OCTOBER

PARENTING
BY ANDREA FREEDMAN
THE YORK SCHOOL
An Independent
School in the
Heart of Toronto
Right in the heart of the city, on Yonge
St. near St. Clair Ave., sits The York
School, a coed, independent school for
students of Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Praveen Muruganandan, Director of
Admission and Advancement at The York
School, said that what makes the school
special “is our ability to be viewed as
being a progressive school.”
The central locations of the junior and
middle/senior campuses at 1639 and 1320
Yonge St., respectively, make it easy for
students to get to, and, Muruganandan
said, being so close to Yonge St. and
St. Clair Ave., and the proximity to the
subway, ensures that “the city does
become our playground.”
“If you spend a day in our classrooms,
you’ll quickly realise that The York School
defines what education and modern
schools need to be.”
32 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN
The York School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, where Muruganandan
said students are “given a unique education,” and are specially recognised as IB graduates
when applying to universities. The program, founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968,
addresses students’ intellectual, emotional, and social well-being, while teaching them to be
socially responsible.
Those who go through the IB Program are groomed to be independent thinkers, and to be
more culturally aware, in part, by learning a second language, and are given “the skills to
engage with others in a global world.”
IB students can “participate in service trips” to such destinations as Tanzania, however,
many opt out of the travel option, choosing instead to “participate in community building
events to raise awareness for local issues close to their heart[s].”
The York School prides itself on its culture, which Muruganandan said “is one where our
community cares!” Diversity is encouraged, with students represented from 35 different
countries.
Teachers encourage students’ “questioning and trying to find solutions to real world
issues,” while teaching them to be tolerant of others, regardless of their religious
backgrounds or sexual orientation.
Faculty members make every effort to “ensure that students have a supportive learning
environment.” A social worker is on hand, as well as a citizen team “to ensure that students
are supported throughout their time at York.”
Students of The York School are groomed for post-secondary school, from as early as grade
6. Once they get to grades 11 and 12, they are connected with a member of the school’s
university counselling team, which spends the next six to 12 months helping them with
university applications and teaching them how to prepare for school interviews.
Besides the importance it places on academics, over the past few years, the school has also
begun to put more emphasis on athletics and wellness, realising that “student wellness is
also a key piece in ensuring that our children are successful and happy.” Student athletes
have access to dedicated coaches, many of them professional, which Muruganandan
stressed is very rare at a school.
Parents should consider The York School if they have children “who are curious, want to
learn,” and most importantly, “can be a good friend,” said Muruganandan. Don’t wait too
long to decide, though, as the admission process begins nearly one year in advance.
For a top-notch education in a caring environment, try The York School in the heart of the
city. To find out more about The York School, go to: yorkschool.com.