The York School:
THE OUR KIDS REPORT

REPORT CONTENTS:

The York School ACADEMICS & EXTRACURRICULARS

Summary

Curriculum
Progressive, International Baccalaureate
Preschool/K Curriculum
Academic
Language
English
Curriculum Pace
Standard-enriched
Academic Culture
Rigorous
Developmental priorities
Balanced
Special needs support
No support
Gifted learner support
No Support
Extracurriculars
Available

Curriculum Progressive, International Baccalaureate

[Show definition of Curriculum]

Central to your child's school experience is the underlying curriculum taught in the classroom. "Curriculum" refers to both what is taught and how it's taught. When considering the different curricula outlined in the next few pages, keep in mind that few schools fall neatly into one category or another. Most schools' curricula comprise a blend of best practices drawn from multiple curriculum types. Having said that, most schools do have a general overall curriculum type. These are identified for each school on OurKids.net.

Curriculum approach at The York School: Progressive, International Baccalaureate

The York School has a Progressive, International Baccalaureate approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Traditional, Liberal Arts, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf approach).

[Show: About Progressive, International Baccalaureate?]

Our Kids definition: Progressive (sometimes called "in- quiry-based") curricula attempt to place children's interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. Instead of lessons being driven by predetermined pathways, progressive curricula are often "emergent", with learning activities shaped by students' questions about the world. Instead of starting with academic concepts and then tying it to everyday experience, progressive methods begin with everyday experience and work back to an academic lesson. Teachers provide materials, experiences, tools and resources to help students investigate a topic or issue. Students are encouraged to explore, reflect on their findings, and discuss answers or solutions.

Compare The York School's Curriculum with other schools on OurKids.net:

Progressive - 34%
Traditional - 41%
Liberal arts - 13%
Montessori - 11%
Reggio Emilia - 0%
Waldorf - 1%

The York School has a International Baccalaureate approach to supplementary curriculum.

Some private schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programming. The "Diploma Programme" is offered to students in the final two years of high school, while the "Primary Years Programme" (ages 3 to 12) and "Middle Years Programme" (ages 11 to 16) serve as preparation for the diploma program.

What The York School says about their overall curriculum and approach:

Our curriculum meets both the Ontario Ministry of Education and International Baccalaureate Programme requirements. Our IB approach is cross-curricular and project-based, which means that from English, to Arts, to Science and Technology, our students are studying similar themes and concepts that equip them with future-ready skills. We’ve also developed signature programs across all grade levels that engage, inspire and challenge students.

International Baccalaureate program(s) offered

Program	Offered
Primary Years
Middle Years
Diploma program
Career-related program

Approach

Focus
Academic

Pedagogies and subject courses:

Mathematics
Discovery Math

Mathematics approach at The York School: Discovery Math
The York School has a Discovery Math approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Traditional Math, Equal Balance approach).
[Show: About Discovery Math?]
Our Kids definition: Discovery Math turns traditional math on its head: it frequently begins by introducing a novel problem to students, and works its way back to “discovering” a method of solving the problem. The goal is to ground mathematical procedures and algorithms firmly in their applications, and to challenge students to think critically about how they might go about solving the problem right from the beginning. Generally associated with the “Chicago Math” movement and related Everyday Math textbooks (Grades 1 to 6), Discovery math spends less classroom time mastering established algorithms and more time getting students invested in and thinking critically about novel mathematical problems and concepts. In this sense Discovery Math aims to establish conceptual and applied understand before procedural understanding.

Compare The York School's Mathematics with other schools on OurKids.net:

Discovery math - 5%
Traditional math - 26%
Equal balance - 69%

What The York School says:
The power of mathematics for describing and analysing the world around us is such that it has become a highly effective tool for solving problems. Students intrinsically appreciate the fascination of mathematics and explore the world through its unique lense. Students often describe themselves as “authors” or “artists”; a school’s programme should also provide students with the opportunity to see themselves as “mathematicians.” In the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), mathematics is viewed as a vehicle to support inquiry, providing a global language through which we make sense of the world around us. It is intended that students become competent users of the language of mathematics, and can begin to use it as a way of thinking, as opposed to seeing it as a series of facts and equations to memorize.
Textbooks and supplementary materials:
This information is not currently available.
Calculator policy:
This information is not currently available.
Early Reading
Balanced Literacy

Early Reading approach at The York School: Balanced Literacy
The York School has a Balanced Literacy approach to Early Reading (as opposed to Phonics-intensive, Whole Language approach).
[Show: About Balanced Literacy?]
Our Kids definition: Balanced reading programs are typically Whole Language programs with supplementary phonics training. This training might be incidental, or it might take the form of mini-lessons.

Compare The York School's Early Reading with other schools on OurKids.net:

Balanced literacy - 54%
Phonics-intensive - 45%
Whole language - 1%

What The York School says:
The development of language is not only fundamental to communication but also supports and enhances our thinking and understanding. Language permeates the world in which we live. The language learning process in the Junior School involves learning language, learning about language and learning through language. Students are provided authentic learning experiences to support their growth in oral communication, reading, writing and media literacy.
DIBELS Testing: This school does not use DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
What The York School says:
This information is not currently available.
Writing
Process approach

Writing approach at The York School: Process approach
The York School has a Process approach approach to Writing (as opposed to Systematic approach, Equal balance approach).
[Show: About Process approach?]
Our Kids definition: The process approach to teaching beginner writing aims to get students writing “real things” as much as possible and as soon as possible. The goal is to create the right environmental conditions to encourage a love of writing and a motivation to write well. With children invested in the writing process -- through assignments children find meaningful -- students are then given feedback on how they can improve.

Compare The York School's Writing with other schools on OurKids.net:

Process approach - 11%
Systematic approach - 9%
Equal balance - 80%

What The York School says:
This information is not currently available.
Science
Equal Balance

Science approach at The York School: Equal Balance
The York School has an Equal Balance approach to Science (as opposed to Expository, Inquiry approach).
[Show: About Equal Balance?]
Our Kids definition: Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.

Compare The York School's Science with other schools on OurKids.net:

Equal balance - 69%
Expository - 5%
Inquiry - 26%

Teaching approach:
This information is not currently available.

Treatment of evolution:

Subject Offered
Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught

Topics covered in curriculum:

Subject Offered
Biology
Chemistry
Ecology
Geology
Meteorology
Physics
Physiology
Zoology
Literature
Equal Balance

Literature approach at The York School: Equal Balance
The York School has an Equal Balance approach to Literature (as opposed to Traditional, Social Justice approach).
[Show: About Equal Balance?]
Our Kids definition: These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.

Compare The York School's Literature with other schools on OurKids.net:

Equal balance - 76%
Traditional - 21%
Social justice - 3%

What The York School says:
This information is not currently available.

Program covers:

Subject Offered
Canadian lit
American lit
European (continental) lit
World (non-Western) lit
English lit
Ancient lit
Social Studies
Expanding Communities

Social Studies approach at The York School: Expanding Communities
The York School has an Expanding Communities approach to Social Studies (as opposed to Core Knowledge, Thematic approach).
[Show: About Expanding Communities?]
Our Kids definition: The Expanding Communities approach organizes the curriculum around students’ present, everyday experience. In the younger grades, students might learn about themselves, for example. As they move through the grades, the focus gradually broadens in scope: to the family, neighbourhood, city, province, country, and globe. The curriculum tends to have less focus on history than Core Knowledge programs.

Compare The York School's Social Studies with other schools on OurKids.net:

Expanding communities - 30%
Core knowledge - 38%
Thematic - 32%

What The York School says:
This information is not currently available.
Humanities and Social Sciences
Pragmatism

Humanities and Social Sciences approach at The York School: Pragmatism
The York School has a Pragmatism approach to Humanities and Social Sciences (as opposed to Perennialism, Equal Balance approach).
[Show: About Pragmatism?]
Our Kids definition: Pragmatism in the humanities and social sciences emphasizes making learning relevant to students’ present-day experience. Assignments tend to centre around projects and tasks rather than argumentative essays; these projects will often have a “real-world” application or relevance. There might be more of a social justice component to a pragmatic program, though that isn’t always the case. Subjects like history and philosophy are still covered/offered, but they play a less prominent role in the overall program than in the case of perennialism. The social sciences (contemporary geography, sociology, psychology, etc), meanwhile, might play a more prominent role in pragmatic programs. The key goals are to make learning progressive and relevant, while teaching students real-life skills and critical thinking.

Compare The York School's Humanities and Social Sciences with other schools on OurKids.net:

Pragmatism - 10%
Perennialism - 8%
Equal balance - 82%

What The York School says:
This information is not currently available.
Foreign Languages
Communicative

Foreign Languages approach at The York School: Communicative
The York School has a Communicative approach to Foreign Languages (as opposed to Audio-Lingual, Equal Balance approach).
[Show: About Communicative?]
Our Kids definition: The communicative method of language acquisition emphasizes the use of the target language in authentic contexts. The approach commonly features interactive group work, games, authentic texts, and opportunities to learn about the cultural background of the language. Drills and quizzes may still be used, but less frequently than with the audio-lingual method.

Compare The York School's Foreign Languages with other schools on OurKids.net:

Communicative - 33%
Audio-lingual - 2%
Equal balance - 65%

What The York School says:
At The York School, there is an emphasis on authentic contexts and fluency.

Language instruction offered in:

Subject Offered
Chinese-Cantonese
Chinese-Mandarin
French
German
Greek
Italian
Japanese
Hebrew
Latin
Russian
Spanish
ESL
Fine Arts
Equal Balance

Fine Arts approach at The York School: Equal Balance
The York School has an Equal Balance approach to Fine Arts (as opposed to Receptive, Creative approach).
[Show: About Equal Balance?]
Our Kids definition: These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.

Compare The York School's Fine Arts with other schools on OurKids.net:

Equal balance - 66%
Receptive - 1%
Creative - 33%

Program offers:

Subject Offered
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts

Visual studio philosophy:

Expressive
Disciplined
What The York School says:
This information is not currently available.
Computers and Technology
Heavy integration

Computers and Technology approach at The York School: Heavy integration
The York School has a Heavy integration approach to Computers and Technology (as opposed to Light integration, Medium integration approach).
[Show: About Heavy integration?]
Our Kids definition: A major effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy throughout the curriculum and in everything students do. Digital literacy is understood to be a fundamental skill in the 21st century: it therefore follows, the idea goes, that teachers should find ways to connect every lesson back to technology. Effort is made to ensure the use of technology is meaningful and advances students’ skills beyond what they would otherwise be from using computers outside the classroom.

Compare The York School's Computers and Technology with other schools on OurKids.net:

Heavy integration - 28%
Light integration - 18%
Medium integration - 54%

What The York School says:
At The York School, our approach to technology is not about gadgets and gizmos – it is about a progressive approach to education and a school-wide commitment to innovation. We offer a culture of creativity that inspires teachers and students to think differently, explore confidently and adapt skillfully. This approach means that we are constantly searching for technological opportunities that will enhance learning. When exploring options and making choices about technology in the classroom, we focus on ways to enrich the IB inquiry method and to empower students and teachers to access the full potential of their imaginations. Led by our Learning, Technology & Innovation department, the school constantly adapts to technological opportunities that arise and responds with new initiatives and programmes. We regularly assess the needs of our community and participate in a rigorous process of goal setting and reflection each year.

Program covers:

Subject Offered
Computer science
Robotics
Web design
Physical Education

What The York School says:
Physical education is more than just students participation in sports and games. The focus is on developing transferrable skills that promote physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. One of the main goals of the physical education programme is develop an appreciation and understanding of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
IB Diploma courses
30 courses
Group 1 (Language A)
- English Literature SL
- English Literature HL
Group 2 (Language B)
- French SL
- French HL
- Spanish ab initio SL
- Mandarin ab initio SL
Group 3 (Individuals and Societies)
- Economics SL
- Economics HL
- Geography SL
- Geography HL
- History SL
- History HL
Group 4 (Experimental Sciences)
- Chemistry SL
- Chemistry HL
- Biology SL
- Biology HL
- Physics SL
- Physics HL
- Environmental Systems SL
Group 5 (Mathematics)
- Mathematical Studies SL
- Mathematics SL
- Mathematics HL
Group 6 (The Arts)
- Music SL
- Music HL
- Theatre SL
- Theatre HL
- Visual Arts SL
- Visual Arts HL
- Film SL
- Film HL
Advanced Placement courses

This information is not currently available.
Sex and health education
Ontario curriculum

Sex and health education approach at The York School: Ontario curriculum
The York School has an Ontario curriculum approach to Sex and health education (as opposed to Does not follow prrovincialcurriculum approach).
[Show: About Ontario curriculum?]
Our Kids definition: The structure, pacing, focus, and tone of the sex education curriculum reflects that of the provincial one, taught in public schools.

Compare The York School's Sex and health education with other schools on OurKids.net:

Follows provincial curriculum - 58%
Does not follow prrovincial curriculum - 42%

Approach to sex and health education: Mostly value-neutral
The York School has a approach Mostly value-neutral (as opposed to Fairly value-based approach).
[Show: About Mostly value-neutral?]
Our Kids definition: By and large, students are taught about sex free of any particular moral or ethical standpoint. The school doesn't impose any particular values or value systems (such as social, political, or ideological values) on students when teaching sex and related issues.
What The York School says:
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

Subject	Offered
Canadian lit
American lit
European (continental) lit
World (non-Western) lit
English lit
Ancient lit

Subject	Offered
Chinese-Cantonese
Chinese-Mandarin
French
German
Greek
Italian
Japanese
Hebrew
Latin
Russian
Spanish
ESL

Subject	Offered
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts

Subject	Offered
Computer science
Robotics
Web design

Preschool/K Curriculum Academic

[Show definition of Preschool/K Curriculum]

Preschools and kindergartens tend to have a particular curriculum or curricular approach. This refers to what is taught and how it's taught. Most preschools have a curriculum that comprises a blend of best practices drawn from multiple curriculum types. A preschool's curriculum may or may not, though, reflect its higher-level curriculum (if it's part of a school with elementary or secondary programs)

Preschool/K Curriculum approach at The York School: Academic

The York School has an Academic approach to Preschool/K Curriculum (as opposed to Play-based, Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia approach).

[Show: About Academic?]

Our Kids definition: Academic-based preschools and Kindergartens are the most structured of the different types, and have a strong emphasis on math and reading readiness skills. These programs aim to expose children to what early-elementary school is like. While time is still allotted to free play, much of the day is built around explicit lessons guided by the teacher. Classrooms often resemble play-based ones (with different stations set up around the room), but at an Academic program the teacher leads students through the stations directly, and ties these activities to a whole-class lesson or theme.

Compare The York School's Preschool/K Curriculum with other schools on OurKids.net:

Academic - 41%
Play-based - 23%
Montessori - 27%
Waldorf - 2%
Reggio emilia - 7%

What The York School says about their preschool/K curriculum approach:

Our play-based, inquiry-driven, full-day, all-inclusive Kindergarten program empowers young children to become agents of their own learning. Inquiry-driven learning guides students to ask questions, research, experiment, think critically and draw conclusions. This approach promotes independent thinking, problem-solving and lifelong learning.

Language English

Learn about The York School's languages of instruction and enrolment.

The York School offers English as the primary language of instruction.

Language of enrolment include: English

Curriculum Pace Standard-enriched

[Show definition of Curriculum Pace]

This refers to the rate at which students move through the curriculum (e.g., topics, textbook material, skills, etc.). Curriculum pace is often defined in comparison to provincial standards.

Curriculum Pace approach at The York School: Standard-enriched

The York School has a Standard-enriched approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Accelerated, Student-paced approach).

[Show: About Standard-enriched?]

Our Kids definition: Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.

Compare The York School's Curriculum Pace with other schools on OurKids.net:

Standard-enriched - 56%
Accelerated - 18%
Student-paced - 26%

What The York School says about their curriculum pace:

This information is not currently available.

Flexible pacing style

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

What The York School says about their flexible pacing:

This information is not currently available.

Academic Culture Rigorous

[Show definition of Academic Culture]

Through the collective mindset of teachers, administrators, students, and parents, each school develops and maintains its own academic culture. This generally relates to the norms and expectations created around academic performance. Many parents look to private schools because they want a specific type of culture. Some want a rigorous environment that will elevate their child to new heights. Others want a nurturing environment that will help their child develop a passion for learning.

Academic Culture approach at The York School: Rigorous

The York School has a Rigorous approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Supportive approach).

[Show: About Rigorous?]

Our Kids definition: A school with a “rigorous” academic culture places a high value on academic performance, and expects their students to do the same. This does not mean the school is uncaring, unsupportive, or non-responsive -- far from it. A school can have a rigorous academic culture and still provide excellent individual support. It does mean, however, the school places a particular emphasis on performance -- seeking the best students and challenging them to the fullest extent -- relative to a normal baseline. High expectations and standards – and a challenging yet rewarding curriculum – are the common themes here. Keep in mind this classification is more relevant for the older grades: few Kindergarten classrooms, for example, would be called “rigorous”.

Compare The York School's Academic Culture with other schools on OurKids.net:

Rigorous - 49%
Supportive - 51%

What The York School says about their academic culture:

This information is not currently available.

Developmental priorities Balanced

[Show definition of Developmental priorities]

Schools have specific goals regarding how they want their educate and develop their students. This is part of a school's overall philosophy or vision, which is contained in its mission statement. While they tend have several developmental aims, schools tend to priortize certain aims, such as intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional, or physical development.

Primary Developmental Priority: Balanced

Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.

Secondary Developmental Priority: Intellectual

The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."

What The York School says about their developmental priorities:

This information is not currently available.

Special needs support

[Show definition of Special needs support]

Schools offer a wide range of approaches and services to support students with special needs. This may include individualized learning, one-on-one support, small classes, resource rooms, and learning aids. These supports may be provided in a number of different environments such as a dedicated special needs school or class, an integrated class, a withdrawal class, or a regular class with resource support or in-class adaptations.

A - Forms of Support

Accommodation:

Modification:

Remediation:

B - Environments

Indirect Support:

Resource Assistance:

Withdrawal Assistance:

Partial Integration:

Full-Time Class:

Special NeedNeed

Forms of SupportA

EnvironmentsB

ADHD

Learning disabilities

Dyslexia (Language-Based Learning Disability)
This is a learning disability that can limit a child's ability to read and learn. It can have a variety of traits. A few of the main ones are impaired phonological awareness and decoding, problems with orthographic coding, and auditory short-term memory impairment.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
This is a sound differentiation disorder involving problems with reading, comprehension, and language.

Dyscalculia
This is a kind of specific learning disability in math. Kids with this math disorder have problems with calculation. They may also have problems with math-related concepts such as time and money.
Dysgraphia
This is a kind of specific learning disability in writing. It involves problems with handwriting, spelling, and organizing ideas.
Language Processing Disorder
This is characterized by having extreme difficulty understanding what is heard and expressing what one wants to say. These disorders affect the area of the brain that controls language processing.
Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NLD)
These involve difficulties interpreting non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. They're usually characterized by a significant discrepancy between higher verbal skills and weaker motor, visual-spatial, and social skills.
Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit
A characteristic seen in people with learning disabilities such as Dysgraphia or Non-verbal LD. It can result in missing subtle differences in shapes or printed letters, losing place frequently, struggles with cutting, holding pencil too tightly, or poor eye/hand coordination.
Developmental

Autism
Refers to a range of conditions that involve challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal communication. They also involve unique strengths and differences. For instance, there are persons with both low- and high-functioning autism (some claim the latter is identical to Asperger's syndrome).
Asperger's Syndrome
On the autism spectrum, Asperger's is considered quite mild in terms of symptoms. While traits can vary widely, many kids with Asperger's struggle with social skills. They also sometimes fixate on certain subjects and engage in repetitive behaviour.
Down syndrome
his is associated with impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics.
Intellectual disability
This is a condition characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (e.g., reasoning, learning, and problem solving). Intellectual disabilities are also known as general learning disabilities (and used to be referred to as a kind of mental retardation).
Williams syndrome
This is a rare genetic disorder present at birth. It is characterized by intellectual disabilities or learning problems, unique facial features, and cardiovascular problems.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy. These may include growth deficits, facial anomalies, and damage to the central nervous system, which can lead to cognitive, behavioural, and other problems.
Behavioral and Emotional

Troubled behaviour / troubled teens
roubled teens tend to have problems that are intense, persistent, and can lead to quite unpredictable behaviour. This can lead to behavioural and emotional issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, criminal behaviour, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.
Clinical Depression
This is a mental health disorder also called "major depression." It involves persistent feelings of sadness, loss, and anger. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms are usually severe enough to cause noticeable problems in relationships with others or in daily activities, such as school, work, or one's social life.
Clinical anxiety
This is a mood disorder involving intense, relentless feelings of distress and fear. They can also have excessive and persistent worry about everyday situations, and repeated episodes of intense anxiety or terror.
Suicidal thoughts
This involves persistent thoughts about ending one's life.
Drug and alcohol abuse
This involves the excessive use of drug and/or alcohol, which interferes with daily functioning.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
This is a disruptive behavioural disorder which normally involves angry outbursts, often directed at people of authority. This behaviour must last continuously for six months or more and significantly interfere with daily functioning.
Physical

Multiple sclerosis
This is a condition of the central nervous system. It affects the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of motor control, memory loss, depression, and cognitive difficulties.
Cerebral palsy
his refers to a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. CP is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture.
Muscular dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder which weakens the body's muscles. Causes, symptoms, age of onset, and prognosis vary between individuals.
Spina Bifida
This is a condition present at birth due to the incomplete formation of the spine and spinal cord. It can lead to a number of physical challenges, including paralysis or weakness in the legs, bowel and bladder incontinence, hydrocephalus (too much fluid in the brain), and deformities of the spine.
Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder)
This is a Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Also known as "sensory integration disorder," it affects fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It may also affect speech.
Blindness
Visual impairment is a decreased ability or inability to see that can't be fixed in usual ways, such as with glasses. Some people are completely blind, while others have what's called "legal blindness."
Deafness
Hearing impairment, also known as "hearing loss," is a partial or total inability to hear. The degree of hearing impairment varies between people. It can range from complete hearing loss (or deafness) to partial hearing loss (meaning the ears can pick up some sounds).
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic condition, which affects the body's respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. It affects young children and adults.
Multiple physical
Accommodating a wide range of physical conditions and disabilities.

Read our guide to special needs schools and special education

Academic support

Type	Offered
Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation
Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties

Mild but clinically diagnosed learning disabilities

Type	Offered
Accommodations
Modifications
Extra support

Additional support

Type	Offered
Social skills programs
Occupational therapy
Psychotherapy
Speech-language therapy

Gifted learner support No Support

[Show definition of Gifted learner support]

Schools support students with gifted or advanced learning abilities in a several ways. Whether they offer a full-time gifted program or part-time support, they normally provide some form of accelerated learning (delivering content at a faster pace) or enrichment (covering content more broadly or deeply). Many schools also offer a wide range of in-class adaptations to support advanced learners, such as guided independent studies, project-based learning, and career exploration.

Curriculum Delivery: Enrichment

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.

Class structure

Program	Offered
Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school)
Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class)

In-class adaptations

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)

What The York School says about their gifted learner support:

This information is not currently available.

Homework Policy

[Show definition of Homework Policy]

Homework is work that's assigned to students for completion outside of regular class time. There's a long-standing debate over homework. Should homework be assigned to school-age children? If so, in what grades? And how much homework should be assigned? In selecting the right school for your child, it's important to look closely at a school's homework policy.

Nightly homework

In grade Gr. 12, The York School students perform an average of 2 hours of homework per night.

	JK	SK	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
The York School	15 mins	15 mins	15 mins	30 mins	30 mins	45 mins	45 mins	60 mins	90 mins	90 mins	90 mins	90 mins	120 mins	120 mins
Site Average	6 mins	7 mins	15 mins	18 mins	24 mins	30 mins	36 mins	42 mins	54 mins	58 mins	75 mins	86 mins	102 mins	109 mins

What The York School says about their flipped classroom policy:

This information is not currently available.

Report Card Policy

[Show definition of Report Card Policy]

While all schools measure individual progress and achievement in students, they have different ways of doing this. For instance, many traditional schools gauge progress through report cards, which give students lettered or numbered grades. Other schools, meanwhile, measure progress in other ways, either in addition to or instead of giving grades. For instance, they may offer prose-based feedback (i.e, comments), academic achievement reporting, habits and behaviour reporting, and parent-teacher meetings. In choosing the right school for your child, take a close look at its policy for measuring the individual progress of students.

How assessments are delivered across the grades

Type	Grades
Prose (narrative)-based feedback	JK to Gr. 12
Academic achievement reporting	JK to Gr. 12
Habits and behaviour reporting	JK to Gr. 12
Parent-teacher meetings	JK to Gr. 12

Extracurricular Activities

While academics remain the priority for most private schools, many also place a strong focus on a well-rounded education and encourage participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts, or clubs. Involvement in extracurriculars helps stimulate students in their studies, makes them more motivated to learn, and can make school more enjoyable and fulfilling. Extracurricular activities can also provide students with a much-needed break from the stresses of academics, while helping them to develop skills and allowing them to take part in valuable social situations.

Sports offered

The York School offers 11 competitive sports and 18 recreational sports.

Competitive offered Recreational offered

all sports]

Archery
Curling
Ultimate
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Canoeing/Kayaking
Cricket
Cross-country skiing
Cycling
Downhill skiing
Equestrian
Fencing
Field Hockey
Figure Skating
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Ice Skating
Lacrosse
Martial Arts
Mountain biking
Racquet Ball
Rowing
Rugby
Running
Sailing
Skateboarding
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Weightlifting
Wrestling

Clubs offered

The York School offers 29 clubs and extracurricular programs.

Clubs offered Clubs not offered

all clubs and programs]

Foreign Language Club

Habitat for Humanity

Jazz Ensemble

Math Club

Musical theatre/Opera

Ballet and Classical Ballet

Online Magazine

Outdoor Club

Outdoor Education

Paintball

Photography

Poetry/Literature club

Radio club

Robotics club

Round Square

School newspaper

Science Club

Scouting

Student Council

Yearbook

Yoga

Animation

Art Club

Astronomy Club

Audiovisual Club

Band

Chess Club

Choir

Community Service

Computer Club

Dance Club

Debate Club

Drama Club

Environmental Club

What people say about the Academics

Global perspective through the IB Programme

Observations from students, parents, and alumni illustrate how the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at The York School provides a distinctive global perspective and opens numerous opportunities for students around the world.

Having graduated with the IB diploma opens up an awful lot of doors for our kids, both to the top schools in Canada, south of the border, and around the world. Our IB scores are well above the world average annually. So our kids get an awful lot of choices and we’re very proud of where they go—some of the top schools around the world. When you’ve achieved the IB diploma, it is really an incredible achievement that opens doors.

—Struan Robertson, Head of School (see full interview)

I think our most important criterion was we wanted the kids to be challenged academically. And an IB school, we thought, would prepare them for post-secondary education. This is now their third year, and they are really enjoying their time there. They are definitely being challenged at school, which was great. They've responded well to that.

—Sonia Thomas, parent (see full interview)

When I think of what drew me to The York School, there’s the IB program. It’s also a co-ed school—that was also a deciding factor for my family. They wanted me to go to a co-ed school and I think that was a big reason for choosing the school. There’s not really too many co-ed IB programs, so that definitely played a big role.

—Leila Keshavjee, alum (see full interview)

I think being an IB World School, that’s a big part of what attracts our faculty. I think also the makeup of our student and family population has been very international. International families are familiar with the IB. So I think it goes both ways: it connects us with the world, but it also brings the world to us.

—Struan Robertson, Head of School (see full interview)

The reasons to attend this school, I would say, are that it’s a wonderful co-ed, it has the IB programme, and that it's a diverse international school in downtown Toronto. It offers an opportunity for an incredible education that will really prepare your child for a postsecondary education. Your child will get so much support from teachers and faculty, who really want the children to thrive.

—Sonia Thomas, parent (see full interview)

We were looking for an IB school that was co-ed and went all the way to Grade 12. When we were looking for a school, there was really no competition, no schools we considered other than The York School.

—Sasikan, parent (see full discussion)

With the IB Programme, we love the Units of Inquiry. It presents students with an open-ended question, and they investigate it and learn how to present their knowledge in different ways. They actually learn how to learn. The students learn how to do research, and learn how to present their work at a very early age, and I think that’s really impressive.

—Sasikan, parent (see full discussion)

We wanted the IB Programme, because we weren’t sure if we would be staying in Canada. We were coming from New York City, where our kids were in a smaller, urban progressive coed school. We wanted to mirror our experience in New York as best as possible for our kids, who were in their primary years.

—Sasikan, parent (see full discussion)

We found The York School, which not only has IB but it’s been doing it for so long. The York School has been accredited as an IB school for a long time, which means that the teachers deliver that program expertly, with a lot of experience behind them.

—Sasikan, parent (see full discussion)

The biggest impact I saw on my son was from the IB Programme. My son applied to a boarding program in the U.S. for high school, and because of his marks coming out of the IB middle-year programme, he was guided into the honours program there. That will put him on an AP path at his new school.

—Sasikan, parent (see full discussion)

Obviously, the York School is an IB school. Going into Grade 11, you start the Diploma program, and that happens for Grades 11 and 12. That definitely is very challenging. It's a heavy workload, but even Grades 9 and 10 and even middle school have a pretty heavy workload for students at their ages.

—Abigail Nash, alum (see full interview)

The IB's motto is to help students become the most well-rounded versions of themselves. And part of that is obviously picking one course from each discipline, whether that be econ, geography, or history within the humanities or picking a maths, picking an art, whatever it is, trying to create that well-rounded balance between students. And whether that be just within academics, but also encouraging students to get involved in those extracurriculars, I think York does a great job of that.

—Abigail Nash, alum (see full interview)

The York School has definitely left a number of marks on me and has continued to contribute to my development as a person. One of the biggest things I would say is that my time management is really, I like to think it's top tier because of the IB programme. I definitely gained that from York and I might not have gained that from another experience. So I'm very grateful for that because that has definitely helped me not only in my academic and school life going into university, but also just in my personal life as well and knowing how to balance relationships and such.

—Abigail Nash, alum (see full interview)

The IB Programme is not something that you get everywhere. There are a couple of other schools in Toronto that offer it, but York obviously has its own individual elements in other ways. And then on top of that, the IB Programme is really helpful for the self reflective reason I mentioned, the time management, just being able to balance that workload. And also you gain a lot of specific skills that have helped me a lot personally as well, like professional writing, which is always really valuable and helpful going into university.

—Abigail Nash, alum (see full interview)

The York School because of its smaller size, convenient location, IB academics and coeducational and international student body. Certain things have had a greater impact than we had expected such as the school's location and the focus on the entire student, not just academics. However, if you ask my boys, they would say they love The York School because of their teachers, their friends, their basketball teams and being at a school that is close to home.

—Heather Faralla, parent (beginning 2018) (see full review)

The school has unparalleled experience delivering the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme and our children started the Primary Years Programme overseas and it was a benefit to be able to return to Canada and continue in the same academic program but on the other side of the world. We have confidence that the school is preparing our children for life "Beyond York" as the counseling office likes to promote. We feel very fortunate to be able to access the knowledge and experience of the counselling office and they play a key role they play in helping us navigate the options available for our children upon graduation.

—Glenn Asano, parent (beginning 2017) (see full review)

I believe IB students are the best prepared for university life through opportunities such as the ICE program in Grade 9, the Extended Essay, the Personal Project and the abundance of experiential learning opportunities available. However, it is not all homework. The school promotes balance in students’ lives through an extensive array of clubs, sports teams and volunteering opportunities. The school focuses on the 'whole' student, not just academics, however, it is worth noting that York consistently exceeds the IB World School exam scores by an average of four points.

—Heather Faralla, parent (beginning 2018) (see full review)

A balanced environment

Insights from families and students highlight the significance of The York School's co-educational setting in fostering a balanced and inclusive academic experience.

Each year has brought something new, in terms of their achievements and progress, and that's been great to see. Our children have been at the York School for almost five years. One year, they might be working on large projects that pushed them to achieve something that they'd never done before, like an in-depth analysis or a lengthy paper. Other years, the achievement was in the sports arena. They both participate in the basketball team and have had success there. Other times it was things like student council. They have had opportunities to use the tools they've learned inside the school to really become better citizens.

—Mitch Green, parent (see full interview)

What I appreciate most about the York School is their objective to ensure that the parents are involved in the holistic approach to educating the child. Academic excellence is a huge part of it, but they're also constantly encouraging parents to ensure that their child is engaged, reporting back on a semester basis with each teacher, truly understanding your child,what gets them motivated. When there's challenges, we aren’t just looking at the symptom but trying to get to the deeper issue that needs to be resolved. They want that child to be as holistic as possible in their educational experience.

—Mitch Green, parent (see full interview)

Looking back, The York School definitely was great in terms of giving me a really well-rounded education, and teaching me just how to work really hard. I think especially now as a business owner—where you’re thrown into the deep end and you’re just trying to do a whole bunch of things—I think having that kind of education and knowing how to really work hard and stay motivated and be super driven … I definitely am really thankful that I had that experience to go to The York School.

—Leila Keshavjee, alum (see full interview)

I think I would definitely say the technology is one of the things I appreciated the most about The York School. You weren’t rushing to take notes all the time, or it made it really easy to go back to your notes, and you had very clear notes from the teachers. I think that made it really easy to follow, and then go back and study—especially when you’re doing the IB program, and you’re going back to your notes much later to prepare for the diploma exam.

—Leila Keshavjee, alum (see full interview)

The York School is a community that shaped me into the person that I am today. The list of opportunities is almost comical, to name some: band, choir, basketball, softball, volleyball, ultimate, chess club, debate club, morning announcements, plays, musicals, student council, volunteering, outreach, exchange and so much more. My classmates and I had an opportunity to experience all that the school had to offer, in addition to the MYP and IB programs, challenge weeks and immersive laptop program.

—Lani Stern, alum (see full review)

Both our children are happy to attend The York School. We feel it offers a high-quality program that is recognized internationally. Equally important is the fact that our children (and ourselves) have met new friends and are fully immersed in the school community and life. ... We also appreciate the school's focus on "wellness" and have a dedicated team that is always mindful of the students' mental health. The combination of the well-regarded IB Programme, happy students, inspiring teachers, engaged leadership, strong board, and involved parents all contribute to the overall quality of student life.

—Glenn Asano, parent (beginning 2017) (see full review)

Rigorous programs

Observations from parents, students, and alumni highlight The York School's strong commitment to rigorous academics, notably its comprehensive IB Programme, which equips students with essential skills and prepares them well for future educational pursuits.

There really weren’t many schools that were comparable to The York School in terms of the quality of education, and a real reputation in the city and around the globe. So, for us, it was The York School or bust. It is really where we wanted to be.

—Sasikan, parent (see full discussion)

I also really did appreciate, obviously, the academic focus of the school because I do think that it prepared me well for university. Coming into university, I had a good understanding of what a really heavy workload looked like and felt like. And so I knew how to adapt to what might have been a bigger change for some other newer students who might not have experienced that in high school.

—Abigail Nash, alum (see full interview)

I think just being able to adapt to the difficulty of work was very interesting for me and something that obviously you learn as you get older. You see older kids doing the hard stuff that you're about to do and you're like, ‘Oh my gosh, that's so scary.’ But then, something that I found interesting, was obviously as you get older, you start to realise your own potential. That's not necessarily the school. I guess that's more me.

—Abigail Nash, alum (see full interview)

One major impact that The York School has had on my two daughters is the love of reading in the Junior School. We have an amazing librarian. I don’t know what it is, but my especially my older daughter, she’s been gobbling up books like crazy. We can’t find enough books for her to read right now.

—Sasikan, parent (see full discussion)

The students were appropriately competitive. After all, these are the children of successful people that have learned a high work ethic that the school helps to nurture. That isn't to say that there isn't balance, I believe that I have alluded to that several times, but there's no question that the academics at the school are second to none.

—Lani Stern, alum (see full review)

We have been extremely happy with the quality of teaching and attribute it to the fact that the teachers really make an effort to be outstanding. Even though there are regularly scheduled times for extra help, the teachers also offer one-on-ones to our children when particular topics or perhaps a poor test result warrant a deeper dive to figure out where mistakes have been made. Everybody is keen to offer support and roll up their sleeves when required.

—Glenn Asano, parent (beginning 2017) (see full review)

Name
Email
Verify Code

	You can withdraw consent by unsubscribing anytime.

Expressive
Disciplined

The York School ACADEMICS & EXTRACURRICULARS

Summary

Curriculum Progressive, International Baccalaureate

Curriculum approach at The York School: Progressive, International Baccalaureate

The York School has a International Baccalaureate approach to supplementary curriculum.

What The York School says about their overall curriculum and approach:

International Baccalaureate program(s) offered

Approach

Pedagogies and subject courses:

Mathematics

Mathematics approach at The York School: Discovery Math

What The York School says:

Textbooks and supplementary materials:

Calculator policy:

Early Reading

Early Reading approach at The York School: Balanced Literacy

What The York School says:

What The York School says:

Writing

Writing approach at The York School: Process approach

What The York School says:

Science

Science approach at The York School: Equal Balance

Teaching approach:

Treatment of evolution:

Topics covered in curriculum:

Literature

Literature approach at The York School: Equal Balance

What The York School says:

Program covers:

Social Studies

Social Studies approach at The York School: Expanding Communities

What The York School says:

Humanities and Social Sciences

Humanities and Social Sciences approach at The York School: Pragmatism

What The York School says:

Foreign Languages

Foreign Languages approach at The York School: Communicative

What The York School says:

Language instruction offered in:

Fine Arts

Fine Arts approach at The York School: Equal Balance

Program offers:

Visual studio philosophy:

What The York School says:

Computers and Technology

Computers and Technology approach at The York School: Heavy integration

What The York School says:

Program covers:

Physical Education

What The York School says:

IB Diploma courses

Group 1 (Language A)

Group 2 (Language B)

Group 3 (Individuals and Societies)

Group 4 (Experimental Sciences)

Group 5 (Mathematics)

Group 6 (The Arts)

Advanced Placement courses

Sex and health education

Sex and health education approach at The York School: Ontario curriculum

Approach to sex and health education: Mostly value-neutral

What The York School says:

Preschool/K Curriculum Academic

Preschool/K Curriculum approach at The York School: Academic

What The York School says about their preschool/K curriculum approach:

Language English

The York School offers English as the primary language of instruction.

Language of enrolment include: English

Curriculum Pace Standard-enriched

Curriculum Pace approach at The York School: Standard-enriched

What The York School says about their curriculum pace:

Flexible pacing style

What The York School says about their flexible pacing:

Academic Culture Rigorous

Academic Culture approach at The York School: Rigorous

What The York School says about their academic culture:

Developmental priorities Balanced

Primary Developmental Priority: Balanced

Secondary Developmental Priority: Intellectual