Meet The Dunblaine School's admission team at the Private School Expo: Toronto (Oct 04). RSVP NOW
The big picture on The Dunblaine School
We summarized the school ourselves
Dunblaine was founded in 1969 by concerned parents of children with needs that weren’t being met within the public school system. They wanted a safe environment, run by staff that understood, clearly, the needs of the students; one that offered an opportunity for them to grow academic skills, life skills, confidence, respect, and self-advocacy. And, for almost 50 years, that’s exactly what they’ve been doing. The current location is also the one that best represents what Dunblaine is all about: it’s a house in a quiet residential neighbourhood. The faculty maintain close communication with parents on all aspects of the students’ experience within the school. The staff represents the full range of all the right expertise, instructional and therapeutic. Frankly, this is what it’s all about. It’s a great school as well as a great example of what education should be about. If you have a chance to speak with a parent of a student of the school, by all means, do it. If you don’t, ask the staff to put you in touch. It will be the best introduction to the school, and its successes, you could hope to have.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"The Dunblaine School has a proud history of supporting students with learning disabilities. Our commitment to providing a nurturing environment is reflected in our newly renovated building, which features state of the art design to support student learning. Our school community works together to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Through our collective efforts, we work to empower our students to reach their full potential and become confident, capable learners."
New Leadership
New School Design
New Vision
Partnership with Apple to support technology in our classrooms
AimswebPlus - Scheduled Benchmark Assessment and Progress Monitoring
Spelling Links to Reading and Writing Intervention Program
Special Needs
Students with learning Disabilities
K-8
Midtown Toronto
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"What sets Dunblaine School apart is our commitment to personalized student growth, innovative education, and transparent communication with parents. We utilize AimswebPlus...(more)
"What sets Dunblaine School apart is our commitment to personalized student growth, innovative education, and transparent communication with parents. We utilize AimswebPlus Benchmark Assessments and Progress Monitoring in Math and Language Arts, ensuring that each student’s progress is accurately tracked and supported. This data-driven approach allows us to tailor our teaching strategies to meet individual needs, fostering both academic success and confidence.
In addition to our comprehensive assessment tools, we provide scheduled IEP tracking updates, keeping parents well-informed about their child’s progress towards individualized goals. This proactive communication empowers parents to stay actively involved in their child’s educational journey. To further enhance our connection with families, we also offer regular Friday updates, ensuring consistent and open dialogue. At Dunblaine School, we believe that collaboration and communication are key to unlocking each student’s potential."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"At Dunblaine School, our commitment to personalized learning and student growth guides every decision we make, and we recognize that this comes with certain tradeoffs. We...(more)
"At Dunblaine School, our commitment to personalized learning and student growth guides every decision we make, and we recognize that this comes with certain tradeoffs. We prioritize individualized education plans, supported by AimswebPlus Benchmark Assessments and Progress Monitoring, which allow us to tailor instruction to each student's unique needs. In doing so, we consciously choose to deprioritize a one-size-fits-all standardized curriculum. This tradeoff allows us to foster a learning environment where students progress at their own pace but may limit exposure to uniform content found in more traditional educational settings. Similarly, we emphasize a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, recognizing that for some students, emotional and social development must come before rigorous academic pressures. By being transparent about our priorities, build trust with our families, helping them understand our educational philosophy and the intentional choices that shape our students."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"With over 60 years of dedicated service to exceptional education, Dunblaine School has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of our students while staying true to our...(more)
"With over 60 years of dedicated service to exceptional education, Dunblaine School has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of our students while staying true to our core values of individualized learning, inclusion, and community. Founded with a vision to provide a nurturing environment for students with unique learning needs, Dunblaine has always prioritized personalized education and emotional well-being. One of the major turning points in our history was the strategic shift towards leveraging technology in education, marked by our collaboration with Apple Headquarters. This partnership allowed us to introduce advanced tools and resources, such as our innovative Maker Space, empowering students to explore science, technology, and creativity in new ways. This milestone not only enhanced our curriculum but also solidified our identity as a forward-thinking institution committed to 21st-century learning."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"Current families likely see Dunblaine School as their preferred choice because of the school's commitment to supporting exceptional students through individualized learning...(more)
"Current families likely see Dunblaine School as their preferred choice because of the school's commitment to supporting exceptional students through individualized learning approaches, including the use of AimswebPlus for progress monitoring in Math and Language Arts. The emphasis on fostering an innovative and interactive environment, as well as our dedication to professional learning and maintaining a growth mindset, contributes to a positive educational experience. Families may choose Dunblaine over other schools because of this combination of personalized support, innovative learning tools, and a leader who truly understands and advocates for exceptional students."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"While Dunblaine School has many strengths that resonate with a broad range of families, there are specific reasons why it may not be the best fit for everyone. Some families may...(more)
"While Dunblaine School has many strengths that resonate with a broad range of families, there are specific reasons why it may not be the best fit for everyone. Some families may prioritize academic rigor and pace or a highly competitive academic environment with accelerated coursework and a heavy emphasis on advanced placement or gifted programs. Dunblaine focuses on individualized support and steady progress, particularly for exceptional students who may need a different pace or approach to learning. Families seeking a more rigorous, fast-paced curriculum may feel our balanced, supportive model doesn't align with their academic ambitions."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Current families likely see Dunblaine School as their preferred choice because of its commitment to individualized support for exceptional students. They appreciate the use of...(more)
"Current families likely see Dunblaine School as their preferred choice because of its commitment to individualized support for exceptional students. They appreciate the use of AimswebPlus for progress monitoring in Math and Language Arts, which demonstrates a structured yet personalized approach to academic growth. This is particularly appealing to parents who want to see measurable progress tailored to their child's needs. Families specifically choose Dunblaine over other schools because of this blend of individualized academic support, empathetic leadership, innovative educational opportunities, and inclusivity. Competing schools may offer robust academics or extracurriculars, but Dunblaine’s unique approach to supporting exceptional students, coupled with your relatable and experienced leadership, makes it the preferred choice for families seeking a nurturing and personalized educational experience."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"The most prominent feature of Dunblaine School in the public eye is its commitment to "Unleash Possibilities" for exceptional students. This motto resonates with the community...(more)
"The most prominent feature of Dunblaine School in the public eye is its commitment to "Unleash Possibilities" for exceptional students. This motto resonates with the community because it encapsulates the school's focus on nurturing potential and breaking down barriers to achievement. When people think about Dunblaine, they envision a place where each child's unique abilities are recognized and developed through personalized learning and innovative teaching methods. The use of AimswebPlus for progress monitoring in Math and Language Arts reinforces the school's dedication to individualized growth, ensuring that students are supported at their own pace."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"An underappreciated aspect of Dunblaine School is the powerful impact of its growth mindset philosophy on student development. While families may recognize the supportive and...(more)
"An underappreciated aspect of Dunblaine School is the powerful impact of its growth mindset philosophy on student development. While families may recognize the supportive and nurturing environment, they might not fully grasp how deeply this philosophy shapes not only academic achievement but also students' resilience, confidence, and overall mindset toward learning and challenges.
Our commitment to fostering a growth mindset goes beyond typical educational approaches, encouraging students to see setbacks as opportunities for growth and to embrace challenges with perseverance. This mindset cultivates a resilient, adaptive, and empowered learner, prepared not only for academic success but for life beyond the classroom."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Families might find it surprising just how deeply personalized and adaptive the learning experience is at Dunblaine School. While they may initially expect individualized...(more)
"Families might find it surprising just how deeply personalized and adaptive the learning experience is at Dunblaine School. While they may initially expect individualized attention due to smaller class sizes, they often don’t realize the extent to which the curriculum and teaching methods are tailored to each student's unique needs, strengths, and challenges. The use of AimswebPlus for progress monitoring is more than just a tool for academic tracking—it's part of a dynamic system that continuously adjusts instructional strategies to maximize student growth. Parents are often surprised by how fluid and responsive this process is, ensuring that no child is left behind or held back by a one-size-fits-all curriculum."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"Dunblaine School has recently upgraded its interior to create an even more engaging and supportive learning environment that aligns with our commitment to personalized education...(more)
"Dunblaine School has recently upgraded its interior to create an even more engaging and supportive learning environment that aligns with our commitment to personalized education and student well-being. Dunblaine School has made several strategic improvements recently, directly reflecting our commitment to enhancing student achievement and fostering an innovative learning environment. The implementation of AimswebPlus for Math and Language Arts as well as IEP Tracking to support student achievement through personalized programming assists in strategic planning. These tools allows for precise tracking of student progress and helps tailor instructional strategies to each child’s needs. By using data-driven insights, we can ensure that every student is supported at their unique level, reinforcing our commitment to individualized education. This change reflects our dedication to continuous improvement and academic growth for all students."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"Over the next five years, Dunblaine School is poised to grow and evolve in ways that will further enhance our commitment to personalized, innovative education while continuing to...(more)
"Over the next five years, Dunblaine School is poised to grow and evolve in ways that will further enhance our commitment to personalized, innovative education while continuing to support the unique needs of exceptional students. Our vision for the future includes the following strategic developments with a planned expansion for a High School Program.
With this pending addition of a high school program, we plan to expand course offerings, options, and specialized options that align with students’ strengths and interests. We will integrate experiential learning opportunities, leveraging our partnership with Apple Headquarters and the Maker Space to provide hands-on, technology-driven education. This expansion ensures that our students are well-prepared for post-secondary education and future careers while continuing to learn in an environment tailored to their needs."
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