Testimonials - What are parents and students saying about Via Vita?
My son struggled his whole academic career inside the public school system. He knew he was smart and could do the work, but wasn’t motivated or pushed to do any of it to his full potential. Via Vita Academy changed that inside of two months. I now have a kid that meets deadlines, writes raps and essays, LIKES algebra and truly enjoys going to school. It is a moving experience to see a 12 year old cry because his report card was so positive and reflective of how hard he was trying and the quality of work he can produce. I will never forget that moment and neither will he. I will also never forget what he said to me after reading it, “Mom, I’m going to go to high school and blow them away aren’t I?” I see him learn something new every day, see him engaged and see him happy. This is a dream come true as a parent. Thank you Via Vita!
-Lindsey (Parent of a grade 7 student)
We were so hesitant to send our daughter with severe allergies and eczema to public school. After a wonderful meeting with Adele and Meghan I had a peace about what the only option was going to be for her. After 8 months in school she is a different child and she is thriving in ways we didn't think possible. Our family can't say enough wonderful things about Via Vita and how it has help our 5 year old daughter, kept her safe and helped her thrive. Via Vita gets is right with their approach to teacher, the safety and health of the children and the commitment to families. There is no where else that can compare!
-Christine (Parent of a grade K student)
-Lindsey (Parent of a grade 7 student)
We were so hesitant to send our daughter with severe allergies and eczema to public school. After a wonderful meeting with Adele and Meghan I had a peace about what the only option was going to be for her. After 8 months in school she is a different child and she is thriving in ways we didn't think possible. Our family can't say enough wonderful things about Via Vita and how it has help our 5 year old daughter, kept her safe and helped her thrive. Via Vita gets is right with their approach to teacher, the safety and health of the children and the commitment to families. There is no where else that can compare!
-Christine (Parent of a grade K student)
Via Vita Academy offers caring teachers, small class sizes, multigrade teaching and an emphasis on open and frequent communication between the teachers and parents, and all that at a very affordable price. My older son currently attends Via Vita Academy, and once he’s old enough I’ll definitely sign up my younger son as well. I highly recommend Via Vita Academy.
-Markus (Parent to a grade K student)
Our son loves going to school at Via Vita: he wakes up (on his own!), puts his uniform on, and gets entirely ready well before the rest of us. He comes home full of stories about his day, is excited about the various activities he’s taken part in, and is also chatting about the friends he’s making: he is thriving! He is like a different child: he used to come home unhappy, and isolated in his own little world at school. School was an entirely negative experience for him, and now, it is the complete opposite: it is something to be enjoyed versus endured. Thanks to each of you for making him feel welcome, and helping us transition into the school. We are very grateful!
-Christian (Parent of a grade 6 student)
-Markus (Parent to a grade K student)
Our son loves going to school at Via Vita: he wakes up (on his own!), puts his uniform on, and gets entirely ready well before the rest of us. He comes home full of stories about his day, is excited about the various activities he’s taken part in, and is also chatting about the friends he’s making: he is thriving! He is like a different child: he used to come home unhappy, and isolated in his own little world at school. School was an entirely negative experience for him, and now, it is the complete opposite: it is something to be enjoyed versus endured. Thanks to each of you for making him feel welcome, and helping us transition into the school. We are very grateful!
-Christian (Parent of a grade 6 student)
What an amazing school filled with happy and engaged learners, excellent teachers and a philosophy of teaching the "whole child". Both my children have been enrolled at Via Vita for over a year - they are receiving an excellent education, are provided daily encouragement, have become confident and eager kids who love school! Just look at the weekly photo blogs and you can see the difference - outdoor activities are plentiful, cooking, learning, playing, engaging - it is all there. I am an eager "storyteller" of all the awesomeness of Via Vita and would happily recommend it to any parents looking for a wonderful, engaging and positively happy learning environment for their children.
-Patty (Parents of a grade 2 & 4 students)
Neil deGrasse Tyson said “When students cheat on exams it’s because our school system values grades more than students value learning.” Working in the business world, it’s apparent that this philosophy extends beyond school and into the workplace and it shows up as a lack of ethics as people hyper-focus on goals.
It’s a tough problem to solve. How does one encourage excellence and reward accomplishment while holding the process as an essential component of the outcome? How does one balance the reality that excellence in results are the pragmatic yard stick, but results without ethics and values are hollow (although often rewarded).
I see Via Vita as a school that understands this quandary. Of all of the schools we visited before enrolling Victoria, we saw that Via Vita was the place that was addressing this. What we want for Victoria is a place that values learning; a place that values the process of learning. We want her to strive for excellence and learn to self direct and self motivate. We want her to understand the value of achievement and excellence but achievement and excellence that are inextricably coupled with compassion and ethics.
The single most important thing that keeps families coming back to Via Vita is a commitment to the vision. This commitment comes in the form of clear articulation and “living the vision”. This feeling of what it’s I experience at Via Vita is what brought me to Via Vita and what will keep us there.
-Kirk (Parents of a grade 1 student)
Via Vita & the educated, caring staff have made a significant difference in our lives. Our daughter has gained confidence, esteem, self-worth, determination and discipline. She sees how people respect others, how the staff have passion, and are thoughtful. They guide, support and encourage the children to excel past the limitations that they set upon themselves. They strive for excellence, and achieve it. The school & staff are like a second family. Family, top rated education and personal growth. Warm, kind, and loving. We recommend this school 100%.
-Karyn (Parents of a grade 6 student)
I asked my son to tell me what he thought of his school (he's been there all year, in the Peary Caribou class) and this is what he said: "we get more freedom...and when it's recess, rather than dodging our teachers, we'll go over and talk to them... there's more freedom, and we feel more comfortable." He is taking on more responsibility willingly and showing leadership qualities we have never seen before. This was definitely the right move for him!
-Krista (Parents of a grade 6 student)
I never thought our son was capable of doing anywhere near grade level work. I used to find parent-teacher such a negative event. I was frustrated with the lack of resources that public school offered kids like him. He wasn't learning, sitting in a classroom all day was painful, and he was frustrated. His attitude took a turn as a result.
Sending him to Via Vita this year has been the best decision we've ever made. I'm truly sorry we didn't send him there sooner. It's remarkable the changes in him over this past year, academically and socially and overall as a contributing member of society. Via Vita teaches kids as a whole, integrating learning with real life skills. The educators there are truly special individuals. I could never thank them enough for all they have done for our family.
We are so pleased with the changes in our older son that we've decided to send our youngest there next year. The end of an amazing school year is approaching, and I can't wait to see what Via Vita has in store for next year!
-Carrie (Parents of a grade 8 student)
-Krista (Parents of a grade 6 student)
I never thought our son was capable of doing anywhere near grade level work. I used to find parent-teacher such a negative event. I was frustrated with the lack of resources that public school offered kids like him. He wasn't learning, sitting in a classroom all day was painful, and he was frustrated. His attitude took a turn as a result.
Sending him to Via Vita this year has been the best decision we've ever made. I'm truly sorry we didn't send him there sooner. It's remarkable the changes in him over this past year, academically and socially and overall as a contributing member of society. Via Vita teaches kids as a whole, integrating learning with real life skills. The educators there are truly special individuals. I could never thank them enough for all they have done for our family.
We are so pleased with the changes in our older son that we've decided to send our youngest there next year. The end of an amazing school year is approaching, and I can't wait to see what Via Vita has in store for next year!
-Carrie (Parents of a grade 8 student)
I have no hesitation in recommending Via Vita. The teacher's here have created an environment where kids are excited to learn. It is a unique school that offers so much including a a lot of daily activity and outdoor time, varied opportunities to try new activities, and an approach to learning that inspires and motivates children. The two teacher owners have a wealth of experience and are passionate about this school. My kids love this approach to learning. At Via Vita school is no longer about sitting all day and watching the clock. Students here learn primary subjects like Math and Language Arts in line with Nova Scotia curriculum, while moving their bodies frequently and learning so much through hands on learning. Students are encouraged here to be active participants in their own learning. Via Vita offers all this for the lowest tuition fees and smallest class sizes amongst private schools I have seen in Metro.
-K. & H. Brooks (Parents of grade 8 & 6 students)
If I had to write down everything I loved about this school I would be here forever, so I will highlight a few.
1. Multi grade: not only has he met wonderful kids, they are all different ages and he has learned so much from each of them. He looks up to the other kids and they have taken him under their wing and shown him the ropes. My biggest fear was that he lacked the maturity to go to school this year but he has certainly proved me wrong. By engaging with kids from pre-k all the way to grade 9 he has done a complete 180°.
2. Family: how many people can say that they can text their child's teacher throughout the day to ask a question or chat about something? Not only have I found a school with some of the best teachers around they have become like family. They genuinely care about my son and they are always so willing to help (even when I forget .... Which happens a lot lol)
3. Cost: as a full time student on one family income, I never thought for a second I could ever send my children to private school. It's $600 a month.... And it's tax deductible. Before and after school fees are $5 a day....... Seriously.
You won't regret it, I promise.
-D. & S. Banks (Parents of a grade K student)
I can't say enough about this amazing school. Incredibly small class sizes help promote high academic achievement all the while incorporating student lead themed based learning. An incredibly organized daily schedule includes not just academic activities but also life skills, cooking, gardening, hands on science projects, sports, crafts, field trips and public speaking (and so much more). -Not to mention awesome teachers that are excited about teaching and reasonable tuition fees. An individualized academic plan that is tailor made for each child helps ensure continued challenges and success. Daily chores that incorporate peer mentoring helps develop responsibility and leadership skills. My daughter loves this school as much as I do!
-B. & W. Malley (Parent of a grade 7 student)
-K. & H. Brooks (Parents of grade 8 & 6 students)
If I had to write down everything I loved about this school I would be here forever, so I will highlight a few.
1. Multi grade: not only has he met wonderful kids, they are all different ages and he has learned so much from each of them. He looks up to the other kids and they have taken him under their wing and shown him the ropes. My biggest fear was that he lacked the maturity to go to school this year but he has certainly proved me wrong. By engaging with kids from pre-k all the way to grade 9 he has done a complete 180°.
2. Family: how many people can say that they can text their child's teacher throughout the day to ask a question or chat about something? Not only have I found a school with some of the best teachers around they have become like family. They genuinely care about my son and they are always so willing to help (even when I forget .... Which happens a lot lol)
3. Cost: as a full time student on one family income, I never thought for a second I could ever send my children to private school. It's $600 a month.... And it's tax deductible. Before and after school fees are $5 a day....... Seriously.
You won't regret it, I promise.
-D. & S. Banks (Parents of a grade K student)
I can't say enough about this amazing school. Incredibly small class sizes help promote high academic achievement all the while incorporating student lead themed based learning. An incredibly organized daily schedule includes not just academic activities but also life skills, cooking, gardening, hands on science projects, sports, crafts, field trips and public speaking (and so much more). -Not to mention awesome teachers that are excited about teaching and reasonable tuition fees. An individualized academic plan that is tailor made for each child helps ensure continued challenges and success. Daily chores that incorporate peer mentoring helps develop responsibility and leadership skills. My daughter loves this school as much as I do!
-B. & W. Malley (Parent of a grade 7 student)
