We’re preparing for a new school in Kincardine.
Featuring academic excellence, Christ-like examples, and innovative experiences for your child.
We have a vision to raise a generation of critical thinkers who know the timeless wisdom of God’s Word.
We dream of a school that exceeds academic expectations, works hand-in-hand with parents, and stands unashamedly on the infallible truth of God’s Word. Our dream is to see this new opportunity for education grow to include the full spectrum of an elementary school; Junior Kindergarten through to Grade 8, five days a week.
We recognize this is a large undertaking that will take several years to develop, so we plan to start with the primary students in Senior Kindergarten through Grade 3, and then add a year each year until we hit our goal of a full elementary school.
We’re committed to seeing each student graduate Bright, Kind, and Courageous.
By delivering world-class education, prioritizing partnership with parents, and holding to the belief that God’s Word is the foundation for all wisdom and genuine learning and living.
We’ll accomplish this by following our ABC’s
Schoolhouse Model
Intentionally group grades together to foster leadership and family-like learning.
Small Classroom Sizes
Safeguard the teacher/student ratios allowing educators to engage personally.
Passionate Educators
Employ a caring and qualified team that challenges students uniquely.
Bright
Building Character
Christ-like Examples
Chapel Services
Routinely create Jesus-centred moments for students/staff to grow in their faith.
Serving Opportunities
Prepare students to be “doers” of the Word by caring for and serving others.
Christian Influences
Build a team of passionate Jesus Followers who model the same values as the home.
Kind
Cultivating Leaders
Innovative Experiences
Critical Thinking
Encourage students to discern and defend truth to influence and lead culture.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Leverage technical tools to discover healthy uses and applications.
Industry Integration
Expand creative thinking by exposing students to unique opportunities.
Courageous
Meet the Faculty
Passionate and Christ-centred leaders you can trust with your children.
John McFarlane
Principal / Teacher
John holds a Master of Theological Studies, a Bachelor of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and have taught in public education for 30 years. As a member of The Harbour Church, John is actively involved and has served as a Board Member, Missions Director, Children’s Director, and Teacher reflecting his commitment to community and education.
Gayle McTiernan
Lead Teacher
Gayle holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Education from Laurentian University. She also earned a Special Education Specialist certification from the University of Toronto. After 35 years of teaching in public education, she is pursuing a certificate in Biblical Counselling through part-time studies at Heritage Seminary and attends The Harbour Church.
Joy Deslauriers
Administrator
Joy holds a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Business from McMaster and a Master’s in AI Management from Queen’s. She moved to Kincardine in 2021 and attends The Harbour Church. With experience in big tech, banking, and teaching, and as a mom, Joy is excited to be part of establishing a Christian school in our community.
FAQ’s & Conversations
How much is tuition?
Tuition for the 2025-26 school year is $10,500 per student.
We are pursuing bursary opportunities from local donors to assist with tuition costs. We are dedicated to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to receive a faith-based education regardless of financial circumstances. Please stay tuned for updates on bursary opportunities.
Will there be family rates or discounts?
We are currently exploring the possibility of offering family rates or discounts to accommodate multiple siblings attending our school. Please stay tuned for updates on any potential family rates, discounts, or bursary opportunities.
Where will it be located?
Our school is currently planned to be located within the Harbour Church in Kincardine. However, our vision extends beyond this initial phase, as we aspire to expand into our own dedicated facility in the future.
Have you confirmed teachers/educators?
We have confirmed our Principal and Lead Teacher. We are still actively looking for an Educational Assistant to join our team. Interested candidates are encouraged to send their resumes to John via hello@westlakeacademy.ca.
What association would we be part of?
We will be partnering with Edvance Christian Schools Association.
Will you be equipped for special needs programming?
At this time, we likely will not have the resources or infrastructure in place to offer specialized programming for students with special needs. However, we are continuously evaluating our capabilities and exploring opportunities to enhance our school in the future. Our priority remains ensuring that all students receive the support and accommodations they need to thrive academically and spiritually.
When are you hoping to start?
We’re looking to launch our pilot year in September 2025!
What will the daily structure look like?
Daily structures will be flexible, with teachers empowered to tailor them to the needs and dynamics of their students. While the specifics will be up to individual teachers, we envision a balanced approach where academic work, likely concentrated in the mornings, is complemented by opportunities for outdoor learning and unique experiences in the afternoons. This may include more time for outdoor activities or specialized offerings to enrich students’ learning experiences. We aim to empower teachers to take ownership of their classroom schedules, fostering an environment that best supports student growth and engagement.
Would Junior Kindergarten be offered?
Currently, we are open to the idea of offering Junior Kindergarten (JK), which will depend on the specific needs and demands within our community. However, as we embark on our journey, we may find it more manageable to initially focus on offering classes from Senior Kindergarten (SK) to Grade 3. Additionally, we recognize that Pre-K programs require closer supervision and may necessitate additional resources to ensure a positive and nurturing learning environment.
What child safety policies would be in place?
We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our students. We will have comprehensive child safety policies in place, including standardized police checks for all staff members.
What will the covenantal agreement/statement of faith look like?
The covenantal agreement/statement of faith will be similar to what is outlined on The Harbour Church website at theharbourchurch.com/about/, anchored in the foundations of Biblical faith.
Will we do standardized assessments?
Standardized assessments may not be implemented immediately, but we will have a plan in place to address them as we progress. Our goal is to set our students up for success, ensuring they meet (and exceed!) government requirements when they reach high school.
What curriculum will be used?
We are highly cognizant of the expectations set forth by the Ontario Ministry of Education. Our intention is not only to meet but to exceed the standards outlined in the Ontario curriculum. With purposefully designed material, we aim to provide a comprehensive educational experience. While we may not adopt a classical curriculum due to its more prescribed nature, our goal remains to ensure our students perform exceptionally well. Rest assured, we are committed to preparing our students to excel – that’s what our philosophy of Academic Excellence is all about.
Ratio of students to teachers?
This is an ongoing discussion, however, the ratio of students to teachers will be approximately 25 students to 3 educators, including 1 principal. This is just an example to start, and we are committed to maintaining a manageable ratio to ensure personalized attention and support for every student, as well as affordability for every family.
What about sports or after-school activities?
At the moment, we don’t have an indoor gymnasium, but we do have ample outdoor space. While sports teams may not be immediately available, we envision incorporating them into our program as we grow. Our long-term goal includes providing indoor facilities in a new space to further enhance our sports offerings.
Statements of Faith
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21).
We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30).
We believe in the deity of Christ (John 10:33), His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:35), His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 7:26), His miracles (John 2:11), His substitory and atoning death (1 Corinthians 15:3, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 2:9), His resurrection (John 11:25, 1 Corinthians 15:4), His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19), and His return in power and glory (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11).
We believe in the absolute necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for salvation because of the exceeding sinfulness of human nature; and that men are justified on the single ground of faith in the shed blood of Christ and that only by God’s grace and through faith alone we are saved (John 3:16-19, John 5:24; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8–9; Ephesians 2:8–10; Titus 3:5).
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the saved unto resurrection of life, and the lost unto the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28–29).
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12–13, Galatians 3:26–28).
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (I Corinthians 3:16, 6:19–20, Romans 8:13–14, Ephesians 4:30, Ephesians 5:18).
We believe that the term marriage has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:18–25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Corinthians 6:18, 7:2–5; Hebrews 13:4). We believe that God commands that there be no sexual intimacy outside of or apart from marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that God wonderfully foreordained and immutably created each person as either male or female in conformity with their biological sex. These two distinct yet complementary genders together reflect God’s image and nature (Genesis 1:26–27).
We believe it’s the primary role of parents to teach and prioritize the Christian education of their children (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6). The church and school participate by supporting and partnering with parents in this role.
