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.

The York School’s PYP Exhibition is the culmination of our Junior School students’ journey. In this independent inquiry project, graduating Grade Five students apply all the skills they have developed since Junior Kindergarten to investigate, take action and raise awareness about a given topic.

Chase Behar ‘22 says studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston “is a dream come true.” The bass guitar and upright bass player, who is currently in his final year of the Bachelor of Music in Performance program, says his professors are giving him opportunities to reach his full potential as a jazz musician, composer and band leader.

Franklin Cameron ‘05 says being editor-in-chief of The York School’s student newspaper in Grade 10 gave him a valuable introduction to journalism that “played out in a professional setting” years later.

After an unforgettable week of winter camping in the snowy outdoors, Grade 9 ICE students were asked to reflect on what they had learned and provide insights that could help next year's Grade 9s prepare for this adventure. Their thoughtful, practical and sometimes funny responses are below in a letter to next year's ICE Cohort. Enjoy!


See photos from this year's winter camping trip here.

On May 1, the Lower Level of The York School was alive with energy, passion and purpose as our Grade 5 students presented their PYP Exhibition—a powerful demonstration of what it means to be lifelong learners and leaders. As the culminating experience of the IB Primary Years Program, Exhibition is a true rite of passage and this year’s celebration was a shining example of curiosity, courage and community in action.

Last weekend we had so much fun competing in the 2025 Nora McRae Public Speaking Tournament. It was a full day of competition, but it was an incredible experience and we learned a lot.

"I always felt like I fit in and that I had a place. Everyone was helpful; I could always go talk to the teachers about anything." - Helen Sava '23

This past week 22 students from TYS Model UN (the largest club at York) travelled to New York City to participate in the 24th annual CMUNCE conference at Columbia University. Before the conference started, we were lucky enough to have front-row seats at the Broadway musical Aladdin. We also spent several hours taking in the beauty of the MET museum and a stroll through Central Park.