AN OUR KIDS REPORT:TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus) vs. Mentor College

one-to-one comparison:

View TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus)'s full report
VS.
View Mentor College's full report

  • SCHOOL LOCATION

    Distance From

    Map

    Address

    Address

    1293 Meredith Avenue, Mississauga, Ontario, L5E 2E6, Canada

    40 Forest Avenue, Mississauga, Ontario, L5G 1L1, Canada

  • SCHOOL OVERVIEW

    Basics

    Basics

    Founded

    1962

    1982

    Enrolment

    200

    1500

    Grades

    Preschool to 7

    JK to 12

    Gender

    Coed

    Coed

    Living arrangements

    Day

    Day

    Language of instruction

    English, French

    English

    Faith Based

    School focus

    Academic

    Academic

    Developmental Priorities

    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.
    Intellectual
    The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."

    Academics

    Academics

    Curriculum

    Liberal Arts, International Baccalaureate

    Traditional

    Curriculum pace

    Accelerated
    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).
    Standard-enriched
    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.

    Academic culture

    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”.
    Supportive
    A school with a “supportive” academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a “rigorous” academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.

    Avg. Class Size

    12 to 22

    16 to 19

    Special needs support

    Gifted learner support

    Accelerated curriculum

    Preschool/K curriculum

    Academic
    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.
    Academic
    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.

    Tuition

    Tuition

    Day Tuition

    $12,130 to $30,180

    $15,965 to $23,200

    Boarding Tuition

    Financial aid (FA)

    Yes

    No

    Students on FA

    0%

    0%

    Eligible grades for FA

    None

    None

    Median FA package size

    $28,000

    $0

    Enrollment

    Enrollment

    Avg. enrollment per grade

    18

    100

    Percent in boarding

    0%

    0%

    Admissions

    Admissions

    Admissions rate

    100%

    100%

    Day entry years

    Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

    JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

    Boarding entry years

    Day admissions deadline

    Rolling

    Rolling

    Boarding admissions deadline

    Not available

    Not available

    Interview required?

    Yes: grades 6 - 12

    Yes

    SSAT required

    Yes: grades 6 - 12

    No

  • OUR PERSPECTIVE

    The Our Kids Review

    The Our Kids Review

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    information not available

    Our Take

    Our Take

    TFS - CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (WEST CAMPUS)

    The school celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2022, 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.

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    MENTOR COLLEGE

    Mentor College and TEAM School are closely associated, something that brings unique strengths to both. They are overseen by a single administrative body, and they share some facilities, services, and extracurricular programs. The benefits are in a shared infrastructure and organizational efficiency. The facilities are modern and robust, as are student services and transportation. There is a robust, rich program of extra-curricular activity, something that, again, is a benefit of not only the school's size, but also the intra-school associations and programs. That said, the division of the campuses gives each—high school, intermediate, and primary—its own sense of propriety and identity. It's a unique model, one that gains both the benefits of a large student population, as well as those of smaller communities of students. In numbers, this is one of the largest schools in Canada, though the lived experience of the families that attend doesn't bear that out. Frequent and casual communication between parents and teachers, as well, underscores a personal, student and family-centered approach.

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  • School’s perspective

    Who are you, as a school?

    Who are you, as a school?

    TFS - CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (WEST CAMPUS)

    "TFS' West Campus in Mississauga offers a rigorous bilingual education with an international perspective. Our students learn the curricula of France and Ontario, through the framework of the IB, as inquirers and citizens who act. Our close-knit community welcomes children from PK to Grade 7. No prior knowledge of French is required. We offer a wide array of sports and co-curriculars. After Grade 7, students continue at the Toronto campus, using a complimentary TFS shuttle bus. (See TFS Toronto listing.)"

    • Ontario, France and IB programs
    • Exceptional bilingual experience
    • Student life program including mentorship, assemblies and societies
    • Coed from PK to Grade 7

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    "Mentor College provides a strong academic program for its students. A caring environment rich in personal attention has been established, and this positive atmosphere both allows and encourages students to think and reason for themselves. The school places emphasis on communication between the teacher, parent, and student. The homework book, monthly teacher phone call, and regular assessment ensure that this communication is clear and current. Located in Port Credit, Mississauga, the High School (Grades 9 to 12) and Intermediate (Grades 5 to 8) levels are housed at the Main Campus. An adjacent Primary Campus is home to the JK to Grade 4 students. The facilities include an indoor pool, artificial turf field, seasonal dome, multiple age and grade-appropriate gyms, science labs, and music rooms. Co-curricular trips to the school's Outdoor Education Centre in Muskoka enhance in-class learning in the upper grades. Extracurricular activities abound, and include learning opportunities in sports, music, drama and special-interest clubs."

    • Very strong academic program
    • 1:1 Laptop Program (Grades 9-12)
    • Turf Field & Winterized Dome
    • Mobile Technology
    • Two visual art studios
    • Separate campus for JK to Grade 4
    • Outstanding classroom facilities
    • High school: ROPSSAA Athletics
    • Elementary school: PSAA Athletics
    • Transportation available

    Array

    What do you do differently and uniquely well?

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    "Mentor College offers a consistently high quality of education from JK through to university entrance. Students benefit from this continuity as they progress through the grades and transition from the Primary to Intermediate to High School Divisions."

    Array

    What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    Information not available

    Array

    What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    Information not available

    Array

    What type of student is a good fit for your school?

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    Information not available

    Array

    Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    Information not available

    Array

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

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    "At Mentor, we pride ourselves on providing clear and consistent communication. The monthly phone call by the child's homeroom teacher (beginning with an introductory call in early September) provides parents with steady, clear, two-way communication. The homework book is another key component that begins in JK and continues to Grade 12. Evaluations take place throughout the entire school year and every student receives a detailed, formal progress report three times per year."

    Array

    How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    Information not available

    Array

    What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    "We believe that the Mentor extracurricular program offers a club or team for just about every interest. There are clubs, teams, and special events at Mentor that have been running for decades. Many of these groups were initiated by a student or staff member's passion and knowledge in a specific area. Most clubs, teams, and events are grade/division-specific and schoolwide events like the Culture Show and the charity Fashion Show bring together students of all ages."

    Array

    What might families find surprising about your school?

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    "Families are pleased when they discover how long Mentor College has been in existence. For over 40 years, Mentor has had a steady presence in Mississauga - preparing generations of students for success in university and in life. Parents are also reassured by the fact that all of the members of our leadership team - from director Mr. Macdonald to the principals - were at one time teachers in a Mentor classroom."

    Array

    What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    Information not available

    Array

    How will your school change in the next 5 years?

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    Information not available

  • SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

    Message from school leadership

    Message from school leadership

    After working as a Principal with Le Conseil Scolaire Viamonde here in Toronto, and in Georgia before that, as well as a Director of Curriculum in Nigeria and an Athletic Director in Yemen, M. Gaudet arrived at TFS as Principal of the Senior School in 2015, bringing with him an invaluable international perspective. In August 2020, M. Gaudet stepped into his new role of Executive Director of the Learning Forum at TFS. M. Gaudet is a bilingual educator with a master’s degree in educational administration. He has more than 20 years of experience working with high school students. His passion for academic ambition is felt school-wide through his innovative and infomed ideas and programs.

    Hello and thank you for taking the time to visit the Mentor College page at the Our Kids website. I am sure you will like what you see when you read about our school. Mentor College has been offering excellence in education since the school's founding in 1982. With our high standard of academics, extensive extracurricular programme, and superb teaching staff, we are able to prepare students for success in post-secondary education and beyond! If you would like to know more about the school, I kindly invite you to our next open house. Please click on the "Events" link for the next open house date. If you cannot make it on that day, one of our principals will be more than happy to meet with you and your child on a more convenient date.

  • EXTRACURRICULARS

    Competitive

    Comp.

    Recreational

    Rec.

    Competitive

    Comp.

    Recreational

    Rec.

    Badminton

    Baseball

    Basketball

    Canoeing/Kayaking

    Cricket

    Cross-country skiing

    Cycling

    Downhill skiing

    Equestrian

    Fencing

    Field Hockey

    Figure Skating

    Football

    Golf

    Gymnastics

    Ice Hockey

    Ice Skating

    Lacrosse

    Martial Arts

    Mountain biking

    Racquet Ball

    Rowing

    Rugby

    Running

    Sailing

    Skateboarding

    Snowboarding

    Soccer

    Softball

    Squash

    Swimming

    Tennis

    Track & Field

    Volleyball

    Weightlifting

    Wrestling

    Archery

    Curling

    Ultimate


    Clubs Offered

    Clubs offered

    TFS - CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (WEST CAMPUS)

    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

    MENTOR COLLEGE

    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


    What the school says

  • Financial Aid

    Grades eligible

    Grades eligible

    Students on aid

    Students on aid

    0%

    0%

    Avg. aid package (annual)

    Avg. aid package (annual)

    $28,000

    $0

  • ADMISSIONS

    Admissions

    Admissions rate

    100%

    100%

    Day entry years

    Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

    JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

    Boarding entry years

    Day admissions deadline

    Rolling

    Rolling

    Boarding admissions deadline

    Not available

    Not available

    Interview required?

    Yes: grades 6 - 12

    Yes

    SSAT required

    Yes: grades 6 - 12

    No

    SSAT(out of province) required

    Yes: grades 6 - 12

    No

    Entrance exams required

    Yes: grades Preschool - 12

    Yes

    Entrance essay required

    No

    No

    Application fee required

    No

    No

    Type of student school is looking for

    Type of student school is looking for

    TFS - CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (WEST CAMPUS)

    Please view the website at www.tfs.ca.

    What the school says

    What the school says

    TFS - CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (WEST CAMPUS)

    Please see our website: https://www.tfs.ca/admissions/application-process

  • NOTABLE ALUMNI

    Alumni

    Alumnus (year)
    Accomplishment

    Martha Baillie (1977)
    Bestselling author and Giller Prize nominee (2009), University of Edinburgh, l’Université Paris-Sorbonne and University of Toronto.
    Molly Shoichet (1983)
    Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, Ph.D., Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Recipient of the Order of Ontario (2011).
    Samantha Nutt (1987)
    Founder & Executive Director of War Child Canada and bestselling author. Recipient of the Order of Ontario (2010) and Order of Canada (2011). M.D., McMaster University.
    Alastair Rucklidge (1982)
    Professor of Applied Mathematics, University of Leeds (UK), Ph.D., University of Cambridge.
    Karandeep Sonu Gaind (1986)
    Psychiatrist and Psycho-Oncology Consultant, Princess Margaret Hospital. Associate Professor, University of Toronto. M.D., University of Toronto.
    Justin Poy (1987)
    Creative Director, The Justin Poy Agency. B.A. (Radio and Television), Ryerson University.
    Carole Piovasan (1995)
    Associate, McCarthy Tétrault LLP. M.Sc., Social Policy and Planning in Developing Countries, London School of Economics and Political Science. J.D., Osgoode Hall Law School, York University.
    Ruth Milkereit (2004)
    Ph.D. Candidate, Biochemistry, University of Toronto. Direct entry from B.Sc., Immunology, McGill University.
    Daniel Posen (2005)
    Ph.D. Candidate, Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University (US), Master of Research in Green Chemistry, Imperial College, London, Master of Science in Economics, London School of Economics/Political Science.
    information not available

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