SCHOOL LIFE
Introduction
School life at Mount Salem Christian School is active, joyful, and deeply rooted in community. Each day your child will step into classrooms filled with purposeful learning, meaningful friendships, and teachers who genuinely know and care for them.
From morning conversations and chapel gatherings to science labs, athletic practices, and laughter on the playground, our school day is shaped by both academic excellence and Christ-centred discipleship. We want your child to feel safe, known, and confident - growing not only in knowledge, but in character, faith, and leadership.
At MSCS, school is more than a place to learn. It is a community where students are encouraged to discover their gifts, build lasting friendships, and mature in Christ as they prepare for the future.
Our Curriculum
At Mount Salem Christian School, our curriculum is intentionally designed to be academically rigorous, biblically grounded, and thoughtfully delivered. We use well-established and carefully selected curriculum resources to guide our teachers in content, pacing, and instructional excellence. These resources are evaluated and adapted to ensure they align with both Ministry of Education expectations and our commitment to a distinctly Christian worldview.
Every subject is taught with the understanding that this is God’s world. Whether students are studying literature, mathematics, science, or history, they are encouraged to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and engage real-world problems through the lens of Scripture. Learning is not merely about mastering information - it is about forming wisdom.
Our classrooms are student-centered and purposeful. Teachers use proven materials while thoughtfully adapting instruction to meet the needs of their students. This balance allows us to maintain strong academic standards while also cultivating curiosity, responsibility, and a love for learning.
At MSCS, curriculum is more than a plan for covering content - it is a framework for shaping minds and hearts to live faithfully and thoughtfully in God’s world.
Kindergarten
Our Kindergarten program provides a warm, structured introduction to school life and is offered in both part-time and full-time options. Through purposeful play and guided instruction, students develop early literacy and numeracy skills while building important habits such as listening, sharing, and following routines. We intentionally create a joyful and secure environment where young learners grow in confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning.
Grades 1 – 5
In the elementary years, students build strong academic foundations while continuing to develop socially and spiritually. Core skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and inquiry are strengthened through structured, engaging instruction rooted in a biblical worldview. Students learn responsibility, cooperation, and perseverance as they grow in independence. These years establish both the habits of learning and the character formation that prepare them for the challenges ahead.
Grades 6 – 8
Middle school is a season of growth, discovery, and increasing responsibility. Academically, students are stretched to think more critically, manage greater independence, and engage more deeply with real-world ideas and problems. Socially, they are guided in navigating friendships, identity, and personal responsibility within a supportive Christian community. Students are given opportunities to serve and lead, helping them begin to recognize how God has uniquely gifted them to contribute to His world.
Grades 9 – 12
Our high school program prepares students for life beyond graduation - academically, spiritually, and vocationally. Through our partnership with Nimbus Christian Education, students are able to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) while remaining fully part of the MSCS community. This partnership allows us to provide a recognized and accredited diploma without undergoing separate Ministry inspection.
Academically, students receive the same core education offered in public high schools. They complete the required courses, follow Ontario curriculum expectations, and graduate with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. What’s different is not the education - it’s the culture.
At MSCS, rigorous academics take place within a Christ-centred environment where students are known, supported, and encouraged to grow in both character and faith. Our smaller size allows us to build strong relationships, provide individualized support, and foster a genuine sense of belonging. What we may lack in size, we more than make up for in community, care, and culture. Students are not simply working toward graduation - they are growing in confidence, responsibility, leadership, and purpose.
Click here to learn more about our High School
Extracurriculars
Life at MSCS extends beyond the classroom. Our extracurricular programs provide meaningful opportunities for students to develop confidence, leadership, teamwork, and creativity while building strong friendships within our Christ-centred community.
Sports
Athletics are an important part of school life, helping students develop discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Students in Grades 6–8 compete through CASSO, and our high school teams compete through SOCCSA. Through competition and practice, students learn to represent their school with integrity and sportsmanship.
Chapels
Chapels take place on Fridays and are a central part of our school rhythm. Once a month we gather for an all-school chapel, where our high school students lead the music and the entire community worships together. In addition, we hold monthly department chapels (Grades K–5 and Grades 6–12), allowing teaching and application to be age-appropriate. Parents are warmly invited to attend and join us as we grow together in Christ.
Morning Announcements
Each school day begins with shared announcements that help unify our community. These moments often include prayer, Scripture, reminders, and celebration of student achievements. It is a simple but meaningful way we stay connected as a school family.
Speech Meet
Speech Meet gives students the opportunity to memorize and deliver poetry or original speeches with clarity and confidence. This event strengthens public speaking skills while encouraging creativity and excellence. Students are challenged to communicate thoughtfully and courageously.
Clubs
Clubs provide space for students to explore interests beyond the classroom. Whether academic, creative, or service-oriented, clubs encourage collaboration, initiative, and deeper engagement in school life.
Student Council
Student Council, available in Grades 6–12l, provides structured leadership opportunities. Students learn responsibility, teamwork, and servant leadership as they help plan events and represent their peers.
Intramural Sports
Intramural sports create opportunities for friendly competition within our own school community. These activities promote participation, teamwork, and school spirit while allowing students of all skill levels to be involved.
Music
Music is a valued part of life at MSCS, with dedicated music classes for students in Grades 1–12. Students build skills progressively - Grade 6 students learn the ukulele, Grade 8 students learn guitar, and high school students develop proficiency in band instruments. Through both instruction and performance opportunities, students grow in confidence, creativity, and appreciation for musical expression.
Parent Community
One of the greatest strengths of Mount Salem Christian School is our parent community. We are more than a school families attend - we are a community families belong to. From Tuesday morning prayer gatherings to parents who faithfully provide baked goods each week and prepare hot lunches on Fridays, our school is strengthened by the generosity and involvement of our families.
Our Parent Partnership programs make it possible for us to offer the experiences and care that define MSCS. As a parent-run board school, families are not on the sidelines - they are actively shaping the direction and culture of our community. This level of involvement creates transparency, trust, and shared vision between home and school.
In a close-knit community, your child is not just another student, and you are not just another parent. You are known. You are valued. And together, we support one another as we seek to raise and educate our children faithfully.
