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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
The Linden School


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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
The Linden School
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

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at the Expo

Toronto (Oct 04)

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School overview

Pages in this report:

  • Grades
    JK — Gr. 12
  • Gender
    All girls
  • Class Size
    10 — 15 students
  • Tuition
    $28,965 to 36,271/year
  • Language of instruction
    English
  • Associations
    AP
  • Enrolment
    100 day students
  • Curriculum
    Progressive
  • EBROCHURE
    View eBrochure
View address
Special Event
  • Meet The Linden School's admission team at the Private School Expo: Toronto (Oct 04).  RSVP NOW

The big picture on The Linden School

We summarized the school ourselves

All schools, to some extent, defy the various stereotypes that the general population might have about private education. Still, the Linden School is a particularly stark example of that. Founded by Diane Goudie and Eleanor Moore in 1993, the school was intended as a needed and necessary alternative to what was happening in public schools, as well as other private institutions. Goudie had butt heads with other educators by demanding that education be based in a sense of equity, especially as girls and women are concerned. The Linden School is the result, and today it does exactly what Goudie and Moore hoped it would: provide an example of a school for girls that will make a difference in the students' lives and, in turn, encourage them to make a positive difference in the lives of others. The goal, as Moore said at an address at York University, is to educate each student to "to speak with courage--[to] be credible, find a community, listen for all voices, change structures, be a leader and above all make a difference." Since they founded the school, Goudie and Moore have lead by example, earning honorary doctorate of law degrees from York University in recognition of their leadership in the field of education. On receiving the doctorate, Goudie addressed the convocation saying "Ask yourselves the tough questions: What do you want to achieve beyond your paycheque? What are you prepared to risk in order to make a difference in your communities or in the global community?" Those are, of course, very tough questions, and the Linden School is structured around them. For the wrong student, it could be overwhelming. For the right student, it can provide a very strong foundation for a lifetime of engagement, leadership, and success.

We questioned the school adminstration

1. Who are you, as a school?

"The Linden School is a groundbreaking independent school for girls and gender-diverse students. For over 30 years, we’ve championed progressive education grounded in academic excellence, equity, and student voice. Small classes foster strong connections, while personalized plans support each student’s goals. Nationally recognized teachers lead experiential learning in STEM, outdoor ed, arts, and sports. Linden grads are empowered changemakers—100% are accepted to university."

  • Small classes: higher academic achievement
  • Faculty honoured with the prestigious Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence.
  • Enriched STEAM program with multi-media, maker & science lab
  • Outstanding athletics program
  • Vibrant outdoor learning & field trips
  • Leadership opportunities
  • University preparation program; 100% university acceptance
  • Full-time Guidance & Learning Counsellor
  • Emphasis on diversity and equity; LGBTQ2 positive
  • Welcoming, inclusive community and an instant sense of belonging

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

"At the heart of Linden is commitment to social justice. We value each student's unique stories and experiences. Our students are taught to think critically and use their voices...(more)

3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

"At The Linden School, our commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment centered on social justice and individualized learning means we intentionally prioritize some...(more)

4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

"Shape the future with us at Linden.
We are expanding into a new campus on 920 Yonge Street, which offers state-of-the-art collaboration, creativity, and innovation spaces, from...(more)

5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?

"Curious and creative students eager to challenge themselves with our engaging, vibrant programming and extracurriculars.
We are a 2SLGBTQiS+ positive community, and we embrace...(more)

6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

"The Linden School offers a rigorous academic program emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and real-world applications. Families seeking a traditional, standardized...(more)

7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

"Families chose Linden for the palpable feeling of community, the innovative approach to providing an enriched, hands-on curriculum, the small class size, and the high caliber of...(more)

8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

"The Linden School is highly regarded for its commitment to innovative, girl-centered education emphasizing social justice and leadership. Publicly, our school is perceived as a...(more)

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

"One underappreciated aspect of The Linden School is our commitment to personalized learning plans. While our robust academic and extracurricular programs often capture attention,...(more)

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

"Families might find it surprising to learn about the extensive range of real-world challenges and interdisciplinary experiences we offer at The Linden School.

Unlike many...(more)

11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

"Recently, The Linden School has introduced two innovative programs that significantly enhance our educational offerings: the Lean In Girls Leadership Program and the Power...(more)

12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?

"In the next five years, The Linden School will:

- Upgrade facilities with advanced technology.
- Expand interdisciplinary and STEM-focused curricula.
- Enhance personalized...(more)

We got insight from alumni, parents, and students

The Linden School: Alumni Review from Toni Spilfogel

Watch our alum interview with Toni Spilfogel to learn about the unique experience of attending The Linden School.

Parent, Roseanne Carrara (2018)

(5)

My daughter came to Linden from an overcrowded Toronto Catholic District School Board classroom where, as a strong student, she was never expected to challenge herself, and as a beginnger athlete, she was never invited to join a team. We'd originally been looking for options for grades 7-12, and had gotten a head start by visiting the Our Kids Expo and by taking a few tours of the schools which piqued her interest there. After an engaging evening tour and info session, which included Linden faculty, staff, and a well-spoken high school student who described her experince of learning to "challenge herself and take more risks," she decided she wanted to take the plunge a year early and applied for grade six. And, I'm so glad she did. The Linden experience, in both elementary, middle grades, and now high school, has been one of a kind. The small classes enable teachers to tailor their lessons to student strengths and allow students to identify and hone their passions. Students call their teachers and staff by their first names. And, they are welcome to ask difficult questions not only of their peers but also of their mentors. A selective overall enrollement of about 120 students in the school allows for a lot of interaction between grade levels. My daughter seems to know the name, face, and interests of every Linden girl. Since the girls have "families" from across the school, she has chances to interact with the early learners, elementary students, and university-bound students at weekly all-school events, as well as during Linden's fall "Week Without Walls" and spring "Spirit Week." You see the comraderie in full effect at both the annual Linden Science and Technology Fair and the Social Justice Data Fair, where the girls present their projects to their peers and welcome feedback from one another. My daughter has certainly felt empowered to excel in english, science, history, and math at Linden. And, the strings program, challenging art classes, and the new CERES lab balance out the core academics with ways of thinking "outside of the box." Our biggest Linden "surprise" has been the amazing sports program. My daughter actually loves gym! She's learned to play all sorts of sports she'd never dreamed she'd get to try. And the no-cuts policy on the teams, matched with the small class size, leads the girls to encourage each other to sign up and to take as many risks on the playing field as they do in coding class.

Parent, Caitlin O'Leary (2018)

(N/A)

My daughter is very bright, engaged and articulate, but she's also very reserved and shy. She was in one of the better public schools until Grade 3, by which time it was very apparent that she'd given up participating and was falling further and further behind academically and feeling quite lost socially. The Linden School puts an emphasis on community, and the day before the school year starts, new students are welcomed at an informal breakfast in the gym and they're toured around the building with their peers. My daughter made a friend who she kept all year. The teachers are allowed the time to interact with the girls individually due to the small class sizes, and they were able to attune their teaching to my daughter's needs. Everything they did seemed to be based in the real world making it more accessible and memorable for the girls. Projects were spun through the subjects, such as doing a wildlife survey which was charted for math, became a social science topic about wildlife in the city, which was in turn an English project to write up their reports, and then finally an art project as they made a brochure. She loved her teacher and has fun every day. They spend a day raking leaves for a shelter in the neighbourhood, they have a "week without walls" where they spend each day in a different environment. Each child belongs in a "family" within the schools, giving them a multi-grade team. She is in her second year at Linden, and continues to adore it there. Her confidence and abilities have improved by leaps and bounds!

We reported on the school in articles

Reimagining girls’ education

The Linden School's ongoing impact on how we think about how girls learn.

What makes a great teacher great?

What should parents be looking for in educators? We asked one of the best. The Linden School's Beth Alexander.

Teaching girls to change the world

After a year in the role of principal of the Linden School—and what a year it’s been—we spoke with Tara Silver about what girls need, how girls learn, and how the Linden School has pioneered in all of that.

Creating real-world impact in classrooms

STEM—often seen as the bastion of hard skills, encompassing the intricacies of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—is traditionally viewed as a domain to equip students with emerging technical competencies. However, The Linden School has taken a refreshing detour from this linear perspective.
 

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