We, the Students & Staff of the Welcome You !

Build a strong foundation

Art: Pioneer Showcases it's talents

The Pioneer Academy was formed through the dedication and commitment of a group of parents who wished to provide an enriched and stable learning environment for children. Established in 1997 as a non-profit organisation with open membership opportunities for parents and others, the school is entrusted to the vision of elected Trustees commonly devoted to the well-being and optimum development of children.

Pioneer began operation in a small house in Goodwill in September 1997 with a total of 53 children. It has now grown to over 130 students and has already had to move location twice to accommodate the growing numbers. In September 1999 we moved into our own building on our own land at Checkhall. Thanks to the generous support of donors, the present building offers space in a practical and attractive setting which is highly conducive to an exciting learning environment. We offer primary education from Kindergarten through to Grade 6. Through smaller class sizes, hands-on experience, individual attention, a broad curriculum, and highly qualified teachers, children are encouraged to become self-motivated learners, equipped with the skills necessary to face the world of tomorrow.

SCHOOL MOTTO

Through difficulties to the stars
Ad astra per asperao

OUR AIMS ARE: "To equip children with the skills needed for successful learning maximized through a broad and varied curriculum. To fuel children's curiosity and thirst for learning by teaching children how to learn; to become self-motivated thinkers; how to find things out and how to turn interests into knowledge. To encourage respect and social responsibility towards family, community, country and our world."

BELIEFS AND VALUES: Pioneer is not based on any single educational philosophy, but rather draws from a wide range of disciplines. We support the following beliefs and values. . Learning is an active process. Children learn through repeated exposure, consistent role modelling from others around them, and from repeated opportunities to apply and practise. Education should begin with the learner and extend outward

. As infants and toddlers, children spend their first years of life following the scientific discovery method of learning. They touch, taste, smell, manipulate, and investigate everything around them. Good education builds upon this fact of childhood, and works to keep the spark of intellect and self-confidence alive. . Children need to develop sensitive reality testing skills: a sense of order and an awareness of logical cause and effect. They must learn to trust their mind's ability to think logically and to solve problems on their own. . Children learn in different ways at different paces. Therefore, an effective school must remain highly flexible and be prepared to individualize and adapt education to the learner. . Rapid change is a fact of life in today's world. Because we cannot predict the the skills needed for tomorrow, it is important that we teach children how to remain open to change, constantly ready and willing to learn new things and master new technologies.

CURRICULUM Pioneer ensures the requirements of the Dominican National Curriculum are met in core subject areas. Teachers aim to enhance and enrich this through presentation of material in ways which make learning challenging and meaningful. Computers are an integral part of the classroom learning environment and the range of subjects offered includes Music, Art, Sport and Physical Education, Spanish and French.

The program is designed to prepare students of varying levels of ability to act with confidence and leadership as we equip them not only with the academic background to succeed in the Common Entrance Examination, but also with the physical, emotional and spiritual foundation to mature into progressive, knowledgeable and considerate individuals.

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION Record keeping and evaluation are important and an integral part of the total teaching/learning program. Assessment is done through collecting student information regarding knowledge, attitudes, skills and values through a variety of techniques and practices such as: 1. Anecdotal records 2. Portfolios 3. Conferences 4. Self and peer evaluation; 5. Documented teacher observations 6. Diagnostic tests 7. Summative tests 8. Examinations 9. Standards 10. Student achievement profiles 11. Student demonstration of skills 12. Student projects and assignments 13. Dramatisation 14. Interviews 15. Composition (dance, musical) 16. Co-operative activities.

ENROLMENT PROCEDURE Students must turn 4years of age by December 31 of the year they begin Kindergarten. As space is limited, applications are accepted several years in advance of expected date of entry.

FEES Fees are due on or before the first day of term. All amounts quoted are in E.C. dollars. Membership Fee (Non-refundable, per family as long as the family is a member. Paid upon registration): $1397 International Students $1270 CSME Students Term Fees (paid 3 times per year): $1397 International Students $1270 CSME Students Additional siblings receive a 10% discount.

STAFF PRINCIPAL - Ms. Esther Robinson Assitant - Ms. Bertina Stoute

	TEACHERS Pre-Kindergarten Mrs. Marla John Pierre Pre-K Assistant Mrs. Mary White Kindergarten Mrs. Christiana Burton Rabess Grade K Assistant Ms. Haganna Dorival Grade 1 Ms. Kirstyn Goncalves Grade 2 Mrs. Bernadette Vidal Grade 2 Assistant Ms. Edwina Jno. Baptiste Head of Dept.(Pre-K to Gr.2) Ms. Brenda Sorhaindo Grade 3 Ms. Tammy Williams Grade 4 Mrs. Verne O'Brien Maxwell Grade 5 Ms. Anesa Campbell Grade 6 Ms. Yvonne Daniel Grade 6 Assistant Ms. Sonia Hill Sports Mr. Wayne George Art Mr. Hillroy Fingal Computers Mr. Jerndal Lawrence French Mr. Devon Bruno Spanish Ms. Daniel Music Mr. Pious John Baptiste ANCILLARY STAFF
	Grounds Care	Mr. Jones Esprit
	House Keeping	Ms. Shirley Bocage

STAFF RECRUITMENT Teachers are recruited both locally and abroad. Applications may be made by forwarding resume, photograph and names of at least two referees to our post office address, fax or e-mail. Only applicants with primary teaching qualifications and at least two years primary teaching experience will be considered.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES The school is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of seven elected members. Chairman: Mr. Maurice Agar Vice Chairman: Mr. Phillip Alleyne Treasurer: Mrs. Annette Green Secretary: Ms. Thalia Remy Assistant Secretary Treasurer: Mrs. Ferne Brumant Ordinary Member: Mrs. Anna Raffoul Ordinary Member: Mr. Arthur Smith

DONORS The following businesses, through their generosity, have made it possible for Pioneer to exist. Archipelago Trading Ltd Auto Trade Ltd Beacon Insurance Ltd Belfast Estates Ltd Bermudez Biscuit Company Brizee's Mart Burton & Co. Ltd Elias Nassief Foundation Estate of Adeline Johnson First Domestic Insurance Harris Paints Dominica Ltd J. Astaphan & Co (1970) Ltd Mr & Mrs Pierre Astaphan Mr Carlos Mejia Mr Daniel Langlois Mr Gerry Aird Mr Gregor Nassief Mr Phillip Nassief P.H. Williams & Co (1979) Ltd Mr Richard Edghill Royal Bank of Canada Thall Engineering Ltd

For more information, please contact us at the school: Pioneer Preparatory School P.O Box 1254 Roseau Commonwealth of Dominica Telephone Number: (767) 449 9500 Fax Number: (767) 448 5510 Or e-mail us at: pioneer@cwdom.dm