A Positive Place for Children with Diverse Learning Needs
Whytecliff considers applications of any child in the Lower Mainland or Fraser Valley, age 13-18, who is not being successful or engaged in school. The majority of children we accept have challenges with anxiety & depression and are seeking an environment where they can feel safe ⎯ a real school offering Dogwood and Evergreen graduation that doesn’t seem remedial or like an ‘alternative school’, and a place where they can begin to relax, feel normal, and develop their personal abilities and self-esteem.
Many of the children who are successful and qualify for acceptance at Whytecliff have been labelled within a diagnosed category such as:
–ADHD
–FASD
–Dyslexia
–Dyscalculia
–Dysgraphia
–Language Processing Disorder
–Nonverbal Learning Disorders
–Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit
–Chronic Health Impairment
–Gifted
–High Functioning Autism
–Asperger’s Syndrome
–Behavioral and Emotional Challenges
–Troubled Behavior
–Clinical Depression
–Clinical Anxiety
–Suicidal Thoughts
–Drug and Alcohol Abuse
–Oppositional Defiant Disorder
If you don’t see your child’s challenge listed above, that doesn’t mean they won’t qualify; we have a policy of actively considering all applications to the program.
Contact us if your child isn’t being successful in or engaged in school.
Why it works for kids who failed elsewhere
Rather than focusing on the problem and treating children like they need to be “fixed”, the program at Whytecliff has a different starting point with the child, and focuses on their potential.
We consider the bigger picture, beyond the challenges and labels, and seek to understand and develop each child’s unique gifts, talents, strengths, and interests.
A Higher Aim
Our goal has always been to help children live and enjoy their lives by developing their strengths and helping them engage, rather than simply focusing on a singular problem or challenge for them to overcome.
Long before wellbeing became the ‘it’ thing, it was and still is at the very heart of what we do – woven together with education from day one. To us, this approach is just common sense, the way that any caring parent would work to help their children grow into their best possible selves.
A Wider Scope
The benefit of Whytecliff’s approach is how versatile it is. Because our program isn’t structured around one particular challenge or problem, we can work with a wider range of kids, and are especially well-suited for kids with co-occurring challenges.
We’ve discovered that, many times, when a child starts to grow through their so-called ‘problems’, the real issues pop out along the way. But because the child will have grown to develop their natural adaptive capacity, they’re better positioned to deal with their challenges and prevent new ones from forming.
A Note to Prospective Whytecliff Families
At Whytecliff, we are deeply committed to fostering a nurturing, safe, and respectful community that supports each student’s personal growth, learning journey, and well-being. Uniquely blending education with positive youth development, our program is tailored to meet the diverse needs of students for whom traditional educational paths may not have been a perfect fit.
Our approach, while distinct, is not universally suited to every child or family. Ensuring a good fit between the needs, abilities, and aspirations of prospective students and the ethos and capabilities of our program is crucial.
Core Attributes for Success at Whytecliff:
• Self-Regulation and Active Engagement: Success in our self-paced and self-directed learning model requires students to have a moderate degree of self-regulation and internal motivation to work toward their goals. Students who find Whytecliff to be the right fit are generally those who are ready to thoughtfully collaborate with educators to shape a learning path that sparks their interest and drives their personal and academic growth.
• Emotional Maturity: We recognize that children are at various stages in their emotional development, but a readiness to participate in group settings and an openness to working on emotional growth are critical for success at Whytecliff. While we embrace students from diverse backgrounds, including those who are socially anxious or have autism, our program best supports those who, regardless of their social skills level, show a basic ability to manage emotions, interact positively with peers, and cooperatively engage in a community setting.
• Self-Reflection and Growth Mindset: A cornerstone of our philosophy is the belief in the power of self-reflection and a sincere desire to learn and grow. Students who benefit most from Whytecliff are those who are ready and able to thoughtfully consider and articulate their interests and needs, and possess a genuine eagerness to develop personally and academically. Without this foundational mindset, students may struggle to engage with our program’s core values and opportunities for growth.
For Families Considering Whytecliff:
We invite families to reflect on these considerations and assess the alignment between their child’s needs, personality, and aspirations with the environment and ethos of Whytecliff. Our program is designed to nurture and elevate students who are ready for and can benefit from our unique approach to education and personal development. If you believe your child possesses the qualities described and can thrive within our supportive community, we encourage you to reach out for further discussion.