Student Life
Co-Curricular Programming
What makes the KBS co-curricular program special? At Kempenfelt Bay School, we are dedicated to nurturing the whole child. We believe a complete education extends beyond the classroom, and that self-confidence blooms when students are given diverse opportunities to shine. Whether it is taking the stage in a musical production, collaborating on a sports team, exploring the arts, or performing in the school band, these experiences provide students with a sense of identity, pride, and self-worth.
| Club | Grade |
|---|---|
| Art Club | Grade 5 |
| Arts and Crafts Club | Grade 3 |
| Arts and Crafts Club | JK |
| Battle of the Books | Grade 4-6 |
| Boost Soccer Club | Grade 4-5 |
| Boost Soccer Club | Grade 2-3 |
| Building Club | Grade 2 |
| Building Club | Grade 1 |
| Coding and Sphero Robotics | Grade 3-4 |
| Coding Club | Grade 4-5 |
| Crew Club for the Griffin Musical | Grade 3 |
| Crew Club for the Griffin Theatre | Grade 5-8 |
| Cross Country Team | Grade 4-8 |
| Culinary Arts | Grade 5 |
| Dance Club for the Griffin Musical | JK/SK |
| Directed Drawing | Grade 2 |
| Directed Drawing | JK/SK |
| Drama for the Griffin Theatre | Grade 5-8 |
| Environment Club | Grade 1 |
| Fibre Arts Club | Grade 3 |
| French Games Club | SK |
| Genius Hour | Grade 4 |
| Green Thumb Club | Grade 2 |
| Griffin Theatre Prep | Grade 4 |
| Club | Grade |
|---|---|
| Jazz Band | Grade 6-8 |
| Math Club | Grade 3 |
| Mic Drop Club | Grade 5-8 |
| Outdoor Ed | Grade 5-6 |
| Outdoor Ed | Grade 3-4 |
| Picnic and Play | JK/SK |
| Public Speaking | Grade 3 |
| Skating Club | Grade 4-8 |
| Skating Club | Grade 1-3 |
| Softball | Grade 5-6 |
| STEM Club | Grade 3 |
| STEM Club | Grade 2 |
| Strategy Games Club | Grade 3-5 |
| Sustainable Fashion Club | Grade 5-7 |
| Swim to Survive | Grade 3 |
| Track and Field Team | Grade 4-8 |
| U14 Boys Basketball Team | Grade 6-8 |
| U14 Girls Basketball Team | Grade 6-8 |
| U14 Girls Volleyball Team | Grade 7-8 |
| Vex Robotics | Grade 6-8 |
| Vex Robotics | Grade 2 |
| Vex Robotics | Grade 1 |
| Yearboook | Grade 7-8 |
Discover your passions
To support this journey of self-discovery, KBS offers a robust selection of co-curricular clubs throughout the school year. Our programs are intentionally designed to offer grade-appropriate choices that cater to a wide range of interests, including:
Athletics & Active Play
Competitive sports teams and fun, low-organization recreational games.
Creative Arts
Hands-on crafts, visual arts, and musical performance groups.
Academic Enrichment
Engaging clubs designed to challenge young minds and spark lifelong curiosity.
At KBS, every student is encouraged to explore new skills, take positive risks, and find their unique place to thrive. At KBS we don’t believe that sports, clubs & activities should be “extra” to the curriculum. That’s why we call our program co-curricular. This is a core belief that is held by Your Education Team and it’s part of our education plan.
Student Participation
We do our best to provide a wide variety of clubs for all interests and we encourage our students to participate and possibly try something new.
All Inclusive
We believe every student should have the chance to participate, which is why most of our co-curricular programs are included in your tuition. For a few of our unique offerings, we bring in outside professionals to provide specialized training; these specific programs do carry an additional cost.
KBS Leadership in Action Certificate
Kempenfelt Bay School has a very strong leadership program, and is proud to award its deserving students the KBS Leadership in Action Certificate at the end of their Grade 8 year. In order to obtain the certificate, students must have completed at least two years of Middle School at KBS, fulfilled a minimum of 30 hours of Community and Service, and successfully completed an independent community and service project.
Giving importance to the sense of community encourages responsible citizenship as it seeks to deepen our students’ knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Our Community and Service program develops each student’s sensitivity to the needs of the community and society in general, awareness of their role within the community, their willingness and skills to respond to the needs of others, and an altruistic attitude. Throughout the process, students complete a leadership portfolio, which includes student goals and reflections, certificates and awards, and highlights of achievements. They also create their first resume, as they apply for a leadership role at the end of Grade 7.
Continued leadership
As students enter Middle School, they discover that true leadership is a continuous process rather than a single event.
Guided by a dedicated teacher mentor, Grade 8 students investigate, plan, take action, and reflect on a project rooted in a personal passion, allowing them to hone their individual talents and skills. At the end of their Grade 8 year, students showcase their achievements to the school community and enjoy a year-end celebration.
Community Leadership in Action is a profound way for KBS students to discover their own potential while developing a better understanding of the world around them.
In Grade 6…
…students reflect deeply on the foundational meaning of good citizenship.
In Grade 7…
the focus shifts as students inquire into the specific qualities of effective leaders and the vital importance of building a strong, collaborative team.
In Grade 8…
…students put their cumulative leadership skills into motion by undertaking a year-long personal project.
Beyond the Classroom: Experiential Education & Field Trips
At Kempenfelt Bay School, we believe that some of the most profound learning happens when theoretical knowledge meets real-world application. When possible, we plan curriculum-aligned field trips and off-campus excursions to help us transform abstract classroom concepts into hands-on experiences. By engaging students intellectually, socially, and physically, these immersive experiences deepen retention, spark curiosity, and help students make authentic connections between their studies and the world around them.
Signature Milestone Excursions
Grade 4: Environmental Stewardship & Exploration
The Experience: A dedicated paddling and wilderness trip.
The Pedagogy: This excursion serves as a live, outdoor science lab. Immersed in nature, students engage in kinesthetic (hands-on) learning to study local ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental science. It instills an early sense of ecological responsibility while building foundational teamwork and outdoor competency.
Grade 6: Leadership & Team-Building Camp
The Experience: A multi-day adventure featuring high ropes courses, climbing walls, paddling, cooperative games and more.
The Pedagogy: Positioned at the entry point to Middle School, this camp is structured around experiential leadership. By navigating controlled, supportive physical challenges, students push past their comfort zones to build resilience and self-efficacy. Group dynamics are explicitly woven into the activities, teaching students how to delegate, communicate, and establish deep mutual trust as a collaborative cohort.
Grades 7 & 8: Cultural Immersion & Canadian Heritage
The Experience: A multi-day, alternating annual trip to Ottawa and Quebec City, serving as a year-end capstone trip.
The Pedagogy: This excursion leverages cross-curricular immersion by bringing history, geography, and language to life. Navigating Canada’s capital or the historic streets of Quebec offers students a living textbook for Canadian heritage and political frameworks. For the Quebec rotation, the trip provides an invaluable, real-world context for French language acquisition, pushing students to apply their linguistic skills authentically outside the classroom. Above all, it serves as a powerful group binding experience, solidifying the cohort's lifelong connections and celebrating their journey together.
House System
Named after our four founding families, our House System offers students an immediate sense of belonging from the moment they are admitted to Kempenfelt Bay School.
A Lifetime Sense of Belonging
One of the greatest benefits of the House System is the multi-grade relationships it naturally fosters. From Day 1, students are welcomed into an instant community of peers, spanning from our youngest Kindergarteners to our Grade 8 House Leaders. These housemates collaborate, support one another, and celebrate together throughout their entire KBS experience.
The Year-Long House Cup
Throughout the year, students participate in a friendly, spirited points race to promote House pride, school spirit, and teamwork. House points are earned through a variety of community-building events, including:
- School Spirit: Exciting challenges on Sports Day and team-based school competitions.
- Community & Service: Active participation in community outreach programs and charitable fundraising initiatives.
- Individual Excellence: Special academic and character challenges designed for both individuals and entire Houses.
Through friendly competition and shared goals, the House System teaches our students the true value of camaraderie, leadership, and mutual support.