This section outlines our school’s key areas of focus. It reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and responds to the evolving needs of our students. Whether centered on student engagement, social-emotional well-being, or academic growth, our focus guides our learning journey and informs the strategies we implement throughout the year.

Focus for 2025-2026:

At Cambie Secondary, our 2025–2026 Spiral of Inquiry centres on strengthening literacy skills for Grade 8 students as they transition into high school. A common baseline literacy assessment administered to Grade 8 students in September 2025 showed that, while many can read effectively, 30–40% remain Emerging in Making Predictions, Making Connections, and Identifying Main Ideas—primarily because they dive into texts and tasks without first previewing features or clarifying expectations.

This insight has focused our work on a clear inquiry question: How can explicitly teaching and reinforcing two high-leverage strategies help every Grade 8 learner approach complex texts and tasks with greater intention and success? Across all subject areas, staff are now consistently embedding (1) Following Instructions (slowing down, circling verbs, and clarifying the task) and (2) Previewing & Making Predictions (scanning headings, images, and key words to activate prior knowledge). We expect to see measurable growth when this cohort completes the parallel assessment in June 2026 and, most importantly, a more confident and capable transition into the literacy demands of high school.

Here, we present the data and observations that shape our understanding of student learning and well-being. Through assessments, classroom observations, and staff reflections, we gather meaningful insights that help us track progress, and ensure that our approaches are making a difference for students.

This section highlights the concrete steps we take to support our school’s learning goals. From instructional strategies to school-wide initiatives, we document the ways we put our focus into practice. By fostering a collaborative approach, we ensure that our actions lead to meaningful improvements in student success and well-being.