Beyond Field Trips: How Toronto Private Schools Are Redefining Experiential Education
The concept of experiential learning in private education has evolved dramatically, moving far beyond the occasional field trip. Institutions across the Greater Toronto Area are now weaving hands-on, real-world application of knowledge directly into their daily curricula, aiming to equip students with lifelong skills and career clarity.
A Philosophy Woven into Daily Classroom Life
At the core of this shift is a philosophy that values daily, integrated experiences over isolated excursions. Elanna Robson, Vice-Principal of Student Learning at Toronto's Greenwood College School, emphasizes that while external trips have value, the goal is for experiential learning to be a constant classroom presence.
"It's a lot more powerful if the students are actually engaging in something that's real," Robson states. This approach is evident in programs like Greenwood's Grade 12 kinesiology course, where students design rehabilitation programs for specific injuries and present them to practicing physiotherapists during a school showcase.
Greenwood also maintains structured outdoor education weeks, tying these experiences directly to academic goals. For instance, Grade 8 students travel to Quebec City to practice French language skills in authentic cultural settings.
The "Classroom as a Lab" Approach and Global Perspectives
This integrated model is echoed at Havergal College in Toronto, where a "classroom as a lab" mentality encourages students to tackle genuine global issues. Krista Koekkoek, Head of the Upper School, cites the campus pollinator garden as a prime example. Science classes there study indigenous species, observe the direct impacts of climate change, and develop a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship.
Havergal's commitment extends globally through its membership in the Round Square network and its Global Learning and Leading Diploma (GLLD). These programs connect students with like-minded peers worldwide and focus on social innovation, justice, and global impact, supported by dedicated teacher mentorship.
Building Future-Ready Competencies Through STEM
STEM education is a critical pillar of modern experiential learning. Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby, Ontario, an Apple Distinguished School, prioritizes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and systems thinking.
"Jobs of the future may look different than they do now, which is why we need to promote these competency skills," explains Penny Senior, Technology Teacher and Experiential Learning Co-ordinator at Trafalgar. The school's "Beyond the Castle" initiative ensures every grade engages in STEM-focused excursions across Ontario.
Trafalgar partners with leading institutions like Ontario Tech University, the University of Toronto, Deloitte, and Microsoft. These collaborations provide hands-on exposure, skills-building competitions, and mentorship. One notable project involved using virtual reality and design thinking to aid dementia patients, a process taught to students from Grade 6 onward.
Technology integration starts early, with students coding and working with robots from Grade 4, building comprehensive skills in computational thinking and generative AI for personalized learning.
Athletics as a Pathway to Leadership
Experiential learning extends powerfully into athletics. At The Bishop Strachan School (BSS) in Toronto, sports are integral to the school's mission. Deputy Head of School Meagan Enticknap highlights a new athletic strategy implemented for the 2024-2025 school year, driven by research linking female leadership to lifelong sports participation.
"We know from the research that there's a very strong connection between female leadership and involvement in athletics," Enticknap notes, citing that 60% of women in top executive roles credit sports for their professional success.
BSS adopts a "whole school" approach: all elementary students participate on a sports team with no cuts. The program diversifies in middle school, offering both recreational and competitive pathways, including non-traditional sports like rugby and football. With 23 sports across Grades 4 to 12, coaching is often a collaborative effort between faculty and external experts, creating additional meaningful adult connections for students.
Structured Support Through Adviser and Mentorship Programs
Mentorship is formalized through dedicated adviser programs. At Greenwood, each student is matched with a teacher-advocate for two-year cycles, with the relationship evolving into postsecondary counselling in the upper grades. This program is timetabled and integrated with mandatory career courses, focusing on character development, skills building, and future planning.
Similarly, Trafalgar's adviser program creates safe spaces for social and emotional development through twice-weekly check-ins for students in Grades 9 to 12. At Havergal, the GLLD program includes a dedicated mentorship component where teacher mentors help students reflect on their learning and growth as global citizens.
Professional Internships and Global Immersion
The pinnacle of applied learning for many schools is the professional internship. At St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School (SMLS) in Oakville, the Grade 11 internship is a cornerstone program, now in its 26th year. Every student completes a four-week, full-time placement at organizations like Osler Law, SickKids Hospital, or Shopify, earning co-op credits and gaining invaluable career insight.
"At a stage when many students are still imagining career paths, our girls are already gaining experience and establishing connections," says Catherine Hant, Head of School at SMLS.
For a truly immersive global experience, Neuchâtel Junior College offers Grade 12 students the chance to complete their Ontario curriculum in Switzerland. Living with host families, students navigate new cultures and languages, complemented by academic trips across Europe. This experience cultivates independence, problem-solving skills, and a global citizen mindset that extends far beyond the classroom.
These multifaceted approaches demonstrate that contemporary experiential learning in Toronto's private schools is a comprehensive, integrated strategy. It prepares students not just for academic success, but for meaningful engagement with the complex, real-world challenges they will face in their future careers and communities.
