Victoria School for Ideal Education

"What a February it was for Silver Sage.

We looked back on a morning at Gyro Beach, an afternoon at the symphony, the first steps of science fair season and social studies projects our Grade 4/5 class saw all the way through.

Thank you to the families who support these curious, community-minded days, at school and at home.

Just as the nature of life is to grow, we are grateful to grow alongside your learners.

🌿"

"Throwback to the start of science fair season in Silver Sage.

Our Grade 4/5 students set off to design their own investigations, asking their own questions and planning how to find the answers.

Knowledge is gained from inside and outside, and a science fair invites children to chase their curiosity in every direction.

Give a young mind a real question, and watch it light up.

(The hard work on these projects happened in February with presentations in March!)

Book a tour on our website to see curiosity in action. ☀️"

"Throwback to a February morning at Gyro Beach and the forest nearby with Silver Sage.

Before a big afternoon ahead, our Grade 4/5 class spent the morning together on the sand, breathing in the sea air and taking in the shoreline and exploring the forest.

A morning outdoors settles a group and wakes up their senses, the perfect start to a full day of learning.

Time by the water or in the forest is never wasted.

Book a tour on our website to see days like this up close. 🍃"

"Throwback to the social studies projects our Silver Sage students brought to life.

Our Grade 4/5 learners worked hard on their projects at school, then stood up to present them to the class in late February.

There is real courage in sharing your own work out loud, and pride in seeing it through to the finish.

When students own their learning, it shows.

"This week we are looking back at a bright February in Silver Sage, our Grade 4/5 class with Ms. Whalen.

Over the next several days we will flash back through a morning at Gyro Beach, an afternoon at the symphony, science fair investigations and social studies projects, one memory a day from this Grade 4/5 class.

Small class sizes and nature-focused days like these are what a year at VSIE looks like.

Enjoy the journey back with us. 🌿"

"What a trip it was for Fuchsia Fireweeds and Silver Sage!

We looked back on three days at French Beach, a hike to Mystic Beach, tents and campfires, morning meditation and games that ran from afternoon into the dark, days our Grade 3/4 class and Grade 4/5 will not soon forget.

Thank you to the families who made it all possible. Your children came home tired, happy and full of stories, regulated and delighted.

Just as the nature of life is to grow, we are grateful to grow alongside your learners, in the classroom and out on the land.

🌲"

"Behind the scenes, a camping trip takes a whole community.

Fuchsia Fireweeds and Silver Sage ate well all week, pancakes and fruit at sunrise, hot dogs and chilli by the fire, thanks to the parents and helpers who packed, cooked and pitched in at every turn.

Our Grade families showed up with helping hands and open hearts, and the trip would not have happened without them.

Care, compassion and support, from the trailhead to the dinner table.

LOVE our community!
🍃"

"Throwback to the day Fuchsia Fireweeds hiked out to Mystic Beach.

From their basecamp at French Beach, our Grade 3/4 AND 4/5 classes walked the coastal trail through the forest, ate lunch with sand underfoot, and spent the whole day playing at the beach.

A full day outside, moving from trail to shoreline, is learning that lives in the body long after the walk home.

Knowledge is gained from inside and outside, and this day held plenty of both.

Book a tour on our website to see days like this up close. 🍃"

A calmer child learns better, and the research agrees.

In one study, at-risk secondary students who practiced Transcendental Meditation showed a 36 percent drop in psychological distress, with lower anxiety and fewer depressive symptoms.

When children feel safe and settled, learning has room to happen.
That is the heart of our day at VSIE, meditation before academics, so children regulate before they learn.

We would love to show you what that looks like.
Book a tour on our website. ☀️

A 36 percent drop in psychological distress
Citation: Nidich, S., et al. “Reduced Psychological Distress in Secondary School Students Practicing the Transcendental Meditation Program.” Journal of Instructional Psychology.

Key finding: At-risk secondary students who practiced TM showed a 36 percent reduction in overall psychological distress, with significant decreases in trait anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to controls.

Why it matters for VSIE: Children learn when they feel safe and settled. Meditation before academics is how we make room for that.
Learn more: read the research

362 high school students. One simple practice. Sharper minds.

In a randomized study, students who practiced Transcendental Meditation for six to twelve months improved in fluid intelligence, processing speed, practical intelligence, and creativity, alongside greater well-being.

Meditation clears the way for children to think, create, and feel well.
Our students sit twice a day, ten minutes each, and then they grow.

Come see a regulated classroom for yourself.
Book a tour on our website.

Sharper thinking and greater well-being in a high school trial
Citation: So, K., & Orme-Johnson, D. (2001). “Three randomized experiments on the longitudinal effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique on cognition.” Intelligence, 29(5), 419–440. (362 Taiwanese high school students.)
Key finding: Students randomized to practice TM for six to twelve months improved in fluid intelligence, information processing speed, practical intelligence, and creativity, alongside higher well-being.

Why it matters for VSIE: Meditation clears the way for children to think and create.
Our older students sit twice a day, ten minutes each.
Learn more: read the research