THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Upper Canada College

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School Leadership

What is the leadership style at Upper Canada College? How do the school leaders shape the culture, priorities, and daily life of the community? How does this leadership style compare to that of other private and independent schools, and how might it influence your choice of school?

Page Contents

Facts and analysis
- Message from the school leadership
- Our interview with the school leader
Qualitative insights

Facts and analysis

MESSAGE FROM THE LEADERSHIP

We asked Sam McKinney, Principal at Upper Canada College for their message.

They offered insights into their vision, values, and the principles that define their leadership style.

Sam McKinney, Principal
BA, Carleton University / MEd, Edith Cowan University (Western Australia)

Samuel James McKinney is the 19th principal of Upper Canada College and began his tenure on July 1, 2016.

Principal McKinney was formerly the deputy headmaster and head of senior school at St. Peter’s College in Adelaide, South Australia. “Saints,” as it is known in Australia, is a 168-year-old boys’ school that has produced 42 Rhodes Scholars and three Nobel Laureates. With a student population of more than 1,400 boys, including 90 boarders, Saints offers both the IB Diploma and the South Australian Certificate of Education.

The son of schoolteachers, Principal McKinney was born and raised in the Niagara region and attended St. Catharines Collegiate before receiving his bachelor of arts from Carleton University in Ottawa in 1990. He furthered his education in Australia, receiving a graduate diploma in education from the University of Adelaide in 1993 and a master’s of education from Edith Cowan University in Western Australia in 2003. More recently, he has undertaken study at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education Principals’ Centre and resilience training through the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Centre.

In appointing Principal McKinney, UCC is also welcoming his wife, Rose, and their three boys, Jack ’17, Connor ’19 and Charles ’20. Also a teacher, Rose has taught in the Junior and Middle schools at Pulteney Grammar School in Adelaide since 2007.

Message from Principal McKinney:

From our founding in 1829, Upper Canada College has been educating the next generation of leaders and innovators, inspiring them to make a positive impact on their world. In our nearly 200-year history, the school has undergone incredible transformation. Alongside the historical landmarks many associate with UCC — the ivy-covered walls, iron front gates, majestic clock tower — stand modern facilities and adaptable learning spaces equipped with the latest technology.

Our approach to boys’ education has similarly evolved. The College’s foundational focus on a liberal education is now delivered through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes, globally recognized as the gold standard for university preparatory programs. In addition, our commitment to needs-based financial assistance has expanded substantially, offering more than $5 million annually to boys of the highest potential, enabling a diverse learning community that reflects our city and nation.

These innovations have shaped what is only a part of the UCC difference. We are not just about academic heights reached, championships won, or brilliant theatrical performances — although these are integral to what makes the College the outstanding place it is. What’s equally important is how our boys take forward the transformational learning experiences that are a hallmark of a UCC education.

Grounded in our vision to inspire boys to be their best selves is our commitment to fostering a vibrant school community that reflects the pluralism and promise of Canada. We offer an extraordinary range of opportunities for growth and discovery, as well as the support needed for boys to thrive among a network of dedicated faculty and staff, and lifelong friends.

I encourage you to learn more here, then visit us and experience the UCC difference.

We look forward to welcoming you.

INTERVIEW WITH THE LEADERSHIP

Watch our interview with Sam McKinney, Principal at Upper Canada College

They reflect on their path to educational leadership, the school's mission, and the vision guiding their everyday decisions.

Video Contents

1:03 - Three things the principal loves about his job
2:29 - Things that surprised the principal when he first arrived at UCC
4:42 - The school's forward-looking perspective
Show Full Video Contents
7:59 - The principal's legacy in UCC's long history
12:44 - Culture and all-boys education in the past few years
16:26 - Assumptions people have about UCC
19:44 - Unified culture at UCC between boarding and day students
22:28 - Where day students come from
23:36 - Financial aid
25:38 - The kind of families at UCC
29:01 - A student who has had a more subtle moment of success at the school
34:53 - Parental conflicts and communication
37:28 - Parental involvement in school life
40:29 - UCC's personality traits
42:57 - Advice for parents who are searching for a school

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

They have a forward-looking educational approach.

Comments from administrators and community members emphasize the school's progressive vision, strategic planning, adaptability in preparing for future challenges, and unique, thoughtful approaches to student well-being and problem-solving.

What really has surprised me is the forward looking focus of the College. Perhaps it shouldn't surprise me, but the College set forward in its strategic intentions, the idea of a bold future, and really is taking steps towards that. While its history is a fantastic foundation, it's not an anchor, it's simply something to build upon. And really the way that it is looking forward, looking at programs and opportunities to ensure that what has been defined in the mission of the College, a transformational learning experience, is what we're able to deliver to the boys.

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

What I would like my legacy to be is that we have taken the strongest of steps towards supporting the development of “best self,” that we are a flourishing community within a flourishing community, and that we are taking strides towards a bold future. ... It's meant that we've had to embrace many aspects of learning, teaching, and operations that were embodied within that bold future. The idea of hybrid education, of learning both in person and online, supporting that through the use of technology, working remotely, as many of us have had to do, it's really brought the future to today in many respects. And I've been so incredibly inspired by the creativity, the collegiality, and the commitment of all across our school as we've endeavored to undertake that task.I would say that if I were to write my legacy, it would be that I stewarded our community in collaboration with a wonderfully strong leadership group, faculty and staff towards, yes, that strong community, flourishing community to individuals who are becoming their best selves and a school that is embracing the future.

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

The school reviewed strategic direction last year, incorporating inputs and consultations from industry experts and parents. It was a long well-planned inclusive process, to refresh school strategy that will be supported by all stakeholders. They respond to problems appropriately. Our principle talked to an adult in-person who, a stranger to our school, was not using the right language in sports. They handle discipline issues fairly, timely and judiciously. Majority discipline issues were handle on the same day. On heavy snow days last academic year, school considered well to open or close and communicated to parents by email, text message, and voice message.

—Pierre Pong, parent (beginning 2017) (see full review)

They have created a supportive community.

Feedback from various sources underlines the commitment to creating an inclusive environment where both boarding and day students feel integrated, fostering a strong sense of belonging among students, faculty, alumni, and families.

I work with individuals who are deeply committed to the work that they do, great professionals who are also a great fun to be around, and then in a community that I would say has been wonderful for our family to be a part of. I work with just extraordinary young men, individuals who bring with them the many different gifts and talents and abilities at the various ages and stages of their learning journey, from senior kindergarten boys who I have the pleasure of going down and reading with on occasion, through to our graduates at year twelve who are individuals heading off to exciting opportunities beyond their time at the school. Quite unbelievable young men. So a real pleasure for me to have that opportunity.

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

Yes, tradition is important, and you can't avoid 192 years of history and tradition. There's a palpable sense that people have gone before you when you walk through the halls of the school. There's a wonderful network of alumni and a wonderfully strong community in the school.

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

The relationship that exists between our students and our faculty and staff is wonderfully strong. And I believe that it helps to foster wellbeing, I believe that an individual's best self is reflected in, and we use the term. head, heart and humanity in our strategic directions documentation. You could perhaps speak to the health components of heart, but also the heart that we have of creating an empathy and an inclusion that helps us to be the types of community that really are most beneficial for us as a society. And then that notion of humanity, taking and extending that thought to that place of true inclusion, diversity and the recognition of other mindedness that it isn't solely about me, but it is about others as well. And developing another mindedness broadening on that thought of inclusion.

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

No place besides Upper Canada College can give students the resources and the backing, both in terms of facilities, but probably most importantly in terms of people, to accomplish whatever you want.

—Chris Birks, alum (see full interview)

There were speakers that came to Upper Canada College that became my mentors. The Administration Department helped get internships for students in the Toronto area by setting them up with Upper Canada College alumni. We had small classes at Upper Canada College, which was one of the things I was looking for in my university experience. Each professor and I were able to have really strong relationships; we were able to ask questions, whether it was in class or out of class, to get a deeper knowledge and understanding of the topic you're learning.

—Sevion DaCosta, alum (see full interview)

They nurture a spirit of excellence across academics, athletics, and arts.

Comments from alumni, students, and parents emphasize Upper Canada College's exceptional standing not only in academics but also in athletics, arts, and various extracurricular activities, ensuring that students can excel and find success in multiple areas.

I believe a student also leaves an honest sense of who they are, what they can do, an honest sense of themselves, and a sense of confidence that they can then use as their platform to go on and take the challenges that will arise for them beyond their time at the school. And if we're successful in creating engaging and meaningful opportunities, there are more planks of experience in that platform for those individuals to stand on. Successes are going to come for each individual quite uniquely, some wonderful successes on a sporting field or with a musical instrument or from a classroom as exceptional mathematics students or students of literature and history. They're thespians or musicians that they take those experiences, and that becomes the platform for them as they tackle the life challenges beyond their time at school.

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

Upper Canada College is very much at the top echelons of independent schools, not just in Ontario, but in the country. My grandfather attended Upper Canada College, which would have been in the 1920s. I have actually a copy of one of his textbooks from the 1920s, which was emblazoned with the school's crest, and it was leather-bound. It's very elegant, nothing like the standardized textbook we all use today. My parents’ goal was to get me to go to an excellent school and use that to move on to an excellent university, and so on. I distinctly recall going through the process. I must have been ten or eleven years old when I wrote the SSATS. I think there may have been an interview. I remember going into the Upper Canada College preparatory school just at the end of Grade 6 and meeting with the head of admissions, who informed my parents and me that I made it in, which was a very happy moment

—Chris Birks, alum (see full interview)

I truly believe Upper Canada College is one of the best schools in Canada. We're able to be successful in so many different facets of school life.

—Sevion DaCosta, alum (see full interview)

I believe Upper Canada College is one of the best schools in Canada because we are successful in so many facets of school life. So obviously Upper Canada College is strong in academics, but we also make sure we're very competitive on the band scene, athletic departments, etc. Our Model United Nations team is one of the best. No matter what boys feel that they would be best at, they can still attend Upper Canada College and excel.

—Sevion DaCosta, alum (see full interview)

Three years ago, we launched new strategic directions for the College. We refresh the vision and mission of the school, defined our values, and set three specific goal areas that we were focused on as we approached the beginning of our third century. Those are around the “best self.”

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

They prioritize character development as the foundation of education.

Insights from the school community highlight that Upper Canada College prioritizes the development of strong character, integrity, and a sense of responsibility in students, providing a platform for them to confidently face future challenges.

What type of personality would UCC have as a person? I believe that it would have a strength of character, an honesty and integrity that are at the very heart and foundation of that individual, that they would have a sense of purpose, that they also have a sense of responsibility. They would be an individual who has a warmth and an inclusiveness about them because they recognize again that we're all different, and that difference is just a strength, something to be recognized but valued. I think that the individual would be one who is seeking to make a positive difference in their world.

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

After I was able to work with the Upper Canada College administration, I can see that they're very invested in making sure that students can become some of the best boys possible. The administration and the parents’ organization look and see ‘what's the best thing that we can do?’ They say, ‘okay, how can we continue to encourage, and make sure that the boys are understanding what's happening in the real world, or how to be a proper gentleman, or how to understand when you leave the school they're going to be in co-ed classes?’

—Sevion DaCosta, alum (see full interview)

So the idea that when a student is here at the College, that we provide them with the opportunity and support them in becoming the very best version of themselves, that they can be the idea of a flourishing community. To help to foster a community of which we're proud, a community that is supportive of the College, but that also is supportive of a much broader community and that lives the mission of the school, which is to leave a lasting and positive impact in our world. That's what we seek to provide a learning experience that inspires our boys to have that degree of impact, supported by our community and finally, a bold future.

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

Throughout my time at UCC I have developed an immense amount of respect in the school leaders. Not only do they fulfill our expectation in their roles at the school but they surpass that bar. The headmasters, deans, and counsellors all exceed our expectations by doing the little things that make your day better. For example, during our advising periods our headmaster sends out topics for discussion that are very thoughtful about mental health and world issues. At the College students may misplace their belongings throughout the large building and students email our dean of students their lost item so that the email can be forwarded to the entire school. Once a month now it has become a tradition for our dean to send an email titled 'Character Spotlight' which lists all the boys that have found and returned these misplaced items to their owners. I think that the school leadership at the College is unmatched and will always be unique.

—Will Huang, student (beginning 2012) (see full review)

They're committed to diversity.

Insiders highlight the school's dedication to fostering student development and its embrace of diversity, both socioeconomic and cultural.

The community of the College is wonderfully inclusive, one that is extraordinarily diverse. When we were speaking just before this call, we were talking about the circumstance that I've had personally to live and work outside of Canada and in fact, spending 20 years overseas. It was actually 23 years between leaving the city of Toronto and returning to Toronto and the incredible diversity of our city and our country.

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

That socioeconomic diversity is one that is incredibly healthy for the College and is making it a wonderful environment to work within. I would suggest that while we sit in a very fortunate position at the top of a Hill in Toronto, and while there might be a fence surrounding the school, this is an open environment and one that is welcoming of individuals from across the full breadth of the community of Toronto and nationally. And internationally.

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

They're attentive to parent communication and engagement.

According to parents' feedback, the Upper Canada College leadership team is particularly notable for their approachability, effective communication, and their efforts to engage with and address parental concerns promptly.

Here's a number that surprised me. We have over 1000 people who volunteer for the school every year. That number staggered me when I arrived that a thousand different individuals are involved in all kinds of activities, alumni who organized branch events in London or New York or San Francisco or Hong Kong. There are individuals who are involved in those parent organizations, members of our board, members of our foundation, library volunteers, volunteer coaches, parents will find their niche and their opportunity to be involved, and a great many do. And those who aren't able to are still incredibly vibrant members of our community.

—Sam McKinney, Principal (see full interview)

The leadership at UCC is wonderful. What stands out about the school leadership is how approachable the members of the leadership team are, and how well they communicate both positive and negative issues with parents. They are welcoming from the start and host several events in order to make themselves available to parents for questions and conversation. They attend parent organization meetings to provide updates on what is going on in the school and receive and respond to feedback. In my personal experience, feedback was immediately addressed, in an appropriate manner. They provide a positive school environment by discussing issues at assemblies and engaging and encouraging the boys to work harder to create a positive experience for everyone.

—Julia Pantalone, parent (beginning 2012) (see full review)

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