Our School Plan Progress 2017-2018

Improving Student Learning

The Abbotsford School District’s Strategic Plan reflects our public commitment to BC’s new curriculum by working together to continuously improve learning for each student.

School Goals

Under the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning, all Abbotsford School District schools are required to develop a long term plan to improve student achievement, one that maintains a balance on the intellectual, social and career development of students. Each year, each school develops an annual plan and sets individual goals to improve student achievement. 

Abbotsford Traditional Secondary School Goals

School Plan

A focus on academic excellence and student learning is reflected in the school plan. Key points include:

  • Focus on student learning and growth through assessment and feedback processes
  • Growth and leadership opportunities for students
  • Encouraging student involvement to develop a sense of school pride

PDF Downloads: 

PDF icon ATSS School Plan

Intellectual

Our students will learn key academic skills - like reading, writing and math - to encompass the knowledge and processes associated with intellectual development. As learners and meaning-makers, students take subject-specific concepts and content and transform them into a new understanding. 

Our celebrations of learning

Advanced Placement

ATSS is an AP school, offering courses in English, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, and French. The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers university level courses to high school students that can be recognized for credit towards a university degree if students qualify by earning adequate scores on the AP exam. 

Humanities (including English, Social Studies, and Modern Languages)

Many classes within the department utilize student demonstrations of learning to provide opportunities for students to flourish. Various demonstrations have been included: Book Tastings, Escape Rooms, Mock Trials, and Community Issues Forums (with community VIPs).

Sciences

Science classes stress inquiry based hand on learning activities through labs and field trips to provide students an opportunity to connect their learning to the world around them.

Mathematics

Students learn to take ownership of their learning by making their learning journeys visible in the use of white boards around the room.

Fine Arts and Applied Skills

Students have the opportunity to develop Communication, Creative and Critical Thinking, and Personal Awareness and Social Responsibility skills through teamwork, collaboration, and hands on projects and activities.

Human & Social

Our students will study personal and human social skills and as they relate to students' identity in the world - both as individuals and as members of their community. We are learning that personal and human social skills encompass the abilities students needs to thrive as individuals, to understand and care about themselves and others, and to find and achieve their purposes in the world. 

Our celebrations of learning

Leadership and Clubs

Our students take part in their school community in membership in a number of clubs and leadership opportunities, including: Link, Key Club, Leadership, and the Humanitarian Club.

Leadership is an opportunity for students to contribute to local charitable causes, plan and organize school events and more.

Key Club is a student led organization to help students learn how to lead and stand for what’s right through service and volunteerism. In partnership with their local Kiwanis club, high school students are making a positive impact as they serve others in their schools and communities.

Teambuilding

In order to build our sense of belonging and school pride, our school offers grade-based teambuilding opportunities throughout the year. In the fall, our grade 9 students take part in a day at Camp Stillwood and engage in high ropes courses, archery, and rock climbing. In the winter, our grade 10s head to Grouse mountain for snowshoeing and an Aboriginal Cultural experience. In the spring, our grade 11s head to the obstacle course offered through OMADA at Trinity Western University.

PDF Downloads: 

PDF icon Grade 9 Stillwood Camp
PDF icon Grade 10 Grouse Trip
PDF icon Grade 11 Omada Teambuilding

Student Athletes

Every year a large percentage of ATSS students participate in school sports including basketball, soccer, volleyball, track, and wrestling. Being involved in athletics builds school community and helps students learn about sportsmanship, commitment, and teamwork. ATSS recently won a provincial wrestling championship, and many of our students go on to participate in athletics at the post secondary level.

TAG

Titans Against Gang Day is a day of speakers and community members and organizations participating and contributing to promoting positive choices for our students.

Connections

Students have the opportunity to connect with younger students at ATMS through peer tutoring and various student led events such as intramural basketball, and our annual grad march where grads visit the feeder schools to connect, show younger students what graduation is about, and to re-connect with some of their elementary and middle school teachers who have played a role in their 12 years of education.

Careers

Our students will succeed in a much different future from the one we envisioned 10 or 15 years ago. It is our responsibility to prepare all children for success in whatever life path they choose, connecting learning opportunities with future career possibilities. We know that real-life experiences - like community involvement, gaining business knowledge, and hands-on-learning - build better students and life-long citizens. 

Our celebrations of learning

All students have access to myBlueprint, an online career and training tool that allows students to learn, explore, reflect, and plan their high school path as well as post-secondary education and training options for their future.  Students actively learn about their interests, skills, passions, and feelings, and document what they discover about themselves in pictures, videos, and journals.

Grade 11 students visit post-secondary institutions to learn more about opportunities and life beyond high school. Recent alumni lead the tours to provide personal stories and connections to aid in the transtion beyond secondary school.

Careers and Work Experience Programs

Students have opportunities to be involved in district careers programs such as junior police academy, hospital or vet rotations, trades competions and more. Students can also gain valuable life skills and course credit through work experience opportunties.