Your Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions and Helpful Answers
Academy FAQ's
Q. Who are the teachers?
A. All our teachers are Ontario Certified Teachers and are in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers. Our teachers are dedicated individuals committed to the success of the school. They are trained in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and have previous experience working with children with special needs.
Q. Is transportation to and from Oak Bridge Academy available?
A. Currently, transportation to and from school is the parents' responsibility however, there may be availability in our current parent-arranged carpooling groups.
Q. Does Oak Bridge Academy offer before and after school care?
A. Oak Bridge will offer before and/or after school care if there is enough interest from OBA families. This is an additional fee.
Q. What are the criteria for admissions?
A. We assess each student individually once we have received their application and supporting documentation. We will consider any child who could benefit from a small classroom size and individualized programming, and who is academically ready.
Q. What are the grades at Oak Bridge Academy?
A. Oak Bridge Academy currently offers grades one to eight. The Essentials for Independent Living program offers grades nine through twelve.
Q. Does Oak Bridge Academy offer Speech Therapy?
A. Currently, Speech Therapy is available at Oak Bridge for an additional cost. We have a wonderful Speech Therapist who comes in weekly to work with some of our students. We would also be willing to work with a student's own private speech therapist and implement his or her recommendations.
Q. How are the students chosen?
A. We select students through an admission process, where they are assessed based on the best fit for the school and their readiness to access all components of the curriculum.
Q. Will the school expand going forward?
A. We will continue to assess school expansion plans on a yearly basis, depending on community need.
Q. My child has fetal alcohol syndrome, can they apply to Oak Bridge Academy?
A. We assess each potential student, regardless of a diagnosis, based on their readiness to access all components of the curriculum.
Q. Is there a discount for siblings?
A. Since we are a charitable organization, discounts for siblings will largely depend on the success of our fundraising efforts. At this time, we can not provide a definitive answer.
Q. What does the interview/assessment process look like?
A. The assessment will be play-based, getting to know your child's strengths and needs and ensuring they can get the most out of being a student at Oak Bridge Academy.
Q. How is tuition paid?
A. Tuition can be paid in full or in monthly instalments.
Q. Is there any funding available to help with pay my child’s tuition?
A. If you receive OAP funding, it can be applied towards your child’s program(s). Currently, the Ontario government does not subsidize private school tuition.
Q. Does Oak Bridge Academy offer bursaries?
A. We make every effort to offer bursaries for our students through donations and fundraising efforts.
Q. What are the school day hours?
A. The school day runs from 8:50 am to 3:20 pm.
Q. What is the calendar school year?
A. The school calendar runs from September to June.
Q. Are there additional PD days throughout the school year?
A. Yes, given that our school day is longer, we have additional non-teaching days or closed days. Please see our current calendar.
Q. Does Oak Bridge Academy offer any summer programming?
A. Oak Bridge Academy offers summer camps, tutoring and clinical services throughout the summer.
Q. How will I receive progress updates on my child throughout the school term?
A. We issue two report cards and Individual Education Plans per academic year. Teachers and parents will be in regular contact, and we will facilitate regular meetings throughout the year.
Q. Does Oak Bridge Academy follow the Ontario Curriculum?
A. Yes, Oak Bridge Academy follows the Ontario Curriculum. We are able to modify or enrich subjects as well as offer alternative programming as needed.
Q. My child is non-verbal but uses a communication device. Can we apply to Oak Bridge Academy?
A. Yes, we will assess each potential student for their readiness to access all components of the curriculum.
Q. My child is currently unable to use the washroom independently, can we apply to Oak Bridge Academy?
A. We expect that students are toilet-trained, however, if they require assistance with the washroom routine, this can be worked on as a targeted goal.
Q. Will my child require 1:1 help at Oak Bridge Academy? Is there an additional cost for this?
A. Most students are able to work independently in an OBA classroom due to smaller classroom sizes and high staff-to-student ratio For students who continue to need the 1:1 support at OBA, it does come at an additional cost to families and will be discussed during admissions. One-to-one support is reviewed throughout the school year.
Q. Would my child need to attend full-time?
A. Yes, students are expected to attend all day from 8:50 am to 3:20 pm.
Q. My child has food issues, will someone be able to support my child while they are eating during nutrition breaks?
A. Yes, we are able to support your child during their nutrition breaks and implement programs to help with food issues if necessary.
Q. Do you have lunch programs?
A. Currently, we have pizza day every Thursday through the LunchBox Orders Program with Pizza Pizza.
Q. My child has dexterity/fine motor skills issues, will someone be able to support my child in getting properly dressed for going outdoors?
A. Yes, we will support the journey of dressing independently and will assist with buttons, zippers, and anything else needed so your child is appropriately dressed at all times. We can help with shoe-tying and implement programs to support this as well.
Q. Oak Bridge Academy is in a church. Is it a religious school? Will my child learn about religion?
A. No, although we have a wonderful relationship with Forward Church, Oak Bridge Academy is secular. Religion is not taught in our school.
Q. Is there ABA therapy during the school day?
A. While we do not offer intensive ABA therapy at school, ABA strategies are integrated throughout the day. These approaches are embedded into instruction, daily routines, and individualized student supports. If your child requires intensive 1:1 ABA treatment, we encourage you to apply for our Clinical Services.
Q. My child has a service dog, can they bring the dog to school?
A. Yes, with proper documentation and advanced preparation, OBA students are welcome to bring their service dog to school each day.
Clinical FAQ's
Q: Why is Caregiver Coaching mandatory for 1:1 services:
A: Research indicates that caregiver training is a crucial component in enhancing the effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. A study by Bearss et al. (2015) underscores the importance of incorporating parent education into ABA programs to achieve optimal outcomes. Additionally, a comprehensive guide on ABA parent training highlights that such training can reduce parent stress, improve family interactions, and enhance child treatment outcomes. These findings support the integration of caregiver training into ABA therapy to foster a collaborative environment that benefits both children and their families.
Q: Can I use my OAP funding?
A: Yes, all our Behaviour Support Services are overseen by a Registered Behaviour Analyst (ONT), making them eligible for reimbursement through the Ontario Autism Program. We provide timely receipts with all necessary information for reconciliation.
Q: What are the different ways I can pay for service?
A: Once you sign your service agreement pre-authorized payment will be set up
Q: Is there exclusion criteria for social skills groups:
A: To ensure the success of our Social Skills Group Programming, Oak Bridge conducts pre-group screenings to assess whether a group learning environment is the right fit for your child. These screenings are free of charge and will provide clinical recommendations for placement, along with suggestions for alternative service options if necessary.
Q: What are the criteria for students to attend social skills groups:
A: Student can express their basic needs and wants; can follow and understand “First-Then” language; stay in a group setting for 15 minutes with minimal prompting; tolerate 4 or more students in their space while following group instructions; transition away from activities with minimal prompting; and can complete all steps to toileting independently.