11300 Bayview Avenue, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4S 1L4, Canada
611 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M6C 1A3, Canada
11300 Bayview Avenue, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4S 1L4, Canada
611 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M6C 1A3, Canada
350.5 km
335.7 km
1981
2014
788
Varies
JK to 12
1 to 8
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English, French
English
Academic
Academic
Progressive
Traditional
18 to 24
Varies
In-class adaptations
In-class adaptations
$30,075
$12,000
Yes
Yes
2%
0%
SK to 12
1 to 8
$5,000
$0
53
0
0%
0%
45%
0%
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades JK - 12
Yes: grades 1 - 8
No
No
information not available
information not available
information not available
Since it was founded in 1981, Holy Trinity School has sought to promote the values—respect for self and others, strength of character, encouragement, and insight—that are expressed by the Anglican tradition. Families are drawn to the student-centred instruction, the community feel, the dedication to academic development and innovation, as well as the school’s proximity to green space. The program is designed to reward curiosity, and to develop well-rounded learners who are adept and engaged in a broad range of literacies. The ideal student is one who will thrive within an academically challenging environment, as well as one that is intellectually, culturally, and philosophically diverse.
Wychwood was founded by Dr. Rebecca Wells-Jopling, an educator who is as unique and uniquely qualified as the school she created. Wells-Jopling has taught in the public school system, at Emory University in the US, and high school in Bordeaux, France. She is also an accredited baseball coach, and coaches year round. Wychwood is small, admitting a max of 12 students a year, and while the academic program is challenging and very strong, the goal is to graduate students able to work well with others, confident at their place at the table. The location of the school is a strength, and instruction rightly makes good use of the vast range of resources available nearby, including the Young People’s Theatre and the High Park Nature Centre, as well those on a smaller scale, inviting local experts into the classroom. There is an obvious passion behind the delivery of the curriculum, one that demonstrates Wells-Jopling’s close, exceptionally informed understanding of evidence-based practice. She’s collaborated with leaders in the field, as with the mathematics curriculum, which was created by Dr. John Mighton, fellow at Toronto’s Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences. That level of attention and expertise is evident across the curricular and extra-curricular offerings. The ideal learner is one able to thrive in a very small, creative, and engaging learning environment.
information not available
Leaders in Learning, Holy Trinity School (HTS) is a co-ed, JK-Gr. 12, independent day school. Our safe, structured, supportive environment develops character and values such as respect, integrity, leadership, and confidence. We are rooted in academic excellence and are committed to innovative practices that prepare life-long learners to thrive in an ever-changing world. This is complemented by sports, music, drama, art and co-curricular programs that provide a well-rounded experience for all students.
Wychwood School is a very small school offering excellence in academics, sports, and the arts. Wychwood nurtures independent thinking and a love of learning through the Classical Education model of developing young minds. In any given year, we accept no more than 12 students across grades 1-8. Students benefit from individualized programming in a nurturing and focused learning environment. Students engage in dramatic and musical performances, science and engineering competitions, and in sports competitions.
HTS is an exceptional community; a vibrant, caring home to students from JK to Grade 12, whose talents are developed by committed and caring teachers using innovative and creative approaches to learning.
Our outstanding academic program enables students to thrive and thoroughly prepares them for success at university and beyond. This is complemented by extensive sports, music, drama and art programs that provide a rich and well-rounded school experience for students of every age. What truly sets HTS apart is our focus on character and values – respect, integrity, leadership and confidence – to help our young people develop exceptional capabilities and a strong moral compass.
Life at HTS is multi-dimensional and no website or prospectus can fully capture the spirit of this wonderful school. The only way to get a genuine feel for what we believe in and what we do is to visit and meet the people who are the beating heart of the school – our students. Happy and confident, and characterized by their open and welcoming manner, our students will offer sincere words of welcome when they greet you. They are proud of their school.
Please take the next step and contact our Admissions Office to arrange a tour of the school. I know you will be struck by the happy, purposeful, and friendly atmosphere. HTS is no ordinary school and I am confident you will like what you see.
I look forward to meeting you.
Helen Pereira-Raso
Head of School
information not available
Traditional
Information not available
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.
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.
Not applicable
At Holy Trinity School, our goal is to help students find and develop their interests and then provide them opportunities to build a rich portfolio of experiences in the classroom, on the field and in their community. Our remarkable staff encourage and motivate our students to be the best they can, and work with them through successes and challenges to achieve their goals. We welcome you to visit our campus to feel the positive spirit and atmosphere that truly makes Holy Trinity School a place where students and their families feel right at home.
Wychwood nurtures independent thinking and a love of learning through the Classical Education model of developing young minds. Students learn through highly-individualized programming in an intense and focused learning environment. The curriculum integrates learning across subjects so that what children are learning in one subject thematically complements topics in other subjects. In addition to courses in English, Math, Science, and French, students study History or Social Studies, Cursive, Keyboarding, Visual Art, Music, and Physical Education. Students regularly engage in dramatic and musical performances, science and engineering competitions, and in sports competitions.
Traditional Math
These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
Traditional Math typically teaches a method or algorithm FIRST, and THEN teaches the applications for the method. Traditional algorithms are emphasized and practiced regularly: repetition and drills are frequently used to ensure foundational mastery in the underlying mathematical procedures. The traditional approach to math views math education as akin to building a logical edifice: each brick depends on the support of the previously laid ones, which represent mastery over a particular procedure or method. Traditional Math begins by giving students a tool, and then challenges students to practice using that tool an applied way, with progressively challenging problems. In this sense Traditional Math aims to establish procedural understanding before conceptual and applied understanding.
The Wychwood mathematics curriculum is structured by a carefully selected evidence-based program, created by Dr. John Mighton, fellow at Toronto’s Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences. JUMP Math has been researched and found to significantly increase math achievement across the elementary years as compared with competing programs. Core themes include number sense and numeration, measurement, geometry and spatial sense, patterning and algebra, and data management and probability. Wychwood also teaches students how to memorize addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts, and engages students in regular “minute math” timed drills to help students build a strong base of operations facts. Students learn how to monitor their own responses to material, how to initiate questioning in productive ways, and most especially, they learn how to view mistakes for what they are – important stepping stones to mastery. Regular chess practice is also part of the math curriculum at Wychwood School.
JUMP Math
Calculators are fine when the central objective of the exercise is not to practice the operations or computation.
Phonics-intensive
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.
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.
Phonics along with a great variety of interesting reading materials
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.
Grammar, spelling, and vocabulary development are treated as separate areas of inquiry from writing at Wychwood School. We select certain writing assignments throughout the year to be taken through all steps of the revision process, including revising and editing. Not all writing exercises are taken through all steps of revision and final draft. In non-fiction writing, students learn how to structure a compelling paragraph and to make basic arguments. Creative writing is also a very important component of a liberal arts education. Wychwood students learn how to write an effective story and experiment with writing various types of poetry. They come to understand the purposes of different genres.
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.
The Wychwood School science curriculum focuses on the practice of asking clear questions and on the pursuit of explanations. Students learn how these two endeavours operate as separate steps in the process of scientific inquiry, and how they affect each other in integral ways. Students learn the value of making conjectures and making efforts to refute those conjectures (instead of making efforts to confirm them), and learn the superiority of this method to a purely inductive mode of reasoning in the pursuit of scientific inquiry. Themes are presented cyclically across the elementary years such that students leave Wychwood with successful experience with scientific inquiry and procedures within diverse subtopics of the overarching curricular emphases of life systems, structures and mechanisms, matter and energy, and earth and space systems. Wychwood students complete projects individually and in pairs, take tests regularly, and are strongly encouraged to participate in science and engineering competitions.
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
Zoology
Traditional
These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
In traditional literature programs students focus on decoding the mechanics of texts: plot, characterization, and themes. These texts tend to include a balance of contemporary and “classic” literature. When studying a past work, students investigate its historical context -- but only insofar as this adds understanding to the work itself. Past works are therefore studied “on their own terms”, and not merely as historical artifacts to be deconstructed: traditional literature programs are firmly rooted in the humanities, and carry the belief that great literature can reveal fundamental and universal truths about the human condition. These programs emphasize class discussions and critical essay writing, and aim to develop in students critical thinking, communication skills, and a cultivated taste and ethos.
The primary objective of the Wychwood language program is to develop strong readers and writers. Our students read only the finest literary works for their age-group and only worthy examples of non-fiction writing. Daily reading comprehension exercises supplement the reading program. The Wychwood language curriculum develops vocabulary through carefully-selected programs that foster age-appropriate understanding of semantics and syntax, morphology, and Greek and Latin word roots. Direct instruction in grammar is a core component of the language curriculum. Students develop an appreciation of the beauty of the English language through understanding its components. Aesthetic appreciation also extends to the oral language, which is exercised through dramatic readings and recitations.
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
Core Knowledge
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.
Usually focused on teaching history and geography at an early age, the core knowledge approach uses story, drama, reading, and discussion to teach about significant people, places, and events. Breadth of content and knowledge is emphasized. The curriculum is often organized according to the underlying logic of the content: history might be taught sequentially, for example (as students move through the grades).
Information not available
The elementary years are a time for discovering and inquiring about the physical, social, and cultural environments that one inhabits, for discovering the human roles at work in each, and for becoming aware of one’s own roles in these contexts. Students learn about the interactions of each of these components through focused themes structured to enhance understanding. Projects enhance deeper exploration of the material. Related math, science, and language concepts are incorporated to create a meaningful conceptual network for the students. Excursions encourage first-hand experiences with and questioning about the concepts studied in the classroom, and visitors with valuable expertise in particular areas will come in and share their experiences and respond to questions and comments from Wychwood students.
Perennialism
These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
Perennialism in the humanities and social sciences emphasizes the idea of education being a kind of “conversation” between generations, and so frequently turns to “Great Works” and “Big Ideas” for teaching-content. Perennialist programs approach past works on their own terms; as if they might actually help students understand “today” better. Past works are not viewed as mere historical artifacts, but as gateways to a deeper understanding of the human condition. History (and, by extension, the humanities in general) therefore plays a large role in perennialist curriculums, though social sciences like economics, psychology, and sociology can still be taught. There is a strong Liberal Arts bent to perennialist programs. The key goals are to develop critical thinking, a strong foundation of core knowledge (or “cultural literacy”), and persuasion skills through informed debate and extensive practice in essay writing.
Information not available
Wychwood School follows the tenets of the Classical Education model in which history is studied in 4 general periods: Ancients, Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation, and Modern Times.
Equal Balance
These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
Information not available
At Wychwood School, our goal is to present French language through oral, aural, reading, and writing activities that are fun and educational. Because learning a second language takes time and requires regular exposure, students’ enjoyment at each stage is a priority. We use diverse methods for motivating students to engage in the levels of practice that produce aural comprehension, correct pronunciation, excellent grammatical skills, and appreciation of the beauty of the French language. Methods include choral work, role-playing, dialogue memorization, dictées, video models, direct grammar instruction, and tests, among others.
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
Creative arts programs are studio-driven. While historical works and movements may still be taught to add context to the program, students mainly engage in making art (visual, musical, theatrical, etc). The goal is use the actual practice of art to help educate students’ emotions, cognition, and ethos.
These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.
In the visual arts, Wychwood students learn about the importance of line, shape, form, value, space, colour, and texture in the visual arts. They also engage in a more in-depth study of drawing, painting, and sculpture in which they learn techniques for representing figures, portraits, and animals. Art history is an integral component of the visual arts at Wychood. The primary objective of our music program is for students to enjoy listening to and making music with their peers. All students study violin and practice together. Students learn about duration, pitch, dynamics, and other expressive controls, timbre, texture, harmony and form. They learn about different musical instruments, performance styles, genres of music, and concert protocols through regular excursions to concerts and rich discussion of their concert experience afterwards in the classroom. Classroom visits by musicians who play a variety of instruments also enrich the Wychwood music program.
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Light integration
Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
Computers are used in the classroom from time to time, but integrating technology into everything students do is not a dominant focus. Digital literacy is understood to be a legitimate skill in the 21st century, but not one that should distract from teaching the subject at hand, or more fundamental skills and literacies. The idea is today’s students, being “digital natives”, are likely exposed to computers and new media enough outside the classroom: the role of the school, rather, should be to develop competencies that may otherwise get missed.
Information not available
Wychwood School does not offer courses focused on computer literacy, nor are any assignments designed with optimization of computer skills as the core objective.
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Information not available
At Wychwood, we consider athletic participation a core component of an excellent liberal arts curriculum, and therefore expect, encourage and support every student’s participation in athletics. Students are not expected to excel in every sport, of course, but to give each new experience their best try. The structure of our athletics program thus interlocks with what children are learning in their Physical Education course. In this way, our students can take forward the “growth mindset” that they are developing, with their classmates in sport practice and in their academics, into an appropriately competitive context and discover their own physical and mental strengths in the context of extra-mural tournaments.
Not applicable
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.
Not applicable
Our Kindergarten classrooms are physically located at the heart of our school. This allows every member of our community an opportunity to engage and be role models for our youngest learners. Students in our Lower School, including Kindergarten, work with specialist teachers that offer a rich and engaging experience that allows children to explore, create and discover.
Information not available
Student-paced
Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.
The main curriculum pace is non-standardized and is HIGHLY responsive to the pacing of individual students, (via differentiated instruction, differentiated assessment, etc). In theory, some students outpace the default/normalized curriculum, while others spend periods "behind schedule" if they need the extra time.
Information not available
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”.
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”.
At Wychwood School, we believe that a responsible academic program can and should be both rigorous and nourishing of a fundamental and deeply-rooted love of learning across all areas of human inquiry. Direct teaching and care for and commitment to the individuality of each child are indispensable to our philosophy of learning.
"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
"We intentionally avoid all forms of public distinction between students in terms of academic performance."
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."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
Not applicable
Not applicable
At Wychwood, we believe that each of these developmental priorities is intimately and intricately connected to the others. Our students leave Wychwood with a solid knowledge of how to be an active and interested agent in their own learning beyond the doors of our school and, we expect, long after the years spent with us.
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RecreationalRec. |
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Racquet Ball |
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Rugby |
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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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Tennis |
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Track & Field |
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Volleyball |
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Weightlifting |
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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
SK - 12
1 - 8
2%
0%
$5,000
$0
45%
0%
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades JK - 12
Yes: grades 1 - 8
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
At HTS, we value and develop the whole child. While our commitment to academics is our number one priority, students are not selected based on their academic results alone. We are looking for students who are also passionate and curious about the arts, athletics, leadership, and service to the community. The interviews and teacher recommendations are also of great value. Ours is an incredible learning community and we want students to flourish and grow to their greatest capacity.
Applications are welcome at any time. It is recommended that parents apply in the fall before the entry year. Please contact the Admissions Office when you are ready to begin the process.
Initial offers of acceptance will be sent out during the month of January. Applications will continue to be accepted throughout the year.
