REVIEW OF Sunnybrook School BY parent, Imaya Muruga Pradap

(5) Student Experience

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.

(4.5) School Leadership

One thing about SBS that impressed us right from the open house, was that all the teachers including the Principal knew each and every child's name from JK- Grade 6. We receive an email end of each week from both the class teacher and the Principal with a round-up of all the happenings in the classroom/ school that week. We have PT meetings 3 times in the academic year which gives us insight into our child's academic progress at school. Her teacher is prompt to reply to emails and we are encouraged to reach out to the teachers whenever we deem it necessary.

(4.5) Teaching

The teachers are enthusiastic and radiate positive energy which is literally infectious. Their enthusiasm for the subject directly translates to the child thereby making the lessons more interesting. They incorporate multiple teaching methods for every unit, for example, for the animal unit, in order to better understand animals' unique adaptations to their environment in addition to classroom learning the children went on a field trip to Toronto Zoo, and had to write down notes about the adaptations of some animals. Her teacher is very supportive of new ideas and provides the right resources to bring her ideas to life. During the Parent/Teacher meetings, I'm in awe of how thorough the teachers are of my child's strengths and weakness and their ability to personalize feedback and offer constructive criticism.

(4.5) Academics

SBS offers the IB PYP program along with Singapore mathematics, a comprehensive language program, daily French, Arts & Music and Phys Ed. The curriculum truly is about learning how to learn, and to enjoy the process. Singapore Math is the basis of the Math curriculum from JK to grade 6. The school embodies the inquiry-based attributes of the IB learner Programme, children are knowledgeable inquirers, principled, disciplined and open minded. We have seen our daughter's remarkable improvement in reading, writing and Mathematics. We don't have to force her to read or do Math, she has developed a sense of responsibility and duty to finish her homework. I am certain the school will prepare my daughter to go into any new learning environment, with confidence and will provide the right foundation needed for middle school.

(4) Extracurriculars

Clubs are a integral part of the school year. Our daughter has been signed up for floor hockey, robotics, arts and crafts, Lego and sewing. There are other clubs that are offered throughout the year. The school takes them on multiple school trips, she has been to Crawford Lake Conservation Area, Toronto Zoo, ROM, and Dagmark Ski Hill to mention a few. Field trips are not only fun but also encourage learning and team building. There are SSAF Track and Field Meets which are very competitive.

(4.5) Students

One of the things that we really liked about SBS, is that it is a small and intimate school and classroom sizes are small, which means my child will be getting more attention from her teachers. Children in JK/SK know the names of the older kids and vice versa. The older children are especially kind and watch out for the little ones. The JK/SK/grade 1 children have learning buddies from grades 2/3/4/5/6. I find this builds patience, kindness and empathy. The children are generally very principled, well-behaved and respectful of their peers and teachers. When there are disagreements in the classroom, the children are encouraged to raise the issue with the teacher present, right away and preferably not sit with the negative emotions for the rest of the day.

(4.5) School Life

We find Sunnybrook to be a safe space for our kids with a culture of inclusivity. Ever since we enrolled in Sunnybrook we had no problem in getting our child ready for school. The timetable is shared well in advance so we are well prepared for the day and know what to pack and what uniform to wear. The school's engaging lessons and extracurricular activities (with a good mix of art and sports) make the day exciting - there is always something to look forward to every week. There is enough time for recess in between classes for kids to have their meals and play. Both drop off and pick up are well organized, with clear instructions for parents driving or walking to pick up their kids. The facilities are clean and well-maintained, especially the bathrooms and kitchen. Before the school reopened the playgrounds were refurbished.

(4.5) Community

A standout aspect is how welcoming and collaborative the school is with parents. Before enrolling in the school our child was allowed to spend a day with her prospective classmates. This was an immersive and holistic experience and gave us parents and our child a clear idea of what we could expect in Sunnybrook. There is an active Parents association which is welcoming to parents to contribute and volunteer. This gives parents another opportunity to connect with the school in a meaningful way and strengthen the school-home partnership. Parents are also welcome to volunteer for field trips, school plays and special events further helping build a school-parent relationship. There is consistent communication about upcoming events and also invites for parent workshops on topics like supporting mental health or navigating technology with kids.

(3.5) School Location

The school is quite a distance from our home. However, that was our choice as this was the closest private IB school. Although the commute is a bit arduous with traffic, our child always looks forward to going to school. Students spend most days in school with the opportunity to go out on field trips or sports activities bi-weekly.

(5) Admissions

We did a lot of research on private schools prior to reaching out to Sunnybrook. The school has a structured admission process managed by the vice principal. The open house dates are available well in advance and parents are invited to tour the school. During the tour, we visited all classes irrespective of the class our child is going to and a few kids from each class greeted the parent and also quickly summarized what they had been learning - this was heartwarming and instantly made the school more likeable. This ends with a discussion with the school principal to better understand the school's values and goals for the year. Following the tour, our child is invited for a full day to spend in her future class. Only after this, the parents are asked for their decision on enrolling in the school.