Our Story

About Achieva

Founded in 2006 by educator Bonnie Hayward, M.Ed., Achieva Educational Services began with a simple vision: to create meaningful educational experiences where children could learn not only from their teachers, but from one another.

With a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s in Educational Leadership, Bonnie began Achieva as both a one-to-one tutoring business and an after-school educational program, initially operating programs at Vanier Elementary and St. Bonaventure’s College. What began as a small, one-woman initiative has continued to grow for more than 20 years while remaining rooted in the Newfoundland and Labrador community.

Today, Achieva operates 14 after-school programs across the St. John’s metro area, supported by a team of more than 90 after-school staff, as well as a growing team of tutors providing online and remote tutoring services to students across Newfoundland and Canada.

Learning Through Creativity, Connection and Fun

From the beginning, Achieva has believed that learning should be engaging, purposeful and enjoyable. Our programs are designed to complement children’s school experiences while providing opportunities to explore interests, develop new skills and build confidence in a supportive, multi-age environment.

Over the years, Achieva has developed extensive curriculum resources and programming that incorporate a broad range of educational and enrichment experiences, including:

French language and cultural enrichment, Language Arts, Mathematics and problem-solving, Science, Engineering, Art, Theatre Arts, Physical Education, creative activities, collaborative learning and more.

Our programming encourages children to develop academically, socially and creatively while strengthening skills such as communication, cooperation, problem-solving, independence and confidence.

Homework time is always incorporated into our after-school programming as a dedicated period for students to focus, read, practise skills or complete schoolwork with support available when needed.

More Than After-School Care

Achieva is built around the belief that children thrive when they are given opportunities to explore, create, collaborate and contribute.

Our multi-age programs allow children to learn alongside peers of different ages and abilities, encouraging leadership, mentorship and positive social development. Activities are thoughtfully planned to provide variety throughout the week while allowing children to develop their own interests and participate at a level that feels comfortable for them.

We believe in helping children understand the importance of giving back. Through Achieva’s Acts of Kindness Initiative, students are encouraged to practise kindness and positive citizenship within their schools, families and communities. Achieva tracks each program’s Acts of Kindness and matches the totals to support local charities and non-profit organizations, helping children see how small actions can make a meaningful difference.

Locally Owned. Community Rooted.

While Achieva has grown since its beginnings, our roots have remained firmly in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are proud to be a locally owned and operated business and to have spent more than two decades growing alongside the families, schools and communities we serve.

Achieva is also proud to be a three-generation family business, with three generations of women contributing to its story and continued growth.

From one educator’s vision in 2006 to 14 after-school programs and a growing remote tutoring community, Achieva continues to evolve while holding onto the values that started it all: educational quality, creativity, community, connection and, most importantly, making learning fun. 💛