At Cowichan Station Rural Traditional School we believe it is important for students, staff and parents to have a clear sense of the characteristics of a rural traditional school. It is also important for students, staff and parents to understand the goals that the school is trying to accomplish and the contributions that each group must make in order to achieve the school vision. The following vision statement is intended to provide the standards that our school strives to achieve and maintain.

Academic Emphasis

• Teacher-directed, often whole class instruction
• High expectations for achievement
• Mastery of content and skills (e.g. basics math facts, phonics, spelling)
• No split classes whenever possible
• Most subjects will be taught separately
• Healthy competition and creativity encouraged
• Monitoring and reporting frequently
• Structured sequential learning
• Regularly assigned homework

Student Conduct

• Close student supervision
• Dress code and uniform
• Emphasis on respectful behaviour
• Orderly behaviour at work or play 

Parental Involvement

• Active in school life
• Play an advisory role; educators have final say
• Strong Parent Advisory Council
• Open and frequent communications
• Strong sense of unity between parents and teachers
• Co-partners in learning through the support of daily homework and the use of agendas
• Supportive of school's mission and vision

Staff Commitment

• Committed to school's mission and vision
• Work individually and collaboratively to create conditions that promote student success
• Commitment to ongoing professional development

School Consistency

• Common educational philosophy amongst teachers
• Strong link between mission/rules and behaviour
• Many consistent routines and resources from class to class and grade to grade

Traditional Canadian Values

• Strong work ethic
• Strong family support
• Integrity of character
• Respect for self, others and the environment

Nature Focus

• Knowledge of rural industries and local ecologies
• Curricular activities focusing on own school grounds, local community resources, British Columbia and world environmental issues
• Relevance of local nature environment to modern life
  

The Cowichan Station Rural Traditional School will:

• Adhere to provincially prescribed and/or
• Conform with collective agreements
• Be free from any religious, political or ethnic affiliation
• Be funded at the same level as any other elementary school, and
• Be subject to periodic evaluations by the Board