ITAQUE ARS VA - Strategies So I Can Succeed
What is a Learning Disability
“Learning Disabilities” refer to a number of disorders that may affect the acquisition, organization, retention, understanding, or use of verbal or nonverbal information. These disorders affect learning in individuals who otherwise demonstrate at least average abilities essential for thinking and/or reasoning. These disorders are not due primarily to hearing and/or vision problems, socio-economic factors, cultural or linguistic differences, lack of motivation, or ineffective teaching (Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, January 30, 2002 - Re-endorsed on March 2, 2015).
Program Mandate
At the Academy at King Edward (AKE), our primary emphasis is on closing the gap in the academic areas of reading, writing and mathematics with the goal of reintegration into community school programming. This occurs alongside of our focus on rebuilding the confidence, persistence, resilience, organization and social skills of the students in our program. In grades 3-9, additional time is devoted to literacy and numeracy instruction above that which usually occurs in a community school so that we can address the academic gaps in these areas. As a result, students receive modified exposure to the science and social studies curriculum. Second language instruction is also omitted for our students in elementary and is only offered as an option in junior high and high school.
Elementary & Junior High FAQs
What specialized supports does the Academy provide in addition to a small setting with a special education trained teacher?
Other specialized intervention supports available include:
-reading specialist coach support
-numeracy specialist coach support
-Success Coach and School Counsellor (a support for social, emotional and academic success)
-reading intervention support specialists focused on providing daily intensive interventions support in the areas of numeracy, vocabulary, decoding, fluency and comprehension:
Junior High Options
Students in junior high have an opportunity to select one option to enroll in each term. The option offerings vary each year but below is a sampling of the options we typically offer:
- fitness
- foods studies
- film studies
- science & technology explorations
- Spanish language and culture
- art & design
- guitar/music
- leadership
- Learn to Drive
- drama
- photography
AKE High School
The Academy’s high school program is a diploma stream program. In high school, students will take the majority of their core courses (math, science, social studies and English) within the supportive environment of the AKE program. They will also take subject such as Learning Strategies, CALM, physical education and a few options in our small sized setting. Students will be supported to take options from our “partner” schools of McNally or Victoria as outlined in their academic blue print. Click on the link below to view a copy of our Division’s High School Guide (AKE offers the dash two stream, i.e. English 10-2, Social 10-2, ect.)
We recommend taking Phys-Ed 10 during the summer as we are not guaranteed Gym time at either site Victoria or McNally.
High School Guide 2026-27
We also encourage families explore our Division’s Campus EPSB option for high school students. Campus EPSB is designed as another way for students to earn high school credits and industry credentials, get ahead of their studies and/or prepare for post-secondary. It’s a great way for students to explore opportunities and get hands-on experience that can help them plan their next steps. Students enrolled in the Academy have access to apply for enter into the many fabulous Campus EPSB programs.
Timelines and Procedures
Edmonton Public students are given first right of access to available program spaces requested in Special Needs Assisted Placement (SNAP) during Phase 1, from February 2- February 9,2026 or Phase 2 from March 9- March 25,2026. Confirmation of acceptance will be communicated to families by your current Edmonton Public School.
Families from outside of Edmonton Public Schools can register students that are new to the Division at their designated community school beginning February 2, 2026. Please keep in mind that all of our classes are small so that we can provide the necessary interventions and we have limited spaces at all grade levels. Once we have reached capacity in any programming cohort level we will decline SNAP requests at that specified level.
HOW DO WE APPLY?
Entry to the Academy at King Edward (AKE) is by Special Needs Assisted Placement only.
- Current Edmonton Public families must speak with their current school administration to ensure that their child qualifies and is entered into the Special Needs Assisted Placement (SNAP) process which is a digital acceptance process. This process opens up on February 2nd for schools to make a request on your behalf. We will begin accepting or declining students between March 9-25. Then again on April 7 onwards. Administrators are encouraged to review the Academy’s unique criteria. All yellow bus applications for elementary and junior high students must be done in conjunction with the SNAP application.
- Students from outside of Edmonton Public Schools must have a recent psychoeducational assessment and provide a copy for review to your designated community school. The psychoeducational assessment is comprised of two parts:
- An academic assessment which must be no more than one year old.
- A cognitive assessment and for students originally assessed in grades 1-3, cognitive assessments must be no more than three years old. The cognitive assessment must include a full scale score and be reflective of the student’s current level of functioning. ***The FSIQ must be in the AVERAGE or ABOVE AVERAGE range with a Standard Score of 85 or higher. A Generalized Ability Index Score will not be accepted in place of the FSIQ.
