Preschool Program Overview

Our onsite preschool program provides a strong foundation for children, preparing them for a rigorous Junior Kindergarten experience. With a focus on both academic and social development, our curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning and essential life skills.

Program Highlights:

• Reading, Writing, and Numeracy Skills: Our structured curriculum develops essential literacy and numeracy skills, including Sidney Ledson’s Early Reading Program, which introduces even two-year-olds to reading, cultivating early literacy and a love for books.
• Life Skills Development: We incorporate activities that promote independence, problem-solving, and self-regulation, helping children navigate everyday challenges and build confidence.
• Character Skills: Our program emphasizes the importance of empathy, respect, and responsibility, fostering positive relationships and a sense of community among peers.
• French Language Instruction: Children participate in engaging French lessons, developing language skills in a fun and immersive environment.
• Social Development: Students benefit from our house system, which encourages modeling advanced language and social interactions through peer collaboration and support.
• Experiential Learning: Field trips are integrated into the curriculum to provide hands-on experiences that enhance learning and connect classroom concepts to the real world.

Note: There is currently a waiting list for the preschool program. For inquiries about program details and availability for the 2025-2026 academic year, please contact the principal.

Kindergarten Program Overview

In progression from our preschool curriculum, Junior Kindergarten (JK) and Senior Kindergarten (SK) students continue to reinforce foundational skills while applying higher-order problem-solving to explore logical applications. Our curriculum covers a broad range of subjects, including math, English, reading, computer literacy, programming, entrepreneurship, journalism, critical thinking, as well as natural and social sciences.

Program Highlights:

• Advanced Academic Curriculum: Building on the strengths of our Early Reading Program and numeracy foundations, our advanced curriculum is designed to challenge and engage young learners with age-appropriate yet advanced content.
• Entrepreneurship Program: We offer a strong entrepreneurship program that culminates in national contests, promoting creativity, public speaking, and math skills.
• Math Program: Our comprehensive math program sharpens numerical and logical reasoning skills, culminating in national math contests.
• Writing Program: Students develop their writing skills through our writing program, which culminates in national writing contests, giving children the opportunity to become proud published authors at a young age.
• Poetry Program: Our poetry program encourages literary expression and culminates in national poetry contests, building confidence and creativity.
• Life Skills and Character Development: Our curriculum emphasizes essential life skills such as problem-solving, independence, and self-regulation, while character development fosters empathy, respect, and responsibility.
• Interactive Learning: Hands-on learning is integrated across subjects, promoting critical thinking and collaboration.
• French Language Instruction: Our immersive French lessons help students develop early language skills in an engaging and interactive environment.
• Social Development: The house system continues to encourage collaboration and social interactions among peers, fostering a sense of community and responsibility.
• Experiential Learning: Field trips and practical experiences are integrated to connect classroom concepts to the real world.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. In rare cases, we may be able to accept mid-year admissions, but the principal must be contacted to determine availability and eligibility.

Grade 1-6 Program Overview

Our Grade 1-6 Program is academically enriched and is a good fit for gifted or high-achieving students who appreciate a breadth in the application of foundational skills. We provide not only advanced learning in each subject but also promote critical thinking in all areas. We maintain a class ratio of approximately 1:12, which allows our teachers to provide individualized learning for each child. Every new student is assessed in the first few days of the program to gauge their academic abilities, identify strengths and weaknesses, and establish academic goals to ensure their success.

Subjects Taught:

• Math
• Language
• Entrepreneurship
• Journalism
• Computer Science (including HTML, CSS, Intro to Machine Learning, Python, R, Javascript block-based programming, graphic model engineering)
• Natural Science (including science fairs with hypothesis testing and presentations)
• History
• Geography
• Research
• Arts
• Current Events
• Debate (Model UN)
• French instruction three times per week
• Music (practical and theory) once per week with an option for extra instruction in piano (choice of regular or Royal Conservatory of Music exam preparation)

Program Highlights:

• Entrepreneurship Program: We have a strong entrepreneurship program that culminates in national contests, promoting creativity, math skills, and public speaking, helping students gain confidence.
• Writing Contests: Our writing program culminates in national writing contests, giving children the opportunity to become proud published authors at a young age.
• Math Contests: Students participate in math contests throughout the year, building familiarity and confidence to perform with ease during evaluations.
• Science Fairs: Students engage in science fairs that emphasize hypothesis testing, research, and presentation skills, preparing them for more advanced scientific exploration.
• Secondary School Readiness: Students in Grades 3-6 receive comprehensive preparation to ensure they are well-equipped for secondary school admission processes and academic success.
• Field Trips and Experiential Learning: Field trips and practical experiences are integrated into the curriculum, helping students connect classroom concepts to the real world.
• House System and Leadership Development: Our students are encouraged to take on leadership roles within the house system, fostering collaboration, responsibility, and a sense of community.
• Physical Education: Physical education promotes overall well-being, movement, and athletic skills, preparing students for participation in team sports and encouraging lifelong physical health.

Our Grade 6 students are well-prepared to continue on to some of the most sought-after secondary schools, requiring academic excellence as determined by admission tests.

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: