The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - 60 Years of Learning and Growing

In 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.
 
By its 20th anniversary, York had graduated its first Grade 8 class. Growth pressed onward. In 1998, the school moved from the Eglinton United Church into 1320 Yonge Street, sharing space with a local real estate office until 2003. The turn of the millennium brought more milestones: a brand-new gym in 2001 where the entire community could finally gather, the first Grade 13 IB Diploma graduates, and, by 2005, accreditation as the
first English-language IB World School in Canada to offer all three IB programs.

With passionate faculty leading the way, the early 2000s saw the launch of signature programs such as Challenge Week, Oochathon, the Integrated Canadian Experience (ICE), DECA and Debate, CISAA athletics, a one-to-one laptop program, and international service learning trips—like the much-loved annual India trip.

Recognizing the needs of its youngest learners, York expanded again in 2008, purchasing the Junior School buildings at 1639 and 1641 Yonge Street. By 2010, Junior School classes were underway in a right-sized space tailored for younger students.

The next 15 years were marked by momentum. Academics, experiential learning, technology (increasingly known as STEAM), athletics, and the arts all flourished. The Fast Forward campaign in 2017 transformed 1320 Yonge, adding a new cafeteria, ICE classrooms, labs, a theatre, an athletic centre and turf soccer field. Soon after came the Leigh Family Centre for Wellbeing and the Athletic Commons.

At the Junior School, a brand-new playground welcomed students back in 2021 after the long Covid lockdowns. It quickly became students’ favourite place—proof that play, too, is essential to learning and healing. Yet the Junior School had long-standing limitations: a cafeteria too small for its community, only one gymnasium, and no space for Grade 6. In spring 2025, York broke ground on a bold solution: a larger cafeteria, a second gym, a community lounge, an outdoor classroom, and a new library overlooking the playground. With Grade 6 finally joining the building, the renovated Junior School will be ready by August 2026, an 18-month transformation.

As with every chapter of York’s growth, this project is made possible by the generosity of its community. Families like Leslie David and Lena Koke, parents of Robert ’35, chose York not for flashy facilities but for values and community.

“If we can do something to support the facility that makes the overall experience better, why not do it?” says Lesley. By June 2025, nearly $7 million of the $10 million More Great Spaces campaign had been raised.

“Our community is generous and investment-savvy,” says Head of School Struan Robertson. “They understand tuition covers the basics, and it’s philanthropy that powers projects like this.” Donor Adam Mintz agrees: “What better investment is there than in your child’s education?”

Visit the More Great Spaces website to learn more.
Back