Meet Sunnybrook School's admission team at the Private School Expo: Toronto (Oct 04). RSVP NOW
The big picture on Sunnybrook School
We wrote a book reviewing the school
The 50-page review of Sunnybrook School is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.
"Sunnybrook is an IB co-ed school for students from JK to Grade 6. Positive, nurturing relationships at school give our students the confidence to challenge themselves; SBS teachers create a welcoming classroom experience in which all students can reach their potential. Academic learning at SBS is balanced, holistic and engaging; the PYP is enhanced with Singapore Math, Phys Ed, Music and Library, as well as French classes daily. Our strong arts program fosters creativity and self expression."
72 years
IB PYP World School
JK to Gr 6, coed
1:1 iPads, JK - Gr 6
Singapore Math
French daily from JK - Gr 6
Applications accepted JK - Gr 6
Before/After-school care
Nutritious, hot lunches included
Athletics/Extracurriculars
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Sunnybrook is a small school with a strong community that provides a challenging, high quality International Baccalaureate PYP curriculum. Sunnybrook was the first PYP accredited...(more)
"Sunnybrook is a small school with a strong community that provides a challenging, high quality International Baccalaureate PYP curriculum. Sunnybrook was the first PYP accredited school in English Canada, and our IB students have agency, are critical thinkers, and learn to take action in the world. Sunnybrook School is Coed, inclusive, and serves a diverse community. Our small size means we know each student well and can tailor our curriculum and school experience to their individual needs."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"At Sunnybrook an ideal learning environment is one in which students view their classrooms as positive and supportive. It is a space where they feel safe and secure. Sunnybrook...(more)
"At Sunnybrook an ideal learning environment is one in which students view their classrooms as positive and supportive. It is a space where they feel safe and secure. Sunnybrook provides a caring community where students feel comfortable; a place where healthy relationships with peers and teachers flourish, and students have a sense of belonging. As an intentionally small school we are able to offer this consistently to all our students. The trade off of the small and nurturing school we have created is that the physical space is smaller and we do not have the more extensive facilities that the larger schools can offer. Despite this our curriculum is academically robust and diverse. For parents, it is a decision about what you feel is key for your elementary child at this time, but we are big enough to provide an excellent IB education and small enough to get to know each family personally."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"Sunnybrook School was founded in 1952 by Mrs. Irmingard Hoff, as one of North Toronto’s first Preschools. During the first Merton St. years, the school grew to include grades...(more)
"Sunnybrook School was founded in 1952 by Mrs. Irmingard Hoff, as one of North Toronto’s first Preschools. During the first Merton St. years, the school grew to include grades one through four. In 1985 Mrs. Hoff’s daughter, Irene Davy, became the director/principal of the school. Preschool classes were phased out in the 1980ʼs to make way for grades 5 and 6. Three further renovations followed; Sunnybrook is a full elementary school offering JK to grade 6, with one class per grade.
In April 1999, Sunnybrook School was Canadaʼs first English speaking school to adopt the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. We have contributed to the IB community on many levels, taking pride in our active participation in the IB world.
In 2018, Irene Davy passed the role of Principal on to Teralee Brunn. Ms Brunn is only the third principal at Sunnybrook in the last 70 years. This consistency is what makes Sunnybrook the stellar community school with a very strong academic reputation."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"Students who are caring, curious, engaged and love learning will do well at SBS. Students who take initiative, enjoy trying new things and collaborating with others have the...(more)
"Students who are caring, curious, engaged and love learning will do well at SBS. Students who take initiative, enjoy trying new things and collaborating with others have the opportunity to do so. Taking agency for their learning and learning in various ways is a key element of what we offer. We foster this growth mindset in all our students and encourage students to take ownership of their learning and experiences in various ways within and outside of the classroom. Allowing for creative freedom and guided exploration to solidify conceptual understanding is paramount."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"Sunnybrook would not be a good fit for families expecting a more rigid, traditional or very teacher directed and repetitive type of instruction. Students who require a more...(more)
"Sunnybrook would not be a good fit for families expecting a more rigid, traditional or very teacher directed and repetitive type of instruction. Students who require a more structured and regimented style of learning will not find that type of environment at Sunnybrook. The IB PYP program requires curiosity, open-ended exploration, student-directed learning and is academically rigorous. The classroom environment is active and may not suit all types of learners."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"The number one reason parents choose Sunnybrook School is our caring, inclusive community. Our small size and devoted staff mean that students feel a strong sense of belonging....(more)
"The number one reason parents choose Sunnybrook School is our caring, inclusive community. Our small size and devoted staff mean that students feel a strong sense of belonging. Students love that everyone knows them in the school, and everyone cares about them and their education. Through our IB program, we nurture a love of learning and curiosity about the world. The combination of strong community, high academic and personally differentiated learning makes Sunnybrook a truly special school."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"The most prominent feature of our school would be how Sunnybrook prepares its students to be successful individuals in Middle School as we offer the IB program. The “word on the...(more)
"The most prominent feature of our school would be how Sunnybrook prepares its students to be successful individuals in Middle School as we offer the IB program. The “word on the street” is that Sunnybrook has kind, thoughtful students who are confident and ready for their next chapter in Grade 7. When Sunnybrook takes our students on field trips in the community, we always receive feedback from the organizations on how well behaved our students are and how they ask such in- depth questions to further their understanding."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"The heart of Sunnybrook School and its outstanding success is our dedicated staff. Because of our low staff turnover, our teachers are known and loved by our students and...(more)
"The heart of Sunnybrook School and its outstanding success is our dedicated staff. Because of our low staff turnover, our teachers are known and loved by our students and parents, and often students look forward to each grade level knowing the teacher they will have in upcoming years. In the words of a parent, “You see the individual child and their unique strengths. You nurture that like a flame. I have seen both boys grow in confidence since being at SBS. It has been truly transformational.”"
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Our approach to learning constantly engages our students. In their own words, “The learning is fun, challenging, you learn so much, not just lectures, there’s varied learning,...(more)
"Our approach to learning constantly engages our students. In their own words, “The learning is fun, challenging, you learn so much, not just lectures, there’s varied learning, it’s collaborative, and you learn from other students, not just teachers.” From junior kindergarten to their graduating year when their learning is showcased in the grade six PYP Exhibition, our students have had the advantage of a rich, engaging curriculum delivered by teachers who know and care about their progress."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"We feel that the continuation of offering the IB PYP curriculum to our students is the backbone of Sunnybrook. The PYP enhancements within the IB program is what we are...(more)
"We feel that the continuation of offering the IB PYP curriculum to our students is the backbone of Sunnybrook. The PYP enhancements within the IB program is what we are concentrating on implementing into our curriculum. The IB enhancements are embedded into the existing program focusing more on student agency and assessing the process of learning. Agency allows our students to have a voice, ownership of their own learning, and the opportunity to take action as a result of that learning. Our job is to facilitate opportunities in their learning to enable more active participation. Assessment in the PYP ensures different learning styles are recognised and rewarded. Assessment is a valuable source of information for teachers to observe and understand each student individually, so they can personalize their approach to cater to unique learning needs."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"The world is changing and so must the skills students learn in order to succeed. We set our students up for success and they are ready and prepared to graduate in grade six and...(more)
"The world is changing and so must the skills students learn in order to succeed. We set our students up for success and they are ready and prepared to graduate in grade six and move onto their next school. Schools need to adapt to the changing world and over the next 5 years Sunnybrook will be focusing on the wellness of the students who are living in a diverse world. It is important that students not only are able to think outside the box, but they need to be socially responsible and have global awareness and responsibility for the world around them."
SK to Gr. 6 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Naomi Silver to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Sunnybrook School.
SK to Gr. 6 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Kevin and Vivianne Gauci to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Sunnybrook School.
Gr. 6 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Bethlehem Shiferaw to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Sunnybrook School.
Watch our Sunnybrook School Q&A discussion with Saba Hameed (Parent) ,Chris Teshima (Parent) ,Shipra Vyas (Parent) ,Andrew Chien (Parent) to gain fresh insight into the school’s culture, values, and strengths.
Gr. 1 to Gr. 3 (current), Gr. 1 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Nina and Mark Angelo to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Sunnybrook School.
JK (current),Gr. 2 (current) — Our children have had a wonderful experience at the school. What truly stands out to us is the exceptional quality and dedication of the teachers. They are not only skilled educators but also incredibly caring individuals who take the time to understand each child’s unique needs. Our kids consistently say that their favorite part of school is the teachers, which speaks volumes. The individual attention they receive has made a big difference, and the patience the teachers show, even in challenging moments, is remarkable. We’re especially grateful for how observant they are—they often notice things about our children’s behavior or learning that we, as parents, may have missed. This level of attentiveness shows a genuine commitment to each child’s development. The teachers also create a warm, inclusive, and stimulating environment that fosters curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. It’s clear that our children feel safe, supported, and inspired every day.
Gr. 2 (current) — Our daughter most appreciates the positive relationship she shares with her teachers. She is comfortable asking questions, feels respected and seen, she knows that her opinions matter and are validated. The teachers provide an encouraging and supportive learning environment. The growth that we have seen in her academically, emotionally and socially over the course of one and a half years has been incredible. The school has helped spark her curiosity to learn and research new topics and has made her a voracious reader. She also loves that she gets to learn about different cultures and that the school celebrates all the important cultural events.
The school follows the IB syllabus and true to the IB learner profile, which emphasizes critical thinking, academic rigour, empathy, optimism and intercultural understanding.
Gr. 1 (current) — After touring more than 30 schools in the area, I found that SBS was the perfect fit for my son. He has a deep passion for the arts and singing, along with a natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. SBS specializes in the IB primary years (PYP) and excels at bringing out the best in each student. From day one, they made his transition into school life seamless, and now he eagerly heads to school each day with confidence and excitement.
SBS encourages all kids to learn at their own pace, with a focus on making learning enjoyable and fun. Every child is supported to thrive academically and personally in a nurturing, well-rounded environment.
I recommend SBS to any parent considering an IB primary school. It truly stands out as the best in town.
Our daughter started at Sunnybrook for SK. She immediately felt welcomed into the entire school community. At Sunnybrook, every staff member greets each child and knows them by name. She loves how her specialist teachers take an interest in her. The SK teachers are incredibly warm and sensitive to each child's needs. They really get to know each child. While it may seem trivial, my daughter also loves the food at SBS and as a parent, I love that she is getting home-cooked, healthy, hot meals every day. My daughter loves the small classes and the individual attention she gets from both her SK teachers and the French, Music, library, and Gym teachers. She also adores the field trips and projects that are assigned - they are engaging and make learning fun.
My child recently switched from a Montessori environment to Sunnybrook School this year. Although it has only been a month, he is excited to go to school everyday. He loves his teachers, the team events, the extracurricular activities, and constantly chats at home about what he learned. He is motivated by his peers, and is learning to become more independent with respect to managing his homework, and balancing his schedule.
The uniform requirement is also a welcome addition. It has taught my son to be responsible in ensuring he has the correct uniform for the specific week day and event. The use of an agenda book has also taught him to ensure that he keeps track of his work, upcoming events, and overall organization and tasks.
The size of this school is in a way that is not intimidating for younger students, but at the same time encourages interaction with older student to help them grow. With one JK and one SK classroom close to one another, younger students know each other and start developing friendships. The setup of each classroom is very inviting and equipped with interactive technology an the necessary tools for learning. Our daughter enjoys the time she spend with her learning buddy from Grade 5. It is all like a big happy family.
As principal, Brunn enjoys being immersed in everything at Sunnybrook. “My favourite part of the day is walking around the school and going into each of the classrooms and visiting them, seeing what the kids are learning, seeing just kind of what’s the pulse of the school.”
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