How we see St. Michael's Choir School
St. Michael’s was founded in order to provide liturgical music to St. Michael’s Cathedral, and certainly it’s done that—and much else—ever since. The music is a core of the program, as you’d expect, but it brings a life and a set of values to the school as well. Every boy understands that he is participating in something much larger than himself, namely a long-standing and highly regarded musical, historical, and sacred tradition. That can be galvanizing, to be sure. The academic program is rich and rigorous, as are the values—those of the church—that underpin them. And the music. In 2013, the CBC listed the school's Christmas concert as one of Toronto's top events of the year. Everything about the school is impressive, polished, and it comes by its international reputation honestly. It’s simply a great institution.
How St. Michael's Choir School sees itself
"Established in 1937, St. Michael’s Choir School provides a unique academic and music program, leveraging a world-renowned sacred music program coupled with excellent academic performance. The school is an exceptional mix of a private music program and an intense public academic curriculum, providing the best of both worlds."
"St. Michael’s Choir School provides a unique academic and music program, leveraging a world-renowned sacred music program coupled with excellent academic performance. The school is an exceptional mix of a private music program and an intense public academic curriculum, providing the best of both worlds."
"Families choose the Choir School due to its uniqueness – a one-of-a-kind institution that encourages individual musical, spiritual and academic growth, in a supportive environment. The Choir School imparts a love of learning, a thirst for knowledge, a curiosity about the wider world, and a strength of character that sets the seeds for a fulfilling and purposeful life."
"Families find the close knit Choir School community a pleasant surprise. The Choir School engages the entire family, not just the Choir boy; meeting and interacting with families and alumni throughout the life of the Choir boy creates a broad support network and relationships that last long after graduation."
"The thorough preparation process and performance of Masses, Concerts and Tours – the community very much appreciates Choir performances, but the impact of the preparation for the Masses, Concerts and Tours on each boy is unique. The environment produces boys who must effectively balance both rehearsal and academic work, often with competing timelines – an aspect of each Boy’s education that is often overlooked."
"1) The only all boy choir school in Canada with a 100% University acceptance rate.
2) It is unique. The partnership between the TCDSB, music school and the church isn’t found in any other school.
3) World class vocal music program. The Choir School provides weekly music for liturgies, and offers annual touring, both domestic and international, for students in grades 5 through 12.
4) A small school, with big leadership opportunities.
5) A very supportive community of parents, and alumni."
How people from the school’s community see St. Michael's Choir School
Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone
Barry White, Executive Director
St. Michael's Choir School, an all-boys school from grades 3 through 12 in downtown Toronto, has been providing Music in St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica since 1937. A centre for musical and academic excellence, it is the only cathedral choir school in North America with both elementary and secondary students and is one of only six choir schools in the world affiliated with the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome. Each student attending the Choir School is trained in vocal and instrumental music, and sings in at least one of the school's choirs. In addition to weekend masses and numerous concerts, the Choir School tours regularly both domestically and internationally.
The school, a unique partnership between the Archdiocese of Toronto and the Toronto Catholic District School Board, is famous not only for its music program, but is also known for its academic achievement, consistently ranking at the top of Fraser Institute surveys. For over eighty years, graduates of the Choir School have experienced career success in science, education, medicine, law, business, and, of course, music. Excellence is understood as the by-product of character and faith formation, reflected in the school’s mission: the formation of Catholic men through the service of sacred music and the pursuit of knowledge.
Every year, the school auditions many boys from across the Greater Toronto Area, looking for those with musical potential. We would be more than happy to hear from a family who thinks their son might be a candidate for such a wonderful educational opportunity. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our school and how to contact us.
Most big schools provide your extroverted child with plenty of social opportunities and the ability to interact with different peer groups with a wide range of personalities, interests, values, etc. A larger student population and more extracurriculars—including activities like team sports, arts programs, and debate—will give them a broader scope of opportunities to participate in events that scratch their interpersonal itch. “This may also give them the opportunity to hone certain skills,” say Ann and Karen Wolff of Wolff Educational Services. “For instance, they might run for student council to develop leadership and public speaking skills and learn to be a voice for other students.”
If you’re considering a language immersion school for your extroverted child, make sure it offers a wide range of social opportunities, including the ability to interact with kids outside of class. Since most of your child’s learning won’t be in their mother tongue, they may find it challenging at times to negotiate the complexities of social interaction in the classroom. This makes it especially important to ensure the school offers extensive extracurriculars—such as volunteering, sports teams, and arts programs—which will help your child satisfy their need to interact and make friends.
Make sure any prospective school, no matter what size, provides the right social environment to help your child feel at home, make friends, and develop confidence. This is especially important at big schools, which are sometimes more socially overwhelming and challenging for an introvert to find their bearings in. Of course, “Because larger schools usually have a more diverse student population, introverted kids are more likely to find a small group of people like them, a peer group they can relate to and find acceptance from,” says Dona Matthews, Toronto-based education consultant and co-author (with Joanne Foster) of Beyond Intelligence.
Bigger schools often have a broader scope of extracurricular activities, which is another way to help your child meet the right group of friends. “This may also give them the opportunity to develop certain skills,” say Ann and Karen Wolff of Wolff Educational Services. “For instance, they might run for student council to develop leadership and public speaking skills and learn to be a voice for other students. Remember, though, each child is different—so what works for one may not work for another.”
If you’re considering a language immersion school for your introverted child, make sure it offers plenty of social opportunities, including the ability to interact with different peer groups outside of class. Since most of your child’s learning won’t be in their mother tongue, they may find it challenging at times to negotiate the complexities of social interaction in the classroom. This makes it especially important to ensure the school offers extensive extracurriculars—such as student council, volunteering, and team sports—which can enable your child to connect with peers, make new friends outside of class, overcome their shyness, and develop critical social skills.
THE OUR KIDS REPORT: St. Michael's Choir School
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