the sterling hall school offers a secure environment for ... · shs received full accreditation....

2 T h e S T e r l i n g h a l l S c h o o l

T h e S T e r l i n g h a l l S c h o o l o f f e r S a S e c u r e e n v i r o n m e n T

f o r T h e e d u c aT i o n o f b oy S i n m i n d, b o dy, a n d S p i r i T. o u r

S u p p o rT i v e c o m m u n i T y a n d S m a l l c l a S S e S n u rT u r e a n d

c h a l l e n g e o u r S T u d e n T S To b e c o m e c r i T i c a l T h i n k e r S ,

S e l f - d i r e c T e d l e a r n e r S , a n d S u c c e S S f u l c o n T r i b u To r S .

w w w . S T e r l i n g h a l l . c o m 1

dear prospective family:

The Sterling hall School cares about its boys and its boys care about others.

each autumn, generations of Sterling hall boys and their families – past and

present – join our faculty and staff with their families (and a healthy number

of family dogs!) to brave the elements during our annual founder’s day Terry

fox run. whether we are picking each other up out of the mud, basking in the

sunshine, or resiliently forging through howling gales, we support each other

through this worthwhile fundraising effort – and we do it with both joy and

pride. while the Terry fox foundation recognized Sterling hall as the most successful elementary school

fundraiser in the world last year, we embrace this opportunity to recognize – and reinforce for our boys

– the spirit of giving, the warmth of community, and the power of collaboration.

for 25 years, these messages have permeated our classrooms, from Junior kindergarten to grade 8.

The early years of a boy’s life are filled with energy, curiosity and exploration. We are fortunate to

be part of our boys’ journeys during their formative years, when they are discovering as much about

themselves as they are about the world around them. The research arm of our unique Sterling institute

supports our development of best practices and innovation, specifically catering to boys’ learning in

these foundational years.

boys at Sterling hall are encouraged to take risks, to pursue individual interests, and to grow and

discover who they are. as one student wrote in his grade 8 valedictory address, “if your rugby practice

conflicts with your cooking class, if you are not only comfortable writing poetry but reading it to your

entire english class, and if you lead by example and care about others inside the school and out… you are

a Sterling hall boy.” we celebrate return visits from our old boys year after year, taking pride in both

the diversity of their interests and the similarity of their confidence in pursuing their individual passions.

we welcome you to The Sterling hall School and thank you for your interest. please visit us as often

as you like; we encourage you to get to know our school community, to see what makes us so proud

of our program and our boys. I believe that you will observe a school that develops caring, confident,

empathetic young men who are capable of, and interested in, making a difference in their world.

welcome To The STerling hall School!

rick Parsons p r i n c i pa l ,

T h e S T e r l i n g h a l l S c h o o l


our Story

in 1987, educator darlene ferris gathered together a small group of dedicated teachers, with the idea of creating a new kind of school. This school would provide young boys with an education that is progressive and caring, inspiring boys to love learning and develop the confidence necessary to achieve future success.

in 1995, ian robinson was appointed principal of Sterling hall and his visionary leadership enabled the expansion of the School, with the addition of outstanding new programs and facilities.

Today, the School is ably led by principal rick parsons. ShS has more than 300 boys, and each one receives the same degree of nurturing and individualized attention as the first seventeen.

we’re bigger, we’re even better, yet we’re still passionate about helping each of our boys succeed.

our Teachers

if you remember a special teacher who inspired in you a love of learning, imagine what it’s like to have an entire school of them!

ShS teachers are caring professionals who bring to their work enormous amounts of energy as well as a diverse range of backgrounds and interests. The result is a lively and spirited learning en-vironment that engages students. more-over, our teachers know how boys learn best and through ongoing research, they actively develop curriculum that is spe-cifically suited to their style of learning.

our teachers are lifelong learners them-selves, and regularly attend professional development sessions around the world to both expand their knowledge and to present their findings to other educators.

it’s not surprising that our boys truly love their teachers, often returning after graduation to visit them and tell them about their new adventures.

our credentials

when you choose The Sterling hall School, you are choosing a school that meets the highest educational and safety standards. in 1999 and 2007, ShS received full accreditation. caiS accreditation assures parents that our school is focused on providing a safe and enriching learning environment while maintaining an efficient and effective operation.

we are a member of important industry associations for independent schools and single-gender education: caiS (canadian accredited independent Schools), ciS (conference of independent Schools), coSSoT (coalition of Single Sex Schools in Toronto), ibSc (international boys’ Schools coalition), and naiS (national association of independent Schools).

our School iS uniQue


our location

The Sterling hall School is conveniently located north of lawrence off dufferin, just south of highway 401. our main entrance is situated on ShS drive, a private road accessible from bentworth avenue (a block south of cartwright avenue, our mailing address). we have plenty of free parking on ShS drive, and ShS parents are always welcome to stop by for a visit.

our Facilities

as an independent school, we are a not-for-profit organization. All tuition fees are directed to the day-to-day operation of the school. we rely on money from fundraising activities for additional educational resources such as audio-visual equipment, as well as for investment in the future through capital enhancements. These investments have resulted in a school that is clean, bright, and modern, with state-of-the-art facilities to engage and inspire our boys.

The eaton Shier gym is one of two gymnasiums, with plenty of room to play, host a school assembly, or stage our concerts.

The poile art Studio is a creative workshop where visions become a colourful reality in acrylics, wax, clay, or mixed media.

The pryde Science lab has ignited the genius of more than a few young scientists.

The Sullivan music centre houses everything boys need to make their own kind of music, including instruments, computers, and a recording studio.

The cheddie and mcfarlane computer labs provide the latest hardware and software for business, creativity, and communications.

The phelan learning commons provides our boys with a wealth of resources to help them with their school work as well as enhance their love of reading.

our community

when your son begins his journey at ShS, he embarks on a grand adventure — and so do you. That’s because you become part of our community, which is built on a triangle consisting of faculty, Students, and parents.

as the parent of a prospective ShS Student, we invite you to actively participate in your son’s education. That might include ongoing discussions with his teachers, accompanying his class on a trip, or participating in our many volunteer opportunities. in fact, parents are a common sight in our hallways, as they pick up or drop off their sons, often lingering to talk to a teacher or share news with each other.

because ShS is truly a community, the sense of belonging endures. our alumni stay in touch with each other and the school through the old boys network, and by participating in special alumni events. old boys are welcome visitors at many ShS functions, and return frequently to visit with current students.


The curriculum

from Jk to grade 8, our boys participate in a robust curriculum that balances academics, arts, and athletics.

at each grade level, students master a selection of essential Skills in mathematics, language arts, Social Studies, Science, Technology, and french. boys also acquire self-expression tools through arts programming, with classes in music, drama, and visual arts.

physical activity is an important ingredient in nurturing a growing mind and body, and all of our students receive plenty of opportunity to be active through physical education class, recesses, and a variety of sports teams for every ability and age.

in everything we teach, we emphasize the development of 21st century skills and attitudes, qualities that will enable students to thrive in a rapidly changing, technology-based world. These include leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, integrity, empathy, and courage.

JK and SK

The Junior and Senior kindergarten years are a special time in the life of a boy and his parents, as he moves towards independence.

During this period of first separation from family and home, our Jk and Sk parents appreciate our caring environment. here, boys will learn to take those first exciting steps towards independence — from learning to tie their own shoes and getting dressed for recess to voyaging on their first field trip — in a school that places a high priority on safety and security.

Jk and Sk are full-day programs taught in small class sizes of 16-18, with two teachers per class. your son receives individual attention during these precious, formative years as he develops a love of learning and curiosity about the world. notably, ShS is the only independent boys’ school to offer a Jk program.

grades 1 & 2

ShS boys in grades 1 and 2 enjoy the ideal balance of care and independence.

classes remain small, with just 16 students. Such a high degree of individual attention is important during grades 1 and 2, when boys continue to build a foundation in the basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic.

The boys’ independence is furthered through class trips based on topics that are accessible to youngsters of this age, such as our transportation-themed field trip, planes, Trains, and automobiles.

our boyS learn

“ what a warm environment for our son. you have great teachers who are encouraging, attentive, and caring. it is such a great place to be.”

ShS ParenT


grades 3–5

in grades 3 to 5, the boys begin to expand their learning in several important ways.

lessons and discussions relate the classroom experiences to realities in the outside world. The hands-on use of technology to assist and enhance learning increases. we also introduce two more of our innovative programs — Sharkopoly and rocket writing — both of which help to develop critical language and communication skills by taking a fun approach to learning to which boys can relate.

class trips include several day trips to historical and cultural sites that tie in with the Social Studies curriculum — as well as the first of several SHS overnight adventures. grade 4 and 5 boys spend three days and two nights at an outdoor school in ontario.

grades 6–8

grades 6 through 8 are important years, preparing the boys for their future education in their high school, as well as continuing personal growth.

every grade 8 boy plays a key leadership role, as head boy, prefect, or captain in these areas: academics, arts, athletics, environment, communication, citizenship, and the 4 houses. grade 7 students are school ambassadors, and boys in grades 6 through 8 help younger students in our peer Teaching programs.

new subjects are introduced into the curriculum. boys develop their interests in each of these years by choosing an elective course, which they study in small groups. grade 7 and 8 students study philosophy, which is rarely taught elsewhere before high school. Philosophy encourages self-reflection and self-realization, while challenging the boys to engage in abstract thought.

Students participate in several exciting trips that challenge their leadership skills. These have traditionally included dog sledding in algonquin park (grade 7) and wilderness canoeing in Temagami (grade 8), as well as the traditional end-of-year trip for these three grades.

To help the boys prepare for high school and to provide support in other areas as needed, each grade 8 student chooses a faculty or Staff mentor. our mentorship program is an outstanding opportunity to help students navigate their senior year and make the transition easier into the exciting years ahead.

“ Thank you for being a huge changing point in my life.”

ShS aluMnuS


innovative Programs

over the years, the faculty at The Sterling hall School have engaged in extensive research and testing to uncover the most effective ways to educate boys. we’ve also developed some successful methods of our own. These innovative programs are part of what sets us apart from other schools.

inquiry model. inspired by our school motto, “i can because i Think”, the inquiry model teaches students at every grade level to become expert critical thinkers and researchers. Students undertake authentic research projects that develop skills for the 21st century, including analytical reasoning, problem solving, collaboration, communication, and self-discipline.

Stewardship. The Stewardship program is a vital component of the ShS curriculum from Jk to grade 8 and helps boys become empathic and responsible citizens. There are three

components: community awareness, Self-awareness, and physical awareness. Students engage in Stewardship lessons every week, with each grade taking a different thematic approach.

rocket writing. boys in grades 3 to 5 develop writing skills through rocket writing, which applies a metaphor that is particularly engaging to most boys — that of a rocket launching into space and orbiting the moon. at the prepare equipment stage, for example, the boys brainstorm, and during blast off, they write their first draft.

Sharkopoly. Students in grades 3 to 5 play Sharkopoly, a board game that helps them master the essential Skills that are requirements for language development and application in a fun social setting.

electives. in grades 6 to 8, each boy chooses an additional subject that reflects his areas of interest, strength, and passion, enabling him to expand his academic horizons by exploring areas not commonly taught at the

elementary level. elective subjects vary each year, and have included Journalism, mathemagician Studies, robotics, novel writing, virtual reality programming, business and finance, Spanish, and elite athleticism.

peer Teaching. we encourage older boys to assist those in the lower grades because this helps students academically and socially. learning buddies, for example, team up for a tutoring session once a week. These and other mentoring opportunities help younger students, while fostering pride, self-discipline, and empathy in older students.

our boyS groW

“ i’d like to thank you and the educators of Sterling hall for transforming our son from the boy he was in September to the confident boy he has become.” ShS ParenT


citizenship

every day, there are plenty of opportu-nities to do something good. our boys actively seek them out, led and inspired by the grade 8 agents of change.

Through our Service learning program, we create a philosophy of living that encourages students to look beyond themselves, to learn about and empathize with others, and to reach out and help whenever, and however they can.

activities both inside and beyond the classroom foster the value of good citizenship, so that boys of all ages become aware of what is happening in their local and global communities.

our boys have, for example raised money and awareness for “right to play”, written letters to canadian soldiers in afghanistan, and supported cancer research through the annual ShS “Terry fox run”, which raises more money for this foundation than any other school in the world!

Morning, noon, and evening

we mean it when we say we are a home away from home. we offer additional services that many parents find helpful.

open 8:00 am. Students can be dropped off and will be supervised outdoors from 8:00 am.

dining hall program. lunch is an important part of the day at ShS. boys from Jk to grade 8 can register for our nutritious catered lunch program, which is certified annually under the City of Toronto eat Smart program, or bring their own meal from home to enjoy in our contemporary dining room during the supervised lunch period. boys in grades 3 to 8 may supplement their lunch or select a complete meal from our blue window cafeteria.

after 4 program. for those days when you will not be able to pick your son up immediately after class, and he doesn’t have any extracurricular activities scheduled, we provide

options. after School care is available for Jk to grade 6 students at a daily charge. Study hall is available for grades 3 to 8 students free of charge.

our boyS care our boyS are careD For

“ our son is lucky to be a member of the ShS community…everything has been amazing…Teachers, principals, and school personnel from other schools should spend some time at ShS to better themselves and their schools.”

ShS ParenT


School life at ShS

as any of our boys will gladly tell you, there’s more to ShS than academics. in fact, a lot of learning takes place outside our classrooms. School life is exciting, energetic, and exhilarating. our boys are busy…

… ParTiciPaTing.

ShS offers a wide selection of cool extracurricular clubs. There’s lego club and a special art club for the kindergarten boys and environment club for grades 5-8. older boys can choose photography, cartooning, Scrabble, geocache-ing, film appreciation, cooking, robotics, aviation, grease monkeys — and so much more.

… belonging.

every boy belongs to one of the four houses — howard, mcclintock, morrison, or plumb — as do faculty, Staff, and parents. The house System

fosters a sense of camaraderie, encourages healthy competition, develops school spirit, and rewards positive actions. boys proudly wear their house colours on Spirit days as a sign of solidarity with house members and pride in their school.

… leaDing.

There are so many ways for our boys to take on a leadership role, starting from Jk through to grade 8. mentoring their peers, helping the younger boys with sports, and acting as school ambassadors and classroom greeters are just a few. as well, elected Student council representatives from every grade work with their classmates to choose “doable goals” for community service and school events.

… inSPiring.

every grade 8 student has a formal leadership position, a responsibility that rewards older boys with tremendous experience and prestige as they inspire

younger boys. The head boy and prefects run the Student council and the friday assemblies. captains and house captains organize activities and assist the house Teacher heads while fostering school spirit. agents of change lead community Service activities. our boys also inspire one another with their impressive athletic and artistic accomplishments and motivate each other to actively support student-led environmental initiatives.

our boyS geT inVolVeD

“ i have seen many unusual things today – your school is a unique laboratory. The students’ leadership is not confined to the classroom, it is pervasive and evident everywhere.”

Michael ThoMPSon Ph.D.

auThor oF Raising Cain


c o r e Va lu e S

1 . e d u c aT i o n a l e x c e l l e n c e

2 . c h a r a c T e r a n d p e r S o n a l g r o w T h

3 . v e ry b e S T T e a c h e r S

4 . S m a l l c l a S S e S

5 . i n T e l l e c T u a l c u r i o S i T y

6 . c a r i n g c u lT u r e

7 . r e S p o n S i b l e c i T i z e n S h i p

come and see ShS in action – book a campus tour. we’re always happy to show you our school and answer your questions. call us at 416.785.3410.


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claire reed, Director of Admissions YEARS STRONG

25 YEARS STRONG

the sterling hall school offers a secure environment for ... · shs received full accreditation....

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