Junior School students canoeing during a school trip.

Scott Rattee

When Scott and Helen Rattee enrolled their daughter, Zoe, at The York School, they made a whole family commitment by becoming active volunteers and engaged members of the York School community.

When Scott and Helen Rattee enrolled their daughter, Zoe, at The York School, they made a whole family commitment. The school’s belief system around co-education; the importance of inquiry and problem-solving; global citizenship and open-mindedness – were values they also instilled at home. It was a natural fit for both Zoe and her parents who have stayed true to their commitment by becoming active volunteers and engaged members of the York School community. Here’s why:

“Zoe not only feels comfortable at school, but she is eager and proud to share her accomplishments. There is a great student-teacher relationship and a continuum that doesn’t end when a student moves into the next grade. Teachers are invested in the children until the day they graduate,” says Scott.

Scott notes how The York School truly lives by their motto, ‘Experience Teaches,’ and guides student learning through their own actions and decisions: “They ask the students to be citizens of the world; to identify problems and then create solutions. This is exactly what the school does – they teach by example. It is terrific to see how it is taking place.”

Scott and Helen have enjoyed relearning and reliving through their daughter’s eyes. Scott says:

“I’ve heard several parents say they wish they’d had all the amazing opportunities their kids do, and wonder what they would have made of it. That’s a great reflection of how parents see their child’s York School experience.”

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About the York School

The York School is a gender-inclusive JK to Grade 12 independent school located in the heart of Toronto. The York School was founded in 1965 and is the first English speaking school in Canada accredited to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) from junior kindergarten (JK) to university entrance. As an IB World School, The York School's motto is Experience Teaches.