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Cast of The York School Play, Matilda
Experiential Learning
Featured News
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Alumni Spotlight: Emma Thompson-Murphy ‘11
Emma Thompson-Murphy ‘11 remembers that the essay she wrote for Mr. Paris’s American History class in Grade 9 was much more than an opportunity to learn about the life of an influential person. She says researching the career of Malcolm McLaren, who managed bands like the New York Dolls, expanded her knowledge of jobs in the music industry and “kick-started her desire to become an artist manager.”Read More -
Alumni Spotlight: Andrea Ma ‘14
Andrea Ma ‘14 chose The York School because she wanted a co-ed school with a global perspective. Entering York in Grade 11 enabled her to continue the IB education she’d started at an international school in Hong Kong. She soon formed close, lifelong friendships with classmates whose families had moved to Toronto from across Europe and the Middle East.Read More -
Visiting alumni encourage the next generation of health-care professionals
During the Health Sciences Roadmap event on February 25, six alumni generously shared their experience and advice with Grade 10, 11 and 12 students who are curious about careers in health care.Read More -
Grade 9 Integrated Canadian Experience students welcome Toronto City Councillor Dianne Saxe to campus
Read MoreGrade 9 students in York’s Integrated Canadian Experience program were delighted to welcome Toronto City Councillor Dianne Saxe (University-Rosedale) to campus for a Q and A session on February 17. The program nurtures citizenship by asking students to research a local issue and ask their city councillor for action. Eight of the students wrote to Councillor Saxe, who said that these were the most well-researched letters she’s ever received. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Alumni Spotlight: Andy Keith '03
Read MoreWhen Andy Keith ‘03 learned that more than half the people living in Sub-Saharan Africa have limited or no access to electricity, he decided to use his knowledge of the solar power industry to help reduce energy poverty. Today more than one million people in Kenya are using affordable solar power kits from Andy’s company, Solar Panda, to charge their cell phones and to power lights and appliances like radios and televisions.At The York School, Andy participated in a cross-cultural, community service initiative in Grade 11 that helped sow seeds for the work he does today. “We spent two weeks in Jamaica working at orphanages. That was definitely my first exposure to the different standards of living in the world. It was a really eye-opening experience,” says Andy. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Donor Spotlight: Aaron Goldstein and Christina Laing
Read MoreWhen Duncan L.G. ‘28 joined York in Grade 9, he embraced experiential learning activities that helped him step outside his comfort zone, build confidence and develop close friendships. He says one of the highlights of the year was the May Challenge Week trip to New Brunswick that featured hands-on marine biology field work with a crew of scientists. “It gave me an opportunity to not only to learn about the place and the people, but it allowed me to create new friendships with classmates that I hadn’t connected with earlier in the school year,” says Duncan. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Music at York: Music, history and culture in Puerto Rico
Read MoreThe goal of The York School’s IB Music program is to foster a lifelong appreciation for music in its many forms. Students from JK to Grade 12 embrace meaningful opportunities to develop their vocal and instrumental skills, explore the connections between music and identity, immerse themselves in cross-cultural learning, and perform for their family members and friends.
We’re excited to share some of the unique-to-York learning experiences that our passionate faculty members led during the 2024-25 school year. -
The 2024/25 Year in Review - Primary Years Program (PYP) Exhibition: Learning to live more lightly on our planet
Read MoreThe theme of the capstone project for Junior School students, Sharing the Planet, reinforces the fact that global citizens (even young children) are responsible for exploring solutions to world issues. Each student selects one of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals and identifies a related local or global issue to delve into. This student-driven project challenges learners to conduct research related to their units of inquiry and come up with an action that spreads awareness about the issue and their learnings. Students work in small groups with others who’ve chosen similar topics, and they receive support and advice from a mentor during weekly meetings. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Alumni Spotlight: Shawn Myers Vickar '13
Read MoreIn February, Shawn Myers Vickar ‘13 achieved one of his biggest dreams. A song he composed – called “Storm chaser” in English and “Ég flýg í storminn” in Icelandic – competed for the opportunity to represent Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Shawn was in a television studio in Reykjavík when BIRGO, an Icelandic singer, wowed listeners with her powerful performance of his song. There were 1200 people in the studio audience and approximately 116,090 people (46% of the country’s population) watching the broadcast.“Watching BIRGO sing a song I wrote was very meaningful. That may have been the best day of my life,” says Shawn. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - IB Personal Project: Developing an app for managing personal health information
The Personal Project gives students in Grade 10, the final year of the IB Middle Years Program, an opportunity to independently explore an area of personal interest over a three-month period. The project assesses students’ self-management, research, communication, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration skills. Students are encouraged to choose multi-layered, multidisciplinary projects that have a purpose or value outside the school. They develop their own goals and criteria, must show evidence of a product or outcome, and write a report reflecting on what they’ve learned. While the students take ownership over their projects and make all the decisions, their teachers provide guidance and coaching. Their report is assessed by their supervisor and externally moderated by the IB to ensure a globally consistent standard of excellence.Read More -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Primary Years Program (PYP) Exhibition: Speaking out about the deadly impact of oil spills on marine life
Read MoreThe theme of the capstone project for Junior School students, Sharing the Planet, reinforces the fact that global citizens (even young children) are responsible for exploring solutions to world issues. Each student selects one of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals and identifies a related local or global issue to delve into. This student-driven project challenges learners to conduct research related to their units of inquiry and come up with an action that spreads awareness about the issue and their learnings. Students work in small groups with others who’ve chosen similar topics, and they receive support and advice from a mentor during weekly meetings. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - CAS: Supporting students with exceptionalities to learn and play
Read MoreCAS is the third core component of the Diploma Program (DP). Over the course of 18 months, students engage broadly and deeply with experiential activities related to creativity, activity and service. CAS enables students to take initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and develop skills such as collaboration, problem solving and decision making. CAS also provides an important counterbalance to the academic focus of the DP, encouraging students to become well-rounded individuals who embrace a healthy lifestyle and find time in their schedules for activities that contribute to their communities and bring them fulfillment. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - CAS: Taking his love of chemistry to the next level
CAS is the third core component of the Diploma Program (DP). Over the course of 18 months, students engage broadly and deeply with experiential activities related to creativity, activity and service. CAS enables students to take initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and develop skills such as collaboration, problem solving and decision making. CAS also provides an important counterbalance to the academic focus of the DP, encouraging students to become well-rounded individuals who embrace a healthy lifestyle and find time in their schedules for activities that contribute to their communities and bring them fulfillment.Read More -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - 60 Years of Learning and Growing
Read MoreIn 2025, The York School proudly marked its 60th anniversary.
What began in 1965 as the bold vision of 28-year-old Barbara Christie—a co-ed primary program built on excellent academics, inquiry, and relationships—quickly grew into one of Toronto’s most respected schools. Six decades later, York continues to carry forward Barbara’s three-pillared philosophy of education. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Extended Essay: Analyzing song lyrics that indicate the evolution of a protagonist in a musical
Read MoreThe Extended Essay, one of the core components of the Diploma Program (DP), challenges students to complete an independent, self-directed piece of research that culminates in a 4,000-word paper. This essay provides practical preparation for undergraduate research by teaching students to formulate an appropriate research question, communicate ideas and develop an argument. Students also develop the ability to analyze, synthesize and evaluate knowledge. All extended essays are externally assessed by examiners appointed by the IB. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Extended Essay: Researching the link between British colonialism and cardiometabolic diseases
Read MoreThe Extended Essay, one of the core components of the Diploma Program (DP), challenges students to complete an independent, self-directed piece of research that culminates in a 4,000-word paper. This essay provides practical preparation for undergraduate research by teaching students to formulate an appropriate research question, communicate ideas and develop an argument. Students also develop the ability to analyze, synthesize and evaluate knowledge. All extended essays are externally assessed by examiners appointed by the IB. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - IB Personal Project: Developing an app for managing personal health information
The Personal Project gives students in Grade 10, the final year of the IB Middle Years Program, an opportunity to independently explore an area of personal interest over a three-month period. The project assesses students’ self-management, research, communication, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration skills. Students are encouraged to choose multi-layered, multidisciplinary projects that have a purpose or value outside the school. They develop their own goals and criteria, must show evidence of a product or outcome, and write a report reflecting on what they’ve learned. While the students take ownership over their projects and make all the decisions, their teachers provide guidance and coaching. Their report is assessed by their supervisor and externally moderated by the IB to ensure a globally consistent standard of excellence.Read More -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - IB Personal Project: Weaving personal experiences into a science fiction novel
The Personal Project gives students in Grade 10, the final year of the IB Middle Years Program, an opportunity to independently explore an area of personal interest over a three-month period. The project assesses students’ self-management, research, communication, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration skills. Students are encouraged to choose multi-layered, multidisciplinary projects that have a purpose or value outside the school. They develop their own goals and criteria, must show evidence of a product or outcome, and write a report reflecting on what they’ve learned. While the students take ownership over their projects and make all the decisions, their teachers provide guidance and coaching. Their report is assessed by their supervisor and externally moderated by the IB to ensure a globally consistent standard of excellence.Read More -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Music at York: Conference of Independent Schools Music Festival (CISMF)
Read MoreThe goal of The York School’s IB Music program is to foster a lifelong appreciation for music in its many forms. Students from JK to Grade 12 embrace meaningful opportunities to develop their vocal and instrumental skills, explore the connections between music and identity, immerse themselves in cross-cultural learning, and perform for their family members and friends.We’re excited to share some of the unique-to-York learning experiences that our passionate faculty members led during the 2024-25 school year. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Music at York: MusicFest Canada: The Nationals
Read MoreThe goal of The York School’s IB Music program is to foster a lifelong appreciation for music in its many forms. Students from JK to Grade 12 embrace meaningful opportunities to develop their vocal and instrumental skills, explore the connections between music and identity, immerse themselves in cross-cultural learning, and perform for their family members and friends.
We’re excited to share some of the unique-to-York learning experiences that our passionate faculty members led during the 2024-25 school year.
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Grade 9 Integrated Canadian Experience students welcome Toronto City Councillor Dianne Saxe to campus
Read MoreGrade 9 students in York’s Integrated Canadian Experience program were delighted to welcome Toronto City Councillor Dianne Saxe (University-Rosedale) to campus for a Q and A session on February 17. The program nurtures citizenship by asking students to research a local issue and ask their city councillor for action. Eight of the students wrote to Councillor Saxe, who said that these were the most well-researched letters she’s ever received. -
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Music at York: Music, history and culture in Puerto Rico
Read MoreThe goal of The York School’s IB Music program is to foster a lifelong appreciation for music in its many forms. Students from JK to Grade 12 embrace meaningful opportunities to develop their vocal and instrumental skills, explore the connections between music and identity, immerse themselves in cross-cultural learning, and perform for their family members and friends.
We’re excited to share some of the unique-to-York learning experiences that our passionate faculty members led during the 2024-25 school year.
