Roundtable Q&A Discussion About The York School (2023)
The York School alumni, current students, and parents shared their insights on the school’s culture, values, strengths, and weaknesses. Hear what Jordan Hausman, Gabriel Blanc, Lorene Nagata had to say about the school.
Highlights from the Q&A discussion
Jordan Hausman — alum
Jordan, an alumna of The York School, reflected on how the school made learning exciting and meaningful, inspiring her genuine enthusiasm for each day. She emphasized the strong, caring relationships with teachers and praised the school’s integration of subjects and community engagement, which helped her view the world as full of possibilities.
What I really appreciate most about the York School is that I was always excited to go to school. I never had that existential dread of like, ‘Oh, it's Monday again. I have to go back and do a whole other week.’
- I've always thought that the connections that I was able to make with teachers really made my school experience. I could always tell that they were not only interested in allowing me to learn and to grow, but also cared about me as a person.
I've always thought that the connections that I was able to make with teachers really made my school experience. I could always tell that they were not only interested in allowing me to learn and to grow, but also cared about me as a person.
The York School really tries to take so many different community contexts and subjects and place them together in a very ideal way. Optimistically, trying to integrate different subjects and introduce students on a plane where it's like the world is your oyster. Do what you can, and then later in life, we'll teach you what's feasible, what works, and what doesn't. But for now, take the world by storm
The York School really tries to integrate itself with the community around it.
The skills that I got from the York school have been very transferable and very important and are things that even other people notice in me. The first one is just the ability to work with different people because my grade was also very small. The second skill that other people have really noticed in me is my presentation skills and ability to speak what I'm thinking in an eloquent and clear way.
What the IB did for me, was that it allowed me to stop thinking in silos. I think it's a very easy thing to fall into to understand a subject just within its bounds. But I think the IB does a really good job of integrating different topics.
Just get involved as much as you can. It doesn't have to be in your favorite thing… The York School makes it very easy for people to be involved in things, especially sports… Try different things and then see what works for you because you might be surprised by yourself.
Gabriel Blanc — alum
Gabriel, an alumnus of The York School, reflects on his ten-year journey from Grades 2 to 12 with deep gratitude for the community, the teachers, and the opportunities that have shaped him. Gabe attributes his aspiration to become an educator to the close-knit, inclusive culture and the inspiring mentorship he received from his teachers.
- There was a very strong community that extended beyond just the students and included some of the teachers as well. Lots of strong friendships formed that I've kept with me and that carried me through high school as well.
There was a very strong community that extended beyond just the students and included some of the teachers as well. Lots of strong friendships formed that I've kept with me and that carried me through high school as well.
It doesn't feel like, within those four walls, you're in a completely different world. It feels like it's part of the world around it. And I think that's really great for building up people who are engaged in their communities like I've tried to be since graduating.
I think parents will be surprised by the connection students form with teachers. I think they're going to be surprised at how students talk about themselves very differently in terms of what creative cooperation comes out of that and how they share each other's passions.
The community is welcoming, and that is not something to be taken for granted. Really throw yourself into clubs, activities… There's so much goodwill and opportunity for the community to take advantage of right from the very beginning.
I think having great teachers at the York School is part of the reason I want to be a teacher.
Curiosity is really nurtured by teachers who are really excited to share ideas with students.
You find out what your interests are, you find out what the topics that you want to learn about are, and then you can go really in-depth, and it gives you passions and interests that you keep with you as you go on to university.
Lorene Nagata — current parent
Lorene, a parent of two students at The York School and co-president of the York Parents’ Association, discusses the school's inclusive community, central location, and strong academics through the IB program. As a parent, she emphasizes the importance of becoming involved in the York community, where both students and parents are actively supported and engaged.
What I liked about the York School, first of all, was that it was co-ed. And I like that community feel. I liked that it was centrally located. I like the fact that my kids could look out the window and actually see Yonge Street and see Toronto.
- I really liked the values that the people I was meeting on the tour were talking about. They were talking about things like being good citizens of the world. That just resonated with me.
I really liked the values that the people I was meeting on the tour were talking about. They were talking about things like being good citizens of the world. That just resonated with me.
I think the biggest impact has to be just feeling like they're part of something. They really feel very comfortable being part of the York school. They feel like they are part of that community.
My son is just finishing grade 9 and the ICE program is an amazing program. They get the opportunity to choose one of seven places to go in Canada and just have that experience of exploring a different part of Canada and just learning about a part of Canada that they never would have otherwise.
He said it's been a great opportunity to try different things… The fact that he was able to do drama and get up on stage and do a skit is something that he would not have tried on his own. It was just a new experience for him that he enjoyed.
The education isn't just sitting down at a desk, they let you actually learn through doing things.
She said it's very supportive, so you don't tend to feel as stressed because she said the teachers prepare you very well for the test.
We have a Coffee Connect at the beginning of the year for parents, where people can come in and sign up to be volunteers. It's the best thing that I did because you immediately start meeting other parents.
