Delano was founded in 2014 with the mandate of providing a very forward looking approach to the early and elementary years. The focus is on collaboration, 21st century literacies, and allowing students to grow into an international, empathetic understanding of the world and their place within it. The core competencies are delivered, as is a sense of how they relate to who we are and what we’re able to achieve. The ideal student is one operating toward the top of his or her peer group, and able to thrive in vibrant, active, socially engaging learning environment.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"York Region's top CO-ED private Pre-K-12 school, Delano is a 21st century, university preparatory school that values evidenced-based best practices for teaching & learning. Delano is a place of rigorous curriculum standards, globally-minded education and a balance of Academics, Arts, Athletics & student wellness. We support our bright/gifted students in harnessing resiliency & critical thinking skills as visionary makers, creators & innovators. Delano enriches learning as a STE[A]M & Tech rich school."
Enriched High performance school
Co-Educational & Non-Denominational
STE[A]M
International Baccalaureate PYP/MYP & Montessori learning framework
Before & After school care
Low class ratio 16:1
Tech Rich School
Balanced Art/Athletic/Academics
French
Small Boutique School
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Delano Academy values community and a positive school culture that prides itself on being at the forefront of best practices in teaching and learning. Delano is a progressive,...(more)
"Delano Academy values community and a positive school culture that prides itself on being at the forefront of best practices in teaching and learning. Delano is a progressive, transformational learning environment that prepares students for leadership. We follow the Ontario Curriculum using the IB framework and offering curriculum enrichment. Delano's youngest learners benefit from the blended Montessori values in our Prep School division. Delano provides students with the tools and life skills beyond university. Delano is fuelled by creating a learning environment of globally-minded students that reflects our diverse world.
Delano Academy has a strong reputation for its rigorous curriculum, attention to teaching and learning, and strong student-focused approach, which leads to a positive school climate.
Delano Academy has been voted #1 Private School in Vaughan by Top Choice Awards in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024"
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"Delano Academy has prioritized personalized learning and attention to student learning over school growth and size. The school is small and offers a boutique approach to quality...(more)
"Delano Academy has prioritized personalized learning and attention to student learning over school growth and size. The school is small and offers a boutique approach to quality education intentionally. The school remains small in size to support an environment where students are known, communication is transparent, relationships are built and nurtured and students thrive emotionally, and educationally. When you enter our school building you will notice that the space is humble, however, there is great attention to detail in its space. Students appreciate the attention to detail in planning, scheduling, and life. Students feel valued, appreciated and cared for. They know that the school values their voice and they contribute to their learning space meaningfully. The tradeoff is that our school remains small to prioritize attention to detail in your child's educational journey. While students are young, we build a strong foundation to support success in University."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"Delano Academy was envisioned in 2014 and quickly grew and gained its reputation for offering an unparalleled approach to education with this rigorous attitude towards enriched...(more)
"Delano Academy was envisioned in 2014 and quickly grew and gained its reputation for offering an unparalleled approach to education with this rigorous attitude towards enriched schooling. The school motto encourages students and parents to dream BIGGER. Delano Academy facilitates this vision in everything it offers and provides students with unique experiences that are rarely offered in smaller to mid-range elementary private schools. For a relatively young school, Delano Academy is steeped in cultivating, creating and establishing its culture and history. Co-creating this legacy with our faculty and students reinforces our identity. Delano Academy celebrates its tenth anniversary and is proud of its accomplishments and future potential."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"We provide a milieu that fully supports our students. Delano is a cutting-edge academy with a strong vision for our students to reach limitless learning potential. Our student...(more)
"We provide a milieu that fully supports our students. Delano is a cutting-edge academy with a strong vision for our students to reach limitless learning potential. Our student archetype has HIGH STANDARDS. We are at the forefront of education giving our students an educational advantage at an early age. Beyond curriculum, our objective is to support our students in becoming leaders in the 21st century. At Delano Academy, our school is STUDENT-CENTRED
Our students are encouraged to be balanced and the well-being of our students is our number one priority. Our pastoral curriculum is central to our school and an important part of student life. Wellness, self-care, leadership, empathy, and pluralism, are taught, encouraged and supported. We support our students in becoming world changer makers.
Our students embody the IB learner profile attributes as they become engaged and worldly-balanced students."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"Small boutique environment
Classrooms are designed to engage in conferencing and communication in a small group capacity.
Facilities are new, clean, and high attention to detail...(more)
"Small boutique environment
Classrooms are designed to engage in conferencing and communication in a small group capacity.
Facilities are new, clean, and high attention to detail yet humble. Parents feel confident knowing that their children will receive high-quality education and a safe and nurturing environment."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Families appreciate that Delano has a strong school culture that creates a warm and welcoming community. Students are motivated by a positive and caring school environment....(more)
"Families appreciate that Delano has a strong school culture that creates a warm and welcoming community. Students are motivated by a positive and caring school environment. Students are welcomed into the Delano family and provided with a supportive team that encourages the personal growth, development and vision of each student. Parents appreciate the attention to individualized learning the "Dream Bigger" attitude, and the rich and rigorous programming that encourages student potential."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"Delano Academy is known for its rigorous and balanced student-centred education.
Our balanced education values a hybrid approach to teaching and learning using the best elements...(more)
"Delano Academy is known for its rigorous and balanced student-centred education.
Our balanced education values a hybrid approach to teaching and learning using the best elements of Montessori, and IB. Our objective is simple; to prepare students for High school, University, and life. We have realistic expectations and attitudes to ensure students are prepared from Pre-K to Grade 12. We provide a strong foundation preparing our youngest learners and equipping them for a successful future."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"Delano is committed to supporting a culture of wellness, and balance and prioritizes community, as a key feature for overall faculty and student wellness. Our rich culture adapts...(more)
"Delano is committed to supporting a culture of wellness, and balance and prioritizes community, as a key feature for overall faculty and student wellness. Our rich culture adapts innovatively to the realities of global citizenship in the 21st century. The community we have cultivated encourages and promotes the Delano legacy and principles. We value building meaningful life-long relationships with our students, families, faculty and alumni."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Delano Academy attends to details and prioritizes the best interests of its students. Our ultimate objective is to support a well-rounded community that is diverse, respectful...(more)
"Delano Academy attends to details and prioritizes the best interests of its students. Our ultimate objective is to support a well-rounded community that is diverse, respectful and kind. We create a relevant, authentic, and meaningful experience by encouraging students to be risk-takers, and open-minded and to explore all that Delano has to offer. Our culture is rich, and exciting and ignites curiosity."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"Delano Academy prioritizes a balanced school experience for our students. School is not confined to subjects and classes but also strongly emphasizes developing the whole child....(more)
"Delano Academy prioritizes a balanced school experience for our students. School is not confined to subjects and classes but also strongly emphasizes developing the whole child. Our school has prioritized developing signature programs to improve student school experiences. Students are encouraged to explore and engage in all the school offerings, take risks and develop attitudes and habits that support a balanced attitude toward education. Our school continually supports improving experiences for your child that engage your child in action. Our school continues to develop student leadership, mindset and wellness, personal responsibility, student participation and attitudes, financial literacy, communication skills, technological literacies, independence, advocacy, and so much more."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
We had attended another school that was very good at the beginning when it had a good principal who was an educator. As soon as she left, the owner turned the school into a business, even moved the school to a temporary location that shared classrooms with other night schools. When I noticed that the quality of education had been sliding, I went to look for other options. After touring many schools in the Vaughan area, I found Delano Academy. There are small class sizes ensuring one-on-one attention from the teacher to my kids. I get a daily report on what they have learned and how they performed in school. Teachers are always reachable and responsive within minutes or hours of my messages.
All the extracurricular (PE, Music, Art) teachers at Delano are professionals invited to teach. There isn't a Math teacher teaching subjects like PE unlike some other schools might have. High-tech educational tools, such as iPads, computers, Littlebits, Sphero, etc are implemented in teaching. Delano is one of the 2 schools I have heard that has been conducting all-day live classes online during COVID19. My kids are with their teachers all day every weekday. Their classes are progressing just the same as in school. On top of classes, they also have live social events, such as science presentation, talent show, assemblies, recess, after school care, special event celebrations. I also see teachers posting notifications and materials at night all the time. This is the dedication you see in Delano Academy.
My kids love the one on one attention. They feel that their needs are met and understand the material easily. Whenever my kids aren't sure about a topic they feel very comfortable asking their teachers for help. The teachers have been accommodating and very attentive. This provides them the opportunity to overcome their timidness and gain confidence in their abilities. The material is presented in a way that is interesting and most importantly, applies to real world situations. For instance, my kids love their rewards system. Delano dollars are used to teach students the value of a dollar, responsibility, organization and reliability. They each are assigned a job each month, they are paid an imaginary income. Using this income they can use it to pay off the "mortgage" on their lockers. The kids love earning their Delano dollars so they can purchase prizes at the end of each month. I love it because it teaches them the value of a dollar and how to budget their money.
Our son has become much happier and full of life after he started at Delano. It was the best decision we made as parents. He loves going to school, enjoys the activities, the academics, the Teachers and gets along very well with his friends. He gets the support he needs and is always encouraged to think thru a situation, look at the whole picture, develop his skills and move forward. We find that the engagement level at Delano is something very unique. The Faculty and the students are all engaged in each other successes and will not give up until each student has achieved it. Given the fact that every student is different, this is a big challenge, for which everyone at Delano is up for.
Delano Academy’s motto, “find your wings and soar,” is about allowing each student to discover their individuality and soar as they grow into their own being. “It’s definitely for an educator heart-warming and it’s an experience that you really want to wake up every day and be in an environment where everyone is valued.”
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