The Student Experience
What Sets ECLA Apart
We’re proud to offer a valuable after-school partnership with Go-Go that enables students to have on-site after school care and safe transportation for class excursions. Our well-thought-out meal programs ensure that students are nourished and energized for academic and extracurricular activities. Beyond the traditional classroom, we expand the learning environment with a different take on conventional homework, an appreciation for nature, and new opportunities to inspire curiosity and creativity. Together, these initiatives create an educational ecosystem that empowers students to thrive academically and personally in both their academics and beyond.
Our Partnership With
Go-Go After School Care
Go-Go After School program offers convenient on-site after-school care services for all ECLA students. The Go-Go After School program is licensed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood; and operates directly after school until 5:30 pm daily.
The Go-Go After School Program represents a progressive approach to after-school programming in New Brunswick emphasizing on science, leadership, entrepreneurship, arts & culture and physical activity. Students also engage in daily activities, active outdoor play, monthly special events, as well as dramatic play, reading, crafts, and building stations within the afterschool program.
In addition to regular after-school care, the Go-Go After School program extends to full-day child care services from 7:45 am to 5:30 pm on storm days, PD days, during Christmas, March Break, and summer camps—ensuring a safe, reliable and engaging childcare services for your child throughout the year.
Go-Go Transportation
Parents are entrusted with the responsibility of transporting their children to and from the school. However, for off-site transportation to community events and programs, we’ve partnered with Go-Go After School, who have generously provided ECLA students with access to their school buses for transportation for all off-site outings.
Daily Hot Lunch Program
To make life more convenient for our families, we’ve introduced an optional hot lunch program available to all students, Monday through Thursday. ECLA has partnered with local food providers to ensure a delicious menu that caters to the preferences of our students and families, with annual input guiding the selections.
It’s important to note that this program comes with a separate bi-weekly fee, and students can opt in or out at their convenience throughout the year. We’d like to highlight that as ECLA dismisses at 12 noon on Fridays, the hot lunch program will be extended to students participating in the Go-Go After School program. This provides a seamless experience for students in both our regular and extended care programs.
Daily Morning Snack
At ECLA, we take a unique approach to snack time. We provide daily recess snacks as part of your tuition, so there’s no extra cost involved, and no need for parents to send snacks with their children every day. What sets our snack time apart is that it’s not just about filling tummies; it’s a valuable learning experience for our students.
We believe that students should learn the basics of nutrition, how to handle ingredients, and the joys of cooking from an early age. That’s why our students actively participate in preparing these snacks, and we’re thrilled when parents join in the fun too. In fact, we encourage volunteers each day to assist with this task.
Our goal is to instill a love for healthy eating and practical life skills. By having our students utilize our commercial kitchen located within the school to prepare a daily snack for their classmates, we’re not only making snack time enjoyable but also highly educational. This approach fosters a sense of independence and responsibility in our students as they take ownership of their food preparation.
Our Outdoor Classroom
We take great pride in our outdoor classroom, offering a picturesque setting that enhances the learning experience. Nestled along the serene banks of the Saint John River, this unique environment features an outdoor theatre and stage, inviting students to immerse themselves in the natural world. Students can interact with the surroundings, utilizing elements such as natural logs for balance, tree stumps for seating, a dedicated stage for performances, and spacious open areas for an array of games and activities. The backdrop of the Saint John River offers numerous benefits, promoting creativity, physical activity, and a deeper connection with the environment.
Home Learning
Our educational philosophy cultivates a positive learning environment both within and beyond the classroom. Traditional ‘homework’ takes on a different context at ECLA. Our Home Learning is purposeful, engaging, and tailored to each student’s unique needs and interests, extending their academic journey and reinforcing specific areas of focus. We highly value a comprehensive education that encompasses extracurricular activities, family bonding, and personal pursuits. Therefore, our approach to homework is flexible and targeted, designed to enrich learning without causing undue stress. We encourage students to pursue their passions beyond conventional school hours, whether it’s engaging in gardening, creative projects, music, or outdoor adventures. Through embracing diverse learning opportunities, students not only enhance their personal growth but also acquire crucial life skills.