Not all Christian schools are created the same, and Wesley is one that builds from the values of the Christian faith, using them to inform the delivery of the curriculum and the lived experience of the school. The school began as a pre-school program in 1988 and has grown since then, including a move into an expanded facility in 2004. Today the size of the school is at the mean for Canada, with approximately 350 students. It’s small enough to maintain a close, connected feel throughout the school, while large enough to allow for a full spectrum of curricular and extra-curricular programming. Families who enroll here are drawn by the strength of the academic offering, the breadth of programming, and the attention to personal and interpersonal development.
We questioned the school administration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"At WCA, our preschool encourages inquiry and exploration, but we give children a head start by developing competency through phonics and math. For those in Grade 1-8, we use selected Ontario Curriculum with supplementary materials that may exceed Ministry requirements. This is balanced with sports, music, and drama clubs. All of this rests on a strong foundation formed with daily Bible classes and a weekly chapel service. As Christians, we will share our beliefs but we also warmly welcome families from ALL faiths."
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
Families choose Wesley for academic excellence and spiritual foundation. Much of this is achieved through our dedicated teachers and administration team who have long term commitments to the school and students. They think of, care about, and view each child as a whole person. The focus is not just on the student’s academic performance. Wesley is about gently guiding and encouraging students towards their full potential and helping them realize that God has an amazing plan for each of them.
"Families choose Wesley for academic excellence and spiritual foundation. Much of this is achieved through our dedicated teachers and administration team who have long term commitments to the school and students. They think of, care about, and view each child as a whole person. The focus is not just on the student’s academic performance. Wesley is about gently guiding and encouraging students towards their full potential and helping them realize that God has an amazing plan for each of them."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
Information not yet available.
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
Information not yet available.
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
Information not yet available.
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
Wesley is a small school but offers a strong academic focus often only found in larger and more expensive private schools. Furthermore, the academics are rounded out with a spiritual foundation to help develop one’s moral compass and extracurricular activities to broaden one's interests in the arts, music, and sports. Wesley has been referred to as the “best kept secret in Markham” in terms of value for the quality of education received.
"Wesley is a small school but offers a strong academic focus often only found in larger and more expensive private schools. Furthermore, the academics are rounded out with a spiritual foundation to help develop one’s moral compass and extracurricular activities to broaden one's interests in the arts, music, and sports. Wesley has been referred to as the “best kept secret in Markham” in terms of value for the quality of education received."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
At Wesley, we don’t just say we care about our students. We really mean it – whether it is giving a child a clean pair of uniform pants to wear when they are covered in mud after slipping outside, giving a primary student a special container for their tooth that just fell out, or asking the kitchen staff to make an impromptu bagged lunch for a child who forgot to bring one for a field trip. It’s the "little" things that go unnoticed but come with entrusting your child to our school.
"At Wesley, we don’t just say we care about our students. We really mean it – whether it is giving a child a clean pair of uniform pants to wear when they are covered in mud after slipping outside, giving a primary student a special container for their tooth that just fell out, or asking the kitchen staff to make an impromptu bagged lunch for a child who forgot to bring one for a field trip. It’s the "little" things that go unnoticed but come with entrusting your child to our school."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
Further to the academic and spiritual focus of our school, many of our dedicated staff pour hours into our extracurricular activities, and it is reflected by the students’ responses. Nearly 90% of our students participate in our annual Christmas play – whether it is via acting, singing, dancing, playing an instrument or emceeing. We also enter multiple teams to compete with other Christian schools throughout the year in 7-8 different sports. The pennons in the gym are reflective of our success!
"Further to the academic and spiritual focus of our school, many of our dedicated staff pour hours into our extracurricular activities, and it is reflected by the students’ responses. Nearly 90% of our students participate in our annual Christmas play – whether it is via acting, singing, dancing, playing an instrument or emceeing. We also enter multiple teams to compete with other Christian schools throughout the year in 7-8 different sports. The pennons in the gym are reflective of our success!"
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
Information not yet available.
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
I have three daughters and a son who attend Wesley Christian Academy. Prior to coming to Wesley two years ago, three of my children were in the public school system. My husband and I were really struggling with the curriculum and quality of teaching (substandard teaching and lacking the cultivation and motivation of their desire for learning) our children were experiencing. With much prayer, our children have been blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the Wesley community. It has been amazing to witness their growth and maturity, but more importantly their desire to learn, and their love for school.
This September, my eldest will be entering grade 8 (graduating year) and my youngest into SK. All four of them are super excited to start school. Each of them have had exceptional teachers at Wesley and it is because of this, the loving and nurturing environment, that each of my children look forward to going to school each and every day.
I have three daughters at WCA, For all 3 of them, their teachers have been the highlight of their school experience. Each of our girls has different needs, strengths and weaknesses and the teachers at Wesley have taken the time to ensure that they reach their full potential.
For the younger grades, I can see that my girls really see that Wesley is a fun environment that fosters creativity and my girls look forward to learning in such a environment. For my older daughter, I can see she is challenged to a point where she is learning but yet still built up for success. We especially appreciate the school's commitment to teach Christian values and character. Each year we can see their transformation and maturing because of the mentoring and care at Wesley.
Insider community voices
Hear directly from Wesley Christian Academy community as they share insights.
