The regions Junior Academy offers busing from are:
Additional notes: We work with several busing companies that transport students from all over the G.T.A. Please inquire with Nicholas Johnson at [email protected] to learn more
"Established in 1988, Junior Academy is dedicated to providing education to all types of learners. Our school offers comprehensive programs tailored to meet the unique needs of our students. Our team of educators brings specialized training , ensuring that each student receives personalized attention and support. Our programs are designed to meet the needs of students with learning disabilities such as Dyslexia, challenges decoding / encoding, numeracy, and written output as well as students with ADD, ADHD and ASD."
At Junior Academy, we strive to empower each learner to achieve their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally through student success plans, innovative teaching methods, and a strong community of care. We use specialized teaching methods that follow provincial guidelines that incorporate multisensory teaching techniques, technology integration, and hands-on learning activities to engage all types of learners. We provide a valuable option for students who need a more tailored and supportive educational environment, helping them to thrive both academically and socially. Junior Academy has the unique ability to offer on-site Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Services, Child Counselling and ABA Therapy during the school day. These professional services work one-on-one with students and also collaborate with Junior Academy staff to help students thrive and achieve their personal goals.
Over the years, Junior Academy has made intentional trade-offs as part of our commitment to maintaining a close-knit, family-oriented environment. By keeping the school small, we ensure that every student is treated like a valued individual, fostering a strong sense of community and personalized attention. At the same time, we have made it a priority to support students with special needs, providing them with the resources and accommodations they need to thrive. This focus on inclusivity reflects our belief in creating an environment where every child can succeed, regardless of their challenges, while still preserving the intimate, warm and supportive atmosphere that defines our school. Junior Academy is designed to accommodate and celebrate the unique strengths and needs of each student, fostering a community where everyone is valued and supported.
In 1988, Junior Academy (J.A.) was established in Leaside with the mission of educating all students. Over time, the school’s approach has evolved to better support students with a range of academic and social needs. As the school grew, J.A. expanded to a new facility on Bayview Avenue to accommodate more families and provide spaces aligned with its programs, such as a full-sized gymnasium for daily physical education. Since the move in 2008, J.A. has introduced programs focused on social-emotional development, project-based learning, and academic remediation. These initiatives, along with small class sizes, allow for individualized attention to help students excel academically. J.A. has remained flexible, adapting its programming to meet the needs of the school community. Additionally, the school offers on-site tutoring, occupational therapy (OT), speech-language pathology (SLP), ABA services, and counseling. In 2020, J.A. introduced two daycare classes.
Junior Academy is dedicated to providing specialized education for all types of learners. Our neurodiverse school offers comprehensive programs tailored to meet the unique needs of students with diverse neurological profiles, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Dyslexia, and other learning and developmental differences. Students who are a great fit for our school are typically ones who need additional support academically, socially and emotionally. We pride ourselves on offering specialized programs that help bridge academic gaps while explicitly teaching social and emotional skills in order to provide a the greatest opportunity for success.
At Junior Academy, each student is valued and encouraged to grow at their own pace. Our approach is grounded in flexibility and understanding, allowing us to meet students where they are in their educational journey. Our teachers are specialized and highly trained professionals who are equipped with the skills and empathy to support each student’s learning journey. We never take a punitive approach. Instead we teach the necessary skills for students to come to an understanding of who they are as a learner and as a member of society.
Families who are seeking a large, highly competitive environment with strict academic expectations/demands as well as competitive sports teams may find that Junior Academy is not the right fit. Instead, we cater to those who prioritize individualized attention, a supportive atmosphere, and a tailored learning experience that can adapt to each child's needs and strengths.
We believe families choose Junior Academy over other schools because of the extra time, support, and dedication our staff give to our students, and their families. The common feedback we hear from our community is how well we maintain the lines of communication because we believe that working together as a cohesive unit is how we achieve success.
Another factor is how much Junior Academy focuses on the social and emotional aspect of a child. One of our core teaching philosophies is to put the Social and Emotional development of our students at the forefront of their educational journey. Supporting Social and Emotional Learning is essential as it nurtures the whole child, balancing academic achievement with emotional and social growth. Our SEL program is designed to teach students essential skills in managing emotions, building positive relationships, making responsible decisions, and developing social awareness.
Junior Academy has established a strong reputation for its unwavering commitment to supporting the academic, social, and emotional development of elementary students with diverse learning needs. Known for focusing on nurturing well-rounded individuals, the school provides a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters growth in all areas of a child's life. With its small class sizes, Junior Academy ensures that each student receives personalized attention, allowing for tailored support that addresses their unique needs. The school also cultivates a tight-knit community, fostering a family-like atmosphere where students feel valued, safe, and encouraged to thrive both academically and personally.
Junior Academy is a "one-stop shop" for a variety of supports and services and some families may not be aware of this feature. We offer in-house OT, SLP, Tutoring, Behaviour Therapy, 1:1 support, Orton Gillingham reading intervention and much more. These specialized resources and adaptive teaching strategies empower students to achieve academic and personal growth, preparing them for meaningful contributions to their communities and fostering a lifelong love of learning. In addition, on-going professional development workshops equip our educators with strategies to foster a supportive classroom climate, utilize best practices for classroom management, and address students’ social-emotional needs. Teachers are taught how to model emotional regulation and conflict resolution and explicitly teach these skills that may not be inherent for some students. The commitment and dedication our educators have to provide the most supportive learning environment is truly unmatched.
Most people see J.A. as having no greenspace, which can be an issue for perspective families, but we are very fortunate to be able to use dozens of acres of fields and forest across the street for Outdoor Ed., Phys. Ed., and many more outdoor activities.
Secondly, when you drive by J.A., nobody really knows about the full-size gymnasium 30 feet below grade until they step foot in the building. In here, we host our spring/winter concerts, basketball games, dance and movie night, and much more.
Junior Academy is always working to improve its programs to provide a better overall experience to all families. This allows students to complete additional therapies and receive learning support during the school day so families can enjoy time together. In the past two years, we have introduced additional options for students to receive academic and social-emotional support at the school. This is done by providing smaller group sessions or one-on-one coaching through our on-site OT and child counselor.
Over the next five years, Junior Academy is dedicated to continuing its mission of providing high-quality academic instruction and comprehensive social-emotional education for all types of learners. Our approach will remain focused on nurturing each student's unique strengths and helping them overcome challenges to achieve their full potential. In addition to our ongoing commitment to academics, we are excited to expand and enhance our in-house programs, which will offer students more opportunities to develop critical skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence. These programs will be designed to prepare students not only for success in their current academic environment but also for the challenges they will encounter in the next phase of their education.
Hear directly from Junior Academy community as they share insights.
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