Personalized Education - on your timetable.

As a small independent school, NTA's full time program is ideal for students who need more individual attention and teacher support , or scheduling flexibility, than is available at most other schools for two key reasons:

• Personalization - our small size enables us to provide a highly personalized educational experience to our students.  Small classes enable our teachers to provide intensive 1:1 coaching support and attention to each student.  This is model is especially effective for students for with ADD/ADHD, or who have a low level of motivation for academics.

• Scheduling Flexibility - NTA provides full time programs to students who cannot be on school premises on a full time basis due to their commitments as competitive athletes, performing artists, or for health reasons.

Classes are kept small to ensure students can receive lots of individual attention and teacher support. Average class size is 6 or fewer, giving teachers the ability to provide 1:1 coaching support to each student. 

Every individual has a dominant learning style - the way they are best able to acquire, retain and process information. Through interviews and assessments we determine student's natural learning style (i.e. visual, auditory, kinesthetic), and tailor our teaching style and class activities to give him or her opportunities to capitalize on these areas of strength and to develop strengths in weaker areas.

Just as each person has a natural learning style, so do they have a natural style for communicating information (i.e. writing, speaking, through AV presentations, etc.). North Toronto Academy offers flexibility in how we assess students' knowledge.

At the discretion of the Principal, the school may allow accommodations for individual students, based on an identified need or condition. These may include extension of time allowed to write tests and examinations or individualized evaluation (for example, greater emphasis on oral testing, projects, etc. rather than traditional exams).

To achieve personal success, students need to do more than excel academically. They need to understand themselves, what they want, and how to get it. Extensive personal coaching in these areas is available at North Toronto Academy. Coaching staff work with students individually and in small groups to guide them in this process of self discovery and direction setting.

Coaching staff use a variety of personality, interest and aptitude assessments to help students learn more about themselves, and about what careers might be suitable for them.

Students set short, medium and long term goals and realize their potential, with the support of the teaching and coaching staff. In addition to academic requirements, this includes attention to important life skills such as: time and project management, problem solving, work habits, job search and interviewing skills, interpersonal abilities and self-motivation.

We further support our students in this area via workshops in study and exam skills, public speaking, computer-based presentations, oral tests and essay writing. Students build a resume that includes their experience and accomplishments, personal goals and skills, volunteering, and self-direction.

Students must complete the application form and provide copies of their previous two years' Report Cards. The prospective student and his or her parents will then attend a personal interview with the Principal. A review of the student's past achievements and discussion of future goals will be part of this process. In some cases an academic assessment in English and/or Mathematics may be required.

The school year is divided into 3 semesters, where students take 2 or 3 credits in each semester, completing a minimum of 110 hours per course. The student, parents and staff will decide on the appropriate course load. However, students must be aware that the following is required to graduate in four years.

• 8 Grade 9 credits
• 8 Grade 10 credits
• 8 Grade 11 credits
• 6 Grade 12 credits

Upon acceptance to the program, students and their parents work with staff to develop and document the student's individual Learning Contract. The Learning Contract will include personal goals and educational and career aspirations, time schedule, course selection and personal skills development and volunteerism opportunities. This activity offers students the opportunity to envision where they want to go, and to set objectives and strategies for progressing towards their goals.

At the beginning of the year we may offer a retreat in a rustic off site location, based on demand. Students can get to know each other and the instructors in a casual setting, and develop their personal Learning Contact for the year. This unique activity gives students the chance to learn about their own and others' learning styles, and form a solid basis for working with each other in the coming academic year. Time is allotted periodically throughout the year for students to reflect on their learning, and plan for the coming year and beyond.

Two private study options: 1) individual 1:1 study with a teacher and 2) independent study with teacher supervision, review and support. These options are ideal for students who cannot complete the course requirements within the scheduled time, who are gifted, who have extensive remediation needs, or students who require highly flexible scheduling due to outside commitments (such as competitive athletes or performers).

We arrange outings on a periodic basis. These outings are designed to bring curriculum to life and take advantage of the people and places in this city.

Academic Year 2008-09

The full-time day program academic year consists of 8 credits (6 in Grade 12) taken over 3 semesters.  Our schedule is designed so that students can enrol in up to three credits over each semester, completing a minimum of 110 hours per course.  The school week is Monday-Friday from 9:00am – 3:30p.m.  Students who cannot complete the requirements in the regularly scheduled time may be eligible to continue the course through Independent Study, or by extending it into the following semester, at the discretion of the Principal.

§    Fall Term         September 3 – Novermber 28, 2008

§    Winter Term*  December 1, 2008 – March 13, 2009

§    Spring Term*  March 23 – June 19,  2009

*Note: winter break is Dec. 22^nd- Jan 2nd and spring break March 16^th- 20th.

Timetable	Monday – Friday
1st Period	9:00- 10:50
Break	10:50 – 11:05
2nd Period	11:05 - 12:00
Lunch	12:00 - 12:30
2nd Period, cont’d	12:30 – 1:25
Break	1:25 – 1:40
3rd Period	1:40 - 3:30

CLICK HERE TO SEE Full Time Courses