12 Bond Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4E 3K2, Canada
1293 Meredith Avenue, Mississauga, Ontario, L5E 2E6, Canada
12 Bond Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4E 3K2, Canada
1293 Meredith Avenue, Mississauga, Ontario, L5E 2E6, Canada
262.4 km
244.1 km
1993
1962
330
200
1 to 12
Preschool to 7
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English
English, French
Academic
Academic
Traditional
Progressive, International Baccalaureate
15
12 to 22
Dedicated gifted school
Accelerated curriculum
$15,500
$11,310 to $28,170
No
Yes
0%
0%
None
None
$0
$0
28
18
0%
0%
75%
100%
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 1 - 12
Yes: grades 6 - 12
No
Yes: grades 6 - 12
information not available
information not available
information not available
The PACE program was developed with gifted students in mind, based in an understanding of what they share—overall ability—as well as what they don't, such as specific talents, interests, and curiosities. The term of art is differentiated programming, though it's a term that can easily lend itself to misunderstanding. It doesn't mean that different students proceed through the curricula at different rates or are each given separate tasks based on their individual abilities. Rather, within a differentiated program all students proceed at the same pace through the material, while instructors provide multiple entry points that address the needs of individual students within the class. The ideal student is one who has been identified as gifted, and who requires challenge in order to succeed in academic work.
The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012, marking the end of an astonishing period of growth and development. The school really did start in a basement, moving from there into a range of branches throughout the GTA, in time consolidating onto the two campuses that the school occupies today. Schools don't grow that much, or that quickly, if they aren't servicing a specific need, and certainly that's true of TFS. The acronym stands for Toronto French School, which is the name that the school was founded with, though in time it was offering a lot more than the name suggested. Language remains an important part of the curriculum, though the culture of the school reaches beyond language. The environment is rich, varied, and supportive. The student body is culturally and academically diverse, all of which is encouraged through a robust bursary program.
information not available
information not available
P.A.C.E. provides a differentiated curriculum built on greater depth and breadth of instruction. Our primary goal is to find and enhance the abilities of our students, while simultaneously addressing their social and emotional needs. P.A.C.E. is based on the premise that gifted children need high-powered learning experiences to challenge their minds and ensure intellectual growth and achievement. A fully balanced program, including Arts and Athletics, complements this specialized academic program.
TFS' West Campus in Mississauga offers a rigorous bilingual education with an international perspective. Our students become individuals who reflect, citizens who act. Our close-knit community welcomes boys and girls from PK to Grade 7. No prior knowledge of French is required. We offer a rich array of sports and co-curriculars. Bus service from Oakville, Mississauga and Etobicoke. After Grade 7, students continue their studies at the Toronto campus, using a complimentary TFS shuttle bus. (See TFS Toronto listing.)
My journey at P.A.C.E. began in 1999 and in 2019 I was delighted to assume the role of Director/Principal. The most rewarding part of my job is interacting with the students. They are fun loving, witty and demonstrate an intellectual curiosity that is any educator's dream. The energy level in the building is very high, the questioning by the students is incessant, and there are a lot of laughs. The skills for succeeding at P.A.C.E., whether in the role of teacher or student, are the same: a love of learning, high motivation, an excellent work ethic and a sense of humour. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by excellent teachers and a strong administrative staff: Liana, the Assistant to the Director; our Vice Principals, Caroline Corbit and Joanne Abela; and our Administrative Assistant, Irina. Every September we look forward to yet another passionate and exciting year for all.
Dr. Josep L. González is TFS’ Head of School. Dr. González brings to TFS exceptional academic and international experience. He holds a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Oxford, and has been department head, and a language and literature professor and lecturer, for over two decades at prestigious schools and universities, including Eton College and the University of Oxford. With a passion for languages, he speaks French, English, Catalan, Spanish and Italian fluently.
In his welcome message, he writes: “TFS holds a special place in history as the pioneer of French immersion education in Canada. Today, as a French and multilingual international school, we are in a unique position to empower our students to become accomplished individuals, as well as responsible citizens who consciously choose to make a positive difference in the world. In fact, that is precisely the sentiment expressed in our motto: Individuals who reflect, citizens who act.
Our school has long been renowned for its excellent academics. In addition, our identity is deepened by ascribing to specific values – integrity, discernment, respect and engagement – that are lived by staff and nurtured in students every day. Ultimately, a TFS education is based on three major pillars: academic ambition, all-round development and an international perspective.
This explains why our graduates are well-rounded, emotionally intelligent young men and women, who can balance their rights as individuals with their responsibilities as citizens.
As a school that was founded to promote multilingualism as one of its core principles, we are particularly conscious that fluency in other languages gives TFS students a gateway to other cultures and different ways of understanding the world. Our families and staff are linguistically and culturally diverse, and this diversity strengthens us as a community.
Our pupils have many opportunities to experience the power of language and gain intercultural competencies through a range of trips and exchanges abroad. Our international perspective is further reinforced by teaching the curricula of France and Ontario through the framework established by the IB programs.
It is this layering of language, personal interaction, experiential journeys and varied academic programs that gives TFS students an international outlook and inspires in them a purposeful will to contribute to the progress of humanity.
These are the ideals and beliefs that permeate our community, as we walk together in the same direction and share the conviction that we provide the best possible education for our children."
International Baccalaureate
Traditional curricula tend to be very content-based and rooted in the core disciplines. It is a structured approach that involves the teacher delivering a unified curriculum through direct instruction. Students usually learn by observing and listening to their teacher, studying facts and concepts in textbooks, and completing both tests and written assignments - which challenge students to not only demonstrate their mastery of content but their ability to analyze and deconstruct it critically. Class discussions are also used to create critical dialogue around the content of the curriculum.
Progressive (sometimes called "in- quiry-based") curricula attempt to place children's interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. Instead of lessons being driven by predetermined pathways, progressive curricula are often "emergent", with learning activities shaped by students' questions about the world. Instead of starting with academic concepts and then tying it to everyday experience, progressive methods begin with everyday experience and work back to an academic lesson. Teachers provide materials, experiences, tools and resources to help students investigate a topic or issue. Students are encouraged to explore, reflect on their findings, and discuss answers or solutions.
Some private schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programming. The "Diploma Programme" is offered to students in the final two years of high school, while the "Primary Years Programme" (ages 3 to 12) and "Middle Years Programme" (ages 11 to 16) serve as preparation for the diploma program.
P.A.C.E. is a magnet school for students who have been identified as intellectually gifted by means of a psycho-educational assessment. The curriculum is differentiated through various methodologies and strategies i.e. compacting, identifying learning styles, creative problem solving, acceleration, inquiry-based learning, addressing the critical thinking skills, sophisticated field studies, greater depth and breadth of instruction, etc. in order to meet the special needs and characteristics of gifted kids. Our courses reflect high powered learning experiences for our gifted learners with the inclusion of the Advanced Placement designation as well, i.e. Gifted/ Advanced Placement, in grade 11 (Biology, French and Computer Science) and in grade 12 (English, Calculus), recognizing that the foundation begins in the younger years, starting with our Reach Ahead program in grade 8. To address the needs of the whole child, wonderful Fine Arts, Athletic, and Co-Instructional Programs complement our strong academic program. There is something truly special about being surrounded by people passionate about everything they do.
Academic ambition is our bedrock. TFS teaches the curricula of France and Ontario through the framework of the International Baccalaureate programs from PK to Grade 12 - providing our students with an education that is rich in challenge, diversity and opportunity.
Equal Balance
These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
P.A.C.E. is a blend of old and new, allowing for the mastery of basic skills while creating exciting new initiatives in how to learn mathematics. It's not all about numerical operations but the understanding of mathematical concepts and the application of mathematics to real world experiences.
The Mathematics program develops students’ ability to work independently and their aptitude to seek, communicate, and justify mathematical statements. Problem solving and creativity will be integrated in all areas of mathematics.
A number of different textbooks are used at the high school level. But, most importantly, we create Resources Booklets for our students which allows us to draw from many different sources.
Information not available
To foster the development of mental math students in grades 1-6 do not use calculators. Starting in grade 7 calculators are used for basic computational skills. Graphing calculators are taught and used in grades 8- 12, but only scientific calculators (without graphing capabilities) are used for evaluations.
Information not available
Balanced Literacy
Systematic-phonics programs teach young children to read by helping them to recognize and sound out the letters and syllables of words. Students are then led to blend these sounds together to sound out and recognize the whole word. While other reading programs might touch on phonetics (either incidentally or on a “when needed” basis), systematic phonics teaches phonics in a specific sequence, and uses extensive repetition and direct instruction to help readers associate specific letter patterns with their associated sounds.
Balanced reading programs are typically Whole Language programs with supplementary phonics training. This training might be incidental, or it might take the form of mini-lessons.
Children entering in to grade 1 are reading at various levels; from one or two sentences with pictures, to chapter books. Therefore, often there are 2 or 3 reading groups each with different reading assignments. Typically, by January, all of the children have reached a comparable level in their reading fluency but not necessarily in their reading comprehension. By the end of grade one all of the children are reading the same novels.
The early reading program focuses on phonics instruction in French and English, with guided reading and levelled literacy that suits individual needs and abilities.
DIBELS Testing: This school periodically uses DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
Regular running records and miscue analysis, CTBS testing
Equal balance
Programs that balance systematic and process approaches equally likely have an emphasis on giving young students ample opportunities to write, while providing supplementary class-wide instruction in grammar, parts of sentences, and various writing strategies.
Programs that balance systematic and process approaches equally likely have an emphasis on giving young students ample opportunities to write, while providing supplementary class-wide instruction in grammar, parts of sentences, and various writing strategies.
Our children love to write, and we begin to introduce analytical writing as well as creative writing in grade one; the sophistication of which increases as writing assignments are introduced into writing categories: poetry, short stories, essays, and dialogues/monologues.
Cursive writing instruction begins in SK, and students have access to a handwriting app developed by a TFS teacher for the iPad. The writing process is taught thoughout the grades, including writing reflections and reading for authentic purposes, as part of the IB programs.
Equal Balance
Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.
Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.
A variety of methodologies work best with our students. It is very important for our students to be exposed to the expert, to work effectively with their peers, and to creatively design their own scientific experiments.
The study of science is integrated into units of inquiry in the primary grades, emphasizing inquiry-based learning, digital tools and robotics. In Grade 6, science is taught as a specialized subject, leading to biology, chemistry and physics study in later years.
Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Equal Balance
These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
Literature comes alive through multiple interpretations and rich performance tasks that include choral speaking, debates, trials, videos, music and drama.
Grades 2-5: Students receive daily instruction in English and French. Language experiences support the Program of Inquiry and fulfil the Ontario curriculum’s Language expectations. The language curriculum is organized into four strands: Reading, Writing, Media Literacy and Oral Communication. In later grades, through our literature program, students will expand their knowledge of literary genres. Reading various kinds of texts will help students to discover what interests them most and to pursue and develop their interests and abilities.
Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
The Thematic approach organizes the curriculum around certain themes or cultural universals. Students might spend time focused on food. Then they might focus on transportation or government, and so on.
The Thematic approach organizes the curriculum around certain themes or cultural universals. Students might spend time focused on food. Then they might focus on transportation or government, and so on.
Through our broad-based issues and themes, students learn in a very holistic manner as opposed to learning content and facts in isolation. The exploration of the dynamic activities enhance the critical thinking skills and students learn how to apply, analyze and evaluate information. It is through these theme based assignments that our younger students learn to hone their research skills - both through written report and oral presentation.
Students explore social studies through the PYP's program of inquiry, with central ideas and key concepts relating to the themes of who we are, where we are in place and time, how we express ourselves, how the world works, how we organize ourselves and sharing the planet.
Equal Balance
These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
Through our life skills course, civics, history, law, philosophy and classical civilization students develop their critical thinking skills through discussion, debate and analytical essay writing. Students enjoy discussing BIG IDEAS while respecting the opinions of their peers in a safe and open learning environment. Application to real life experiences remains an important aspect of any social science or humanities course.
Information not available
Communicative
These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
The communicative method of language acquisition emphasizes the use of the target language in authentic contexts. The approach commonly features interactive group work, games, authentic texts, and opportunities to learn about the cultural background of the language. Drills and quizzes may still be used, but less frequently than with the audio-lingual method.
The acquisition of French as a second language includes the concrete sequential mode of learning as well as interactive group work. Our French Language program addresses the four components: Listening Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Written and Oral Expression. Students study French cultural and language heritage as well as the constructs of formal grammar.
TFS is a bilingual French-English school. In addition to becoming fluent in both languages, students also learn a third language.
Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
Information not available
Equal Balance
These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.
These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.
Students engage in making art come alive using a collaborative approach to learning. Taking risks, emoting and developing the aesthetic sensibilities create the ultimate performance in both drama and music.
Information not available
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Medium integration
Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
All students use personally owned devices to enhance learning experiences and opportunities in various disciplines throughout the regular school day. Robotics plays a very large role in our technology program and the instruction of coding begins in grade four.
TFS has made the integration of information technology into the curriculum a priority. Students have access to a wide array of technology, including Apple laptops and desktops, iPads, digital cameras, production equipment, robotics, interactive whiteboards and projectors in every classroom, and much more.
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
The development of a healthy mind and body is critical to success.
Health and Physical Education courses are part of the regular curriculum. TFS appreciates the benefits of physical activity to academic performance. Students with higher levels of fitness have a more developed brain structure, perform better on cognitive tests, and have heightened levels of focus and retention. Skating and swimming programs are scheduled throughout the year as part of the curriculum in different grades.
Academic-based preschools and Kindergartens are the most structured of the different types, and have a strong emphasis on math and reading readiness skills. These programs aim to expose children to what early-elementary school is like. While time is still allotted to free play, much of the day is built around explicit lessons guided by the teacher. Classrooms often resemble play-based ones (with different stations set up around the room), but at an Academic program the teacher leads students through the stations directly, and ties these activities to a whole-class lesson or theme.
From Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 1, TFS teaches the curricula of Ontario and France through the framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization. From the moment children join TFS, through Grade 1 (CP), they are instructed only in French. Children quickly embrace the language and are gently encouraged to increase their use of French during classroom activities.
The main curriculum accelerates beyond the pace of the provincial one; ALL students do the work of OLDER public-school peers in tangible and measurable ways. This accelerated pace is maintained by the teachers and school, (through textbook selection, topic selection, grading, assignment standards and expectations, etc).
The main curriculum accelerates beyond the pace of the provincial one; ALL students do the work of OLDER public-school peers in tangible and measurable ways. This accelerated pace is maintained by the teachers and school, (through textbook selection, topic selection, grading, assignment standards and expectations, etc).
Flexible and self-paced programs include Math XL and Mathletics, coding, digital citizenship programs.
A school with a “rigorous” academic culture places a high value on academic performance, and expects their students to do the same. This does not mean the school is uncaring, unsupportive, or non-responsive -- far from it. A school can have a rigorous academic culture and still provide excellent individual support. It does mean, however, the school places a particular emphasis on performance -- seeking the best students and challenging them to the fullest extent -- relative to a normal baseline. High expectations and standards – and a challenging yet rewarding curriculum – are the common themes here. Keep in mind this classification is more relevant for the older grades: few Kindergarten classrooms, for example, would be called “rigorous”.
A school with a “rigorous” academic culture places a high value on academic performance, and expects their students to do the same. This does not mean the school is uncaring, unsupportive, or non-responsive -- far from it. A school can have a rigorous academic culture and still provide excellent individual support. It does mean, however, the school places a particular emphasis on performance -- seeking the best students and challenging them to the fullest extent -- relative to a normal baseline. High expectations and standards – and a challenging yet rewarding curriculum – are the common themes here. Keep in mind this classification is more relevant for the older grades: few Kindergarten classrooms, for example, would be called “rigorous”.
The students at P.A.C.E. have high aspirations, 100% of which attend university. Their chosen fields of interest are science, law, business and accounting, computer engineering, architecture and actuarial science.
Information not available
"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
Balanced
"Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation."
Balanced
"Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation."
Addressing the needs of gifted children through a well balanced education that attends to the cognitive as well as social emotional needs of the children allows for us to groom good people who will be productive citizens in society.
Information not available
Academy for Gifted Children - P.A.C.E. |
TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus) |
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CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
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Badminton |
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Baseball |
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Basketball |
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Canoeing/Kayaking |
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Cricket |
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Cross-country skiing |
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Cycling |
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Downhill skiing |
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Equestrian |
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Fencing |
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Field Hockey |
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Figure Skating |
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Football |
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Golf |
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Gymnastics |
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Ice Hockey |
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Ice Skating |
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Lacrosse |
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Martial Arts |
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Mountain biking |
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Racquet Ball |
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Rowing |
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Rugby |
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Running |
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Sailing |
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Skateboarding |
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Snowboarding |
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Soccer |
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Softball |
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Squash |
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Swimming |
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Tennis |
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Track & Field |
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Volleyball |
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Weightlifting |
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Wrestling |
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Archery |
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Curling |
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Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
0%
0%
$0
$0
75%
100%
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 1 - 12
Yes: grades 6 - 12
No
Yes: grades 6 - 12
No
Yes: grades 6 - 12
No
Yes: grades Preschool - 12
No
No
No
No
The first critierion for P.A.C.E. is that the student is identified as intellectual gifted. We are looking for bright individuals who are passionate about learning and are productive citizens within the school.
Please view the website at www.tfs.ca.
All students are required to have a psycho-educational assessment (WISC V). If the student scores in the 95th percentile or higher in verbal reasoning and visual perception, on paper, that child would qualify for P.A.C.E. The next step would be to have a meeting with the family and for the student to visit for the day. Feedback regarding the child's visit is provided.
Please see our website: https://www.tfs.ca/admissions/application-process
