Students in preschool are equipped with the most essential foundation skills necessary to prepare for an academically rigorous and socially inclined Junior Kindergarten program.  This condensed program includes 30-minutes spent, daily, in an interactive and dynamic one-on-one video-chat with their class teacher, daily 30-minute carpet time with their class teacher and preschool classmates, and 20-minute video-chat French lessons from Tuesday to Thursday with their French teacher and classmates in preschool – JK .  Each 30-minute lesson with the child’s teacher will include three parts: 10 minutes of reading instruction, 10 minutes building numeracy skills, and 10 minutes working on critical thinking skills.  Each class, their teacher will assign two optional printable worksheets to supplement learning.  Every afternoon, preschool students have the option to join Carpet Time (3:15pm – 3:45pm) for an engaging social experience with their teacher and classmates.  During Carpet Time, children can look forward to interacting in the context of a variety of educational themes, such as Storytelling, Art Appreciation, General Knowledge, Show and Tell, and more.  A minimum attendance plan (based on one-on-one sessions scheduled with their teacher) of 3 days per week will be required for an accurate on-going measure of sustained progress, and on this schedule students will be eligible to receive a year-end Sidney Ledson Institute report card.  Children registered on any one-on-one attendance plan are welcome to join French and Carpet time on all days that these activities are scheduled to occur (e.g., a child registered for one-on-one lessons with their teacher on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday may attend Tuesday’s French and Carpet Time).  Optional programs (at an additional fee) include 15-minute private piano lessons for children that have a keyboard at home to practice with (Saturdays), as well as 30-minute Yoga & Zumba classes on Friday afternoons.  

Our Distance Learning program delivers the same quality of one-on-one education as our traditional campus by using Google Meet video-chat and Google Classroom for assignment processing.  A regular Gmail address and a Chrome internet browser are the only necessary prerequisites required for access through any desktop device.  Mobile devices can be used for access by downloading the Google Classroom and Hangout Meets apps.  

In progression from our preschool curriculum, students in JK and SK receive the same reinforcement of foundation skills while applying higher-order problem solving to explore logical applications.  Students are provided with a daily set of printable worksheets that allow them to exercise and demonstrate comprehension of lessons taught through a combination of video-chat instruction from their teacher and recommended instructional videos.  Subjects covered fall under math, english, reading, computer literacy / programming, entrepreneurship, journalism, and critical thinking, as well as natural and social sciences.  The kindergarten teacher works with students individually and in groups at times scheduled every day from 9:00am – 4:00pm. Every afternoon, Kindergarten students join Carpet Time (3:15pm – 3:45pm) for an engaging social experience with their teacher and classmates.  During Carpet Time, children can look forward to interacting in the context of a variety of educational themes, such as Storytelling, Art Appreciation, General Knowledge, Show and Tell, and more. 

Our Distance Learning program delivers the same quality of one-on-one education as our traditional campus by using Google Meet video-chat and Google Classroom for assignment processing.  A regular Gmail address and a Chrome internet browser are the only necessary prerequisites required for access through any desktop device.  Mobile devices can be used for access by downloading the Google Classroom and Hangout Meets apps.   Devices with keyboards are required for participation in computer literacy curriculum components.

Our Grade Program is academically enriched, providing not only an advanced (depth and breadth) learning in each subject, but also promoting critical thinking in all areas.  We maintain a class ratio of 1:12 students (approximately), which allows our teachers to provide for individualized learning for each child.  Every new student is assessed in the first couple of days, at the start of the program, to gauge their academic abilities, identify strengths and weaknesses, and to establish academic goals and a plan to ensure their academic success. Upon admission, subjects taught include math, language, entrepreneurship, journalism, computer science (HTML, CSS, Intro to Machine Learning, Python, R, Javascript block-based programming, graphic model engineering), natural science, history, geography, research, arts, current events, debate (Model UN), physical education and more.  In addition, students receive French instruction three times per week, and music (practical and theory) instruction, once a week.  We also offer the option of extra instruction in French (DELF certificate preparation) and in piano (choice of regular or Royal Conservatory of Music exam preparation).  Our students are prepared for, and participate in national math, writing, and computer science competitions throughout the year.    Students in Grades 3 – 6 receive SSAT-track preparation as part of this enriched program.  Upon graduating, our Grade 6 students are well prepared for middle school, as they continue on to some of the most sought-after secondary schools that require academic excellence, determined by admission tests.

Our Distance Learning program delivers the same quality of one-on-one education as our traditional campus by enabling full-day access to teachers and classwork using Google Meet video-chat and Google Classroom for assignment processing.  A regular Gmail address and a Chrome internet browser are the only necessary prerequisites required for access through any desktop device.  Devices with keyboards are required.

At SLI, it is a pedagogical priority to equip students with the ability to earn their choice of opportunities, both during and beyond the course of their elementary school experience.  In fulfilling this directive, our program includes a measured curriculum component that centres on ensuring students are well prepared in all academic, socio-emotional, and conversational capacities so as to not only meet, but exceed admission standards for the most sought-after secondary schools.   This includes readiness for SSAT performance, interview proficiency, and numerous opportunities to build a portfolio of documented character strength; theses opportunities come in the form of participation in activities such as club leadership, House League leadership, and fundraising, among other school-supported feats of personal initiative.  Our students typically earn their choice of schools, and further find themselves recognized as deserving recipients of secondary school scholarships.

Zahra (Class of ’17, currently at University of Toronto Schools Secondary School) talks about achieving SSAT-readiness:

Alyan (Class of ’19, currently at Upper Canada College Secondary School) talks about benefits of all other aspects of secondary-school admission readiness:

Letter from the principal:

Dear Parents,

We are pleased to inform you that we will be offering on-site and online participation options for children in JK – Grade 6 for the 2021-2022 academic year. The preschool program will continue with its successful course in our progressive and engaging online format.  In maintaining our low student-teacher ratio of 1:12 for Kindergarten – Senior Elementary classes, and to facilitate safe on-site social distancing, only 7 of the 12 students in each class will be eligible for on-site participation.  On-site placement will be granted on a first-come basis. 

To best accommodate health safety precautions per advisory from officials, students will be asked to arrive with personal sanitizer and face masks, in addition to using entrances/exits designated for their cohort.  Families will also be asked to follow abbreviated pick-up and drop-off schedules and submit daily COVID pre-screening forms.  Before and after school care will be available from 8:30 – 9:00am and 3:30 – 4:00pm, and it will be offered at no additional fee.  

All online students will be required to have a computer, headphones, and printer available for participation.  

Students enrolled in the Gr 1 – 6 classes will be required to bring a laptop and headphones for facilitation of hybrid class participation.  While on-site students will have their attention directed to an actual whiteboard and teacher in front of them, online students will have the same view of teacher and board available through their Meet screen, along with the opportunity to communicate with peers and their teacher through headphones. 

Recess supervision will be exclusively offered to on-site students, with priority given to attention required for safe mask breaks, food consumption and disposal, and access to nearby outdoor amenities.  Weather permitting, on-site students will enjoy mask-free gym periods along the scenic Betty Sutherland Trail, in which case, online students would be directed to complete an alternative physical activity assignment. 

Both online and on-site, our academic program will continue in its enriched and accelerated design, to deliver the best of traditional and innovative education.  From early reading and numeracy skill development, to cutting-edge curriculum delivery in computer science, financial literacy, international studies, character building, and the performance arts, SLI is eager to continue its tradition of excellence for the upcoming academic year.

Tuition, Fees, and Payment Policies

COVID-Policy

Regards,

Rumina Shivji