INFORMATIONAL SUPPLEMENT

Mastering the right balance between academics and extracurricular activities is valued at many great schools; however, it’s the emphasis on character development that allows Toronto Prep School to stand alone. Unique features such as providing each student with a MacBook Pro and iPad, their outstanding school clubs, multiple extra-help options and 10 a.m. start time allow students from Grade 7 to 12 to learn in a creative, challenging environment. 

Q&A: Fouli Tsimikalis

We chat with Toronto Prep School’s director of admissions about the school’s mission, extra-curricular activities and more. 

What is the school’s mission and how do you provide a well-rounded education?
True learning occurs when students are pushed beyond their comfort zone, asked to think of alternatives, justify their answers and to break down their thought process. The challenge for our staff is taking students beyond memorization (a comfort zone for most) and into understanding and application.

What are some programs and/or initiatives that prepare students for post-secondary education?
An important goal of Toronto Prep School is to help students not only get into the university programs of their choice, but also be successful once they are in a post-secondary school program. Success is not only based on a student’s ability to acquire knowledge, convey understanding and apply concepts, but it is also contingent on their ability to master “soft skills.” Whether it’s our athletics, school clubs, House system or charitable endeavours, we emphasize the extension of one’s self as a member of the greater community. We expect our students to go beyond the standard of 40 community service hours and strive for at least 100 hours (Toronto Prep School Community Service Certificate).

Are there mentoring or extra-help programs available to students?
Our daily extra help is offered between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., Monday through Friday, in which all our teachers are available for extra help. Students may also book one-on-one sessions with their teachers after school. We also have an After School Study Club for students who want a quiet, supervised place to complete homework.

What are some of the extracurricular activities that are unique to Toronto Prep School?
We offer a variety of clubs, with the Art Club and Fashion Design being at the forefront. Our recreational hockey program tests students’ skills against three staff members that competed at the professional level. Our entire student body is a member of GoodLife Fitness, and we offer other extracurriculars such as drama, photography, debating, robotics and trivia.

What are the qualities that define the ideal Toronto Prep student?
We are committed to developing students who are confident and responsible and exhibit the values necessary to become effective communicators, informed and productive thinkers, self-directed learners, collaborative workers, skilled information processors and problem solvers. We are looking for students who want to be a part of our dynamic community, who are concerned about the wider society and are willing to share their talents and improve their skills. We stress the importance of extracurricular activities and place effort and character above all.

Beyond the Basics

Extracurricular involvement is at the base of Toronto Prep’s goal to educate well-rounded students. Be it athletics, school clubs, their House system (which assigns a House to each student and faculty member) or charitable initiatives, students are encouraged to take part in the bigger community outside of the school and gain real-world experience along the way. The Red Door Shelter, Ronald McDonald House, SickKids, Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF and the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund are just some of the charities that students have raised money for.

In terms of school clubs, the Art and Fashion Design clubs stand out. With a two-time recipient of the Woolmark fashion award as the program head, students gain first-hand knowledge of every aspect of the fashion industry. At the athletics end of the spectrum, each student is a member at GoodLife Fitness, and can join the acclaimed recreational hockey program along with other teams.

»  For more information on Toronto Prep School, call 416-545-1020 or visit torontoprepschool.com •