Participating reinforced Jared and Binita’s belief that The York School was the right choice for their family. 

“It was really nice to be part of their lunch and other things that we don’t normally get a glimpse of, like seeing them in a classroom setting and experiencing music class through their lens. They always tell us about their day, but actually being there and singing songs and doing a gym class gives such a different perspective. We got to see how much fun they have all day, every day,” explains Binita.

Binita and Jared know that it’s not just fun and games in Junior and Senior Kindergarten. Thanks to the dynamic IB Primary Years curriculum and teachers who are focused on childrens’ overall growth, Sia and Kalen are making discoveries about themselves and the world around them. 

According to her parents, Sia is a born leader who makes friends easily and likes to be in charge. “The school is embracing her strong personality and her teacher Ms. Rebecca appreciates her energy, but they’re also helping her understand that other people have different opinions and it’s important to be open-minded,” says Jared.

Kalen was slower to adapt to school life than his sister, but thanks to the thoughtful and attentive support he received, along with the school’s emphasis on social-emotional learning, Kalen has made great strides. His vocabulary, reading skills and ability to relate stories have all developed significantly, his parents report. “Kalen is a really keen learner, it just took him a bit of time to realize he likes being at school,” says Binita.

While Jared is a York School alumnus, it wasn’t a given that his children would attend York. When he and Binita moved from Miami to Toronto to be closer to family, they wanted to find a school that offered a high quality education, was centrally located and gender-inclusive. And the couple wasn’t just looking for a great school, they were also looking for a community to join since Jared was returning to Toronto after years away and Binita had never lived in Canada. 

“The York School community has been beyond welcoming,” says Binita. Having his children attend his alma mater is a full circle experience for Jared – and one that he’s very happy about. “It’s a great, supportive environment for them. It feels good every time you walk in the door.”

Read more from the 2023/2024 Year in Review here.