TFS - Canada's International School

Parents' Handbook 2024– 2025 17 LEARNING THROUGH ACADEMIC AMBITION The TFS school motto, individuals who reflect, citizens who act, emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to engage in reflection and lifelong learning so that they can develop the discernment needed in order to become active citizens who can make a positive impact in the world. More specifically, our understanding of effective learning is based on the concept of academic ambition, which views learning as an ongoing journey of wonder and fascination, and the learner as an ethical and intellectually curious traveller in search of meaning. Learning based on the spirit of academic ambition is characterized by the following attitudes and practices: - Pursuing knowledge and understanding through deep inquiry; - Reflecting constantly on learning so that steps for growth can be established, reviewed and updated; - Embracing academic challenge through a model of trial and error; - Facing difficulty with integrity, resilience and self- belief; - Communicating effectively in a variety of contexts; - Collaborating closely with others in the construction of meaning; - Developing critical thinking in order to better understand the complexity of the world and make wise choices; - Questioning respectfully the status quo as a result of a deep understanding of causes and consequences in the local and global contexts; - Using acquired knowledge, skills and dispositions to Teaching and Learning contribute to the betterment of humankind; and - Continually striving for excellence. TFS is defined as being "une école exigeante" in the sense that we believe that our attitudes and practices as educators should model, enable and nurture academic ambition. The school's senior academic leadership team works closely with the school's middle leadership (VPs, Directors of Teaching and Learning, Department and Primary Curriculum Coordinators) and teachers in order to ensure that instructional and assessment practices align with our beliefs about effective learners and learning environments. We focus, primarily, on two domains, namely, the consistent development of instructional practices and the constant monitoring of student progress. For example, by seeking ways to vary learning engagements to inspire and motivate students, teachers strive to help learners become tenacious in acquiring knowledge, skills and dispositions. They also engage in meaningful dialogue with students to provide timely feedback during the learning process in order to ensure continuous progress. Students are also encouraged to be cognizant of, reflect on and monitor their own learning. In creating an environment for learning that encourages problem-solving, decision- making and developing habits of mind, we equip our students with the tools to be responsible world citizens. RANGE OF PROGRAMS The school operates programs from Jardin d'éveil Hafez, age 18 months, to pre-university, is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education, accredited by the Ministry of National Education in France (PK to Level II) and authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization from PK through Level V: the Primary Years Program from PK - Grade 5; the Middle Years Program from Grade 6 - Level III; and the Diploma Program in Levels IV and V. Our Introductory French program, offered up to and

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