WHY ORION
ACADEMY?
Orion Academy Inc. is a registered not-for-profit company which operates a secondary school (high school) in Dominica under the name Orion Academy. It is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of six (6) individuals, some of whom were involved in the establishment and management of Dominica’s premier primary school, Pioneer
Preparatory School. The Academy's Principal is Mrs. Frances Harris.
Students accepted at Orion Academy must have achieved passes at the Grade Six National Assessment Examination or achieved a comparable standard if coming from outside Dominica.
Orion Academy is a comprehensive five-year high school enrolling 36 students in Forms 1 through to Form 5 (the equivalent of grades seven through eleven). The school opened in the fall of 2003 and graduated its first senior class in the summer of 2006.
Students Graduating from Orion have continued their studies at US and Canadian Prep-Schools and at the local State College.
The ethos of the school is to provide a holistic education in small classes. Students are encouraged to work independently and to carry out research and to seek out information for themselves. Orion seeks to develop independent thinkers and also to develop the whole child. Orion is an equal opportunity school and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race or ethnicity, sex, color, religion or economic status.
The courses followed are those prescribed for Forms 1 through 5 by the National Curriculum and the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), the Regional Examination Body for the Caribbean governed by the University of the West Indies. We offer in Forms 1 through to Form 3 a broad foundation in the following subjects: English Literature, English Language, History, Geography, Civics, French, Spanish, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Art, Music and Physical Education. At the end of Form 3 students may add the following two-year subjects as part of their studies Principles of Business, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Studies. All of these subjects are offered by the Caribbean Examination Council.
OUR NAME
The school name originates from a beautiful butterfly which is indigenous to Dominica. The use of the name and the incorporation of the butterfly into our logo depicts the students' love of nature and our country and their concern for the environment.
Orion, in astronomy, is a constellation located on the celestial
equator. It is one of the most conspicuous and easily recognizable
constellations in the entire sky. Orion rules the winter skies
as it reaches its highest peak in January. Orion has been the
subject of much literature in ancient times and is traditionally
depicted as the figure of a warrior or mythical hunter.
DISCIPLINE
Our children benefit from being well disciplined and inspired spiritually through-out their learning experience.
Our school is a very happy one where positive, firm, no-nonsense rules apply. We insist on up-right behaviour, good manners and personal integrity.
GRADING
Orion Academy assigns letter grades. Letter grades are assigned as follows:
A+ = 95% - 100% B- = 70% - 74%
A = 90% - 94% C+ = 65% -69%
A- = 85% - 89% C = 60% - 64%
B+ = 80% - 84% C- = 55% - 59%
B = 75% - 79% D = Below 55 (Below required standards)
TUITION
Tuition rates are set at a rate to ensure that
tuition revenue covers the operating costs of the school.
Current Tuition Rates:
EC $1,400 per term for Dominican citizens.
EC $2,100 for citizens of the Caribbean
region.
EC $2,450 for non-Caribbean nationals.
A non-refundable registration fee of $150.00 is
required for all students. If your child is accepted into the
school you will be expected to pay in addition one term's deposit
and if for any reason you child is withdrawn during a school
year this sum will not be refundable.
A laboratory fee is also applicable.
Roseau Credit Union will offer short term loans to parents permanently
resident in Dominica which are repayable over the year at extremely
competitive interest rates. At the end of the year you will
also have saved a sum with the institution.
PARENT SUPPORT
Parent support is an integral part of the success
of Orion Academy. It has been proven that nothing is
more effective at helping a child successfully face the challenges
of today's world than the support and concern of a loving parent.
Orion fosters strong partnerships between the parents and teachers
that help to bridge the gap between home and school. Parents
are encouraged not only to provide a secure
environment for their children but also to contribute to their
education.
Working together helps us to draw on our capabilities for the
benefit of our children and for nation building.
IN THE NEWS
The School has been awarded Gold Medals for five years consecutively at the Annual National Recorder Music Festival. Our recorder ensemble earned Gold medals in the Annual National Arts Festival and one student received a Silver Medal in the vocal section of the Annual National Music Festival.
Orion Academy placed second in the Tourism Quiz sponsored by the Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association (DHTA) which sought to familiarize students with the Tourism Industry.
Orion Academy has adopted a section of a local river as part of its Caring for the Environment Project. In June 2007, students organized a clean-up campaign to help beautify the area.
Based on results of the May 2007 CXC Examinations, Orion is considered to be in the top quartile of secondary schools on the island.
FUNDRAISING
Fundraising is an integral part of the school's administration
and is utilized for capital requirements. We embark on local fundraising,
as well as targeting regional and international donors and the
Diaspora .
Parents are encouraged to work with the Board of Trustees and
the relevant Parent Teacher Groups to ensure that fundraising
and the school is an ultimate success.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Applications are invited for the post of Principal. Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in Education and preferably a Master's degree.
Applications are also invited for the post of English teacher to teach all grades. A degree in English is required.
MAILING ADDRESS
Orion Academy
P.O. Box 167
Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica
TELEPHONE
1 (767) 440-3233
E-MAIL
e-mail : orionacademy@cwdom.dm
APPLICATION
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application or e-mail
us
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