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York School (Toronto)
Day school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The York School (TYS) is a gender inclusive JK to Grade 12 independent school located on the subway line in midtown Toronto, Ontario. TYS was founded in 1965 and was the first English-speaking school in Canada accredited to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) from Junior Kindergarten (JK) to university entrance (Grade 12).[1] As an IB World School, TYS offers the IB Primary Years Program (PYP), Middle Years Program (MYP) and Diploma Program (DP).[2] As of 2025, TYS is the only English language school in Toronto that offers the full IB (PYP, MYP and DP) in a co-ed/gender-inclusive environment.[3][4][5]
TYS has two urban campuses located a few blocks from each other on Yonge Street, a Junior School and a Middle/Senior School. The school has approximately 750 students from over 20 countries. The school has a mix of Canadian and international families and offers a variety of co-curricular activities and community events, including a wide range of athletics.[4]
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History
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In 1965, Barbara Goodwin-Zeibots established The York School as a Montessori-based early years program for children aged three to six. In 1978, the school added a toddler program as well as an elementary school. The first Grade 8 class graduated in 1985. The Senior School was founded in 1995 with the addition of a Grade 9 class.[6]
In 1997, the school was authorized to offer the IB Diploma. The first IB Diploma/Grade 13 class graduated in 2000.[2]
In the late 1990s, 1320 Yonge Street was purchased through the "Home of Our Own" capital campaign. In September 2010, The York School opened a second campus at 1639 Yonge Street, which houses the Junior School (JK-Grade 5).
In 2003–2004, The York School was accredited to offer the IB Primary Years Program (PYP). In 2005, the school was accredited to offer the IB Middle Years Program (MYP).[2]
The location at 1320 Yonge Street houses the Middle and Senior School campus for Grades 6-12. In 2015, The York School celebrated its 50th anniversary and announced a Capital Campaign to raise $5 million for the renovation of the Middle and Senior School campus at 1320 Yonge Street. The renovation is now complete.[7]
Leadership
Barbara Goodwin-Zeibots remained the Head of School until retiring in the spring of 2006. She was succeeded by Ezio Crescenzi, who held the position until 2011.[8] Conor Jones was the Head of School from 2011 until 2019. Struan Robertson was appointed Head of School in 2019, having served as Head of School at the Lakefield College School, Canada and International School Bangkok, Thailand.[6]
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Program
The York School is an IB World School and was the first in Canada to offer all three levels of the International Baccalaureate Programme (Primary Years Programme K-5, Middle Years Programme 6-10 and Diploma Programme 11-12), also known as the IB Continuum.[9]
The school also offers a variety of outdoor education programs and excursions both locally and internationally.
Curricular and co-curricular programs
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The York School offers an experiential program for Grade 9 students called ICE (Integrated Canadian Experience), exploring Canadian history, geography, civics and literature and what it means to be Canadian. All Grade 9 students participate in this intensive program and produce a documentary to reflect on their learning at the end of the year. The documentary is screened by parents and educators.
The York School sends a group of Grade 11 student volunteers to the Global Pathways School in India, which was co-founded by Barbara Goodwin-Zeibots.
There is a one-week excursion for all students grade 6 through 10 called Challenge Week where students travel somewhere in Canada or the United States and do a week of learning about a specific subject.
The school's Gladiator Athletics program is a part of the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario Athletic Association. [10]
Athletic Programs at the school include basketball, soccer, volleyball, cross-country, track and field, ultimate frisbee, squash, curling and swimming.
The York School has won more than 35 CISAA Championships since 2012, most recently in U14 Boys Basketball and Varsity Curling. They also have an OFSAA basketball appearance (in 2023).
Approximately 20% of The York School's families are international. The school has provided support for students and families moving from abroad.[11]
Campuses
The York School has two campuses in midtown Toronto, which are located on Yonge Street near St. Clair Avenue. The JK–Grade 5 students learn at 1639 Yonge Street (north of St. Clair Avenue), and Grades 6–12 students have classes at 1320 Yonge Street (south of St. Clair Avenue).[6] In addition to classrooms and labs, campuses include gymnasiums, athletic commons, art rooms, a wellbeing center, a drama room, music rooms, cafeterias, playgrounds, libraries, and specialized rooms for film and STEAM learning.[6]
In the summer of 2025, TYS began renovating the Junior School campus to create more space for STEAM learning, a larger dining hall and learning commons, a second gymnasium, two classrooms for Grade 6 (which is currently taught at the Middle /Senior School), and a Leadership and Community Lounge for Grade 6 students.
1320 Yonge Street - Middle/Senior School
1639 Yonge Street - Junior School
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Governance and operations
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The York School is a not-for-profit corporation led by a Board of Directors. The board includes 17 directors who are appointed by the members of the corporation for a three-year term. As of 2025, Chair is Dr. Patricia McMahon. The Board is composed of parents and community members who are experts in advancement, governance, human resources, marketing, law, finance and strategy. One of the Board’s responsibilities is to hire the Head of School. The Board also approves the annual operating budget, which is created based on the funding priorities. This includes approving decisions about tuition increases, external revenue sources and major fundraising or building initiatives.[12][13]
Leadership
- Head of School, Struan Robertson
- Chief Financial Officer and Operations Lead, Janet MacMillan
- Associate Head, Academic Innovation, Justin Medved
- Associate Head, Wellbeing & Belonging, Elissa Kline-Beber
- Associate Head, External Relations, Hailey Meslin
- Junior School Principal, Sara Sankari
- Middle School and Senior School Principal, Kathryn Barnes
- Director, Human Resources, Keth Blair
Academic leadership
- Megan Stephenson, Vice-Principal & PYP Coordinator
- Ashleigh Woodward, Vice-Principal & PYP Coordinator
- Elise Currier, Vice-Principal& MYP Coordinator
- Fabio Biagiarelli, Vice-Principal & MYP Coordinator
- Marie Aragona, Vice-Principal and DP Coordinator
The school community is made up of faculty, staff, students, alumni and families. The York School Parents’ Association (YPA) is a volunteer organization that contributes to the school community.
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Tuition
As of 2022/2023, tuition is $35,000 for JK - Grade 12. There is a $300 Application Fee and an $8,000 one-time fee upon acceptance of an offer of admission to secure a place for a new student.[14]
See also
References
External links
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