Meet Howlett Academy's admission team at the Private School Expo: Toronto (Oct 04). RSVP NOW
The big picture on Howlett Academy
We summarized the school ourselves
Founded in 2001 by the visionary Australian educator, Jan Howlett, Howlett Academy is an embodiment of educational excellence, situated in the heart of Toronto. Under the guidance of Jan's eldest son, Court Howlett-Ben, the school has grown, while maintaining a student-to-staff ratio of less than 7:1. Howlett Academy distinguishes itself with its carefully crafted curriculum that, in addition to fundamental skills, nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and organizational skills. Embracing change and the unique pace at which each student develops, the school provides multi-age, flexible learning groups and individualized programs. Parents and students appreciate the school's commitment to fostering a respectful, calm learning atmosphere, and a growing sense of independence in students. The Howlett Academy's mission is to ensure its graduates are well-prepared for the demands of secondary education and beyond, embodying the characteristics of confident, organized, lifelong learners engaged with their community.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Howlett Academy is a co-educational school for JK to Grade 8. Accountability, Integrity, Teamwork, Innovation, Creativity and Energy are our core values. Our curriculum is integrated, relevant, engaging and inspires intellectual curiosity. It comprises the sciences, mathematics, French, music, social sciences, humanities, arts, personal fitness and lifestyle choices. Upon graduation, our students move on to the schools of their choice with knowledge and skills that position them as confident learners."
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"We provide two full-time teachers per classroom to ensure individualized support and foster academic excellence across all subjects. We offer dynamic extracurriculars, including...(more)
"We provide two full-time teachers per classroom to ensure individualized support and foster academic excellence across all subjects. We offer dynamic extracurriculars, including extensive clubs and sports programs, along with community outreach opportunities to instill social responsibility and holistic development. The learning environment is respectful, calm and fosters a love for learning. Our commitment extends beyond education to shape confident, well-rounded individuals poised for success."
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 choose Howlett Academy for its engaging environment, dedicated teachers fostering a love of learning, and positive impact on students' lives. The supportive community,...(more)
"Families choose Howlett Academy for its engaging environment, dedicated teachers fostering a love of learning, and positive impact on students' lives. The supportive community, commitment to education, and transformative experiences set it apart, creating a well-rounded and exceptional educational choice."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"Often under-appreciated is our commitment to fostering independence and executive functioning skills. While families recognize our strong academic focus, they may not fully grasp...(more)
"Often under-appreciated is our commitment to fostering independence and executive functioning skills. While families recognize our strong academic focus, they may not fully grasp the profound impact these skills have on their child's long-term success. Howlett Academy uniquely equips students with crucial life skills, laying the foundation for resilience and adaptability in an ever-changing world."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Families are pleasantly surprised by our school's vibrant community spirit, where learning extends beyond textbooks. The personalized attention, innovative teaching methods, and...(more)
"Families are pleasantly surprised by our school's vibrant community spirit, where learning extends beyond textbooks. The personalized attention, innovative teaching methods, and emphasis on character development create an educational journey far richer and more transformative than anticipated."
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. 4 (current),Gr. 1 (current),Gr. 6 to Gr. 8 — Howlett is an amazing school, with a strong emphasis on academics. My three children attended, starting in grades 1, 4, and 6, and I only wish we had discovered it when they were in Junior Kindergarten. In an era where students so often don't receive enough attention at school, Howlett delivers a personalized, highly structured, very hands-on learning environment. Children are challenged, and they learn. The students get used to writing tests early on, and feedback is prompt and meaningful, helping them stay engaged and improve. It's a small school, but not too small, meaning that the kids develop strong connections with their peers and their teachers. My children all formed very close friendships at Howlett - and my daughter, the eldest and now in grade 10, remains close to those friends today.
Gr. 1 (current),Gr. 2 (current),Gr. 3 (current) — My three boys go to Howlett. Teaching is very personalized, with small classrooms, and the kids move at their own pace. They really enjoy it there. In addition, there is great camaraderie at the school, and all our boys have friends who will likely last a lifetime. While the school doesn't have a gym, they do use gyms that are nearby at UofT and churches. They participate a lot in sporting events such as soccer, badminton, etc. In grades 7 and 8, the kids start the year at Camp Muskoka, which is a great way for the kids to get to know each other. In grade 8 graduation, my boy will do a school trip to Montreal...he is quite excited about that. Excellent overall experience. I highly recommend this school.
Gr. 3 (current) — Our daughter has been at Howlett Academy since Grade 3 and is currently completing Grade 6.
Her experience has been truly exceptional across every aspect of her education. Academically, she has been challenged in all the right ways — developing strong study habits, learning how to prepare for formal exams, and building the critical thinking skills that will serve her well into high school and beyond.
Socially, she has formed close friendships and has benefited from being part of a warm, supportive school community where students genuinely care for one another.
The small class sizes have allowed her to receive personal attention from outstanding teachers who know her well and encourage her growth.
The broad range of extracurricular activities, from sports teams to clubs to leadership opportunities, has added richness and balance to her school life. She feels known, valued, challenged, and supported every single day.
Gr. 1 (current) — We have been extremely pleased with Howlett and would unreservedly recommend it to other parents. The level of instruction is very high. When our friends whose children go to other Toronto private schools catch a glimpse of our child's homework, they always comment on how the work our child is doing is more challenging than the work their children did when they were in her grade. We were initially concerned that the workload might be too heavy and the atmosphere might be too competitive. This, thankfully, has not been our experience. The classes are small (never more than 20 students) and have two teachers. The teachers are extremely supportive. The children are encouraged not to share and discuss their grades. We like the Howlett community. The parents are easy-going and low-key. Very few parents permit their children to be on social media, which helps other parents in holding that boundary with their kids.
We chose Howlett for 4 reasons. (1) My daughter (then 7) loved the feel of the classroom: students were generally very well-behaved, self-driven and hard-working, but the environment was also warm and supportive, not competitive. (2) We were blown away by the quality of work we saw coming from the upper year students (grades 6-8), particularly their writing; (3) relative affordability compared to other private schools; (4) central location close to a subway. There is no question that the workload is intense, there is a lot of homework, and a lot is expected of the students. This has been a struggle for us at times. But we are continuously impressed by the teachers, who are passionate, dedicated, energetic, and uniquely able to support each individual student's needs academically and socially. They really work with each student to conquer their personal challenges or anxieties and reach their personal best. My daughter loves her teachers and her peers, and has learned an astonishing amount in the year and a half she has been there -- even if she gripes about the homework!
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