Announcement from our Board of Directors and Head of School
The York School’s Board of Directors and Struan Robertson, Head of School, are pleased to announce that Dr. Patricia McMahon has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors.
The Globe and Mail Private School Report: Why parents might want to consider an IB school
The York School in Toronto was the first English-speaking school to provide the full IB program. Justin Medved, associate head of academic innovation, says one reason York School hitched its wagon to the IB program in 2000 was because it provides a broad liberal arts education. “The founders felt that, through a liberal arts education, a student is exposed to disciplines, ideas and dispositions – with intention,” he says.
The Globe and Mail Private Schools Report: Bringing AI into the classroom and beyond
While artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have been components of teaching and learning in the classroom for several years, generative AI is changing the game. And students, teachers and administrators are adapting to this ever-evolving technology.
Grade 6s begin their musical journeys at First Note Night
Our Grade 6 Music students and their parents were excited to attend First Note Night, an evening of hands-on workshops that introduced them to best practices for assembling, holding and caring for the instruments they had recently selected – and making beautiful sounds.
“They knew me and they knew how hard I tried and how much I studied. If I got a bad grade, they would say ‘Let’s break it down. What did you have trouble with? How can I support you?’ I never felt like I was just another number in class.” - Yashna Lakhani
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) was an opportunity for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 to learn about the history and legacy of Canada’s residential school system, and what it means to be an ally to Indigenous peoples.
Get to Know Kathryn Barnes, our New Senior School Principal
"Parents are such an important part of the school experience and the ability to work in partnership with parents is critical in understanding the developmental progression that students experience throughout their high school years." - Kathryn Barnes
Starting the new school year with community and opportunity
“As we begin this year, I hope that you will feel the strength of our community and see the potential that we have to make this school and the world a better place. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together this year. Let’s make it one filled with connection, reflection and learning,” said Ms. Kathryn Barnes, our new Senior School Principal.
Learning from our Grade 5 students at the PYP Exhibition
The York School community was thrilled and very proud to watch our Grade 5 students shine during the recent Primary Years Program (PYP) Exhibition! The exhibition is the culminating, collaborative experience in the final year of the IB PYP program. This project gives students an opportunity to lead their own learning by choosing a real-life issue they’re passionate about, conducting in-depth inquiry, collaborating with a mentor and other students, and interviewing an expert on their topic.
York Alumni Katie Engelhart '05 wins 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Feature Writing
The York School is proud to share Alumni Katie Engelhart '05 is this year's recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in Feature Writing for an article written in The New York Times Magazine entitled The Mother Who Changed: A Story of Dementia.
Julia Band Orange ‘22 was in Grade 9 when she traveled to the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick as part of the Integrated Canadian Experience (ICE), a unique interdisciplinary program developed by York teachers with a focus on experiential learning.
The York School is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive community where every member can thrive as their authentic self. Since September, we’ve been supporting this goal by holding a series of assemblies that educate and empower our students to reject racism, Anti-Semitism, stereotypes, discrimination and hatred in all forms.
How The York School used Flint to embrace student-centered AI use
The York School's Associate Head Justin Medved sat down with Flint, an all-in-one AI tutoring platform for schools, for an interview about York's AI integration journey.
The York School is thrilled to introduce a new and exciting trip to the Kingdom of Bhutan with ALIVE Outdoors for March Break 2024. This trip will involve a group of Grade 11 and 12 students who will travel to Bhutan over the break for 10 days.
To learn more about the trip and view updates, please click HERE.
The Board of Directors is calling for nominations for Board and Committee Members for 2024-2025. If you are interested, please click HERE to submit your nomination. Deadline for nominations is March 29, 2024.
Black artists share their creativity and passion with York students
Black excellence in the arts was front and centre this week as The York School welcomed two guest speakers who use their creativity to celebrate Black cultures and the accomplishments of Black Canadians. February is Black History Month and the theme this year is “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build.”
Model UN Club proud to represent York at an international gathering
On February 8, 13 York students flew to Boston, Massachusetts to participate in the MITMUNC XVI Model United Nations Conference hosted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This conference is the premier international Model UN conference for high school students with a special focus on small committee sizes. We joined delegates from around the world who came together to discuss a variety of global issues.
Three cheers for York’s talented human and robot competitors!
On February 11, our Middle and Senior School robotics teams demonstrated their creativity, teamwork, leadership, passion and problem solving skills during the Lunar New Year VEX Robotics Competition Over Under in Toronto. Two Middle School teams of four members each, and two Senior School teams of two and four members, participated in the competition.
York Students Competed in the 45th Annual Ontario DECA Provincial Championships
On Feb 9 and 10th, 17 York students in grades 9 to 12 joined more than 6,000 students from across Ontario to compete in the 45th Annual Ontario DECA Provincial Championships at the Toronto Sheraton Centre.
The 2023-2024 school year has been excellent for speech and debate at York, and we are immensely grateful for everyone who made this possible. The debaters have been enthusiastic and committed.
A Holocaust survivor shares his story of hardship, resilience and survival
Middle and Senior School students, faculty, and staff were honored to welcome a very special guest speaker to an assembly to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27). Sol Nayman is a Holocaust survivor who generously shared the story of his family’s hardship and survival – and his message of love and hope – with the audience.
Karooni Ahmed ‘18 was born in Bangladesh and moved with his family to Canada when he was in Grade 3. Thinking back now, he remembers a childhood full of creating art. “I was always very attached to drawing,” explains Karooni. “And let’s just say I got in trouble for colouring on the walls more than once.”
For Kobi Bernstein (Class of 2020 Salutatorian), the decision to defer acceptance to university after graduating from York was not one he took lightly. “I remember waiting until the day before the deadline. When it was clear the beginning of first year would involve on-line learning and social distancing, I knew that a gap year would be the better choice for me.”
Every step in a student’s academic journey is a building block that prepares them for the next stage of learning, including the exciting road they travel after graduating from high school. Providing guidance and support as students navigate the application process for post-secondary education is the important work of York’s dedicated University Counselling team.