York School News

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.
In the PYP program, York’s approach to the learner profiles start as early as junior kindergarten. “No skill is too soon to start,” says Sara Sankari, junior school principal. “We’re not afraid to call the kids risk takers in JK and we’re not afraid to use the word ‘principled’ because they’re never too young.”

Helen Gin, middle school principal at York School, says there is a real effort to offer students choice when they’re learning. “Wherever possible, teachers are given free rein to be creative with their learning assignments so students can choose,” she says.

York School also intentionally clusters subjects, whereby two, three or four subjects are taught by one teacher. “That’s by design to offer care and oversight of a student’s academic workload and to invite teachers to be interdisciplinary,” Gin says.

For example, the Grade 6 math and science teacher works with the design teacher on a unit about rocket design and flight. “So, now we are talking about a real-life situation that is engaging and reflects the real world,” Gin says. “That is what’s exciting about the IB program – the more it is relative to real-life problems and [students’] own, the more it increases engagement.”

At the senior school level, one aspect that makes York School unique is integrating the IB program with the Integrated Canadian Experience (ICE), a unique academic program developed by York School faculty. Offered in Grade 9, ICE is a year-long interdisciplinary course that integrates civics, history, geography and literature, and empowers students to use their curiosity, creativity and critical thinking skills to expand their knowledge and develop their own opinions.

In Grades 11 and 12, what sets York School apart is its Personalized Pathway Program. The program offers students more flexibility in choosing a composite of courses that meet their needs, while still graduating with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma and IB course transcript.

“There is a different approach to well-being as well, which is critically important for any student who’s entering the final two years of their high school experience,” says Kathryn Barnes, senior school principal. “Students get the beautiful breadth and depth of a globally recognized program, as well as a high level of support at York School.”

Content from The Globe and Mail Private Schools Report
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