The 50-page review of Greenwood College School is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.
Read our in-depth review"Greenwood students develop the knowledge, skills and character they need to lead fulfilling lives and reach their full potential. Our personalized academic program provides each student with the perfect mix of challenge and support, and our welcoming co-ed, gender inclusive community allows students to be open-minded and engaged each day. Students can pursue their passions through a broad range of courses and co-curriculars. Our Outdoor Education program encourages character growth and creates lasting memories."
Greenwood students have a champion in their corner from day one: their Adviser. Advisers ensure their advisees have the challenge and support they need to truly thrive. They also coach their advisees through growth opportunities, both in and out of the classroom. Built into the timetable, our Adviser program focuses on skill and character development.
Every September and January, we venture off-campus for Outdoor Education experiences. These trips encourage students to find new depths of perseverance, take risks, and build lasting bonds with peers.
We ensure exceptional, innovative teaching through a focus on teacher growth and weekly job-embedded professional development. Our growth model engages teachers to constantly assess the needs of their students and adjust their teaching based on each individual’s needs. This personalized approach to teaching & learning creates an environment where students are challenged academically and teachers are nimble, innovative and student-centred.
Incorporating Adviser and two weeks of Outdoor Education into our timetable / school calendar requires very careful planning and consideration. Our Student Learning, Well-being, Student Life and Student Programs teams work together to ensure we can schedule time for these important pillar programs while also offering a rigorous academic program. Maintaining Adviser as a timetabled course means students have one fewer elective course; however we routinely hear from parents/guardians and students that access to the Adviser Program is worth it. Plus, we offer “out of timetable” courses where students gain access to elective courses connected to their Outdoor Education trips or the music, theatre or athletics programs during our community time block.
To support Teacher growth, Greenwood invests in Teacher Mentors, Instructional Coaches and a Centre for Teaching, Learning and Research. These personnel and programs work to customize the development of each Teacher and Leader in the school.
Greenwood is a school for all students. We strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone belongs. At a co-ed / gender-inclusive school, students learn to confidently collaborate with all students. Because of our personalized approach to learning, teachers provide both stretch opportunities and support to students in any given lesson.
People who value character development and real-world preparedness choose Greenwood.
There’s no one “fit” or type of student for Greenwood. We do find that students who are willing to tackle a challenge, prepared to be curious, and eager to get involved in school life within a vibrant school community tend to find their way at Greenwood. What that means and looks like is different for everyone.
Greenwood is a school for all students. We strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone belongs. At a co-ed / gender-inclusive school, students learn to confidently collaborate with all students. Because of our personalized approach to learning, teachers provide both stretch opportunities and support to students in any given lesson.
People who value character development and real-world preparedness choose Greenwood.
There’s no one “fit” or type of student for Greenwood. We do find that students who are willing to tackle a challenge, prepared to be curious, and eager to get involved in school life within a vibrant school community tend to find their way at Greenwood. What that means and looks like is different for everyone.
At Greenwood, our aim is to teach students how to think, not what to think. We explore different ways of learning, are student-centred, and embrace experiences as rich learning opportunities. The student experience is a balance between rigorous academics and a supportive environment that guides them to build the skills they need to succeed now and in the future.
If your family is seeking a school where teachers primarily lecture and provide a textbook-based educational environment, or if you are not seeking a rich co-curricular experience, our school may not be right for you.
Greenwood's personalized academic program is a selling point for our families; this approach ensures that each student gets exactly the right level of challenge and support to encourage academic growth. Families value that our focus goes beyond academics to encompass character and community spirit - we encourage students not only to strive for excellence, but to become the best versions of themselves. The fact that Greenwood welcomes all genders is also important for many families.
Our school is known for its Outdoor Education program and its high-challenge, high-support approach to all aspects of school life. We are a tight-knit community that focuses on developing humans. Our academic approach and Adviser Program have become more well-known in recent years. We are known to be innovative and nimble, a place where staff and students are encouraged to try new ways of teaching and learning.
For a small school, we have an incredible range of courses and co-curricular opportunities: From Advanced Placement courses to a suite of business courses to film, advertising, and food & culture. We run multiple drama productions each year and have roughly 50 athletics teams annually.
Families tell us that they didn't fully appreciate the value of the Adviser program until after they enrolled; to quote a parent, it is a "game changer". Families also tell us that our staff's commitment to student success becomes truly apparent once their child starts at Greenwood. Our teachers care deeply about helping each student to do and to be their best, and are ready to support them along their learning journey.
We want to encourage students to grow in all elements of their character, but that doesn't mean that we sacrifice academic challenge. Greenwood uses a "high challenge, high support" model - rather than reducing academic challenge, this high level of support creates the conditions students need to truly stretch themselves academically. Students who are both highly challenged and highly supported are motivated, confident, curious learners.
In September 2024, our school became a no-phone zone during school hours. Students were offered technological support to help make this shift, and we have seen a marked improvement in the way our students engage in classes and with each other.
In 2024, we created two roles that champion pluralism, an important element of developing a diverse, inclusive and human-centred community: The Director of Inclusion, Belonging, Pluralism & Outreach and the Director of Academics & Pluralism.
The construction of our new Greenspace is underway. This high-quality practice field and outdoor gathering area will give our school community much-needed space for athletics, classes and more. With more than 55 athletics teams and the vast majority of our students (97.7% in Grades 7 and 8!) playing on at least one Greenwood team, the new turf practice field will be exceptionally well-used. And, all students will have access to the space and the surrounding benches and tree canopy at breaks and lunch.
Hear directly from Greenwood College School community as they share insights.
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