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The big picture on Cambridge International Academy
We wrote a book reviewing the school
The 50-page review of Cambridge International Academy is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.
"Cambridge International Academy is a ministry-inspected co-ed private school for grades 1 to 12 in Whitby. We enhance the Ontario curriculum with Reach Ahead credits and AP courses. Personalized planning helps students achieve their academic potential. Strong parent partnerships support transitions from elementary to high school. Our high school curriculum ensures students reach post-secondary goals. Our new Athletic Sports Program offers training and competition, helping students earn scholarships."
Customized Educational Pathways
Small Class Sizes
Individual Needs and Academic Learning
Homework club
Visual Art, Drama, Music, Gym Programs
Elementary and High School Coding Programs
Monthly School Trips
Weekly Report
Safe, Learning Environment
100% Post-secondary Institution Placement Rate
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Every student receives an Individual Student Plan so that their learning experience is personalized and customized to their individual needs, interests, talents, and skill level....(more)
"Every student receives an Individual Student Plan so that their learning experience is personalized and customized to their individual needs, interests, talents, and skill level. The Student Plan is comprised of customized academic programs such as Blended Learning, Reach Ahead, & AP, volunteer initiatives, interesting co-curriculars, as well as academic and non-academic outside competitions. Lastly, we offer cross-curricular coding to increase the technology proficiency of students."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
Information not yet available.
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
Information not yet available.
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
Information not yet available.
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Families join Cambridge International Academy because of our personalized approach to education. Our customized programs (Blended Learning, Reach Ahead, & AP classes) challenge...(more)
"Families join Cambridge International Academy because of our personalized approach to education. Our customized programs (Blended Learning, Reach Ahead, & AP classes) challenge our students so that they thrive academically, socially, and personally. Our small class sizes provide students individual attention to successfully complete the curriculum and ready them for the next higher grade level. Our parents appreciate the frequent updates about their child's academic progress."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"The kitchen & dining area are sometimes overlooked by prospective parents. Initially, parents don’t realize the significant academic & social learning that takes place in these...(more)
"The kitchen & dining area are sometimes overlooked by prospective parents. Initially, parents don’t realize the significant academic & social learning that takes place in these gathering areas. Students not only learn about healthy eating habits, kitchen safety, and food preparation but they also gain a deeper understanding, respect, and appreciation for diversity while they prepare and taste each other’s cultural traditional foods. Transferable skills acquired through cooking are beneficial."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Families are surprised by the frequent communication and the variety of co-curriculars at school. Our teachers frequently communicate with parents to offer the 'next steps' to...(more)
"Families are surprised by the frequent communication and the variety of co-curriculars at school. Our teachers frequently communicate with parents to offer the 'next steps' to keep their children engaged and challenged in their learning. In addition, our teachers coach students to perform their best in a wide range of co-curricular activities. This year, students in our Math Club won University of Waterloo's 2022 Zone Champion Award for the Canadian Intermediate Mathematics & Computing Contest."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
Information not yet available.
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
Gr. 12 — As a former student at Cambridge International Academy's branch campus in China, my journey has been nothing short of transformative. The contrast between the two sides, though taught by foreign teachers in pure English, was evident in the distinct cultural atmospheres. Arriving in Canada alone for the first time, I was anxious, but the school's welcoming environment quickly put me at ease. One standout feature of the school is its emphasis on individualized study plans. Having teachers specifically design personalized plans for each student helped me prepare for my future university path. I appreciated the freedom to select courses outside of the compulsory ones, making the learning process engaging and fulfilling. A significant highlight was the school's decision to place us with local families, fostering cultural integration and accelerated English language improvement through daily conversations. Fortunately, my host family embraced me, contributing to a richer experience. The small class sizes were a game-changer, allowing teachers to provide individual attention, and ensuring no student was left behind academically, something public schools often struggle with. In summary, my time at Cambridge International Academy's branch campus in China has left an indelible mark on my personal and academic growth. The school's commitment to individualized learning, cultural immersion, and supportive environment make it an outstanding choice for prospective students seeking an enriching international education.
Gr. 12 — My child has changed so much in the three years he has been at Cambridge International Academy. The reason I wanted to send my child to a private high school was because my child lacked socialization. Previously in public school, my child was not very active academically or socially. Grades were also always a problem for my child. So I sent my child to this school and I am still very surprised by the change in my child. Through the things that my child tells me every week, I can tell my child is more talkative than before. My child never used to talk about things that happened at school, but through the year at Cambridge International Academy, the change in my child has definitely been related to the school.
Gr. 12,Gr. 12 — Hanson (my son) and Andy (home stay student) were transferred from a public school to Cambridge International Academy in 2022 after they finished Grade 11. The reason was because we believed that the school environment at Cambridge could help them to achieve their personal goals to a better extent. They finished Grade 12 at Cambridge and the outcome turned out to be amazing. Hanson was accepted by University of Toronto Scarborough (BBA Co-op) and Andy was accepted by University of Toronto Scarborough (CS). They are very satisfied with the results and their experience at Cambridge is definitely all positive. They appreciate all the help received from Cambridge. They provide small class sizes and teach every student based on their own learning style. In this way, the student's potential can be explored and maximized. Cambridge also provides plenty of extracurricular activities, such as academic clubs (e.g. DECA, homework, Math), leadership (Model UN), sports club (basketball, badminton, Tai Chi), arts club (music band, talent show), etc. The staff are always kind enough to help students by all means to make sure they finish their work and achieve their personal goals. This is a big difference between public schools and private schools. Overall we are extremely happy with Hanson and Andy's experience in Cambridge and we recommend this school to friends and all parents.
Gr. 12 — My experience at Cambridge International Academy has been definitely one of my best school experiences. What I like most about it is how diverse and multicultural the environment is. Everyone was easy to talk to, especially the staff, and making friends was also one of my favorite parts. The school supported every student's goals and helped them reach them every step of the day. Whenever a student needs help, staff will always be there to guide you to where you need to be. For example, I struggled with math at the beginning of the year, and Johnny (a teacher) would provide me with more practice questions that would be taken up with the class. They notice where you struggle most and will help you improve in that aspect of the subject. Students should expect a welcoming entry to the school as they take their first steps in the school, and also a more personalized journey as they advance in their lives at Cambridge.
Gr. 12 — As a graduate of 2022, it is a pity that I only have one year to get along with those very responsible teachers and friendly classmates. In 2021, due to the pandemic and visa issues, I faced the dilemma of not being able to attend high school. However, I heard about this school from relatives. In 2022, when I entered the school on the first day, I was told by enthusiastic classmates to join the student union. I was very honored to be the student union's chairman and the graduates' representative. This school's good teaching quality and rich community activities surprised me. Thank you to my teachers for selflessly sharing their time, talents, and knowledge with us throughout my year of attendance. They went above and beyond the call of duty in everything they did for me. Take the time to explain the assignment. You demand the best from me, set high standards, and demand that I live up to those standards.
Gr. 7 (current),Gr. 6 (current) — The experience at this school has been very positive. There is plenty of extra help available to the students during class time, breaks and during the after-school homework club. There is plenty of opportunity to get all the work done in the school environment so once my kids are home, they are free to engage in their passions without the worry of school work being an issue. This is nothing like public school. Please note that none of this help will be forced on your child but it is offered and readily available so they have to advocate for themselves or you will have to work with your child to pursue it. There are small class sizes (5 or 6 to 1) and the classes are blended grades. Some may see this as an issue but it has been a positive for us as our kids experience multiple curriculums and benefit from the ability to work up or down at their pace while getting the support to move ahead faster than you would in a public school. Overall I believe this is the best environment for my children and they are progressing much better than they were prior to coming to Cambridge International Academy with significantly better grades in all classes.
My experience at Cambridge International Academy was eye-opening because not only did I do school works but I had gone to terrific school trips and got to meet new people. I liked the teachers and how they understood my academic needs and interest. They always listened to my ideas and encouraged me to take more risks in class. Cambridge International Academy prepared me well for post-secondary education. I feel that the teachers at Cambridge spoke a lot about time management and organizational skills which would help when studying at a post-secondary institution. They provided opportunities for me to perfect these skills so that I would not feel overwhelmed with my studies after I graduated high school. I also thought the reflections after each unit helped me to better understand my strengths and challenges as a student and what I needed to do to learn more effectively.
I miss my time at Cambridge International Academy very much. The teachers in the school were very patient. In class, the teachers encouraged students to express their opinions and ideas. And whether in class or out of class, the students and teachers were like very good friends, and we often talked about everything. We were able to trust them but knew they always let our parents know everything that was going on. It was all about making sure we were looked after properly. Before I arrived at the school, I heard that the host families that the school works with were very good. In fact, it is true. The host families not only made us feel at home, but understood that it was important for us to spend time with our friends. Not only do I have very good memories in school, I also miss my days when I lived with my host family.
My children enjoy Cambridge International Academy. They feel safe and comfortable at school. The class sizes are small and that allows for almost one on one learning. However the school itself is spacious. They like their teachers and the activities they are asked to participate in.
Due to Covid 19 the teacher to student ratio is 1 to 6 so the school population was lower. At the beginning of the school year, they were able to plan several weekly school trips for the students. The children enjoyed the salmon spawning expedition to Bowmanville's Creek Fish Ladder. There was a visit to Pringle's Farm where they went apple picking. Several other trips included the Toronto Zoo, the Greenwood Conservation Area and the Pickering Museum. There was also an impromptu nature walk where they spotted a beaver building a dam. They also enjoyed participating in a Master Chef weekly activity in school with all of the students.
Arff is a firm believer in individualized education where students receive customized education plans. “I’ve always believed that a cookie-cutter approach to education fails too many students."
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