REVIEW OF Fieldstone School BY parent, Hana Klimczak

(5) Student Experience

We enrolled our two boys at Fieldstone in Grades 4 and 6 this past year, and overall, the experience has been very positive—so much so that we’ve decided to continue next year. One of our biggest concerns going in was the small size of the school. With fewer than 10 students in most classes and a multi-grade structure, we worried it might be hard for our kids to make friends. To our surprise, they adapted quickly, building friendships across grades and with both boys and girls. That kind of inclusive social dynamic was very different from our previous public school, and it's been a big positive. The school also builds excitement and community through Spirit Days, Pizza Days, and regular House Games. Fieldstone students are divided into four houses, encouraging a sense of belonging and friendly competition across grades. These special events help create a lively, team-oriented culture that students really enjoy. They’ve genuinely enjoyed school life, participating in a wide variety of experiences—from a public speaking showcase and a science fair to spelling bees, school plays, concerts, and art showcases. The frequent monthly field trips (Ripley’s Aquarium, Legoland, a local farm, skiing, etc.) add excitement and real-world connection to their learning. Both children feel like they’re learning more, and in better ways, than before. Their only complaints? Recess is too short, and mornings start a bit too early. No surprise there! Looking ahead, the school is planning to introduce two overnight field trips next year for students in Grades 7 and 8, which is something my child is already excited about. It’s another example of how Fieldstone continues to expand opportunities for students to grow socially and experientially outside the classroom.

(5) School Leadership

The principal and administrative staff are approachable, communicative, and responsive. We’ve found them easy to talk to and proactive when issues arise. They maintain regular, clear communication with parents through the weekly “Friday File” newsletter, which gives grade-by-grade updates and flags important dates and events. Discipline and conflict resolution are handled thoughtfully and effectively. Any time there’s an issue—whether academic or interpersonal—the school involves parents and works collaboratively with teachers and students to address it fairly and constructively. The leadership fosters a respectful and supportive environment throughout the school.

(5) Teaching

We’ve been very happy with the quality of instruction at Fieldstone. The teachers are knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely care about their students’ success. Our children have especially highlighted Ms. Carey (English), Ms. Sharma (math and science), and Madame (French and visual arts) as standout teachers who make learning engaging, clear, and enjoyable. Mr. Morales (music) and Mr. Makubuya (gym) also rank among their top five favourite teachers—both bring great energy and creativity to their classes. Before enrolling, we were initially concerned about the fact that not all teachers at Fieldstone are Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs). However, we were reassured to learn that teachers in core academic subjects are OCT-certified, which gave us confidence in the academic foundation. In practice, our children have responded very positively to all their teachers, regardless of certification. Instruction has been clear, supportive, and engaging across the board. Fieldstone also offers tutorials for students who need extra help. Since our kids came from a school with no French instruction, they’ve been attending French tutorials, which have helped them catch up quickly. Tutorials are also available in other subjects as needed. The school balances challenge with support well, and the small class sizes help ensure that students receive individualized attention and timely, constructive feedback.

(5) Academics

Academically, Fieldstone has met and in many ways exceeded our expectations. The school follows the Cambridge curriculum, which is accredited, standardized, and backed by high-quality learners’ books and workbooks in core subjects. We’ve seen noticeable academic growth in both of our children—they feel challenged but supported. The academic program is further enriched by guest speakers and interactive events that bring learning to life. A visiting scientist, for example, provided a unique, real-world perspective that complemented science instruction. These kinds of opportunities help students make connections between classroom learning and the wider world. One of the key reasons we switched to private school was to find a stronger academic foundation, and Fieldstone has delivered. The academic culture encourages curiosity, depth, and independent thinking. While technology use is limited (no tablets or personal devices), there is a strong emphasis on traditional, paper-based learning, which aligns well with the Cambridge model. We do see technology as an area for future improvement but also understand and appreciate the pedagogical reasons for minimizing screen time during instruction.

(4) Extracurriculars

While Fieldstone is a small school, the staff make a sincere and consistent effort to offer a wide range of enriching extracurricular opportunities. Our children have participated in sports (volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, badminton, track and field, bowling), theater, music, art, science fairs, and several clubs, including chess, cooking, coding, drama, and Earth Club. Some of these clubs have an additional fee, but they’ve been valuable and enjoyable experiences for our kids. The gym teacher, Mr. Makubuya — a former Toronto FC player — brings great energy and variety to physical education and organizes seasonal after-school sports programs. The school also takes part in occasional inter-school competitions, giving students a chance to experience friendly competition even without a full-scale athletics program. The music and arts programs are strong. Students learn instruments and perform in two annual concerts, and there are regular opportunities to showcase visual art. Throughout the year, the school also offers a rotating selection of lunch and after-school clubs, catering to a variety of student interests. Overall, Fieldstone offers a well-rounded mix of activities that support both personal growth and healthy competition, even if the scale is more modest than at larger schools.

(4) Students

The student body at Fieldstone is small, but that actually contributes to much of the school’s strength. Classes often have fewer than 10 students, creating a tight-knit, supportive environment where everyone is known and seen. Our children have made friends not only within their own grades but also across multiple grades and genders, thanks to the school’s inclusive and collaborative atmosphere. The multi-grade format encourages mentorship and social mixing, and we’ve found that social cliques are far less pronounced than what we experienced in the public system. The overall student dynamic is one of mutual respect, kindness, and cooperation. That said, I do sometimes wish the student body were a bit larger — it would allow for even more diversity in friendships and group dynamics. So, what are you waiting for? Enroll your kids here ASAP — help me boost the enrollment! :) But in all seriousness, given its size, Fieldstone truly makes the most of its close-knit community.

(5) School Life

Our children genuinely love going to school, which, as any parent knows, says a lot. They’ve embraced the learning, the teachers, the school-wide events, and even the small, fun details that make the school special, like the cafeteria snacks and those $1 chips. Their consistently positive attitude toward school has made the transition from public to private not only smooth but truly successful for our family. They look forward to their days, come home excited to share what they’ve learned, and speak fondly of their peers and teachers. It’s clear that Fieldstone has created an environment where students feel safe, supported, and engaged. When I asked my kids what they would change about Fieldstone, the only things they mentioned were that recess is too short and they don’t love waking up early—no surprise there. Beyond that, they had no complaints.

(4.5) Community

I’ve been a member of the Fieldstone Parent Association during our first year, and while it could benefit from a bit more structure and organization, it has already made a positive impact — including raising funds to support student field trips. The broader parent community has been welcoming, friendly, and supportive from the start. Both we, as parents, and our children felt genuinely embraced by the Fieldstone community. Other families were open and quick to offer a sense of connection, which made the transition from public school much easier. The school is generally very welcoming to parents and provides opportunities to get involved. With a little more coordination, the parent community could grow into an even stronger support system. But overall, it’s a small, close-knit, and supportive community.

(5) School Location

Fieldstone is located in an older TDSB building that could definitely use a facelift, but it’s clean, functional, and well-maintained. The school has a gym, library, art room, and outdoor space, and the staff really make the most of these facilities. It’s a mostly self-contained campus—students don’t head off-site daily—but the location works well, and regular field trips help kids connect with the wider community. Being close to a main street with shops, restaurants, and fast food gives older students the option to go off-campus for lunch sometimes. I wish there were more opportunities for middle schoolers to do that occasionally. The school is also easily accessible by Toronto Transit, which is convenient for families across the city. For those driving, there’s a large parking lot that makes drop-off and pickup smooth and low-stress.

(5) Admissions

Our admissions experience was smooth and welcoming. The process felt personal and fair, with staff who genuinely worked with us to ensure the school was a good fit for our children. It wasn’t overly stressful, and we really appreciated the open communication throughout. One of the most helpful parts was the trial day Fieldstone offers. Our kids spent a full day attending classes at their grade level and meeting teachers and peers. This gave them a real sense of what a typical day would be like and helped ease any nerves about the transition. By the time school officially started, they already knew some students and staff, which made the beginning of the year feel familiar and comfortable. If you’re considering Fieldstone, we’d definitely recommend reaching out and visiting in person. It’s a small school with a unique approach, and experiencing it firsthand really helps you understand what it’s all about. We’re glad we made the leap.