St. Jude’s is, notably, an IB world school which, as of September 2018, will be offering the entire continuum, from the primary years through the high school grades. That’s a draw for the families that enroll here, principally because of the strength of the academic program and the international focus that it allows. The IB was developed to educate toward a facility with the core curriculum—language and numeracy—as well as interpersonal communication, creative engagement with others, and an empathetic view toward the diversity within the global setting. St. Jude’s does all of that, including the values piece, which often isn’t perhaps stressed as much whenever people discuss the IB. The school promotes an understanding of our place in the world, as citizens, in the awareness that other people, of course, are citizens, too, just like us. The culture of the school is close-knit, with small class sizes and an very safe, family feeling throughout. It’s also a very vibrant, active school community--the entire school meets every day for a morning assembly, something that solidifies the sense of place and belonging, something further enhanced by the house system. There’s a lot going on, and every point within the school affords a front-row seat. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a diverse, challenging, socially engaged academic atmosphere.
St. Jude's Academy
My kids enjoy the small, tight-knit community. Every teacher and faculty member knows them by name and knows who their siblings are in the school. They have made friendships at St. Jude's that will last them a lifetime. The kids enjoy teachers who allow them to express themselves and who listen to their ideas, even if it is different from their own. Encouraging my kids to think for themselves is what I appreciate the most from St. Jude's. The teachers who have really connected with my kids are... View full review
The time I spent at St. Jude's Academy was unforgettable. When I came to St. Jude's Academy I was a newly arrived immigrant from Egypt, where I had a very different educational and cultural background than my friends, and so the fear of not fitting in was quite frightening. However, the very welcoming environment and diverse community of St. Jude's Academy demolished any possibility of being left out in every aspect (Academically and socially). The year that I spent at St. Jude's Academy was o... View full review
I have never felt so accepted and part of a community before; St. Jude’s Academy has provided that feeling for me! When I first came to the school in grade eleven I was scared about not fitting in and starting at a new school. However, I felt very accepted and welcomed by the warm, smiling faces from teachers and students. I was worried about not being able to catch up to the academic level all the students were already at but the teachers seemed more than happy to help me get there. St. Jude... View full review
St. Jude’s Academy encompasses a warm and friendly atmosphere; from the moment you walk through their doors. Two years ago we attended their open house, and immediately we knew this was the school for our children. The diverse and highly-qualified staff are always greeting you with warm-hearted smiles, and are continuously willing to go above and beyond their job descriptions. The morning school-wide assemblies nurture the friendly school environment while challenging the students to do their... View full review
My child has told me that he really enjoys St. Jude’s Academy. I believe that what he likes the most about St. Jude’s is their arts program. From the beginning, students take both French and music classes. I am also very fond of this as speaking both of Canada’s official languages will definitely give my child more self-confidence and opportunities later in life. This is a great advantage compared to public school where students do not even start to learn French until grade 4 and where mus... View full review
Our son has just started in Junior Kindergarten at St. Jude’s Academy, and his favorite subjects are French and Music and his main teacher is supported by a number of ‘specialists’ (in physical education, music and French). He clearly benefits from the structure of the program and shows a lot of pride in his learning – he often wants to explain and demonstrate what he’s learned at school. He is a sensitive child and has found the change in his routine (new school, new expectations) a l... View full review
My time at St.Jude's Academy has been exceptional. I have been in the school for four months already and there is nothing that I would think of changing in any way! I am beyond grateful to have found such a welcoming and accepting community. I will never forget how quickly I made friends at St. Jude's. People were amiable and understanding from the minute that I walked in. Talking about my fondness of the school won't be enough to convey how deeply I respect and admire it. Being a new member of ... View full review
As soon as I walked through the St. Jude's Academy doors I knew it was a community I wanted to be a part of. I was greeted by a very friendly and welcoming admissions team. My grade 10 academic year taught me a lot about the school, but one thing stood out to me—community. As a K-12 school, the St. Jude's community is very integrated. All members staff and students connect with each other, assisting each other in every way possible. There is also a very diverse and multicultural student popula... View full review
