Glarea Elevated Learning to open "innovative" new private school in Surrey

With an emphasis on building more “grit” in children, Glarea Elevated Learning is opening a new school in Surrey that it says provides a unique alternative to the current education system — by incorporating expert-led sport and art streams.

Opening in September 2020, the “innovative” K-12 school will feature a groundbreaking curriculum that equips students with the skills necessary to identify challenges and develop sustainable solutions.

“Glarea isn’t just rethinking education, but reimagining it and offering an alternative to the current school system,” says Nadia Hasan, founding partner of Glarea Elevated Learning.

“Our students are valuable, and it is our role to provide them a safe space to fall short and try again before succeeding, attempt new things, find their passions, and ultimately allow them to see how important and powerful they are.”

Meaning “grit” in Latin, Glarea integrates a program called Challenge Based Learning, which is a collaborative learning framework delivered within the BC curriculum to empower students to address local and global challenges while acquiring content knowledge in math, science, social studies, language arts, medicine, technology, engineering, computer science, and the arts.

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Layering in sport and art expert streams — within a technologically innovative educational environment — will enable students to focus on problem solving, individual creativity, logical thinking, and skill development through experimentation and play.

The newly expanded Excellent Ice Facility in Surrey’s East Panorama Ridge will be the home to Glarea’s Kindergarten to Grade 5 programs and will grow with the students yearly up to Grade 12.

Glarea has also partnered with Arts Umbrella to develop their Art Expert Stream, focusing on visual arts, music, theatre, dance, and media arts programs, and has partnered with a number of leading-edge sports organizations and athletes to manage and develop their Sport Expert Stream.

“As a proud community leader for the past 21 years, Excellent Ice has worked with thousands of families and kids through our hockey school and Learn to Skate program,” says Kirk Fisher, founding partner of Glarea and senior vice president of Lark Group, owner of Excellent Ice.

“We wanted to add a formal education program and diversity into our sports culture and see Glarea as perfect partners for our expanded facility. I see the combination of these businesses as a gritty catalyst to boldly elevate anyone who enters the program.”

Glarea Elevated Learning is now accepting applications via its website.