St. Jude’s Scholars’ Hall, Private school in Kitchener, ON

Fred Gore established Scholars’ Hall in 1980 for the best reason there is to begin a new school, namely to address a range of student need that wasn’t currently being met in the region. Known as the “Student Whisperer” Gore made it his life’s work to help students who were, for a range of reasons, unable to thrive in other academic institutions. He started the school with just one student—something that itself is telling of his desire to help families—and it grew steadily over time largely because of the success he had and the reputation that the school began to build. Now, more than four decades later, the focus is the same as it was then: to serve families, and to help students reach their potentials. While first paying specific attention to students with learning disabilities, the focus of the school broadened in time in the knowledge that every student benefits from personalised learning. Families are drawn to the smaller class sizes, the quality of the offering, and the close-knit, compassionate, student-centred learning experience.

We questioned the school administration

1. Who are you, as a school?

"St. Jude's/Scholars’ Hall is more than just a university preparatory school. Our Jk to grade 12 programming is designed for all levels of learners. With a variety of classroom placements and sizes, SJSH builds unique school plans to ensure students achieve their post-secondary goals. SJSH's strong structure, daily homework and study habits, family values, and traditional teaching practices are the core of our program. With over 40 years of educational excellence, SJSH is the most desired private school in KW."

Full in-person program
Vocational teachers
Homework assigned and checked daily
Classes capped at 15
Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm
Clubs and activities
Traditional teaching practices
Traditional Math Program
Structured spelling and grammar
Study habits and work ethic

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

Scholars' Hall is a family, first and foremost. When we intake a student, we are welcoming them into our family; they become an extension of us. With the parents, our goal is to raise, guide, nurture, and educate the child. The parent's role is to instill values and morals. Our role is to educate. Together our focus is to raise successful adults. It is this nurturing focus that makes Scholars' Hall truly unique.

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

Scholars' Hall has made the pedagogical decision to be a low-technology school. With research supporting child and youth brain development through hand-to-paper skills, Scholars' Hall embraces traditional teaching methods such as lectors, note-taking, use of textbooks as resources, and structured written exams. The results our students see are remarkable. In addition to low-tech classrooms, we are also a non-cell phone school for both our students and staff for the full duration of the day - including lunch and breaktimes. This elimination of distractions allows students to fully focus on the lessons at hand as well as develop strong social skills that are lacking in our children today.

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

Information not yet available.

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

The ideal SJSH student is well-mannered and polite, is excited about learning, and is looking to improve their academic skills and abilities. Students who get the most out of SJSH are open to the leadership, academic, and social opportunities that we offer.

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

Families looking to have technology fully integrated into the classroom might not find our traditional teaching approach appealing.

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

First, our reputation for educational excellence is second to none. We are a firmly established school for over 40 years and Scholars' Hall is well-known in the KW area. Second, we offer significant sibling tuitions. It is our belief that a family should not have to pick which child receives the best education possible. Lastly, we are a JK to grade 12 year and many of our families have children in multiple grades.

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

SJSH has a strong reputation for preparing students to become highly successful adults in both their personal and professional lives.

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

Families often comment on how polite and respectful our students are. We expect our students to use manners in their interactions with their fellow students, teachers, administrators, and parents. We teach and coach our students how to be aware of others to develop the concept of politeness and respect.

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

Families have expressed relief when we take them on a tour. Parents feel that our focus on traditional learning is refreshing. They are happy to see the students using textbooks, writing in cursive, having structured spelling tests, and being expected to write traditional math tests. Many parents are surprised that they recognize our classroom expectations since it is very similar to what they experienced.

11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

Scholars' Hall has recently (summer of 2023) added a 10-classroom expansion. With over 200 families waiting for a seat in Scholars' Hall, it was necessary to expand our current building. The beautiful expansion was completed for September 2023 and allows Scholars' Hall to have a maximum population of 400 students.

12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?

Information not yet available.

We got insight from alumni, parents, and students

Parent, Gosia Freiburger (2026)

(5)

Gr. 4 (current) — Our child appreciates the support and encouragement from his teachers the most. He values the individualized approach that helped him succeed. The SJSH teachers and staff are very helpful and offer extra assistance for students who need more time to practice to strengthen their understanding. The homework load is reasonable and enhances the students' learning. Students have the opportunity to complete their homework either after school with professional guidance from their teachers or at home on their own. The fact that school is very supportive and there is always help available when he needs it makes our son more confident. If our child could change one thing, he wishes the school were bigger and had more high school students, so he could make more friends.

Parent, Lisa Ramautor (2026)

(5)

Gr. 2 (current),Gr. 5 (current) — Before attending St. Jude's/Scholars' Hall, my children attended Montessori for 7 years - and switching schools was the best decision my husband and I made! My children begin their school day with smiles as they enter the school, depart the school in great spirits, and are excited to talk about their day (this was not the case at their former school). As a parent, my husband and I cannot express the sense of contentment seeing our children in such great spirits gives us. This shows that St. Jude's/Scholars' Hall sets a positive tone and atmosphere for learning. My children prefer the more traditional style of learning over Montessori, as lessons are taught to the whole class (and not to smaller groups). My children also appreciate that the whole school gets recess together (not staggered), so they are able to see their siblings and friends from other classes at recess. What my children appreciate the most at St. Jude's/Scholars' Hall are the teachers. The teachers are absolutely phenomenal. The teachers take the time to explain new concepts to the children and foster a positive learning environment. The teachers also make time to address any concerns that a parent may have, so in my opinion, St. Jude's/Scholars' Hall works collaboratively with parents for maximum academic success. Since enrollment at St. Jude's/Scholars' Hall, my children have never expressed discontent with the school, teachers or fellow students.

Parent, Tatiana Mamalyga (2025)

(5)

Gr. 2 (current),Gr. 4 (current) — My son started at SJSH in Sept 2023 in Grade 2, prior to enrolling in SJSH, my son attended a public school. He is a very active boy, therefore he enjoys mostly sports and anything he can be active in. He enrolled himself in soccer 3 times a week, which starts right after school, and he attends karate which is also located in the school. He plays various sports during lunch recess and signs up for plays and after-school clubs. He loves gym, music and French, he enjoys other subjects however those are his top three. He even loves going to aftercare and playing with his friends and watching movies on Fridays. He became very responsible and knows that the first thing he needs to do when he comes home is to complete his homework. He enjoys being a part of a smaller school and having friends in different grades.

Alumnus, Sara Codat (2024)

(5)

JK to Gr. 12 — When I think of Scholars’ Hall I think of support, inclusion, and welcoming. I started at this school in junior kindergarten and graduated high school this past spring. To me, Scholars’ Hall was more than a school– it was a home. With small class sizes, it is easy to develop close relationships with other students and teachers. At Scholars’ Hall, you quickly learn what it means to belong in a safe and welcoming community. I know from my experience and the experience of my peers that the relationships created at this school can lead to life-long friendships. Along with this, Scholars’ Hall is committed to nurturing each student’s potential and is an incredibly transformative experience. I am grateful for the way Scholars' Hall played a role in the way I grew and developed as a well-rounded student and person.

Parent, Anita Krawiec (2023)

(5)

JK (current),JK (current) — As a proud parent, I am delighted to share my experience with Scholars Hall, which has been a great place of learning for my daughters. Both of my daughters started their journey in Scholars Hall from Junior Kindergarten and they are currently in grades 5 and 7. Over the years, my family and I have been amazed at the positive impact this school has had on my daughters' academic progress and personal growth. First and foremost, my children love Scholars Hall. They have developed a strong bond with the school, their teachers, and their classmates. The positive learning environment of the school is very encouraging and promotes a love for learning. The teachers are excellent in their teaching methods and engage the students in various activities to make learning fun and interesting. Scholars Hall truly emphasizes the needs of every individual student, recognizing that each child has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Teachers make sure that every child's needs are met, and they put a lot of effort into building trust and rapport among their students. This has helped my daughters to feel comfortable and confident in their learning environment. The dedication of the teachers at Scholars Hall is outstanding. They are truly invested in their students' education and push them to reach higher goals. The school offers a challenging curriculum that encourages students to strive for excellence, and the teachers are always willing to provide additional support for those who are struggling. My daughters have benefited from this support and it has helped them to achieve their academic goals. What I appreciate the most about Scholars Hall is the healthy school environment. The school fosters a sense of community, where students are respectful and supportive of each other. The school also places a strong emphasis on physical health and well-being, which is reflected in the various programs and initiatives that they offer. In conclusion, my family and I have had an exceptional experience at Scholars Hall. The school has been instrumental in shaping my daughters' education and personal growth. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a positive learning environment, dedicated teachers, and a supportive community.

Parent, Maia Shapley (2023)

(4.4)

Gr. 6 (current) — My seventeen-year-old son is a confident and brilliant student at Scholars' Hall, set to graduate from Grade 12 this spring. After several negative years in the public school system, my 11-year-old son joined Scholars Hall in Grade 6, where he had a positive experience. His teacher was a breath of fresh air who loved teaching and interacting with students. On the first day of school, my son was able to chat freely and safely with his teacher and classmates, which left him with a huge smile on his face. He wrote a math test on that day, and despite earning a B-, he was pleased with the kind and calm explanation his teacher provided, without making him feel inadequate. My child finally found a kind teacher who listened to him and valued his work effort. By creating a safe and welcoming learning environment, Scholars' Hall made a positive impact on my child's educational journey.

Student, Vaan Vashishtha (2023)

(4.8)

Gr. 9 (current) — My experience at Scholars' Hall has been exceptional, my teachers have truly shown me my full potential and have helped me reach it. The resources Scholars' Hall gave me have already helped me find success in a business that I founded! The students at Scholars' Hall have created a very welcoming environment where I have been able to truly be myself and find friends that have strong values with bright futures. Scholars' Hall is a very tight-knit wholesome community, I truly enjoy every event that is planned because they are all created with a lot of thought and care. Before I came to Scholars' Hall I didn't truly know what I wanted out of life or who I was, however, the experience at Scholars' Hall showed me my full potential and the person I can be.

Parent, Anna Ethier (2021)

(4.9)

We left the school in grade 7 to try the school in our area to be able to make friends with the children in our surrounding community. It was a mistake. The difference in so many aspects from school to teachers is too vast to write a simple review. My son experiences a wonderful level of respect at Scholars' Hall from teachers and students. There is no bullying tolerated and is easily sorted out. The teachers are so enthusiastic and my son started to chime in again. He has a good time and recounts events that have happened. He has been able to find a path for himself because the school is so understanding of students' individuality. The staff is so open to finding something that works. He is doing so much better and there are always people and resources to help him out if he wants it.

Parent, Keri Martin Vrbanac (2021)

(5)

Simple sheer perfection! My daughter has loved every minute of her time at Scholar's Hall! She loves the small class sizes, the INCREDIBLE support from her teachers and the community as a whole! The SJSH community is truly a family that rallies together to ensure that students are successful in obtaining their goals! The teachers spend an incredible amount of time with students offering a personalized support system and they celebrate successes! They are selfless in the giving of their time and they are truly dedicated to their students. They allow their students to take risks and encourage them to pursue next level education by working ahead in their curriculum if they so choose! My daughter is surrounded by an incredible group of people who are continually cheering her on!

See all reviews (9 total)

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St. Jude’s Scholars’ Hall

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The big picture on St. Jude’s Scholars’ Hall

We summarized the school ourselves

We questioned the school administration

1. Who are you, as a school?

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?

We got insight from alumni, parents, and students

(5)

(5)

(5)

(5)

(5)

(4.4)

(4.8)

(4.9)

(5)

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