REVIEW OF Lycée Français de Toronto BY student, Francisca Morales

(5) Student Experience

When I first arrived at this school, I was really scared because I thought I was going to be criticized because of my nationality. Thankfully, LFT is an inclusive school that ensures its students feel seen. I want to thank CPE Melyssa Rose for helping me improve and for always being there for me in a professional manner. I love this school because the education is excellent and the staff is amazing. The only thing I wish we could change about the school is being able to use our phones in the foyer. But I must admit that this new rule of not using our phones has made me a more productive and less phone-dependent person. One thing I wish I'd known about the school when I arrived is that there were no uniforms. I was so worried about wearing a uniform because I didn't know how much it would cost. Thankfully, the only uniform required is the sports uniform. I think Lycée Français is the best French school in Toronto, and I'm so grateful to be here.

(5) School Leadership

The school leaders are truly amazing; they're so involved with the students. For example, Mme Martin, our Head of School, is a powerful woman who teaches us to respect ourselves and others. The teachers are really good, and I feel like the staff is very helpful as well. There's nothing I wish they had done because I think the work is good, and I'm grateful that they're here. It's incredible how the school leaders adapt to each student so they can learn and feel at home.

(4.5) Teaching

I think the teachers ask enough of us. It is true that sometimes the workload can be extensive; if we tell them this, they will adapt it so we have more time and less stress. Teachers are very clear about what they expect from us, and they do not expect too much. I believe teachers envision our success in a way that better suits us. They are really nice about it, and they genuinely want what is best for us. Teachers always ask us what we like, and based on that, they give us suggestions. For example, I wanted to study biology, but I'm bad at math. Sadly, biology and math are related, so the school talked to me, and we talked about what I like and what suits me better.

(4.5) Academics

When I first arrived, the work was really hard because I was in a Spanish environment. Over time, it improved; I wouldn't say it got easier, but it got better. The school was there to help me achieve my goals. It will be useful later in my life because this school teaches you to be independent. In Canadian schools, it's recommended to take pre-university courses before college, but at LFT, this is not necessary. By the end of 12th grade, we are prepared for college, and I really appreciate that. The academics at this school are serious and engaged with each student. As you get older, the school offers extra courses based on your interests. For example, I'm interested in law, and when I get to 12th grade, I will be taking the law courses.

(5) Extracurriculars

The Lycée Français de Toronto offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. I am in arts, and I absolutely love it. It's a fun way to engage with the arts and take a break from work and stress. The teacher is nice, and we work on enjoyable projects that teach us valuable lessons. We just completed a project about space and its significance to us, and it was really good.

(5) Students

The school is small, but this isn't a bad thing. Because it is a small school, we all know each other and we are all friends. It definitely feels more like a town than a city. Honestly, every student does well, but obviously, being fluent in French is a plus. When the school notices that the class is struggling, they create workshops to teach us and help us with what we need. Everyone feels included; when you enter the school, you notice that there are no students alone. The school is also very involved in preventing bullying and ensuring it doesn't happen. LFT is a bullying-free school. If a student is excluded, the staff will notice and intervene.

(5) School Life

If I were to give a tour of the school to a group of visitors, I would take them to the foyer. The foyer is a space for the high school students to relax, and there are a lot of couches. Secondly, I would take them outside to the area for the children's recess. It's a really nice place for kids to have fun during breaks. They can play soccer or basketball, run around, or just relax in the sun. It's a really safe space because the staff is always there for us. They've just added a section for the little kids to play, which includes a slide and more fun games for them. It's reserved for the small kids so they can safely enjoy themselves.

(5) Community

I feel like it's strange to say that my school feels like home to me. I am really comfortable here because of the positive environment. Everyone definitely feels included and appreciated. As I mentioned before, our school really focuses on the well-being of every student. It's easier because it's a small school, so everyone can feel seen. We all know each other's names, which is really important to me; I appreciate it. For every holiday, the school is very engaged. The principal religions, such as Muslim, Jewish, and Christian, are the most prominent. Our school teaches us to respect everyone without judging their religions. This is crucial because being respected makes you feel comfortable.

(5) School Location

Only high schoolers can go off campus, and depending on the weather, we normally go out. A lot of students go to Tim Hortons to get lunch. There is also a nice park next to the school where we can go when there's enough sun outside. There are a lot of stores nearby, and they're nice and not expensive at all.

(5) Admissions

I wasn’t really part of the admission process. My dad handled everything, but he was not stressed during this time, and the school was very understanding of his lack of vocabulary. If someone is planning to apply for admission, I just recommend having a good level of English or French. If you have that, then the process should be easy. I wouldn’t say the process is fun, but it is not stressful. Something I didn’t know is that the school offers tours during school hours, and the students present the school to you.