Q | Describe your students. MacLachlan is a day school offering PreKindergarten to Grade 12. Our students are primarily from Oakville, Burlington, and Mississauga. We also welcome international students each year who benefit from our exceptional English as a Second Language program. One of the distinguishing characteristics of MAC is our diversity and beginning with our youngest students, our educational philosophy of international mindedness is cultivated. Q | What do you look for in a teacher? All MacLachlan teachers are highly qualified Ontario Certified Teachers (OCT), many with additional Master’s degrees in their subject specialties. They are experienced, dedicated and passionate about their profession and their students fostering a growth mindset at all grade levels. The recent necessity to pivot to remote learning magnified their commitment to leadership, academic excellence, collaboration, and innovation that allowed MAC students to successfully complete their school year with high achievement. Q | In an increasingly competitive landscape for entry to post-secondary education and real-world preparedness, how does your school set itself apart from other options?
We focus on instilling the love of learning and discovery in our students at all grade levels. Beyond a solid academic foundation, we offer opportunities for students to discover underlying talents and passions and foster creativity, resilience, communication, and problem-solving skills. This holistic approach to learning empowers students to be confident and accountable individuals. These skills transcend into all educational, social and professional landscapes. Q | What does technology—both in resources and STEM courses—offer the contemporary student in a private school? As an active learning school, we incorporate the use of technologies into most of our lessons at all grade levels. In Grades 1-5 there is an iPad for every student to complement learning and facilitate a dynamic learning environment. Students have innovation classes built into their units of inquiry where planning and collaboration are integrated to teach them about the design process. Whether tasks are focused on coding, building structures, 3D printing or building water filtration systems with Maker Cart supplies, students nurture and develop their problem-solving skills. Q | What do graduates tend to remember most from their time at your school? Our graduates value the friendships they formed, the relationships with their teachers and school community, the
44 » PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE