Halifax Independent School

The Halifax Independent School (HIS) is an independent, coeducational day school with a curriculum from pre-school through grade 9. It is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Theme-based learning curriculum
Theme-based learning was pioneered over 20 years ago at Halifax Independent School on the Dalhousie University campus. The core of the programme is the in-depth study of various topics, under the umbrella of the larger "theme" and in which all the traditional core subjects are integrated. In working through theme, the students learn to question, analyze, classify and present their discoveries.

Pre-primary
Halifax Independent School offers a school preparatory, play-based pre-primary programme from September through July, for children turning 4 years of age by December 31. Licensed by the Nova Scotia Department of Education, the pre-school's ratio of students to teachers is 8:1 with a minimum of two-thirds of the teaching staff certified as early childhood educators.

The pre-primary programme includes age-appropriate instruction in math, language arts, science, social studies, art, music, French, physical education and swimming. Pre-school students are given snacks and a full lunch.

Mixed-age classrooms, class names and programme specifics
To reinforce the understanding that mixed-age groupings were not simply split classes, the school's first students were encouraged to establish names for their classes that did not make reference to conventional grades. The list of names has expanded with the programme offerings at the school, and the current list is as follows:
 * Youngs – primary
 * Middles – students in grades 1 and 2
 * Olds – students in grades 3 and 4
 * Elders – students in grades 5 and 6

The elementary programme includes age-appropriate instruction in math, language arts, science, social studies, art, French, physical education, and music. The core music curriculum is supplemented with choir, recorder, ukulele, and band (beginning in Grade 6).

Middle school
Limited to 20 students per class, the middle school (grades 7 through 9) includes instruction in math, English language arts, social studies, science, fine art, music (Middle School Choir, Band, Jazz Choir), French (Extended Core programme), and physical education.

Origins

 * 2004 – Halifax Independent School
 * 1998 – Halifax Independent Elementary School
 * 1992 – The Dalhousie Cooperative School
 * 1974 – Dalhousie University, Faculty of Education - Dalhousie University Elementary School

Governance
The school is operated by the Halifax Independent School Society, via its board of directors. The board of directors is composed of a combination of parents and staff, such that the number of parents on the board exceeds the number of staff members by at least one. Permanent staff members serve by rotation and parents are chosen by election at general membership meetings.

Charitable status
Halifax Independent School Society is a not-for-profit society incorporated and registered under the Registry of Joint Stocks Companies. Its Charity Business number is 87165 5262 RR0001.