The Brookstone Difference
At Brookstone, students learn in ways that honor their interests, learning styles, and pace, fostering deep engagement and ownership of their learning.
Real-world applications help students develop character, citizenship, respect, and empathy for themselves, others, and their community.
They are supported to grow into compassionate, resilient individuals with the critical thinking, creativity, and leadership skills needed to thrive as the problem solvers, innovators, and leaders that our world so desperately needs!
Since our inception five years ago, we’ve often returned to the idea of
thriving versus merely surviving when reflecting on our overarching mission for youth and their families.
We’ve come to recognize that thriving is indeed at the heart of our vision—it captures the essence of Brookstone’s programming and the many benefits our community provides.
T – Transformative → fostering deep personal and academic growth.
H – Holistic → supporting mind, body, and emotional well-being.
R – Resilient → building problem-solving skills and perseverance.
I – Innovative → encouraging creativity and critical thinking.
V – Visionary → empowering future-focused, big-picture thinkers.
E – Empowered → creating confident self-advocates with strong self-regulation.
The Pillars of Our Philosophy
Click on each icon to learn more!
Research Based Programming
Igniting a Child’s Passion for Learning
Social-Emotional Learning Support
Learning to Collaborate and Think Critically with Compassion
Progressive Physical Environment
Technology is used as a tool to support student learning
Access to Outdoor Education
Multiple Intelligences are Honoured & Developed
Ongoing Feedback
Support for Every “Type” of Student
Research Based Programming
Our program draws on a blend of proven, evidence-based approaches from a range of respected thinkers and researchers. These include Piaget’s constructivist principles, Bloom’s framework for skill development, Rose’s Universal Design for Learning, Vygotsky’s ideas on guided growth, and Gardner’s insights into multiple intelligences. In addition we are always on the look out for new research on neuro-affirming strategies for social-emotional learning and mental health and well-being support, such as Polyvagal theory.
Igniting a Child’s Passion for Personal Growth & Learning
With our low learner-teacher ratios, our teachers develop meaningful relationships with their students that allow them to create highly effective individualized programs. We meet youth where they are, and tap into their interests, thereby igniting the passion that fuels them to achieve their goals.
Learning to Collaborate and Think Critically with Compassion
Participants are given daily opportunities to work individually where appropriate, but more so students work together in partners or in small groups, across grades, with an emphasis on shared problem solving as they discover new knowledge and construct meaning together.
Technology is used as a meaningful tool to support learning
Students have regular access to a variety of tech as per their comfort level and learning needs. As they learn to navigate its responsible, safe and efficient use, students have the opportunity to use technology to not only research, but collaborate and communicate their learning. Those interested now have the option to not only learn to use AI responsibly but also code their own AI bots!
Multiple Intelligences are Honoured and Developed
At Brookstone, learners explore, create, and problem-solve in ways that spark curiosity and build confidence. We place a strong emphasis on creativity and self-expression, honour all abilities, and recognize that there are many different kinds of intelligence. Our specialized STEAM programming offers rich opportunities to develop skills across Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics — including a variety of visual art modalities, from painting and sculpture to digital design, as well as hands-on experiences in technology and robotics. Every learner is encouraged to grow their skills and strengths in ways that reflect their unique talents and interests, discovering new passions and seeing themselves as capable, innovative thinkers.
Support for Every “Type” of Student
When a child is finds something challenging, we provide additional time, varied approaches, and individualized support to help them achieve mastery. When a child is excelling, we offer enrichment opportunities that extend their learning and spark new curiosities. In our mixed-age, mixed-grade environment, every learner is valued for who they are and given the personalized support they need to thrive.
We are deeply committed to nurturing the whole child — mind, body, and heart. Our programs support students in developing emotional self-awareness and a strong sense of identity, while also equipping them with practical self-care and self-regulation strategies they can use throughout life. Through intentional modeling, guided reflection, and collaborative experiences, students learn to recognize and manage their emotions, respond to challenges with resilience, and build meaningful, respectful relationships. We place a strong emphasis on cultivating empathy and compassion — for oneself, for others, and for the world around us — creating a foundation for both personal well-being and positive community engagement.
Social-Emotional Learning Support
Progressive Physical Environment
Every student has the choice to experience their learning in a variety of ways. Students can choose to learn at a traditional desk or table, a standing desk or a low desk. There are wobble chairs and boards throughout the classroom, a movement area with treadmill, trampoline and stationary bike and calming zones and activities where students can have a quiet moment to themselves and interact with calming sensory items.
Access to Outdoor Education
Located in a vibrant urban community with immediate access to parks, trails, and waterfront areas, our program is rich with opportunities for outdoor education and connection to the natural world. Students regularly explore green spaces, observe local wildlife, and experience the changing seasons firsthand. Whether discovering frogs near the shoreline, spotting butterflies along a trail, or watching ducks glide across the water, our learners develop a deep respect for the living environment and a strong understanding of the important role humans play in sustaining life on our planet.
Ongoing Feedback
Learners are guided through engaging, real-world activities tailored to their abilities and goals. Progress is tracked through ongoing observation and meaningful feedback, with next steps chosen to help them apply and extend what they’ve learned. The aim is to keep challenges at just the right level—high enough to spark interest, but achievable enough to build confidence and a sense of accomplishment. We share updates with families regularly and celebrate progress as both a milestone reached and a springboard for continued growth.
