At York, it's about academic excellence.  It always has been.  In just over 40 years, we've created an innovative culture and teaching tradition that gives our students the skills they need to succeed.  At university and beyond. 

What has always been central to our mission is preparing girls and boys to become compassionate and informed citizens of the world.  All of our 568 students now participate in Canada's first fully accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) programme that spans kindergarten to diploma.

Our IB Learners
Inquirers.  Thinkers.  Communicators.  Risk-takers.  Principled.  Open-minded.  Well-balanced.  Reflective.  All characteristics of an IB Learner.  All characteristics we nurture in our students.  What we want our students to become as citizens of our community, our country and our world.     

Our IB Graduates
In a word, the IB Diploma is a passport.  It takes our graduates to the university of their choice in Canada and elsewhere, and gives them admissions advantages, course or full-year credits, and scholarships when they arrive. 

Just as the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) combine inquiry-based and service-based learning to give our younger students the confidence and skills they need to help them with the Diploma Programme.  And to become lifelong learners.

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
The Geneva-based IBO took shape in 1968 to help internationally mobile learners in the diplomatic community transfer from one IB school to another.  Today an IB education benefits each and every student in our global schoolhouse.  

So what's really behind the IBO's challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment?   Inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who learn what it takes to make the world a better and more peaceful place.  It all begins with an understanding of and respect for other people, who may be different but who can also be right.

The result?  Our students become active, compassionate and lifelong learners.