments have resulted in either A’s or B’s. He is keeping up with his homework on a daily basis (with a little prodding from us), and seems to be fairly happy with his classes. His focusing ability has definitely improved with EAS and he now knows that if he concentrates for a period of time, he can get his work done. Organizationally, he is doing reasonably well, considering this is his first time being in a regular school in six years. He did forget to take a few completed assignments to school, but he is now working on making sure this doesn’t happen again by using a daily checklist. The preview courses he took during the summer for Math and Science were extremely helpful, and we currently have an English tutor helping him with his creative writing (as this is an area in which he still requires help). Socially, he is doing well – he knew one other boy before starting school and has since made other friends.
(Public School Transition, Grade 9)

Eaton Arrowsmith School - Parent Testimonials We've added new testimonials from parents of students at Eaton Arrowsmith School. Go here.

See our NEW Brochure
We've developed a new brochure. Check it out here.

Tax Credit Information
We've now added a section on Tax Credit for enrollment at the Eaton Arrowsmith School. Detailed information can be found here.