Frequently Asked Questions
How is The Giles School different from other schools?
The Giles School believes that the role of education should be to prepare children for the future. The school's emphasis on early learning, multilingual skills, early science, mathematics and computer science, makes it unique in North America.
Classes are small - student to staff ratios never exceed 16 to 1. By maintaining a policy that caps class sizes at low levels, The Giles School provides children with a relaxed, nurturing environment with enriched instruction and constant, positive encouragement.
The Giles School provides children with daily instruction in either Mandarin or Japanese beginning in Grade 1, one of the very few schools in Canada to do so.
On average, Giles students are 2 years ahead of their peers in public (and most private) schools.
How does The Giles School differ from a Montessori school?
Montessori and other popular methods of educating children encourage students to be self-directed while the teacher remains an observer only. Montessori teachers are even often called "guides" or "directors" rather than teachers. In contrast, The Giles School offers structured tasks supported by positive reinforcement. Children learn to read, write and speak foreign languages because they are shown how and are encouraged when they mimic the skill.
The tragedy of many popular education models is that the younger the children are, the more open-ended the structure often is. Precisely at the age when children are most receptive to stimulation and mirroring, the majority of educators shy away, letting children "learn through discovery".
Learning should be interactive but also directed, so as to speed up the learning process. By teaching the class as a whole, all of the children can learn more quickly, instead of letting the children discover their own way.
Learning through play, song, interaction with each other and from positive reinforcement from the teacher in an entirely French immersive classroom, Giles students excel in a stress free, stimulating environment. The Giles School has created an innovative early learning programme that brings the intellectual and emotional capabilities of each and every child to the highest possible level.
Does the school follow the Ontario curriculum?
Yes, and more. The Giles School uses the Ontario curriculum as a base level and then exceeds those guidelines. Giles students are, on average, 2 years ahead of their peers in public (and most private) schools.
How are students graded?
The school issues report cards at the end of each term. These provide written feedback on the child's academic and social development at the school. Grades are assigned at the end of each term.
Should there be an issue with a child, either academically or socially, the school is very proactive in contacting the parents and working with the families to ensure the child is taken care of. It will not be left until a report card is issued.
What qualifications do your teachers hold?
All of our teachers are Ontario qualified or hold teaching certification from their country of origin. More importantly they are selected based on their love of children, their level of native French and their knowledge and experience with the grade and subject matter.
Does The Giles School assign homework?
Yes - students at all Grade levels are assigned homework. In preschool (Pre-K to SK), children receive homework on Fridays to be done over the weekend. Homework for preschoolers is 1-5 sheets of work they've already done in class. Beginning in Grade 1, homework is assigned nightly. The amount of homework is not as heavy as in the public system.
Homework is designed to reinforce what has been learned during class and is never a replacement for classroom instruction.
How will I be able to help my child with homework if I don't understand French?
Homework should be manageable for the students as it is reinforcing classroom instruction, however if a child is having difficulty the teachers want to be aware of it, so that the student can receive extra help. The school also has afterschool homework clubs where students can work together on assignments and where a French-speaking teacher is available for guidance.
How does the school deal with separation anxiety?
For many children, The Giles School is their first experience outside of the home and it can be quite overwhelming. Teachers pay lots of attention to the children and they receive hugs and love from the teachers to help them adjust. Each child adjusts in their own way but after a few days, sometimes 2-3 weeks, the children are adjusted to the routine of coming to school, recognize the staff and are able to feel safe and happy in the school. If there were ongoing issues in terms of a child adjusting to the school setting, the parents would be contacted to address them.
My child has a French background but Mandarin and Japanese are brand new. Will they be too far behind if they enroll after Grade 1?
All Mandarin and Japanese classes work at 3 levels of difficulty, so students may join at any time or in any grade.
What physical activity does the school offer its students?
The students have gym class 2-3 times a week as well as physical activity during recess and in some afterschool activities. For preschool children (Pre-K to SK), several playtimes are scheduled into the day.
The Giles School has 2 outdoor play areas - one for preschool and one for the older children. Many afterschool activities are also available for the children including Dancercise and karate.
Can I volunteer in my child's classroom?
Parents are very involved in the school, however the school does not encourage them to come and volunteer in the classes since most are not French speaking and its often distracting for the children.
There is a PTA in which parents can volunteer for particular projects or events going on at the school. The PTA has a very big role in the running of the school and parents are strongly encouraged to join!
How much is tuition and what is included?
There are no hidden fees at The Giles School, however there are some items that are not covered by the regular tuition and activity fees. Parents are responsible for uniforms, bussing, lunches, extended childcare and November and March break childcare.
Please see the Tuition and Fees page for more details on the school's pricing structure.
How soon should I register?
You can apply for admission as far in advance as you'd like. Our classes are in high demand and The Giles School accepts students on a first-come, first-served basis so the sooner you apply, the better the chance of your child being accepted.
What are the nearest intersections to the school?
The school is located in the area of York Mills Road and Leslie Street. Please refer to the Contact Us page for complete contact information and a map.
Do you have bussing?
Yes, The Giles School works with independent bus companies to provide transportation services. Please see the Transportation page for more details and to sign up online.