Program Overview
Esquimalt High Schools 4C Challenge Program has been delivered continuously since 1979. Throughout the program's history we have stayed committed to our goal of delivering differentiated and enriched curriculum to intellectually gifted, creative and talented students.
Our program is commonly called the 4C Program. The 4C's stand for:
Commitment to Tasks
Creative Problem Solving
Challenging Curriculum and Assignments, and
Community Involvement.
The 4C's are worked into the programs three basic elements which include intellectual components, social / emotional components, and ability grouping.
Intellectual Component
Students' intellectual abilities are developed in a variety of ways from academic enrichment to special projects; from critical philosophy to self directed learning. At Esquimalt High School, all grade 9 students in the 4C Program take a Philosophy course which underpins their studies right through to grade 12. In this course students study major thinkers in the western traditions from Socrates to Nietzsche, and also investigate trends in eastern philosophy. Ethics, morality, metaphysics, and politics are all addressed in this course. Critical thinking skills are taught and developed. This background and these skills assist students in all of their studies throughout the program. We are very fortunate to have a philosopher on staff to teach this course. Students may also elect to take Philosophy 11 in their senior years. This course focusses on post modern philosophy and contemporary issues. Philosophy 11 is a new course and was developed as a result of high student demand. We are pleased that philosophy is such a strong part of our program.
Currently, at the grade 11 level, students must opt to take either Philosophy 11 or an Integrated Studies course in which they combine advanced research and presentation skills with the pursuit of a major project. During this course, students are given the opportunity to look into depth at a topic of their choice. This allows students to delve into a passion or burning question which may not be addressed in the normal course of their studies. Students then give a formal presentation on this topic. Scholarship exploration and a serious consideration of life following high school are also covered in this course. The Philosophy and Integrated Studies courses provide an intellectual challenge to students and ultimately seek to enrich the standard high school education.
Students in the 4C Program also have the option of studying to take Advanced Placement exams in most grade 12 academic subjects. These are university level exams, a qualifying grade on which allows students to earn credit for first year university courses at many Canadian universities. The enriched and often advanced nature of 4C courses effectively prepares students for these exams.
Esquimalt High School's four-block semestered timetable allows students the opportunity to take university courses during high school. Some of our most intellectually able students appreciate this level of enrichment and / or the opportunity for acceleration in a subject area.
The 4C Program is extremely flexible and can accommodate all kinds of Independent Directed Studies courses. We strongly encourage students to explore this option at some time during their four years with us. Independent Directed Studies courses allow students with a specific interest to find a teacher or outside mentor who will guide them through an investigation of that subject. Students have completed directed studies courses on topics ranging from Science, History, Philosophy and Literature, to Jazz standards, Chinese Poetry, Architecture, String Theory and Post-Modernism.
Social/Emotional Component
The social/emotional component of the 4C Program is developed in many ways. Students organize and participate in a variety of social events throughout the year such as BBQ's, dances, camping trips, movie nights, talents shows etc. These events give students the opportunity to develop socially in a safe and supported setting.
Grade 9 students participate in a retreat at the beginning of their grade 9 year. This is an overnight trip which takes place at Caleb Pike Heritage Park. At this retreat, students examine what is meant by giftedness, what the joys and struggles of being a gifted learner might be, and what a holistic gifted educations might look like. Students participate in individual and group goal setting activities, and work together to make the retreat an enriching and nourishing experience. Students also participate in a number of physical activities at this retreat, including hiking, dancing, and Martial Arts. In this way, the retreat attempts to attend to the development of the whole person, mind, body, and spirit.
Each year, students in all grades also organize and attend a conference that focuses on a theme selected by the students. This conference takes place at UVIC where guest speakers offer workshops and presentations related to the theme. The students then explore ways to apply their new found knowledge to contribute to their community. Students have organized benefit concerts, awareness campaigns, ecological clean-up initiatives, outreach for the homeless, and political actions among other events. This community action component of the 4C Program attempts to further develop students' social and emotional skills.
Each year students also organize a forum where they discuss their ideas for improving the 4C Program with the teachers. These forums allow us to work with students to continually tailor the program to meet their needs. Several initiatives such as the conferences, new courses, and social events have resulted from these forums.
Students also maintain a system of government within the 4C Program. Each grade elects one male and one female student representative each year. These representatives work together to coordinate communications between staff and students and between grades in the Program. They also coordinate social events and other initiatives brought forward by students. Grade reps do not take on all the work themselves but learn to delegate and coordinate rather than "do it all". These students play an important role in providing students a place to voice their ideas and concerns, in acting as liaisons between staff and students, and in making things happen in the Program.
Ability Grouping
Students in the 4C Program benefit from learning in academic classes with peers who share an interest in academic excellence and who are creative about how they learn, what they learn, and how they express their knowledge or insights into any given subject area. A spirit of cooperation is fostered in the classroom and students often comment that the 4C classroom provides them with a place to interact with their peers in a safe, constant and stimulating environment. It is a tribute to the students in this program that the 4C culture really lacks the cut-throat competitiveness often associated with highly motivated learners. The social / emotional components of the program generate a real need for these students to work together to achieve a goal, whether it be completing a class project, organizing a trip or raising money for a women's shelter. All of this lends to a culture of cooperation and mutual support.
French Immersion
We are very excited to now be offering a French Immersion Program at Esquimalt High and have many students who are registered in both the Challenge and French Immersion Programs at the same time. We have managed to organize the two program in such a way that they dovetail nicely into one another and provide students with the double advantage of a Dual Dogwood and Gifted Program Graduation.
Music
Students passionate about music should know that many Challenge students take advantage of Esquimalt High School's highly regarded Jazz Studies and Classical Studies Programs, as well as participating in string and woodwind ensembles, bands, and choir. We have recently hired some extremely innovative and talented music teachers who offer their programs outside of the timetable, allowing students to take many electives in addition to their music studies. For more information check out Jazz Studies and Classical Studies under the "Programs" menu on the Esquimalt High School's website.
Measurable Success
In terms of measurable successes, students at Esquimalt have received the highest marks in the province on Provincial exams. Esquimalt High School students have won 1st place in the Fame Math Competition and regularly score well on national math competitions. National level Science Fair awards are consistently won by our students and our grade 12's regularly win full scholarships to colleges and universities across Canada and the U.S. . Esquimalt High graduates have gone on to study at Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, McGill, Queen's, the University of Toronto and almost all of Canada's most prestigious universities.
The 4C Program has helped prepare students whose achievements have been recognized with Fullbright, Merit, and Rhodes Scholarships and a variety of other awards including the Young Women of Distinction Award. Other 4C Program graduates have gone on to attend United World Colleges. Esquimalt High School offers students every advantage when it comes to winning scholarships and attaining admission to universities both nationally and internationally. The 4C Challenge Program has a strong reputation with universities and awards committees across Canada and we have a dedicated academic counselling staff who work tirelessly to assist students with scholarship and awards applications.
Coordinator’s Note
I've personally taught in several gifted education programs including University Hill and Point Grey Mini School in Vancouver as well as in the Honours Program at Oak Bay High School. I have specifically chosen to work in Esquimalt's Challenge Program because I believe strongly that the model of gifted education delivered here really puts the needs of the student first and furthermore, produces students who are not only extremely intellectually capable, but who are also outstanding human beings full of kindness, generosity, and exceptional personal integrity.
Student Visits to the School
We encourage interested students to visit our school for a day. We believe students make the best decisions about their future when they have real information with which to decide. A day spent in the Challenge Program at Esquimalt High School will give students a taste of the type of teaching they will encounter should they attend our program; the type of student interaction they might expect; and the culture they will be a part. We strongly encourage students to make a visit. Simply e-mail or telephone Anita Roberts to set up a day. Interested students will be met by Ms. Roberts in the office at 8:30am and introduced to students who will guide them through the day. Students should bring a lunch and something to write with. Our day ends at 3:15.
Contact.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the program coordinator by phone or e-mail:
4C Challenge Program Coordinator
Esquimalt High School
847 Colville Road, Victoria, BC, V9A 4N9
Phone: (250) 382-9226 Fax: (250) 361-1263 Email: esquimalt@sd61.bc.ca