Greenwood College School

History

Established in 2002, the school offers a comprehensive academic program to over students in Grades 7 through 12. The school is housed in a facility built in 2002 and expanded and renovated in 2016. In addition to its urban campus, Greenwood also uses several outdoor facilities and destinations to deliver its experiential education and Outdoor Leadership Program. Greenwood was founded by John "Chief" Latimer, David "Lub" Latimer, Richard Wernham and Julia West.

Beginnings and growth

In early 2008 it was announced that founding principal, David Thompson, would be leaving Greenwood in June 2008 to become the Headmaster at Lakefield College School. The former Vice-Principal, Allan Hardy, was appointed as his successor.

Greenwood completed a renovation and expansion of its main facility in 2016. The expansion increased the school's square footage by 120% and added several new facilities, including a second gym, a performance theatre, state-of-the-art science labs, large Learning Community classrooms and a rooftop terrace/outdoor classroom. Greenwood's sports teams also use nearby facilities including Leaside Arena, the University of Toronto Athletic Centre, Deer Park Pool and Sunnybrook Park.

Alumni

Greenwood has had ten graduating classes, the Class of 2016 being the most recent. Graduates of the school have gone on to attend Canadian universities such as McGill University, University of Guelph, University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, Lakehead University, McMaster University, Wilfrid Laurier University, Trent University, OCAD University, Western University, St. Francis Xavier University, Acadia University, Queen's and Richard Ivey School of Business, as well as schools such as Harvard, Brown, University of South Africa, Stanford University, and St. Andrews in Scotland.

Some Notable Alumni Include:

Tom Wilson (ice hockey) - Forward for the Washington Capitals

Tom Ramshaw - Rio 2016 Olympian

Fees

The tuition fee for the 2016–2017 academic year was $33,900. For new students there is a one time registration fee of $7,500. Tuition covers student participation in all school programs, including the Outdoor Leadership Program for Grades 7–11 which includes trips to locations across Canada. Like many independent schools with a Bring Your Own Device program, students are required to purchase a laptop with the required programs installed.

Outdoor Education

By balancing academics, Greenwood College School's students are immersed in the school's Outdoor Education Program and extensive Service Learning Program. The founders wanted to create a school with strong academics, while also creating a learning environment in which children are given the opportunity to learn outdoors and a school in which leadership and teamwork is essential.

Greenwood's outdoor education program includes trips in the fall and the winter. These excursions are key character-building experiences, encouraging the development of perseverance and leadership. The fall program begins a few days into the school year. Destinations by grade include:

Service Learning

Greenwood's Service Learning program is very well respected and gives students the opportunity to participate in a variety of initiatives. Every Wednesday, classes start late.; this provides staff the opportunity to participate in professional development sessions, while students take part in community service. Programs include:

Greenwood is also the only school in Ontario involved in the Hockey H.E.R.O.S. program, a nationally renowned program in which Greenwood students act as hockey instructors to children aged 8–12 years from Toronto's inner city communities.