Lee Academy offers bus transferring.
Service options offered are regular rider, occasional rider.
The regions Lee Academy offers busing from are:
Hamilton
Additional notes: Currently, busing is available to our Lynden Campus only. We have two buses that go into Ancaster and Dundas/Greensville. Our Sheffield Campus does not offer busing at this time.
Lee Academy has been committed to offering the finest elementary school experience in Ontario since its founding in 1996. This commitment is reflected in the school’s high academic standards, supportive environment, personalized education, and small class sizes. Attracting students from a broad range of communities, Lee Academy operates two campuses, both utilizing the outdoors as an integral part of education. The Lynden campus, placed amid 180 acres of farmland, trails, lake, and forest, provides a vibrant learning environment from JK to Grade 8. The Sheffield campus currently accepts students up to Grade 2 and is expanding each year, with the goal of becoming a full JK-8 school. In addition to core subjects and specialties like French, drama, physical education, and environmental studies, the school regularly organizes off-site field trips, including overnight trips for senior grades, and emphasizes a focus on creative and engaging learning experiences. Parents are drawn to Lee Academy for its combination of academic excellence, individual attention, immersive learning experiences, and its dedicated, qualified teaching staff.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"At Lee Academy, each child is given an academically challenging education based on reading, writing and arithmetic. Recognizing that ability varies from child to child, we teach these fundamental skills as early as possible, starting in Kindergarten. Each student’s programme includes education in music, art, and specialty subjects such as French, physical education, science, computers, and environmental studies for an engaging, well-rounded curriculum."
We believe in the central importance of excellent schools in our society.
We believe in your child receiving the finest possible education in a safe, stimulating environment.
We believe in the individuality and equality of all our students.
We believe in professionalism, dedication and human warmth and responsiveness in our teachers.
We believe in parental input and involvement as key to a child’s education.
We believe in the interaction of our students with the surrounding society.
We believe in the importance of the academic and professional development in our school.
We believe in the highest standards of academic excellence and challenging programmes for your child
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Lee Academy was founded on the belief that there is a need in our society for a school which has high expectations of the students, both academically and socially, to foster in...(more)
"Lee Academy was founded on the belief that there is a need in our society for a school which has high expectations of the students, both academically and socially, to foster in the children confidence and high self-esteem. The education of our children must prepare each of them to develop into an intelligent, prosperous and productive member of society. We focus on the individual needs of our students, while also building community among our students, teachers and families."
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?
"Lee Academy was founded on the belief that there is a need in our society for a school which has high expectations of the students, both academically and socially, to foster in...(more)
"Lee Academy was founded on the belief that there is a need in our society for a school which has high expectations of the students, both academically and socially, to foster in the children confidence and high self-esteem. The education of our children must prepare each of them to develop into an intelligent, prosperous and productive member of society.
Four kindergarten students were the only registrants that first September in 1996. Many people believed that with so few students and a leased facility that Lee Academy was not going to last.
The school was not built based on numbers and leases, however. It was built on a profound belief by its founders, Steven and Alison Will, that Lee Academy was the right thing to do. To build the finest academic elementary school in Ontario was, and remains, their goal. Each year the school has grown in its enrolment, in its programmes, in its staff and in its facilities."
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?
"Lee Academy supports our students, their families and our teaching staff so that all of us can contribute positively to a global community. We believe in the importance of...(more)
"Lee Academy supports our students, their families and our teaching staff so that all of us can contribute positively to a global community. We believe in the importance of academic excellence, experiential learning, volunteerism and the development of lifelong learners. We remain committed to our small class sizes of 16 because we fundamentally understand the importance of individual attention, fostering a love of learning and raising our students to be productive members of our society."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"Our teachers are among the finest in Ontario. They go through a rigorous application process to ensure we are hiring intelligent, engaging, creative and committed teachers. We...(more)
"Our teachers are among the finest in Ontario. They go through a rigorous application process to ensure we are hiring intelligent, engaging, creative and committed teachers. We know that having a strong school begins and ends with our educators. They must be committed professionals who are "teachers of children, rather than teachers of subjects". Our teachers are dedicated individuals who value education and put our students first."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"At Lee Academy, our students have countless opportunities to learn in ways that foster engagement, creativity and excitement about learning. Through presentations, projects,...(more)
"At Lee Academy, our students have countless opportunities to learn in ways that foster engagement, creativity and excitement about learning. Through presentations, projects, science fairs, creative writing contests and more, our students are inspired learners. We participate in an off-site field trip experience at least once per month, including overnight trips in Grade 6, 7 & 8. Our students are exceptionally well prepared for high school and post-secondary school."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"Lee Academy is a school that has never been like any other school. Our students receive a personalized education from teachers who are among the finest in Ontario. Our students...(more)
"Lee Academy is a school that has never been like any other school. Our students receive a personalized education from teachers who are among the finest in Ontario. Our students and staff define us. Our families support us. We look forward to offering the best programmes to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In late fall of 2022, Lee Academy purchased the former public school on Seaton Road, on the edge of Hamilton/Cambridge, in the village of Sheffield. In our newly renovated primary wing, we began offering Kindergarten and Grade One in the fall of 2023. Both campuses embrace all the foundations that make Lee Academy exceptional."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"Our new campus, located in the village of Sheffield, opened in September 2023, with Kindergarten and Grade One in our newly renovated primary wing. We will continue to add one...(more)
"Our new campus, located in the village of Sheffield, opened in September 2023, with Kindergarten and Grade One in our newly renovated primary wing. We will continue to add one grade each year until we reach Grade 8, becoming a full JK-8 elementary school."
JK to Gr. 8 — I attended Lee Academy from four to fourteen years of age, and I have so many fond memories from my time there. My parents took me to visit it the year before Junior Kindergarten, and I was so excited to attend Lee Academy that every morning after I would ask “Is today the day I get to start school?”. What truly makes Lee special is the people, from students to staff and teachers. You never have to worry if you are struggling with schoolwork because someone will help you. You never have to stay sad, because someone will comfort you. When I broke my wrist on the playground in kindergarten, three students were immediately there to help me up and find assistance, and in my ten years at Lee Academy the small class sizes have made me and my classmates feel more like brothers and sisters than schoolmates. When arriving at Lee Academy for the first time, you can expect to be welcomed by the entire student body first thing in the morning, connect with teachers as they get to know you and guide you through your day, and talk eagerly with just about every student in your grade. Everyone looks forward to meeting new students and makes a point of speaking with you when you begin school. It doesn’t take long to settle into the new school dynamics, either. Students frequently begin at Lee in grade seven or eight, and by graduation, they have powerful bonds and friendships built. It’s all part of the school’s welcoming and inclusive
atmosphere. Going forward in my life, I feel confident tackling challenges and making decisions, as Lee Academy teaches you in all aspects of life. Learning common computer skills, building healthy habits, fostering healthy relationships with others, finding conflict resolution solutions, building resilience and perseverance, and encouraging kindness are just some of the skills in Lee Academy’s non-academic curriculum. As amazing as Lee’s English curriculum is, I do not have the words to express how incredible and inspiring the people that make up the school are and my love for the school.
JK (current),Gr. 5 (current) — If you are looking for an environment with high standards and staff who go above and beyond, you've arrived.
As an Elementary teacher in a public school board, I knew I wanted something different for my own children. I toured and observed eight different private schools before selecting Lee Academy. It was an instant feeling of being in the right place, the first time we visited. The first thing I noticed was genuine smiles in the building, from staff and students. This is generally lacking in most schools.
Both IQ and EQ are valued here and the concept of modelling consistent excellence is clearly a core value for all staff. The days are highly structured with reliable routines and the students take great comfort in that predictability. The lessons are highly engaging and assignments go beyond regurgitation and memorization... probing deeper thinking. You instantly get the sense that students here are learning HOW to learn, not WHAT to learn. As well, how to effectively function as a member of a working team.
Our youngest was fortunate to begin her education in JK at Lee and we sent her off happily with zero reservations on her first day. The small class size and school population mean that everyone is known well and highly valued as a member of the community. The curated individualized programming and highly qualified staff in JK had her reading confidently in no time. We were impressed by the daily communication and care down to the smallest details... the staff are invested and CARE.
Our eldest daughter was on the waitlist for many years waiting for her turn to join the dynamic learning that is happening in the upper grades here. There is not shortage of extracurricular activities to choose from every day. Her buy in was instantaneous. One aspect I highly appreciate is the "study hall" and "peer tutoring" which are offered to support student learning outside of instructional time at no additional cost. The rigorous expectations mean that she is constantly reevaluating her own capabilities and surprising herself positively. To say that her confidence has grown academically would be an understatement. She feels empowered as a valuable contributor to the school.
We are overjoyed to have both of our girls currently attending and thriving. The recent report card was a testament to how well the staff know their students and see their potential. When conflict or unacceptable student behaviour does arise, I have witnessed staff consistently handle these situations calmly, supportively, fairly and follow up with clear and consistent expectations.
I love volunteering in the school frequently and witnessing first-hand the calm environment in which my children are so very fortunate to be spending the bulk of their childhood. We emphatically recommend Lee Academy.
JK (current) — My son looks forward to going to school each morning and gets antsy every long weekend because he is eager to go back to school and share his adventures with his friends and teachers.
He particularly enjoys the very personal attention he gets from all the staff at the school, from his class teacher, the principal, teachers from other classes, and all the support staff at the school.
He interacts and has made friends with, students in his class and other classes, which has significantly improved his social and academic skills.
He is a very big fan of the learn-through-experience projects at school and is very proud to share all the things that they've learned from the various school trips and immersive experiences. He appreciates the responsibility instilled in the children through the various jobs they take on at school, and can't wait to be a role model for the next generation of JKs.
JK (current) — Our son just loves his school! All of his teachers are just wonderful and beyond kind. Each and every morning the classroom is set up with soothing music to transition the kids into a calm learning environment. They have a "star" day in which each student gets to be the big helper for the day. Along with that, they also hold a sharing day each week where the students are able to bring in a themed item (for example "something that starts with an R", or "something soft and cozy") and share why they love it or what makes it so special. They all sit in a circle and listen to what the other student has to say and talk about it after.
Additionally, they read, learn and play outside as much as they can! Especially when the weather is beautiful. My son personally loves this part-- reading under the shade of a maple tree on the most beautiful day and listening to the wildlife all at the same time!
Our son also loves the smaller class numbers. He is a child that thrives on smaller more intimate relationships/spaces. He absolutely loves his friends and laughing/playing with them. The class is a true "family" dynamic and a loving, nurturing, and inclusive environment.
JK (current) — My son started at Lee Academy in JK and is now halfway through GR. 1. From his very first day of school up until now, he is always excited to go to school and never asks to stay home. That to me has always shown that Lee Academy provides a welcoming, fun, comfortable and supportive atmosphere! My son really enjoys the teamwork at Lee Academy. Whether it's an older kid helping him with his reading and math homework or being put on a team with other grades for the winter Olympics or track and field day, he loves the constant support and teamwork from the other students and not just his class mates. My son has also loved all of the different teachers he's had so far and I think that's what helps him to feel safe going to school every day and supported and excited to learn! The teachers share in his excitement with him.