Aurora Preparatory Academy logo

THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Aurora Preparatory Academy

Grades JK TO Gr. 8 — Aurora, ON (MAP)

Aurora Preparatory Academy:
THE OUR KIDS REPORT
REPORT CONTENTS:

Pages in this report:

  • Grades
    JK — Gr. 8
  • Gender
    Coed
  • Class Size
    12 — 16 students
  • Tuition
    $16,100 to 17,600/year
  • Language of instruction
    English
  • Associations
    N/A
  • Enrolment
    120 day students
  • Curriculum
    Traditional
  • EBROCHURE
    N/A

School address

  • 81 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora, Ontario, L4G 4C4 (MAP)
  • Busing not available

Our Perspective

How we see Aurora Preparatory Academy


We all want to go where everyone knows our name, and while there is a strong academic program at APA, that sense of place is one of the primary draws for the families that enroll here. Students are known throughout the school, and their successes are routinely recognized, shared, and celebrated. For many students, that in itself can provide a transformative learning experience. The community of the school actively includes the parents and siblings of the students who attend, something that brings a welcome warmth and familiarity to the lived experience of the school. The size of the school also allows for faculty to approach each student individually, providing appropriate challenge and support to ensure that all reach their academic and social potentials. The ideal student is one who will thrive in a close-knit, personal, challenging academic setting.

School's Perspective

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How Aurora Preparatory Academy sees itself


The school administration answered our questions

Who are you, as a school?

"Aurora Preparatory Academy is a small school that produces big results. With our smaller class sizes, teachers develop a meaningful connection with each child, facilitating higher academic performance and stronger overall development. Our welcoming, inclusive community ensures an environment where students, teachers and families work together for the success of every learner. By meeting and enhancing the Ontario curriculum, our approach to education promotes independence, responsibility and confidence."

  • Supported and Enriched Ontario Curriculum
  • Small Class Sizes (Average 12-16 Students)
  • Personalized Support From Our Team Of Dedicated Teachers
  • Full Sports Programme
  • All-Grade French, Art, Music, Phys. Ed. and Technology
  • Unrivalled School Community
  • Affordable Payment Options
  • 19,000 sq. ft. Facility

What do you do differently and uniquely well?

"At Aurora Prep, we provide a broad-based foundation that focuses, not only on exceptional academics, but also on athletic, artistic, social, emotional, and psychological development. We maintain a small, cohesive environment in which students are supported by a community to which they truly feel they belong. This approach allows them to explore and enhance their existing skills while simultaneously encouraging them to face and overcome challenges."

To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

"Aurora Prep chooses to remain small and affordable. Our tuition costs are among the lowest of all schools in York Region, making private education within reach for a greater number of families. In addition, we deliberately keep our community small, allowing it to retain its feeling of cohesiveness while providing a greater number of opportunities for students. It truly feels like a one-room schoolhouse that still provides an exceptional array of educational opportunities."

What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

"Although Aurora Prep is committed to being smaller in size, families sometimes believe our programming is limited. Nothing could be further from the truth. We enjoy a 19,000 sq-ft building and a generous yard. We introduce itinerant subjects - music, French, phys. ed, and art - immediately in Junior Kindergarten. We don't split grades. We also have charitable opportunities, school concerts, clubs and field trips, and a school musical. Aurora Preparatory is truly comprehensive in its offerings."

What might families find surprising about your school?

"Aurora Prep espouses and embodies the belief that it takes a village to raise a child. Every member of our community plays an integral part to ensure the best possible experience for all our students. Our teaching staff works incredibly closely, supporting one another and contributing to each student, each class, and the school as a whole. Administrators are deeply involved in school life, often spending time with classes or individual students in order to foster connection and provide guidance."


School Facilities

Photo-tour of facilities


Athletics facilities


Arts facilities


Campus


Classrooms


Science facilities


Instructional resources


Shared spaces


Insider Perspectives

How people from the school’s community see Aurora Preparatory Academy


Video reviews of Aurora Preparatory Academy

Parent, Nicole Joyce (2023)

Gr. 3 to Gr. 7 (current), SK to Gr. 4 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Nicole Joyce to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Aurora Preparatory Academy.

Parent, Pamela O’Grady (2021)

Watch our parent interview with Pamela O’Grady to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Aurora Preparatory Academy.

Parent, Jessica Buckley (2020)

Watch our parent interview with Jessica Buckley to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Aurora Preparatory Academy.

Written reviews of Aurora Preparatory Academy

(4.8)

Parent, Sharron Robert (2019)

It is my sincere hope that other parents with a child that has had difficulties in school due to bei...

(5)

Parent, Tunde Nyarfadi (2019)

Aurora Preparatory Academy is a happy place. Making this change for my son was one of the best decis...

(5)

Parent, Meave Mastracci (2018)

Making the decision to switch my eldest to APA was literally one of the best decisions we have ever ...
See all written reviews (5 total)

School leadership

Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone


Message from school leadership

Rhonda Vissers, Co-principal

We would like to introduce you to Aurora Preparatory Academy, an institution that offers an exceptional elementary education in York region at a surprisingly reasonable cost. Aurora Prep is owned and operated by a small, select group of teachers committed to continuing the unparalleled 35 years' success its predecessor, Foundations Private School, on the occasion of its principal's retirement. It has been an exciting year of transition and updates, honouring the past while embracing the future, and many of our current families are already registering in advance of the anticipated public interest.

Aurora Prep is a small school that produces big results, currently boasting a student population that allows us to provide exceptional individualized support to each of our students. Teachers and students enjoy a strong rapport that facilitates higher academic performance and stronger emotional development. In addition, we encourage our families to get involved in school life, and we provide many opportunities to do so. Together, our approach produces a welcoming, cohesive community that creates the best environment possible in which elementary students can thrive. While many schools may speak of foundation, community, and excellence, Aurora Prep espouses them as its fundamental, governing principles.

Our students are encouraged to do their best at all times, achieving excellence in every subject and activity. We promote responsibility, independence and effort, recognizing the inherent importance of the learning process and not just the final result. Aurora Prep students develop the courage to try new things and the mindset that they are capable of anything. They recognize that striving for academic excellence must be complemented by striving for excellence in all other aspects of life. A committed involvement in athletic, artistic or altruistic pursuits is an essential component of our students’ lives.

If you have any questions about our school, our approach, or our programmes, we invite you to contact me personlly and I would be happy to provide you additional information.

Sincerely,
Rhonda Vissers


THE OUR KIDS REPORT: Aurora Preparatory Academy

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