-
Cast of The York School Play, Matilda
Experiential Learning
Featured News
-
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Celebrating Helen Gin
Read MoreIn June 2025, Middle School Principal Helen Gin retired after 23 years at The York School and 33 years in education. She shared her reflections with Head of School Struan Robertson. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - IB Personal Project: Crafting a canoe paddle for adventures on the water
Read MoreThe Personal Project gives students in Grade 10, the final year of the IB Middle Years Program, an opportunity to independently explore an area of personal interest over a three-month period. The project assesses students’ self-management, research, communication, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration skills. Students are encouraged to choose multi-layered, multidisciplinary projects that have a purpose or value outside the school. They develop their own goals and criteria, must show evidence of a product or outcome, and write a report reflecting on what they’ve learned. While the students take ownership over their projects and make all the decisions, their teachers provide guidance and coaching. Their report is assessed by their supervisor and externally moderated by the IB to ensure a globally consistent standard of excellence. -
The Pinewood Derby showcases students’ creativity and STEAM skills
Read MoreOn December 8, Grade 7 students at The York School showcased their creativity and STEAM skills during the adrenaline-fueled Pinewood Derby. The annual event, developed by York School faculty 15 years ago, challenges students in the IB Middle Years Program Design course to design, build and race cars that are propelled by gravity alone. -
Alumni Spotlight: James Duncan ‘12
James Duncan ‘12 has a job that would be a dream come true for many video game enthusiasts. As a sound designer who creates the audio effects for games’ virtual worlds, his work plays an important role in defining the environment and mood, giving players clues and providing feedback on their actions.Read More -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Alumni Spotlight: Alanna Wilson '93
Read MoreThree decades after Alanna Wilson ‘93 performed as a York choir member at the Conference of Independent Schools Music Festival (CISMF), she was watching her daughter, Emma ‘31, sing on the same stage with students from independent schools across Ontario. “It was neat to go back to Roy Thomson Hall to see Emma sing, and to remember when I did that,” says Alanna. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Donor Spotlight: Virginia Priscus and Julian Padfield
Read MoreVirginia Priscus has volunteered for many organizations that are important to her. She’s raised money for the Bishop Strachan School, from which she graduated, Trinity College at U of T, and the minor hockey team her son, Fraser ‘25, played on. In addition to her volunteer efforts, Virginia works as a Senior Stewardship Officer at Sunnybrook Hospital. -
A heartfelt thank you to retiring Learning Strategist Maria Barnden
Read MoreDecember 18 will be the last day that Learning Strategist Maria Barnden uses evidence-based strategies — including sensory tools like weighted stuffies and glittery thinking putty, and multi-sensory approaches like tracing sandpaper letters — to help Junior School students develop the foundational literacy skills that are essential for learning. After 41 years as a York School employee, Maria is retiring. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Music At York: Junior School Curriculum Evolution
Read MoreThe goal of The York School’s IB Music program is to foster a lifelong appreciation for music in its many forms. Students from JK to Grade 12 embrace meaningful opportunities to develop their vocal and instrumental skills, explore the connections between music and identity, immerse themselves in cross-cultural learning, and perform for their family members and friends. We’re excited to share some of the unique-to-York learning experiences that our passionate faculty members led during the 2024-25 school year. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - IB Personal Project: Animating the story of an inspiring ancestor
Read MoreThe Personal Project gives students in Grade 10, the final year of the IB Middle Years Program,
an opportunity to independently explore an area of personal interest over a three-month period.
The project assesses students’ self-management, research, communication, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration skills. Students are encouraged to choose multi-layered, multidisciplinary projects that have a purpose or value outside the school. They develop their own goals and criteria, must show evidence of a product or outcome, and write a report reflecting on what they’ve learned. While the students take ownership over their projects and make all the decisions, their teachers provide guidance and coaching. Their report is assessed by their supervisor and externally moderated by the IB to ensure a globally consistent standard of excellence. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Alumni Spotlight: The Engelhart Siblings - Katie '05, Luke'06 and Sally '08
Read MoreIn February 2025, when Katie Engelhart ‘05 was back at The York School to talk with students in the Diploma Program about her career path, Middle School Principal Ms. Helen Gin surprised her with a special memento from the school’s archives. It was a short story that Katie wrote in Grade 3.
Katie loved reading and writing from an early age, and is now a journalist and contributing writer at the New York Times Magazine. In 2024, she won a Pulitzer Prize for feature writing for her article, “The Mother Who Changed: A Story of Dementia.” Twenty years after graduating from York, Katie is grateful for the teachers who recognized and helped foster the passions that fuel her career. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - IB Personal Project: Creating a beautifully illustrated book to teach children about endangered animals
The Personal Project gives students in Grade 10, the final year of the IB Middle Years Program, an opportunity to independently explore an area of personal interest over a three-month period. The project assesses students’ self-management, research, communication, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration skills. Students are encouraged to choose multi-layered, multidisciplinary projects that have a purpose or value outside the school. They develop their own goals and criteria, must show evidence of a product or outcome, and write a report reflecting on what they’ve learned. While the students take ownership over their projects and make all the decisions, their teachers provide guidance and coaching. Their report is assessed by their supervisor and externally moderated by the IB to ensure a globally consistent standard of excellence.Read More -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
Read MoreTOK is a core DP course that gives students an opportunity to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. Students inquire into different ways of knowing and different kinds of knowledge by asking philosophical questions. The course aims to make students aware of the interpretive nature of knowledge, including personal ideological biases. TOK prompts students to become more acquainted with the complexity of knowledge. Analyzing challenging philosophical texts to uncover layers of meaning and find specific evidence to support their interpretations helps students develop the critical thinking skills that are essential for success in university.
The course is assessed through an exhibition and a 1,600 word essay. For the exhibition, students explore a philosophical prompt by finding the connections between three disparate objects. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review: The York Community Gives Back
Read MoreDonations to York’s Annual Fund enhance the school experience. This past year, families had the choice of directing their donations to their children’s division, needs-based bursaries or the Head’s Initiative Fund. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Extended Essay
Read MoreThe Extended Essay, one of the core components of the Diploma Program (DP), challenges students to complete an independent, self-directed piece of research that culminates in a 4,000-word paper. This essay provides practical preparation for undergraduate research by teaching students to formulate an appropriate research question, communicate ideas and develop an argument. Students also develop the ability to analyze, synthesize and evaluate knowledge. All extended essays are externally assessed by examiners appointed by the IB. -
Visiting alumni share engineering insights with Senior School students
Read MoreSenior School students were so excited to talk to visiting alumni about engineering education programs and career opportunities that they packed our University Counselling office for an 8:00 a.m. event earlier this week. The special guests – Jason Godfry ‘05, Alex Dason ‘07, Peter Clarkson ‘10, Chris Kousinioris ‘16, Calaya Corneli ‘20 and Duncan Watson ‘20 - generously shared their insights and advice with approximately fifty students from Grades 9 to 12. The alumni and students were participating in “The Engineering Roadmap,” which was organized by York’s University Counselling and Alumni Engagement teams. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Donor Spotlight: Lesley David, Lena Koke and Robert ‘35
Read MoreLena Koke and Lesley David researched a number of independent schools in Toronto when they were looking for the best learning environment for their son, Robert ‘35. The York School’s midtown location, co-ed classes and global perspective made the school a strong contender. When they attended an open house, they discovered an inclusive environment that welcomes all types of families. They were also happy to learn that York “looks at the individual, not just from an academic perspective, but as a person first. The school offered an education in the broader sense, understanding that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses,” says Lena.“We really liked York’s values and the community, and those won us over,” Lesley says. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Music at York: Challenge Week in New Orleans
Read MoreThe goal of The York School’s IB Music program is to foster a lifelong appreciation for music in its many forms. Students from JK to Grade 12 embrace meaningful opportunities to develop their vocal and instrumental skills, explore the connections between music and identity, immerse themselves in cross-cultural learning, and perform for their family members and friends.
We’re excited to share some of the unique-to-York learning experiences that our passionate faculty members led during the 2024-25 school year. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
Read MoreCAS is the third core component of the Diploma Program (DP). Over the course of 18 months, students engage broadly and deeply with experiential activities related to creativity, activity and service. CAS enables students to take initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and develop skills such as collaboration, problem solving and decision making. CAS also provides an important counterbalance to the academic focus of the DP, encouraging students to become well-rounded individuals who embrace a healthy lifestyle and find time in their schedules for activities that contribute to their communities and bring them fulfillment. -
The 2024/25 Year in Review - IB Personal Project: Using research and critical thinking skills to explore passions
Read MoreThe Personal Project gives students in Grade 10, the final year of the IB Middle Years Program, an opportunity to independently explore an area of personal interest over a three-month period. The project assesses students’ self-management, research, communication, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration skills. Students are encouraged to choose multi-layered, multidisciplinary projects that have a purpose or value outside the school. They develop their own goals and criteria, must show evidence of a product or outcome, and write a report reflecting on what they’ve learned. While the students take ownership over their projects and make all the decisions, their teachers provide guidance and coaching. Their report is assessed by their supervisor and externally moderated by the IB to ensure a globally consistent standard of excellence. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Primary Years Program (PYP) Exhibition: Taking actions that raise awareness of global issues
The York School’s PYP Exhibition is the culmination of our Junior School students’ journey. In this independent inquiry project, graduating Grade Five students apply all the skills they have developed since Junior Kindergarten to investigate, take action and raise awareness about a given topic.Read More
1/20
<
2025
2025
-
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Music at York: Challenge Week in New Orleans
Read MoreThe goal of The York School’s IB Music program is to foster a lifelong appreciation for music in its many forms. Students from JK to Grade 12 embrace meaningful opportunities to develop their vocal and instrumental skills, explore the connections between music and identity, immerse themselves in cross-cultural learning, and perform for their family members and friends.
We’re excited to share some of the unique-to-York learning experiences that our passionate faculty members led during the 2024-25 school year. -
York student Zach W. '26 placed second overall in the English-Speaking Union International Public Speaking Competition
Read MoreWe are incredibly proud to share that Zach W. '26 recently represented Canada in the English-Speaking Union’s prestigious International Public Speaking Competition, held in London, England. After advancing through two national qualifying rounds, Zach earned the honour of competing against students from 41 countries—an inspiring showcase of global talent and youth voice. -
Students Reflections from the DECA Ontario Provincial Competition
Read MoreThis past weekend, nine talented York School students showcased their skills at the DECA Ontario provincial competition after qualifying through a regional event. They tackled challenging business case studies and impressively pitched innovative franchising plans to judges. Congratulations to Molly L. and Avantika S. for ranking in the top 9 in the province! They've earned their spot at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando this April. We are so proud of all our participants for representing York School with excellence!
Read below for student reflections on the event. -
ICE Winter Camping 2025 - Student reflections
After an unforgettable week of winter camping in the snowy outdoors, Grade 9 ICE students were asked to reflect on what they had learned and provide insights that could help next year's Grade 9s prepare for this adventure. Their thoughtful, practical and sometimes funny responses are below in a letter to next year's ICE Cohort. Enjoy!Read More
See photos from this year's winter camping trip here. -
The York School Model UN participates in the 24th Annual Columbia Model United Nations Conference and Exposition
This past week 22 students from TYS Model UN (the largest club at York) travelled to New York City to participate in the 24th annual CMUNCE conference at Columbia University. Before the conference started, we were lucky enough to have front-row seats at the Broadway musical Aladdin. We also spent several hours taking in the beauty of the MET museum and a stroll through Central Park.Read More
-
2023/24 Year in Review - Baking with a Francophone Chef
Read MoreStudents in three Grade 6 French classes had a fun and delicious learning experience when Chef Susanne from the company Chef à l’École visited the school.
