IMAGINE YOUR SON IN A NAVY BLAZER with an embroidered red crest upon his pocket. He sits in a pod with
Andrean Residential Experience
three other students, his laptop open to his assignment. His teacher doesn’t stand at the front of the class but moves between the pods. Your son is interested, at the edge of his seat discussing things that truly matter with his classmates and teacher. This isn’t a place for rote learning, rather one where he thinks critically and problem solves as he would in his future career. This is a modern classroom and your son is at the centre of a powerful learning environment. It’s a classroom designed specifically for boys!
We believe in our boarding curriculum and have developed the Andrean Residential Experience (ARE) program for qualified day students. ARE is designed to provide the opportunity to move into boarding for an affordable half year in grade 8 and/or a full year in grade 12. The biggest burden on families is the financial difference between day and boarding fees. The School will assist by matching annual contributions of $2,000 through Middle School and $3,000 in Upper School. If you would like more information on this program, visit the ARE website at www.sac.on.ca/areprogram.
Director of Middle School, Sabrina D’Angelo, continues to drive forward in developing a Middle School where boys can thrive in the 21st century. From strong academics, athletics, and arts programs to a school life curriculum beyond compare, your son will learn the values of brotherhood, respect, integrity, accountability, compassion, and courage.
Facilities
Middle School Academics Tactile, varied, multi-level instruction, and class sizes of 18 or less are the standards we live by. By utilizing various teaching techniques such as activity-based learning, humour, group projects, and an element of competition, teachers bring learning to life. The integration of our laptop program emphasizes the development of organizational skills with the use of OneNote, a primary note-taking tool. Grade 5 and 6 students are in a core class with a homeroom teacher and a partial rotary program to learn from subject experts. Grade 7 and 8 students participate in a full rotary program led by subject specialists in every discipline. St. Andrew’s offers Core and Enriched French programs. The Enriched French stream includes a week-long exchange in Quebec. Upon graduation from the Middle School, Enriched French students may continue in our Upper School Extended French program, obtaining an Extended French Certificate in grade 12. Should you choose, your son can obtain two Upper School credits by the end of grade 8 for Reach-Ahead Math and Comprehensive Arts. SAC instills the value of learning for its own merit, but also knows boys like recognition for the hard work they do. Students are honoured and rewarded throughout the year at academic and athletic assemblies to recognize exemplary achievements. Prize Day, held annually, celebrates year-long accomplishments by grade.
Middle School Athletics Athletics is a central part of our educational process, and SAC has one of the most comprehensive offerings in the country. This compulsory program offers your son the benefit of trying a new sport in all three terms. He can choose from up to seven different sports a term across representative and house league teams. No matter his skill level, he will discover the pleasure of being part of a team.
Middle School Arts Middle School boys participate in the Elective Arts program on Tuesday afternoons which includes: instrumental music, piping and drumming, choir, visual arts, drama, journalism, public speaking, and debating. It’s a great opportunity for budding artists to get extra time in the studio or expand their knowledge of music. Or they can learn to speak on their feet and craft a counter-argument on the spot. For beginning actors, students play a variety of fun, improv activities that get them comfortable with speaking in front of crowds. Inhibitions are put aside as they try their hand at everything the Arts program has to offer.
Middle School Boarding We have 116 years of experience boarding and educating young men within our residential setting. We have a national and international community representing over 30 countries. Our boarding curriculum is well-structured, supportive, and cultivates a sense of self-discipline and responsibility. Thirty independent residences house nearly 40% of our faculty, staff and their families, meaning students have access to teachers and resources 24/7. We offer a safe and nurturing environment where boys are supported and encouraged to seize new challenges through structured and unstructured activities. Boys learn to embrace diversity, foster community, and get active. Residential activities are organized by the Macdonald House Council, Housemasters, Residential Dons, House Captains, and Duty Masters. Boys are taught to focus on leadership development, self-reliance, and time-management skills (through a mandatory 11/2 hour nightly supervised study), becoming role models for their peers and the community.
Founded in 1899, SAC is replete with Georgian-era architecture, yet rich in modern technologies. The School invests $1M annually to maintain its 110-acre campus. SAC’s facilities include four residential houses, three major academic buildings, separate music facilities and dining hall, Chapel, health centre, and treatment facility. SAC has seven grass playing fields, a baseball diamond, allweather synthetic turf field, two double gymnasiums, six international squash courts, two multi-purpose courts, fitness centre, outdoor rubber track, six-lane, 25-metre indoor pool, rock climbing wall, high ropes course, and wooded running trails. In 2014, SAC opened the La Brier Family Arena, which houses a NHL-sized ice surface and 6,000 sq. ft. of weight training and fitness facilities. In May 2015, SAC completed a $42M facilities expansion which boasts centres of excellence for music, engineering and robotics, and business and leadership. We have a new centre for the performing arts with an enlarged auditorium and thrust-stage theatre.
Leadership Strong leadership is a key priority within our mission statement, “developing the complete man, the well-rounded citizen.” We strive to instill skills and encourage all students to participate in leadership opportunities during their Middle School experience. There are 60 leadership positions available to Middle School students, including Outreach Committee, Middle School Council, Anti-Bully Committee, Green Team, Clan Captains, and the ITi Committee.
Technology We pride ourselves on being pioneers in technology integration. All students from grades 5-12 participate in our wireless laptop program. Your son will be issued his own Fujitsu LifeBook T935 convertible tablet computer loaded with everything he needs for his studies. His electronic notebooks are shared on the School’s internal cloud server allowing his teachers to track his achievement. You are also engaged in his academic success through a unique platform called Edsby. You and your son can view marks, schedules, and homework to ensure studies are being completed.
SCHOOL LIFE We offer a multitude of activities and programs to enrich student life. Each year begins with an outdoor education experience which fosters community building and the development of true friendships. Our Beyond the Gates four-day curriculum challenges the boys progressively from grades 5-8 allowing them to explore and reconnect with nature.
Beginnings and Endings – Advisory Program Each day begins and ends with an Advisory program. The daily morning meeting serves as time for your son to engage in an activity with his advisor, whether in the Reading program, activity period, or in Chapel. The afternoon meeting allows for a reflection of the day’s academic program and an opportunity to plan for evening study, whether in boarding or at home. Advisors also provide students with extra academic help and facilitate tutoring. Students are taught study techniques, exam preparation, and time-management skills.
Chapel All boys attend our interfaith Chapel where the chaplain or a teacher imparts wisdom and lessons relevant to the lives of boys. All students are presented with, and expected to participate in, educational and community service opportunities within and outside the community to apply what they have learned in the classroom. Middle School community service and outreach is unique to SAC, and boys are recognized for their commitment to bettering the lives of others and the environment.
Nutrition – Food Services Say goodbye to packing a lunch everyday – we will take care of all your son’s nutritional needs while on campus. We have an award-winning dining hall with delicious home-style fare. Students are provided lunch, and are welcome to join their boarding friends for a healthy breakfast and/or dinner at no charge. Lunch on Wednesday’s is formal. Boys sit with their Advisory group to learn proper etiquette.
Raising Self-Awareness SAC has a proactive and multi-layered Anti-Bullying program that educates and encourages mutual respect among community members and supports the physical, social, and emotional challenges of pre-adolescent boys. SAC’s ‘Big Brother’ program sees grade 11 students mentor and guide Middle School students, helping them integrate into the Andrean community. Students participate in academic field trips, drama festivals, spirit days, and co-ed dances. They are also engaged in causes that matter, such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and our Holiday Heroes program.
Admission Information Boys can be boys at St. Andrew’s College. Their uniforms get dirty at recess; they playwrestle in the hallways; and they need to be reminded to straighten their ties and tuck in their shirts regularly. But it is here where they are taught the skills and given the tools to think independently and be successful in the Upper School, where they will be confronted with challenges and big decisions on a daily basis. Students who have received this foundation in Middle School are ready to handle almost anything in Upper School. By grade 9, your son will discover a love of learning and possess a high degree of confidence in who he is. He will transition to Upper School more focused and prepared to be successful through high school. For the 2016-2017 school year, SAC will accept approximately 70 new day students in Middle School (grades 5-8). The best time and chance for enrolment lies in Middle School. Boarding enrolment happens across all grades. The ideal applicant to the Upper School has attended the Middle School for at least two years. Acceptance into grade 9 is competitive as there are only 20 available spots for day students. To learn more about St. Andrew’s College and the benefits of a Middle School education, contact the Admission Office at 905-7273178 ext. 303 or admission@sac.on.ca. We are currently offering an enrolment incentive of $5,000 for grades 5 and 6 and $2.3 million in scholarship and bursary assistance annually.
Director of Middle School Sabrina D’Angelo takes a personal interest in her students.
ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE ACADEMIC VISION We empower boys to be physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. We develop the capacity to innovate and adapt to our ever-changing world. We cultivate critical-thinking skills so decisions are based on a broad range of criteria. We inspire engaged, caring, and reflective global citizens. We promote integrity, resiliency, and leadership. We implement technology wisely to enhance learning. We nurture the creative process and celebrate excellence in performance. We encourage curiosity in a boy-friendly, collaborative, and supportive environment. We champion eloquence and the art of communication.
St. Andrew’s College Michael Roy, Director of Admission 15800 Yonge Street 905.727.3178 ext. 303 Aurora, ON L4G 3H7 admission@sac.on.ca Canada www.sac.on.ca Connect with us:
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