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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Junior Academy

Grades Nursery/Toddler TO Gr. 8 — Toronto, ON (MAP)
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Junior Academy:
THE OUR KIDS REPORT
REPORT CONTENTS:

Pages in this report:

  • Grades
    Nursery/Toddler — Gr. 8
  • Gender
    Coed
  • Class Size
    10 — 14 students
  • Tuition
    $10,000 to 32,000/year
  • Language of instruction
    English
  • Associations
    OFIS
  • Enrolment
    100 day students
  • Curriculum
    Progressive
  • EBROCHURE
    View eBrochure

School address

  • 2454 Bayview Avenue (south of York Mills), Toronto, Ontario, M2L 1A6 (MAP)
  • Busing available (View details)

School Busing:

Junior Academy offers bus transferring. Service options offered are door-to-door pickup.

The regions Junior Academy offers busing from are:

  • Toronto
  • Richmond Hill
  • Markham
  • Vaughan

Additional notes: We work with several busing companies that transport students from all over the G.T.A. Please inquire with Nicholas Johnson at [email protected] to learn more

Our Perspective

How we see Junior Academy

Dianne Johnson founded the Junior Academy in 1988 in the belief that small is better, and indeed the school has remained small, with an annual enrolment of just 100 students. Johnson lead the school for most of its life, lending a continuity to the program and keeping the focus clearly on the quality of the students' learning experience, and maintaining, above all, an atmosphere of care and support. While not all students arrive from the immediate area, the school prizes its position within the community, and encourages active parental involvement within the life of the school.

School's Perspective

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How Junior Academy sees itself

The school administration answered our questions

Who are you, as a school?

"Junior Academy is a co-educational school for students from Toddler age to Grade 8. We strive to put a child’s strengths at the forefront of their education. We believe that students do well if they can, therefore we provide a supportive environment where students are accepted, appreciated, encouraged and challenged according to their individual strengths. Progressive programming includes project-based learning, character development, executive functioning, outdoor education, daily PE, music, art, and drama."

  • Small class sizes (average 12 students)
  • Progressive education model that incorporates strength and project based programming
  • Social and emotional development which includes collaborative and proactive solutions
  • Acknowledgement and accommodation of different learning styles
  • Extended Co-Curricular program that encourages socialization and team building, and leadership
  • Providing a qualified, diverse range of experienced teachers who receive ongoing P.D.
  • Encouraging healthy living through regular Health and Physical Ed. classes, Sports clubs and Teams
  • Providing a strong knowledge of helping others through school-wide character development initiatives

What do you do differently and uniquely well?

"Junior Academy has built a community around the families whose children attend our school. This community spirit is vital to ensuring all students feel they can achieve academic success.

Junior Academy has intentionally remained a small school. An inclusive atmosphere creates a sense of belonging that streams through our hallways nurturing faculty, teachers, and students alike. As a result, Junior Academy excels at building the required self esteem and confidence in all of their students."

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

"We believe families choose Junior Academy over other schools because of the extra time, support, and dedication our staff give to our students, and their families. The common feedback we hear from our community is how well we maintain the lines of communication because we believe that working together as a cohesive unit is how we achieve success.

Another factor is how much Junior Academy focuses on the social and emotional aspect of a child."

What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

"Junior Academy is a "one-stop shop" for a variety of supports and services and some families may not be aware of this feature. We work with several outside agencies such as Shining Through, Red Oak, and Bartimaeus, to name a few. In addition, we offer in-house SLP, OT, Music Therapy, Tutoring, Behaviour Therapy, 1:1 support, and much more."

What might families find surprising about your school?

"Most people see J.A. as having no greenspace, which can be an issue for perspective families, but we are very fortunate to be able to use dozens of acres of fields and forest across the street for Outdoor Ed., Phys. Ed., and many more outdoor activities.

Secondly, when you drive by J.A., nobody really knows about the full-size gymnasium 30 feet below grade until they step foot in the building. In here, we host our spring/winter concerts, basketball games, dance and movie night, and much more."

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School Facilities

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Athletics facilities

Campus

Classrooms

School Videos

Insider Perspectives

How people from the school’s community see Junior Academy

Video reviews of Junior Academy

Parent, Michelle Gibson (2023)

Watch our parent interview with Michelle Gibson to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Junior Academy.

Parent, Dylan P (2022)

Watch our parent interview with Dylan P to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Junior Academy.

Parent, Shima Kassirian (2021)

Watch our parent interview with Shima Kassirian to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Junior Academy.
See all video reviews (5 total)

Written reviews of Junior Academy

(4.5)

Parent, Elin Raymond (2022)

Junior academy has been life changing for our family. My son needs academic and behavioral support t...

(4.9)

Parent, Andrea Charlton (2022)

Our children sincerely enjoy authentic relationships with every adult in the building, feel known, a...

(4.9)

Parent, stephanie Myers (2022)

My daughter has had a tremendous experience at JA for 9 years. She is engaged in the classrooms, enj...

School leadership

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

Interview with school leader

Watch our Junior Academy leadership interview with Paul Bamberger to learn about the academics, culture, and values of the school.
Watch the interview

Message from school leadership

Paul Bamberger, Principal

Welcome to Junior Academy!

Our small dynamic school with class sizes of 10 to 14 students means that our highly qualified teachers know each and every child.  We not only recognize and accommodate different learning styles but understand and embrace them.  Our teachers and support staff work together to ensure that gifted learners, average learners and those needing additional support, are equipped with the means to achieve their full potential both academically and socially.   

Junior Academy’s commitment to extracurricular activities, leadership development and community involvement are cornerstones of our programme.  We encourage all of our students to be involved, try new things and discover their passions.    

Come and experience Junior Academy’s warm, nurturing and inclusive community for yourself.  We look forward to sharing our unique learning environment with you.
 

Sincerely,

Paul Bamberger

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THE OUR KIDS REPORT: Junior Academy

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