Testimonials
“Our nine-year-old daughter joined Blue Whale centre two years ago, and we can't imagine a better place for her. At Blue Whale she's found a safe, supportive and caring peer community, an innovative and highly functional approach to learning, and a skilled teacher whose focus on relationship with each child is invaluable.
Blue Whale’s co-founders and directors are wonderfully communicative, committed, and transparent. The teachers are incredibly warm, creative and full of enthusiasm. And the pedagogical model that has developed for the program is one that is increasingly supported by research in fields as varied as education, developmental psychology, and neuroscience. As an experienced teacher herself, the director is well able to mentor and guide the adults and children who are involved in this project of the heart.
We travel from Quebec to get our child to Blue Whale each week, and when we pick her up at the end of the day she really is full of serene confidence.” B. Atkinson
“Our son has had very high levels of both social and separation anxiety since he was a baby. We tried many different programs and approaches, including traditional, alternative, and homeschooling group activities, but these only increased his anxiety and it was always extremely difficult persuading him to return. The Blue Whale Children’s Centre was the first place where my son actually felt comfortable enough to separate from us. And, more than that, it is the first learning environment that he actually delighted in going to and participating in. I cannot express how amazing it was to hear him ask when he could go to “school” again – to see him go to bed before a Blue Whale day as excited as if he were having a birthday party the next day. After three and a half years in the program, his social growth and increased confidence, as a result of being part of the Blue Whale Children’s Centre, has been truly fantastic and unprecedented. We are so very grateful that he has this second home and second family and that, for the first time, we can feel secure in his personal, social and academic growth.” Tom Pestaj
“Blue Whale Centre is an exceptional learning environment that has helped our three children grow tremendously both academically and personally. The teaching staff provides unparalleled love and attention, in addition to one of the most unique experiential learning methodologies we have encountered. During day-to-day interactions, both the directors and teachers help children build their moral character, their inner strength and their integrity. As many families are closely involved in the care and education of their children, the Blue Whale Centre class exhibits a harmonious blend of well-behaved, caring, gifted, creative, kind, very friendly and sociable children which creates a safe and peaceful learning environment where children achieve their best and contribute their best. A culmination of hard work and dedication is moving Blue Whale Centre steadfastly forward. As parents of three young children and members of the Blue Whale Centre Community, we support this growth and this initiative of building on the Centre's momentum as an inspiring model of educational success.” Fadila & Hichem B.
“I have so much gratitude in my heart that I found the Blue Whale Children’s Centre. I so much wanted to find a place where my son could play and learn naturally with other children, and then this beautiful door was opened. We are truly grateful to have found this loving community for our son to nurture his natural curiosity about life. My heart is full and warm knowing that he is in a place where he is being so supported and nurtured, and I am so happy he’s part of a brave space of love and exploration, part of such a wonderful group of unique bright minds playing, learning, and growing together. Lillian and Sarah, thank you for helping him navigate all of the components of being part of a community. It’s so relieving to know that all situations are handled with compassion and awesome problem-solving skills. It allows our child to learn that his feelings are valid and valued, appreciated and accepted, as are those of all the children. He has a wonderful time at the school; thank you so much! We appreciate your support deeply.” S. Smith
“After some difficult times for our ten year old in the public school gifted classroom, it’s a huge relief to see him excited to get ready in the morning. He actually hates missing a day of Blue Whale for any reason! He comes home talking excitedly about topics that have been explored and loves the dance, movement, drama and daily time outdoors. Not only that, his intense interest in mathematics is supported and his teacher manages to meet his level of ability, keeping him engaged and stimulated. That, for us, is a first.
The environment at Blue Whale is gentle, creative, inclusive, supportive and kind, and we see how the focus on our son as a whole person is allowing him a level of safety and expression that we wouldn’t have dreamed possible in his previous classroom. His confidence is growing daily. The magical director and her talented team work wonders with children. The mix of ages in the classroom and the small class size combined with the deeply present teaching staff, create a truly special environment which allows children to thrive. We are deeply, deeply grateful.” R. Khosla
“Blue Whale is a wonderful child-centered program that gives students the power to explore and learn through their own curiosity, creativity, and interests. Students are offered a safe and collaborative learning environment where peer-to-peer, student-teacher and parent-teacher relationships are forged with mutual trust and respect.” Etienne L.
“I was just reflecting on how much happier and more confident our nine year old is since attending Blue Whale. On our drive home he's talking all about the day, the projects or discoveries, and how much fun was had at outdoor play. My husband and I have both noticed how much more curious and engaged he is about discovering different topics, how excited he is to attend the centre each morning, and enthusiastic about all that he is learning.
In his previous school, he was bored, restless and felt like he had to be on guard, and much of his attention went towards managing the day around social pressures instead of being engaged with the love of learning, interesting projects and friendly peers. When I would pick him up at the end of the day, he'd be frustrated or sad at what happened in the classroom or at recess. It was as if recovery time was needed from each day.
However, within the first few weeks at Blue Whale, we noticed such a change in him after school pick up time. Instead of being exhausted and overwhelmed, he was full of energy and inspiration; he was engaged and excited to tell us all about his time with his teachers and friends at the school. Such a night and day change! I love the inquiry-based learning directive at Blue Whale along with the amount of time each day dedicated to play and creativity. We are all so grateful to have this supportive and engaging learning environment!” Johanna Lynn & Hart Haidn
“Blue Whale has been a true blessing for our ten year old daughter and our family. We have searched and sampled so many different learning options and Blue Whale was the best fit for our family.
In the teacher, we find a wonderfully dedicated educator, full of imagination, and care for each and every child. She has an endless amount of energy and resources for our children, and is quite skilled in her ability to teach different age groups all at once. The director of the school is herself a marvelous teacher who is very involved in the curriculum, teaching and school activities as well. We appreciate her warmth, skills and strong presence with the children and families.
Blue Whale brings us back to traditional values of teaching offering not only academic topics but life skills as well. The adapted curriculum cannot be found anywhere else, and the fees being much lower than typical private schools, which are unaffordable, have allowed our family to get the best of both worlds: private education and the benefits of homeschooling. The school is child-centered which allows each child to grow at their own pace, and the small size of the school also allows for tailor made learning.
At Blue Whale, we have finally found a learning environment that is in line with our values, where kindness and cooperation are central. We don’t need to worry about bullying, or pushing for academics above all else, at the expense of the children’s global welfare. At Blue Whale, the holistic approach to learning is key. We believe in academics but we also believe in the importance of life skills, moral development and ethics as being key to future leaders and healthy and balanced individuals. Because Blue Whale is child-centered, it is a stress-free environment where children are at their best to learn. The very low teacher student ratio allows for individual attention that cannot be found elsewhere except at home. In fact, Blue Whale is like a small family and a second home for all the children. “ Dr. Gina Madrigrano and Mr. Giraldo Garcia Lopez
“The Blue Whale Children’s Learning Center has been a wonderful experience for our daughter this year. It provides a safe environment for children to be nourished and supported while they learn at their own pace and follow their own interests. The close ties that are created among friends and the respect that is taught is valuable learning for her whole life. The time spent outdoors creates a wonderful balance to learning, helps to integrate time spent in the classroom as well as nurture creativity and free play, which we know is so important for health. Thank you for everything!” Marie-Lynne S.
“This school program is unlike any other that I have experienced in its holistic and inquiry-based learning, and it is an honour to be a part of giving these children an educational environment where they can finally grow and meet their full potential.
The Blue Whale Children's Centre is a place where the students feel confident to express themselves and where they feel truly safe, while having fun in their learning environment. It is an environment that fosters within them curiousity, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning. It is so refreshing to see the students ask insightful questions about the world around them and become caring members of a community as they learn and grow together. The students accept and support each other and their differences, thanks in part to the small class sizes. Each child is wonderfully unique and as such, has unique needs, whether academically, socially or emotionally. The unconditional support from the parents and teachers all contribute to a school that is truly child-centered and meets the individual needs of these children.” Sarah F.
“This morning when I dropped my daughter off, I had a moment to reflect on how good it feels to know that when I walk away from the school and head into my own day, she's in truly loving hands. What a difference to how it used to feel when I dropped her at public school... a kind of gnawing in the gut, and an anticipatory feeling of despair when I went to collect her again. I feel so blessed to be out of that situation. It's pure joy to see how she is able to evolve socially and emotionally because of how safe she feels in this learning community. And also to realize just how much she's learning, and how alive her curiousity and wonder are as a result of this truly special and unique learning environment. Thank you, so much, for making this the reality of our days.” Brenda A.
Blue Whale’s co-founders and directors are wonderfully communicative, committed, and transparent. The teachers are incredibly warm, creative and full of enthusiasm. And the pedagogical model that has developed for the program is one that is increasingly supported by research in fields as varied as education, developmental psychology, and neuroscience. As an experienced teacher herself, the director is well able to mentor and guide the adults and children who are involved in this project of the heart.
We travel from Quebec to get our child to Blue Whale each week, and when we pick her up at the end of the day she really is full of serene confidence.” B. Atkinson
“Our son has had very high levels of both social and separation anxiety since he was a baby. We tried many different programs and approaches, including traditional, alternative, and homeschooling group activities, but these only increased his anxiety and it was always extremely difficult persuading him to return. The Blue Whale Children’s Centre was the first place where my son actually felt comfortable enough to separate from us. And, more than that, it is the first learning environment that he actually delighted in going to and participating in. I cannot express how amazing it was to hear him ask when he could go to “school” again – to see him go to bed before a Blue Whale day as excited as if he were having a birthday party the next day. After three and a half years in the program, his social growth and increased confidence, as a result of being part of the Blue Whale Children’s Centre, has been truly fantastic and unprecedented. We are so very grateful that he has this second home and second family and that, for the first time, we can feel secure in his personal, social and academic growth.” Tom Pestaj
“Blue Whale Centre is an exceptional learning environment that has helped our three children grow tremendously both academically and personally. The teaching staff provides unparalleled love and attention, in addition to one of the most unique experiential learning methodologies we have encountered. During day-to-day interactions, both the directors and teachers help children build their moral character, their inner strength and their integrity. As many families are closely involved in the care and education of their children, the Blue Whale Centre class exhibits a harmonious blend of well-behaved, caring, gifted, creative, kind, very friendly and sociable children which creates a safe and peaceful learning environment where children achieve their best and contribute their best. A culmination of hard work and dedication is moving Blue Whale Centre steadfastly forward. As parents of three young children and members of the Blue Whale Centre Community, we support this growth and this initiative of building on the Centre's momentum as an inspiring model of educational success.” Fadila & Hichem B.
“I have so much gratitude in my heart that I found the Blue Whale Children’s Centre. I so much wanted to find a place where my son could play and learn naturally with other children, and then this beautiful door was opened. We are truly grateful to have found this loving community for our son to nurture his natural curiosity about life. My heart is full and warm knowing that he is in a place where he is being so supported and nurtured, and I am so happy he’s part of a brave space of love and exploration, part of such a wonderful group of unique bright minds playing, learning, and growing together. Lillian and Sarah, thank you for helping him navigate all of the components of being part of a community. It’s so relieving to know that all situations are handled with compassion and awesome problem-solving skills. It allows our child to learn that his feelings are valid and valued, appreciated and accepted, as are those of all the children. He has a wonderful time at the school; thank you so much! We appreciate your support deeply.” S. Smith
“After some difficult times for our ten year old in the public school gifted classroom, it’s a huge relief to see him excited to get ready in the morning. He actually hates missing a day of Blue Whale for any reason! He comes home talking excitedly about topics that have been explored and loves the dance, movement, drama and daily time outdoors. Not only that, his intense interest in mathematics is supported and his teacher manages to meet his level of ability, keeping him engaged and stimulated. That, for us, is a first.
The environment at Blue Whale is gentle, creative, inclusive, supportive and kind, and we see how the focus on our son as a whole person is allowing him a level of safety and expression that we wouldn’t have dreamed possible in his previous classroom. His confidence is growing daily. The magical director and her talented team work wonders with children. The mix of ages in the classroom and the small class size combined with the deeply present teaching staff, create a truly special environment which allows children to thrive. We are deeply, deeply grateful.” R. Khosla
“Blue Whale is a wonderful child-centered program that gives students the power to explore and learn through their own curiosity, creativity, and interests. Students are offered a safe and collaborative learning environment where peer-to-peer, student-teacher and parent-teacher relationships are forged with mutual trust and respect.” Etienne L.
“I was just reflecting on how much happier and more confident our nine year old is since attending Blue Whale. On our drive home he's talking all about the day, the projects or discoveries, and how much fun was had at outdoor play. My husband and I have both noticed how much more curious and engaged he is about discovering different topics, how excited he is to attend the centre each morning, and enthusiastic about all that he is learning.
In his previous school, he was bored, restless and felt like he had to be on guard, and much of his attention went towards managing the day around social pressures instead of being engaged with the love of learning, interesting projects and friendly peers. When I would pick him up at the end of the day, he'd be frustrated or sad at what happened in the classroom or at recess. It was as if recovery time was needed from each day.
However, within the first few weeks at Blue Whale, we noticed such a change in him after school pick up time. Instead of being exhausted and overwhelmed, he was full of energy and inspiration; he was engaged and excited to tell us all about his time with his teachers and friends at the school. Such a night and day change! I love the inquiry-based learning directive at Blue Whale along with the amount of time each day dedicated to play and creativity. We are all so grateful to have this supportive and engaging learning environment!” Johanna Lynn & Hart Haidn
“Blue Whale has been a true blessing for our ten year old daughter and our family. We have searched and sampled so many different learning options and Blue Whale was the best fit for our family.
In the teacher, we find a wonderfully dedicated educator, full of imagination, and care for each and every child. She has an endless amount of energy and resources for our children, and is quite skilled in her ability to teach different age groups all at once. The director of the school is herself a marvelous teacher who is very involved in the curriculum, teaching and school activities as well. We appreciate her warmth, skills and strong presence with the children and families.
Blue Whale brings us back to traditional values of teaching offering not only academic topics but life skills as well. The adapted curriculum cannot be found anywhere else, and the fees being much lower than typical private schools, which are unaffordable, have allowed our family to get the best of both worlds: private education and the benefits of homeschooling. The school is child-centered which allows each child to grow at their own pace, and the small size of the school also allows for tailor made learning.
At Blue Whale, we have finally found a learning environment that is in line with our values, where kindness and cooperation are central. We don’t need to worry about bullying, or pushing for academics above all else, at the expense of the children’s global welfare. At Blue Whale, the holistic approach to learning is key. We believe in academics but we also believe in the importance of life skills, moral development and ethics as being key to future leaders and healthy and balanced individuals. Because Blue Whale is child-centered, it is a stress-free environment where children are at their best to learn. The very low teacher student ratio allows for individual attention that cannot be found elsewhere except at home. In fact, Blue Whale is like a small family and a second home for all the children. “ Dr. Gina Madrigrano and Mr. Giraldo Garcia Lopez
“The Blue Whale Children’s Learning Center has been a wonderful experience for our daughter this year. It provides a safe environment for children to be nourished and supported while they learn at their own pace and follow their own interests. The close ties that are created among friends and the respect that is taught is valuable learning for her whole life. The time spent outdoors creates a wonderful balance to learning, helps to integrate time spent in the classroom as well as nurture creativity and free play, which we know is so important for health. Thank you for everything!” Marie-Lynne S.
“This school program is unlike any other that I have experienced in its holistic and inquiry-based learning, and it is an honour to be a part of giving these children an educational environment where they can finally grow and meet their full potential.
The Blue Whale Children's Centre is a place where the students feel confident to express themselves and where they feel truly safe, while having fun in their learning environment. It is an environment that fosters within them curiousity, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning. It is so refreshing to see the students ask insightful questions about the world around them and become caring members of a community as they learn and grow together. The students accept and support each other and their differences, thanks in part to the small class sizes. Each child is wonderfully unique and as such, has unique needs, whether academically, socially or emotionally. The unconditional support from the parents and teachers all contribute to a school that is truly child-centered and meets the individual needs of these children.” Sarah F.
“This morning when I dropped my daughter off, I had a moment to reflect on how good it feels to know that when I walk away from the school and head into my own day, she's in truly loving hands. What a difference to how it used to feel when I dropped her at public school... a kind of gnawing in the gut, and an anticipatory feeling of despair when I went to collect her again. I feel so blessed to be out of that situation. It's pure joy to see how she is able to evolve socially and emotionally because of how safe she feels in this learning community. And also to realize just how much she's learning, and how alive her curiousity and wonder are as a result of this truly special and unique learning environment. Thank you, so much, for making this the reality of our days.” Brenda A.
