Having been founded in 2002, Greenwood is a relatively young school, though has grown in response to the needs of the families that enroll here, and the place that it has within the academic mosaic of the city. It still thinks of itself as a small school, and the lived experience is personal and close-knit. That said, at 500 students, it’s certainly not tiny, and the curricular and extracurricular programs benefit from the size. The current facility, opened in 2016, is an apt expression of the goals of the school, as well as the families that support it. It includes flexible learning spaces and up to date athletic and arts spaces. Greenwood, in some sense, still flies a bit below the radar in the public consciousness, though given the success and growth it’s experienced, that won’t last long. The ideal student is one able to thrive within an active, academically oriented learning environment.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Greenwood students develop the knowledge, skills and character they need to lead fulfilling lives and reach their full potential. Our personalized academic program provides each student with the perfect mix of challenge and support, and our welcoming co-ed, gender inclusive community allows students to be open-minded and engaged each day. Students can pursue their passions through a broad range of courses and co-curriculars. Our Outdoor Education program encourages character growth and creates lasting memories."
High-challenge, high-support model
Fall and Winter Outdoor Education trips
Fulsome arts and athletic programs
Broad range of elective courses
Dedicated Adviser for every student
Service Learning programming for all grades
Community
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Greenwood students have a champion in their corner from day one: their Adviser. Advisers ensure their advisees have the challenge and support they need to truly thrive. They also...(more)
"Greenwood students have a champion in their corner from day one: their Adviser. Advisers ensure their advisees have the challenge and support they need to truly thrive. They also coach their advisees through growth opportunities, both in and out of the classroom. Built into the timetable, our Adviser program focuses on skill and character development.
Every September and January, we venture off-campus for Outdoor Education experiences. These trips encourage students to find new depths of perseverance, take risks, and build lasting bonds with peers.
We ensure exceptional, innovative teaching through a focus on teacher growth and weekly job-embedded professional development. Our growth model engages teachers to constantly assess the needs of their students and adjust their teaching based on each individual’s needs. This personalized approach to teaching & learning creates an environment where students are challenged academically and teachers are nimble, innovative and student-centred."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"Incorporating Adviser and two weeks of Outdoor Education into our timetable / school calendar requires very careful planning and consideration. Our Student Learning, Well-being,...(more)
"Incorporating Adviser and two weeks of Outdoor Education into our timetable / school calendar requires very careful planning and consideration. Our Student Learning, Well-being, Student Life and Student Programs teams work together to ensure we can schedule time for these important pillar programs while also offering a rigorous academic program. Maintaining Adviser as a timetabled course means students have one fewer elective course; however we routinely hear from parents/guardians and students that access to the Adviser Program is worth it. Plus, we offer “out of timetable” courses where students gain access to elective courses connected to their Outdoor Education trips or the music, theatre or athletics programs during our community time block.
To support Teacher growth, Greenwood invests in Teacher Mentors, Instructional Coaches and a Centre for Teaching, Learning and Research. These personnel and programs work to customize the development of each Teacher and Leader in the school."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"Greenwood is a school for all students. We strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone belongs. At a co-ed / gender-inclusive school, students learn to confidently...(more)
"Greenwood is a school for all students. We strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone belongs. At a co-ed / gender-inclusive school, students learn to confidently collaborate with all students. Because of our personalized approach to learning, teachers provide both stretch opportunities and support to students in any given lesson.
People who value character development and real-world preparedness choose Greenwood.
There’s no one “fit” or type of student for Greenwood. We do find that students who are willing to tackle a challenge, prepared to be curious, and eager to get involved in school life within a vibrant school community tend to find their way at Greenwood. What that means and looks like is different for everyone."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"Greenwood is a school for all students. We strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone belongs. At a co-ed / gender-inclusive school, students learn to confidently...(more)
"Greenwood is a school for all students. We strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone belongs. At a co-ed / gender-inclusive school, students learn to confidently collaborate with all students. Because of our personalized approach to learning, teachers provide both stretch opportunities and support to students in any given lesson.
People who value character development and real-world preparedness choose Greenwood.
There’s no one “fit” or type of student for Greenwood. We do find that students who are willing to tackle a challenge, prepared to be curious, and eager to get involved in school life within a vibrant school community tend to find their way at Greenwood. What that means and looks like is different for everyone."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"At Greenwood, our aim is to teach students how to think, not what to think. We explore different ways of learning, are student-centred, and embrace experiences as rich learning...(more)
"At Greenwood, our aim is to teach students how to think, not what to think. We explore different ways of learning, are student-centred, and embrace experiences as rich learning opportunities. The student experience is a balance between rigorous academics and a supportive environment that guides them to build the skills they need to succeed now and in the future.
If your family is seeking a school where teachers primarily lecture and provide a textbook-based educational environment, or if you are not seeking a rich co-curricular experience, our school may not be right for you."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Greenwood's personalized academic program is a selling point for our families; this approach ensures that each student gets exactly the right level of challenge and support to...(more)
"Greenwood's personalized academic program is a selling point for our families; this approach ensures that each student gets exactly the right level of challenge and support to encourage academic growth. Families value that our focus goes beyond academics to encompass character and community spirit - we encourage students not only to strive for excellence, but to become the best versions of themselves. The fact that Greenwood welcomes all genders is also important for many families."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"Our school is known for its Outdoor Education program and its high-challenge, high-support approach to all aspects of school life. We are a tight-knit community that focuses on...(more)
"Our school is known for its Outdoor Education program and its high-challenge, high-support approach to all aspects of school life. We are a tight-knit community that focuses on developing humans. Our academic approach and Adviser Program have become more well-known in recent years. We are known to be innovative and nimble, a place where staff and students are encouraged to try new ways of teaching and learning.
For a small school, we have an incredible range of courses and co-curricular opportunities: From Advanced Placement courses to a suite of business courses to film, advertising, and food & culture. We run multiple drama productions each year and have roughly 50 athletics teams annually."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"Families tell us that they didn't fully appreciate the value of the Adviser program until after they enrolled; to quote a parent, it is a "game changer". Families also tell us...(more)
"Families tell us that they didn't fully appreciate the value of the Adviser program until after they enrolled; to quote a parent, it is a "game changer". Families also tell us that our staff's commitment to student success becomes truly apparent once their child starts at Greenwood. Our teachers care deeply about helping each student to do and to be their best, and are ready to support them along their learning journey."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"We want to encourage students to grow in all elements of their character, but that doesn't mean that we sacrifice academic challenge. Greenwood uses a "high challenge, high...(more)
"We want to encourage students to grow in all elements of their character, but that doesn't mean that we sacrifice academic challenge. Greenwood uses a "high challenge, high support" model - rather than reducing academic challenge, this high level of support creates the conditions students need to truly stretch themselves academically. Students who are both highly challenged and highly supported are motivated, confident, curious learners."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"In September 2024, our school became a no-phone zone during school hours. Students were offered technological support to help make this shift, and we have seen a marked...(more)
"In September 2024, our school became a no-phone zone during school hours. Students were offered technological support to help make this shift, and we have seen a marked improvement in the way our students engage in classes and with each other.
In 2024, we created two roles that champion pluralism, an important element of developing a diverse, inclusive and human-centred community: The Director of Inclusion, Belonging, Pluralism & Outreach and the Director of Academics & Pluralism."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"The construction of our new Greenspace is underway. This high-quality practice field and outdoor gathering area will give our school community much-needed space for athletics,...(more)
"The construction of our new Greenspace is underway. This high-quality practice field and outdoor gathering area will give our school community much-needed space for athletics, classes and more. With more than 55 athletics teams and the vast majority of our students (97.7% in Grades 7 and 8!) playing on at least one Greenwood team, the new turf practice field will be exceptionally well-used. And, all students will have access to the space and the surrounding benches and tree canopy at breaks and lunch."
Gr. 7 to Gr. 12 — I joined Greenwood in Grade 7 after switching from another Toronto independent school. A part of what made Greenwood appealing to me was how the programming embodied character and personal growth. Outdoor education really fostered us and showed us a different way to connect and to learn. The OE program allowed us to breathe, be people and learn about ourselves. Prospective students should expect to set a routine for themselves and stick to it, and find people to help them do that. No one is there telling you what to do or to get to class. You have to get yourself from point A to point B. It’s a big change, leaving Greenwood and going to post-secondary. However, it’s OK if it takes time to adjust. It’s OK to not love it in the first few weeks. Give it a chance and give it time.
I have three kids (1 girl, and 2 boys) who go to or went to Greenwood (our daughter graduated in 2020). All of my kids started at Greenwood in grade 7. My kids have different personalities and different academic interests and strengths and they have all had a very positive experience at Greenwood. I think the thing that stands out the most for our kids is the sense of community at Greenwood. The day starts off with heads of the student council and some staff greeting students at the door as they walk into school. The multi-grade House activities as well as other multi-grade programs (e.g. peer mentoring, sports, arts, committees) at the school give an opportunity for students to meet and work with a variety of students as well as teachers. Kids get to know a lot of different people in the school.
My student experience at Greenwood has been incredible. I really love this school and it feels like a second home to me. Every day is exciting, enjoyable and fulfilling. There are always fun things to do around the school whether it is playing basketball in open gym with your friends, or joining a club to do something that you enjoy. These activities make the school days something to always look forward to for many people. Before I arrived, I wish I knew to go outside of my comfort zone. At Greenwood, going out of your comfort zone is highly valued because it can give you unforgettable experiences. Whether you try to meet someone new, jump off of the diving board at Kilcoo, or tell a joke on the announcements, going out of your comfort zone is important to grow as a person. If I'm honest, I wouldn't change anything at Greenwood. Sure, there are a few imperfections like that there isn't a field to play sports with your friends, but this adds to the amazing essence of Greenwood. Who doesn't love bus rides to football games? Every day, I enter the school doors greeted by radiant smiles, which sets the tone for the rest of the day. I am really extremely grateful to be able to go to this school.