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SMCS has a Liberal Arts approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Traditional, Progressive, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf approach).
St. Michael’s College School provides a modern, Liberal Arts, Catholic education for young men in grades 7-12. The Grade 7-8 Intermediate programme academically prepares students for our university preparatory high school curriculum. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity for the young men to transition seamlessly into the high school setting. Grade 7-8 students participate in a 1:1 iPad programme, developing the technological competencies that complement the Intermediate curriculum. Our Grade 9-12 academic programme provides a Liberal Arts education for students bound for university. A pedagogical approach that embraces character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking develops the learning skills that students need for living productive and meaningful lives in the 21st Century. All courses are taught at the Academic level in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training Guidelines.
| Focus | Religious-based |
|---|---|
| Academic | Christian (Roman Catholic) |
If you want to learn more about faith-based education, check out our comprehensive guide.
Read our detailed guide to learn all about Christian education.
If you want to learn more about Catholic education, check out our comprehensive guide.
SMCS has a Traditional Math approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Discovery Math, Equal Balance approach).
This information is not currently available.
This information is not currently available.
Students use the TI-84 calculator
SMCS has an Equal Balance approach to Science (as opposed to Expository, Inquiry approach).
This information is not currently available.
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Evolution as consensus theory | |
| Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
| Evolution is not taught |
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Biology | |
| Chemistry | |
| Ecology | |
| Geology | |
| Meteorology | |
| Physics | |
| Physiology | |
| Zoology |
SMCS has an Equal Balance approach to Literature (as opposed to Traditional, Social Justice approach).
We use our English curriculum to further develop character and citizenship in our students. For example, in grade 9, students read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time which tells the story of a boy with A.S.D. Students are asked to create a public service announcement about Autism and address common misconceptions.
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Canadian lit | |
| American lit | |
| European (continental) lit | |
| World (non-Western) lit | |
| English lit | |
| Ancient lit |
SMCS has an Equal Balance approach to Humanities and Social Sciences (as opposed to Perennialism, Pragmatism approach).
This information is not currently available.
SMCS has an Equal Balance approach to Foreign Languages (as opposed to Audio-Lingual, Communicative approach).
This information is not currently available.
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Chinese-Cantonese | |
| Chinese-Mandarin | |
| French | |
| German | |
| Greek | |
| Italian | |
| Japanese | |
| Hebrew | |
| Latin | |
| Russian | |
| Spanish | |
| ESL |
SMCS has an Equal Balance approach to Fine Arts (as opposed to Receptive, Creative approach).
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Acting | |
| Dance | |
| Drama/Theatre | |
| Graphic Design | |
| Music | |
| Visual Arts |
| Expressive | |
| Disciplined |
This information is not currently available.
SMCS has a Medium integration approach to Computers and Technology (as opposed to Light integration, Heavy integration approach).
This information is not currently available.
| Subject | Offered |
|---|---|
| Computer science | |
| Robotics | |
| Web design |
The philosophy of education at St. Michael's focuses on developing the mind, body and spirit. Our Physical and Health Education programme encourages students to pursue physical fitness as well as teaching them about mental and physical well-being. We expose them to a number of sports and activities and encourage them to be life-long healthy and active people.
This information is not currently available.
SMCS has an Ontario curriculum approach to Sex and health education (as opposed to Does not follow prrovincialcurriculum approach).
This information is not currently available.
Learn about St. Michael's College School's languages of instruction and enrolment.
St. Michael's College School's online learning approach and offerings. Learn about this school's online programs and courses offered, its course formats, and its teaching and learning approaches.
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Distance | |
| Asynchronous | |
| Synchronous |
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Dedicated teacher per course | |
| Exam proctoring | |
| Student progress tracker | |
| Regular office hours | |
| Additional support | |
| Study groups | |
| Special needs support |
SMCS has a Standard-enriched approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Accelerated, Student-paced approach).
We promote a student-centred approach to education. Students are encouraged to develop their critical thinking and collaboration skills by solving real-world problems and following an inquiry- or problem-based approach.
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Subject-streaming (tracking) | |
| Multi-age classrooms as standard | |
| Ability-grouping (in-class) as common | |
| Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace) | |
| Regular guided independent study opportunities | |
| Differentiated assessment |
This information is not currently available.
SMCS has a Rigorous approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Supportive approach).
St. Michael's College School provides a modern, Liberal Arts, Catholic education for young men in Grades 7-12. The Grade 7-8 Intermediate programme prepares students for our university preparatory high school curriculum, and provides an opportunity for young men to transition into the high school setting seamlessly. Grade 7-8 students participate in a 1:1 iPad programme that develops 21st century learning and compliments the Intermediate curriculum. Our Grade 9-12 academic programme provides a Liberal Arts education for university bound students. All courses are taught at the Academic or University level in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training Guidelines.
The goal is to cultivate "individuals with inner resourcefulness, strong faith and respect for God or a higher power."
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
While St. Michael’s College School strives to prepare our students for university, we are also fully committed to preparing them to be future Catholic leaders in the world. Guided by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we prepare young men to recognize and choose the good, to contribute to society, to be a neighbour, to nurture family, and to seek eternal life in union with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Students remain in a regular classroom for the whole day; the teacher receives special training in accommodating special needs and/or learning disabled students.
Learning Enrichment Centre: Accommodations -development of IEP's -monitoring of student progress and individual assistance with organization, time-management, and workload -alternative location for testing/exams (quiet space) -memory aids, audio books (USB) -use of computers for testing/exams -assistive technology (computer apps, programs, devices for specific learning challenges) -referral of peer support (tutor or note-taking) -referral of psych ed assessments and to CCAC for Occupational Therapists -workshops developed and offered throughout the school year on organization, note-taking, time-management, study skills, exam prep -"Return to Learn" support to help students stay on top of their courses after an illness, concussion, or injury
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
| Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Accommodations | |
| Modifications | |
| Extra support |
Typically, a student who evidences signs of a possible learning difficulty or exceptionality is referred to our Student Success Team. There is follow up with the student and family to suggest options for further investigation, testing, and referral to community resources. If testing leads to a diagnosis warranting further intervention, a Learning Strategist may develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to note any environmental and/or instructional accommodations the student may require to access the curriculum more successfully. Our Team can provide support and coaching for students with wide-ranging diagnoses. A diagnosis of learning disability should not, in and of itself, discourage a parent from applying, and parents are encouraged to ask questions about the range of supports available.
| Type | Offered |
|---|---|
| Social skills programs | |
| Occupational therapy | |
| Psychotherapy | |
| Speech-language therapy |
The main focus is on enrichment. This means that while students may work at a marginally quicker pace than public school peers, the primary aim is to study subject in broader and deeper ways.
| Program | Offered |
|---|---|
| Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
| Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
| Program | Offered |
|---|---|
| Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement) | |
| Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement) | |
| Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others) | |
| Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement) | |
| Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement) |
As the academic standards at St. Michael's College School are already quite high, we do not offer a separate gifted programme. All students at St. Michael's are on an accelerated curriculum, whether they are classified as gifted or not.
In grade Gr. 12, SMCS students perform an average of 1.5 hours of homework per night.
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMCS | 30 mins | 30 mins | 45 mins | 60 mins | 90 mins | 90 mins |
| Site Average | 56 mins | 60 mins | 75 mins | 84 mins | 100 mins | 107 mins |
This information is not currently available.
| Type | Grades |
|---|---|
| Lettered or numbered grades | Gr. 7 to Gr. 12 |
OUR KIDS REPORT: St. Michael's College School