Mission, Vision & Values

A superior academic program that values knowledge, technology, individuality and integrity

Our Mission

Our mission is to prepare our students by equipping them with the academic tools and life skills needed to enter and succeed not only at the post-secondary school level but ultimately, in their chosen career path. Given the pace of technological change and the growth of information technologies in all aspects of our lives, students must gain mastery over these tools. We are committed to developing students who are confident and responsible and exhibit the values necessary to become effective communicators, informed and productive thinkers, self-directed learners, collaborative workers, and skilled problem solvers.

It is a mission and duty we take most seriously and to which we commit ourselves fully.

Fundamental to our mission

At Toronto Prep School, we have the active involvement of passionate, caring and experienced staff, proven teamwork and shared leadership, the effective management of resources, a safe and orderly learning environment and the opportunity to properly prepare each student for success. We pride ourselves in our dedication to our students, families, community, each other, our profession, and to continuous learning. We acknowledge that parents, students and teachers are seen as valued partners in layering the foundation for life-long learning. It takes all of us working toward a common goal to achieve success. At Toronto Prep School, we truly believe that “It takes a village to raise a child”. It is with this philosophy in mind that we welcome the input of parents. Dedicated teachers, involved parents and motivated students are all fundamental to the learning and growth process.

Students at Toronto Prep School have multiple opportunities to form productive relationships with their teachers, which can lead them to greater academic success.

Extra support is available to help students with any academic difficulty they may experience, which can allow the issue to be resolved both quickly and correctly.

A student smiling, listening to a lecture.

A low student-to-faculty ratio is at the core of any independent school. It enables teachers to explore sidebars and cement fundamentals in place as well as provide greater personal attention in preparing each student for the challenges ahead. Small classes enable the teacher to have a better sense of who your child is, and as such identify strengths and weaknesses more readily. Additionally, each student has the opportunity to speak up and participate in class discussions.

Above all, we are accountable to both our students and our parents.

To fulfil our mission

As educators, we will develop students’ abilities and foster the motivation for them to continue to learn after their formal school years. We are dedicated to empowering each student to develop attitudes, skills, knowledge and the responsibility essential to achievement in school and society. We will challenge each student to maximize his or her effort and in so doing realize their potential. The development of a sound work ethic and effective organizational and study skills are paramount. We must ensure that students can communicate clearly and effectively and master the ever-changing technologies available for communication. To this end we consider the following skills to be of the utmost importance:

Read for meaning and write for purpose
Locate and evaluate information
Manipulate numbers and interpret data
Value a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle which includes physical activity, an appreciation for the arts and culture and a recognition of the importance of family, friendship and community

Vision and Values

Our Vision

We see a quality-driven university preparatory school dedicated to providing a rigorous academic curriculum intended on preparing students for success at the post-secondary school level and beyond.

We see a school that ensures students achieve the academic and personal growth that enables them to become independent, lifelong learners poised for success.

We see a school that fosters collaboration and mentorship among students, faculty and parents.

We see learning as best occurring when it is placed in the context of a healthy, caring relationship involving all the stakeholders in the teaching-learning process.

We see ourselves as encouraging and supporting the pursuit of excellence.

Respect

Respect is the most important value at Toronto Prep School.

All other values flow outwards from this core value. Respect is the acknowledgement of importance and contains both behavioural and responsive components. Helping students develop the art of respect is a school-wide goal and is modelled by all adults at the school. This code serves as the operational glue that holds our school together. All members are expected to demonstrate the following elements of respect:

Self-Respect

Respect for peers

Respect for adults

Respect for differences

Respect for property

Respect for the school

Respect for the community

Cooperation

Effort

Service

Leadership

Excellence

Responsibility

Knowledge

Tolerance

Balance

by giving proper emphasis to all areas of a person’s life. Achieving balance means having equilibrium among all the priorities in our life – this state of balance is different for every person. It is possible to enjoy a healthy social life, participate in athletics and other extracurricular activities and earn good grades. It is a matter of planning, discipline and will.

Integrity

by having a sense of honesty and truthfulness regarding the motivations for one’s actions. Striving for uprightness of character, to have no difference between what we claim to be and how we act. By being truthful in all dealings with other members of the community, whether the matter is academic, social, or extracurricular we display integrity. It is expected that students never claim ownership of something that is not theirs, be it a personal possession or intellectual property. Finally, it is having the courage of our convictions.

Our Values

At Toronto Prep School, we recognize the importance of a well-balanced education. It is expected that our students not only learn about academic subjects but also gain knowledge about themselves and how to interact effectively with those around them. We view strong character and a core of values as integral components to all student and school endeavours.

Our core values are guiding principles of behaviour which every member of Toronto Prep School aspires to and is measured by.

Code of Conduct

The Toronto Prep School Code of Conduct is designed to assist the student body in the achievement and maintenance of a safe and positive learning environment. At the core is respect, as outlined in our values. For the most part, the rules governing conduct at Toronto Prep School are determined by the usual and necessary standards dictated by common sense and civility. Violence, verbal abuse, bullying, opposition to legitimate authority, truancy, destruction of school property, improper or profane language, and chronic neglect of duty will not be tolerated.

We must all – students, teachers, administrators, support staff and community members – show pride by doing our share to make the school a better place in which to learn and work. One of the key aims of our teaching is to develop self-discipline in all students.

The following rules apply while on school premises, or any other school-related facility, during school activities at or away from school, or off the school grounds if the situation is initiated at school. Students will be given due process before any disciplinary action is taken.

A violation of any rule may result in discipline including, but not limited to:

Detention
Saturday Club
In-school suspension
Out-of-school suspension
Probation
Expulsion
Compensatory payment of damages
Loss of credit for assigned work or tests
Assigned work related to the offence
Loss of other privileges

Two students sit together at a desk looking at a laptop.

The administration will impose disciplinary action based on the specific facts of each case. If disciplinary action is necessary, the school will inform parents of the offence and the subsequent decision of the administration, to remedy the problem. In the interest of fairness and a genuine concern for students and staff, the administration reserves the right to suspend or expel a student depending on the severity of the situation. Families should understand that any disciplinary measure is designed to ensure an orderly, productive and safe environment for all students and staff.

The principal is the final recourse in disciplinary situations and reserves the right to interpret and apply any and all disciplinary rules at his discretion.

Attendance: No student shall fail to comply with the attendance policy set out by Toronto Prep School including, but not limited to, truancy or tardiness. No student shall leave school property or an assigned educational location once he or she has come under the supervision of a school employee, before specified dismissal times, without official permission. (See Attendance Policy)
Disruption of school: Students shall not cause disruption or obstruction to the normal operation of this school or any other related facility by the use of violence, force, coercion threat or any other means.
Bullying: The school takes all forms of bullying seriously and will take immediate action. Bullying is any intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act that a student has exhibited toward another particular student more than once that causes either mental or physical harm to the other student and is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for the other student. Bullying may be direct or indirect. Direct forms include physical violence and threats; verbal assaults and taunts; the destruction of property; extortion; and unwanted sexual interest or contact. Examples of indirect forms of bullying include ignoring and/or excluding; the withdrawal of friendship; malicious gossip and spreading rumours; and abusive or oppressive graffiti. Students shall not bully other students, school employees, persons that are guests of the school or persons conducting business for the school. This category also applies to remarks or actions of a sexual, racial, body image, ethnic or religious nature that are deemed offensive.
Threats: Students shall not, through verbal, written, technological or any other means, state that physical or emotional harm may come to another person or an institution.
Use of obscene language/materials: Students shall not use obscene, vulgar or profane language, make inappropriate gestures or possess vulgar materials.
Forgery: Students shall not misrepresent a signature on any document.
Damage to property: Students shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to school property and related facilities, or personal property. Students shall not touch or handle another person’s property without their authorization. Students must pay for any damages they cause to school equipment, materials or facilities and may be subject to additional disciplinary action.
Assault: Students shall not act or threaten to act in such a way as to cause physical injury to other students, any school employee or other persons. Specific violations include but are not limited to:
Fighting/violence
Serious bodily injury
Threats of fighting, violence, or serious bodily injury (see #4 Threats above)
Failure to obey instructions/insubordination/disrespect: No student shall fail to comply with any lawful instructions or requests of teachers, principals or other authorized school personnel during any period when he or she is properly under the authority of such school personnel.
Dangerous weapons and instruments: Students shall not possess, handle, transmit or conceal any dangerous weapon or instrument on school property, in a school vehicle or at any school-sponsored activity. Toronto Prep School policy requires the expulsion of students in violation of this policy. Firearms (including starter pistols), objects that are indistinguishable from and/or represented as firearms, explosives, incendiary devices and knives (any object with a blade and a handle) are considered dangerous weapons. Other instruments/devices may also be defined as dangerous weapons depending on their use or intended use. Should a student have knowledge of a weapon or dangerous instrument on school property, in a school vehicle or at a school-sponsored activity and not report it to a school employee, the student may be held to the same disciplinary measures as the perpetrator.
Narcotics and drugs: The possession, use, sale, or distribution of any narcotic or being in the company of students using narcotics during school hours at or near the school or at any school function is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate expulsion. Prescription drugs may only be administered as prescribed and cannot be transferred. If there is a strong suspicion that a student is under the influence of narcotics, the said student will be removed from the school and a meeting with the student and his/her parents will be conducted to determine if the student will continue at the school.
Alcohol: It is both illegal and unhealthy for teenagers to consume alcohol. All students, including those of legal drinking age, are not permitted to consume alcohol during any part of the school day or at any school function. Any violation of the school’s alcohol policy will be deemed a serious infraction of the Code of Conduct and will be dealt with most severely.
Tobacco: Students may not smoke during any part of the school day on school property, associated facilities or adjacent property. Students must refrain from smoking within a 100-metre radius of the school building.
Theft: Students shall respect the personal ownership rights of others. Students shall not take items belonging to others. The principal may report thefts to local authorities at his discretion, in addition to any school-imposed disciplinary action.
Academic dishonesty: Students shall not give or receive unauthorized information regarding class work or class activities, misrepresent the results of researched or laboratory assignments, or give or receive unauthorized assistance on assignments. The use of electronic translators without permission is a violation of this rule. Repeated violations may result in receiving a fail in academic subjects.
Inappropriate displays of affection: To maintain a respectful atmosphere at school, students are to refrain from overt public displays of affection while on school grounds and at school events. This includes sitting on laps, groping, and prolonged kissing. Students may receive clarification from a faculty member as to what constitutes appropriate displays.
Use of unauthorized or unsupervised areas: Students may not make use of areas of the school that they are not authorized to enter, or unsupervised areas.
Hazing (initiations): Initiations of any sort are prohibited. Initiations and/or hazing are those activities into which students are coerced to become part of a group or activity or to avoid harm.
Computers: Computers and other technologies are provided for student use, for teacher-assigned work in courses or programs. (See Computer Usage Policy)
General misconduct: Students shall refrain from throwing objects, or being abusive or excessively disruptive in their behaviour. Students must respect the rights and feelings of others.
Gross misconduct: Repeated violations of the Code of Conduct.
Dress code: The school dress code is covered here.
Other violations: Other conduct unbecoming to Toronto Prep School students not covered in the above rules.