Beyond the classroom
LIFE OUTSIDE OF CLASS
An array of opportunities
The YMCA Academy offers a unique array of extracurricular opportunities. Academy teachers, staff, volunteers, and students lead a wide range of activities, from clubs and special events within the school’s facilities to major excursions to other parts of Canada. Programming changes each school year in response to the evolving interests and abilities of our students.
A Structured Approach
Enhanced programming with clear goals
Boost self-confidence
Perhaps the most important goal of our approach is to make sure all students feel like they belong, because a sense of belonging and community gives students a form of selfconfidence that shows up in all areas of life—both at school and beyond.
Promote collaboration
No student should ever feel left out, regardless of any learning disabilities or challenges they may face. We teach inclusion, acceptance, and collaboration to ensure all students get to practice working with others.
Self-advocacy skills
Small class sizes and low staff-student ratios allow us the time to get to know our students and their learning styles. This also helps us encourage students to discover what they need to learn best—and be brave enough to ask for it.
Socio-emotional wellbeing
Academic excellence isn’t the only thing that matters at school. We make a targeted effort to support the whole student, including their social and emotional wellbeing, as they navigate being part of a community.
CO-OP LEARNING
Cooperative education (high school)
Cooperative Education is a planned learning experience for which credits are earned. It integrates classroom theory and learning experiences in a community placement, enabling students to apply, expand, and refine the knowledge and skills acquired in a related curriculum course. Students can earn up to two additional credits in a subject.
The Co-op experience includes:
- A personalized placement learning plan (PPLP).
- Pre-placement instruction (resumes, health and safety, legal issues).
- Workplace and liability insurance coverage.
- Regular monitoring by the Co-op teacher (visits and assessments).
stewardship
Environmental stewardship
The entire YMCA Academy learning community is committed to environmental stewardship. Students are provided with many opportunities to deepen their understanding of how their actions and choices can make a positive difference for the Earth and apply this knowledge to their classroom learning.
Stewardship activities have included:
- Earth Day neighbourhood greening initiatives.
- Sustainable cooking classes with The Stop Community Food Centre.
- Tree planting projects at Downsview Park and the Brick Works.
- Participation in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.
Facility membership
Health and fitness
A YMCA of Greater Toronto membership is included in tuition. As the Academy is located within the Toronto Central Grosvenor Street YMCA Centre, physical education courses utilize these state-of-the-art facilities. All health and fitness facilities are accessible to students year-round.
Facilities available include:
- Full size (six-lane, 25-metre) pool.
- Two full-size gymnasiums.
- Conditioning rooms with extensive equipment.
- Cyclefit studio and numerous group fitness classes (Yoga, Pilates, Bootcamp).
Outdoor
Outdoor education & leadership
At the start of every school year, students and staff participate in leadership and teambuilding activities at an overnight excursion to a YMCA outdoor education facility (like Cedar Glen or Camp Pine Crest). This program is enormously beneficial to the learning community as a whole.
Goals and activities include:
- Promoting personal growth and social integration for new students.
- Building healthy team dynamics and leadership skills.
- Activities like archery, mountain biking, high/low ropes courses, and rock climbing.
Customized
Clubs, activities & spirit days
As part of the Academy’s student-centred approach, a customized suite of clubs, extracurricular activities, and spirit days are initiated each school year, directly reflecting student interest. These further strengthen community bonds and promote fun, social engagement across the school.
Popular past offerings include:
- Astronomy Club
- Basketball Club
- Cooking Club
- Comic Book Club
- Drama Club
- Girly Club
- Jack.org Club
- Mock Trial Club
Club
Breakfast club
Founded in 2009 based on student need, the Breakfast Club ensures young people are well-nourished to perform better in school. It provides dual benefits nutritional benefits (healthy foods from Canada’s Food Guide) and community building (fostering conversation and strengthening bonds by sharing a meal).
Menu items include:
- Selection of baked goods (including whole grain breads).
- Fresh fruit, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, butter and jam.
- Yogurt and oatmeal.
Program
Exchanges
Since its founding year, The YMCA Academy has participated in exchanges through the YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada program. Academy students are twinned with peers from another province or territory, helping to form strong links between their own communities and communities elsewhere in Canada.
Through this program, students:
- Explore other regions of Canada and live in another community.
- Meet new people and explore cultural diversity.
- Initiate community service projects and support classroom learning through experiential opportunities.
- Act as ambassadors to Toronto by hosting students from other provinces.
Past destinations include Fond-du-Lac, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Oujé-Bougoumou, Quebec; Arviat, Nunavut; and Cornerbrook, Newfoundland. Students fundraise throughout the year to host visiting peers; transportation is covered by the Government of Canada.