The Giles School provides an enriched language immersion program from preschool through the middle grades. The French program starts in preschool, and a Mandarin program begins in grade 1 with a period a day spent in an immersive Mandarin environment. It's perhaps safe to say, in terms of language learning—both in terms of when immersion is introduced, as well as providing multilingual immersion—the program is the only one of its kind in Canada. Classes are small, and academics are rigorous, covering the entire core curriculum and then some. The ideal student is one who can benefit from enrichment and who will thrive within a play-based, curiosity-driven environment.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"The Giles School is a co-ed, French immersion independent school that also offers a fully-licensed daycare program. Children display superior academic performance across all subjects including English, Mandarin and Spanish. The Giles School is a deliberately small school, and offers an inclusive, innovative and outstanding educational program to prepare Pre-K to Grade 8 students to be “World Ready,” empowering them to be leaders, problem-solvers and innovators."
Open door admissions
Licenced French Immersion daycare beginning at age 2
Students accepted age 2 through Grade 5 with no previous French
Small class sizes (average 12:1)
Mandarin introduced in JK and slowly increased to four times a week by Grade 8
High International Standards
Before/after school childcare for a small fee
Emphasis on a nurturing family environment
Introduction to Spanish in Grade 3
Coding, chess, robotics, social emotional learning and leadership as part of curriculum
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"THE GILES SCHOOL
Founded in 1989, the Giles School has been expanding young minds through a multilingual and comprehensive environment. Our six pillar philosophy provides an...(more)
"THE GILES SCHOOL
Founded in 1989, the Giles School has been expanding young minds through a multilingual and comprehensive environment. Our six pillar philosophy provides an enriched curriculum, with small class sizes, for children Pre Kindergarten through Grade 8 (ages 2-13), with a focus on Language (English, French & Mandarin ), S.T.E.M. programs, arts, music, health/fitness, and co-curricular activities; and empowers individuality, internationality, as well as community leadership."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"The Giles School offers a structured, rigorous curriculum emphasizing languages. While our program is comprehensive and demanding, we are a first come, first served school;...(more)
"The Giles School offers a structured, rigorous curriculum emphasizing languages. While our program is comprehensive and demanding, we are a first come, first served school; therefore, we do not sort or deny candidates based on test results. We work with students in a personalized manner to ensure they have the foundational skills to achieve and then excel in our program. The Giles School offers an inclusive learning environment that meets students where they are to progress in our demanding curriculum."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"Students who are well-rounded academically, love to learn multiple languages and have a great interest in math and science."
"Students who are well-rounded academically, love to learn multiple languages and have a great interest in math and science."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"Parents who are looking for specific facilities, including a dance studio, pool on site, etc.....might find our school not appealing ."
"Parents who are looking for specific facilities, including a dance studio, pool on site, etc.....might find our school not appealing ."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Our commitment and dedication to each and every student, provides a foundation that is unlike most independent schools. We teach with joy, and classes are fun. Our vision is to...(more)
"Our commitment and dedication to each and every student, provides a foundation that is unlike most independent schools. We teach with joy, and classes are fun. Our vision is to have well rounded and international ready people of the future."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"We are known for our small classes, high academics, loving environment and excellent community."
"We are known for our small classes, high academics, loving environment and excellent community."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"The truly unique experience students receive"
"The truly unique experience students receive"
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"How much our staff and former Giles School alumni are a part of our ongoing community"
"How much our staff and former Giles School alumni are a part of our ongoing community"
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"We added more interesting extracurricular activities for the students, like Musical theatre, Fashion Design, and Art Clay......"
"We added more interesting extracurricular activities for the students, like Musical theatre, Fashion Design, and Art Clay......"
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"We are planning on having a technology lab on-site and a cafeteria in our basement."
"We are planning on having a technology lab on-site and a cafeteria in our basement."
My two kids, now grades 4 and 6, have attended Giles since PK2 and SK, respectively. It is a small school experience, with smaller classes and kids get lots of individual attention. All the students and teachers from across the school grades know each other, so there is a real sense of community. Of course, my son would say that what's missing is a big gym and more gym classes. However, I think what's most important is that the school has developed a very nurturing environment where kids feel safe, free to express themselves, allowing their confidence to flourish. Of course, there is homework and the kids are really challenged academically, but it's not a cookie-cutter approach, exactly the same with each kid. The school really does a wonderful job of recognizing the uniqueness of each kid.
My son's experience at the school has been nothing but positive. Due to the size of his classroom, the kids are able to foster close relationships in addition to learning to work with kids that may be very different from themselves. He truly appreciates the amount of one-on-one attention he gets from his teachers and the fact that he knows they care about how he does in his classes. Overall, my son feels as if he is a member of a community within his school and not just another student. He likes seeing different parents volunteering at the school, which adds to the sense of community. One of the greatest things about the Giles school is that, due to its size, all the staff and teachers know all the kids, even if they have never taught them. I'm sure that this makes my son feel safe and cared for.
My two children have attended from Kindergarten through to Grades 6 and Grade 8 (final grade offered at Giles). When I asked them what they thought about their experience at The Giles School, they said: "we love the atmosphere, we love that the teachers love and care about you, and that they make sure you are learning". The atmosphere is welcoming, loving, thoughtful, not judgemental, and no one is afraid to ask questions or engage with the teachers. When asking them about their earliest memories (from kindergarten), my one child said she remembered her first-day visit and, at the time, she thought it was the BEST DAY EVER, she said she didn't want it to end - and she said it has never really changed since she first walked in there.
As a new explorer to Canada, our child has gained her first school experience in the Giles School. While the two official languages in Canada are English and French, we'd like to take this opportunity to learn both, which is the first attraction at the Giles School. Without any foundation in French, though, the teaching team was welcoming. They explained us the details and our daughter in a pleasant way. Our child, immediately, wanted to attend this school. French is the teaching language for Grade one. Our child, certainly, could not understand the class. Yet, the class teacher has been giving assignments to her that match her level, so that she can build up her French language skills with confidence. Together with some students in the class who also speak the beginning level of French, the vice principal also arranges special classes to accommodate and support their learning. We find such concern for individual ability true respect for education. At this moment of Covid-19, our child always asks, "When can I go to school to see Madam C.?" She enjoys going to school, seeing the teachers the best.
I have three children attending The Giles School and I couldn’t be happier about our experience. The Giles School offers children a unique opportunity to challenge themselves in a loving and supportive environment. The teachers and administrators are exceptional. They are always available to the students and their parents. I am always amazed at the things my children are learning at school. The most unique aspect of their education is the opportunity to learn a third language (Mandarin). The children thrive in this environment. They are able to work their way through a challenging curriculum with confidence and positivity. I feel that, by sending my children to The Giles School, I am giving them every advantage. I know they will have the tools they need to succeed in the future.
Our children have learned the joys of trying something new without fear of failure. From the time they were in the Pre-K program, they would perform on stage with their classmates, learn a new language or skill. This is still prevalent in their personalities to this day.
Our children have also made lifelong friends at The Giles School. One of the key pillars of the school is Love, which is apparent through interactions with any faculty or staff member at the school and which is bestowed upon to the students as well. This creates a sense of community for the students of the school. It is not uncommon to see older and younger students interacting in a playful and positive manner (Pre-K up to Grade 8).
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