On November 23rd, 2010, every SHS family was invited to attenda session highlighting “the benefits of graduating from SHS” –implicit in that title being the contention that these benefits growand accrue if your sons do indeed graduate from Grade 8. Thisevening was organized in order to help families better understandthe SHS experience and guide them as they make well-informeddecisions. There was a good attendance and over 50 peoplegathered in the Phelan Learning Commons for the open andinformative discussion.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the evening was thecomments that were made by Crescent Grade 12 student FraserGrimes (SHS ’07) and UCC Grade 10 student SaunderWaterman(SHS ’09) and by two mothers of four boys, three of whomgraduated and are also now in secondary education. Theiranecdotes and memories stole the show – as they should sincethey are the living proof of what strong preparation did for themand their families.

The intent of this document is to bring to your attention commentsmade by SHS students, parents and others that emphasize thevalue of the total SHS experience and the quality of the preparationthat is a significant part of the SHS offering up to and includingGrade 8.

If you would like further information or more detailed answers tothe questions on the front cover, please visit our website:www.sterlinghall.com/rightplace or feel free to make an appointmentwith the Principal’s Office.

Enjoy! – “You’ve come to the right place”!

Ian RobinsonPrincipal

“At other schools, Grade 7 is a totally different experience from Grade9. Other schools have a lot to learn about the middle school yearsfrom SHS. At SHS you have ready access to the Principal and VicePrincipals - this is not so common in other schools.”SHS Past Parent

BEST PLACE FOR BOYS

At SHS, we celebrate the fact that we are intentionally small. Thishelps boys feel comfortable and confident in their environment andoffers all of them many individual opportunities. Our extra-curricularprograms are aligned to the age level of our boys and are designed todevelop 21st Century skills such as team work, collaboration, leader-ship and communication.

“We value the excellent teachers at SHS, and their dedication to findingthe best way to actively engage with each student – often adjusting theirapproach from boy to boy. We are impressed with the curriculum, andparticularly with the way it can be adapted to challenge each boy. In myopinion, the values and stewardship that are entrenched in the schoolare unique.”Current SHS Parent, Grade 2

EXCELLENT ACADEMIC PROGRAM

“At SHS I saw a diversity in teaching strategies, challenging the studentsto go beyond what they know and pushing the chance to explore asco-learners with their teachers.”Francis Akena, Teacher & Education Doctoral Student

It is our responsibility to prepare your sons for secondary school. Inorder to accomplish this we have 14 Co-ordinators on ourCurriculum Steering Committee who lead the academic programguided by theV-P of Academics.The Board of Governors approvesa generous annual budget for Faculty Professional Development inorder to ensure that your sons are exposed to the best teachingmethods available.

We hire passionate teachers who want to teach boys and aretrained to achieve this goal.We know how to assess our studentsand can demonstrate evidence of learning by sharing their workand providing them with concrete steps on how they can developand progress.

In 2009, SHS launched a tracking program that follows theprogress of our graduates through their secondary years.The datacollected provides information that is used to strengthen currentprogram and curriculum

On average, each of our Grade 8 graduates who are applying toindependent secondary schools receive up to 3 offers for Grade9 entrance.

In Grade 8, the academic program prepares our graduates forsuccess in secondary schools, particularly in English, Mathematics,and French.

“It was very easy to integrate into UCC. I did not find the Frenchprogram in Grade 9 challenging. I felt well prepared.”Grade 10 Graduate, Class of 2009

DIDYOU KNOW that Grade 9 is anexcellent entry level? This is because somany boys earn places in Grade 7 andconsequently, are not in the Grade 9applicant pool. This allows significantopportunity for entry to Grade 9.

DIDYOU KNOW that every one ofthe boys from JK to Grade 8 has theopportunity of speaking at Assemblies?

DID YOU KNOW that Crescent,Greenwood, RSGC, and UCC areoffering a total of 80 or more places atGrade 9 next year?

UNIQUE TO SHS ... Aristotle,Einstein and Socrates are offered inPhilosophy in Grades 7 and 8.

UNIQUE TO SHS… Our teachersbenefit from the research and collab-oration provided through the work ofthe Sterling Institute and ourEducational Researcher.

DIDYOU KNOW that our Grade 8graduates are sought after by allof Toronto’s most prestigious indepen-dent schools? In fact, over the last 5years, they have been offered thefollowing number of places at these5 schools:

Crescent – 67 placesGreenwood – 37 placesRoyal St. George’s – 75 placesTheYork School – 23 placesUCC – 15 places

UNIQUE TO SHS ...The graduatedSHS Outdoor Education programevolves from the Apple Farm in JK,Canterbury Hills overnight in Grade 3to Dog Sledding in Grade 7 andTemagami Leadership in Grade 8.

SHS Continuum Brochure-FINAL2:3 FOLD.QXD 12/20/10 12:47 PM Page 1

THE WHOLE BOY

“The move to Sterling has been a life changing experience for our sonand our whole family. It is truly hard to put into words the incredibleimpact we believe Sterling has on its students. We would love both ofour boys to grow and learn in an environment that focuses on thewhole child and we value the expertise at Sterling on educating boys.”Current SHS Parent, Grade 4

“We have two very different sons, both in personality and strengths,who both had excellent experiences and results at SHS.They excelledwith the program that SHS offered in Grade 6, 7 and 8. Our familyhas experienced a superior program that supported their individualityand helped them mature into self-confident, self-driven, focused yetsensitive young men ready to tackle the demands of high school.”Current Grade 8 and Grade 12 Grad Parent

“SHS will do all they can to help you become comfortable and readyto move to the high school that is right for you. SHS builds disciplinein boys – I was able to balance all my extra-curricular activities andmaintain my high average at Crescent. ”Grade 12 Graduate, Class of 2007

LEADERSHIP/MENTORSHIP

Leadership at SHS begins in Junior Kindergarten and continues allthe way to Grade 8.The leadership opportunities that SHS offersto its senior students have more of an impact than those offeredelsewhere, even at high school.

Leadership positions allow our Grade 8 students to be guidedthrough real-life leadership opportunities that make a difference tothem and in the school. Many of the initiatives undertaken by ourschool are student identified, planned and executed, all with themindful assistance of their Leadership Advisors.

This unique and inclusive system is one more way in which SHSprepares your sons for their future, and why SHS students are insuch demand at secondary schools.

“I have seen many unusual things today – your school is a uniquelaboratory.The students’ leadership is not confined to the classroom, itis pervasive and evident everywhere.”

Michael G.Thompson Ph.D., author of many books including“Raising Cain” (SHS visitor 2009)

THE FUTURE

We are the destination of choice for families seeking a school thatis a leader and innovator in the education and character develop-ment of young boys.

As we look to the future, we are exploring the option of expandingour School to the secondary level. The Board of Governors hasclearly stated that it will only consider the building of an SHSsecondary school if the integrity of our current K-8 school isensured and protected.

THE JK TO GRADE 8CONTINUUM

Where do our students go after Grade 8and how well do they do?

Why isThe Sterling Hall School the best place toprepare our boys for secondary school?

I am told that there are few places available for entry toGrade 9 at other independent schools. Is this correct?

How is SHS's focus on the development of the whole boyevident in your extra-curricular opportunities?

What are the strengths of SHS's academic program?

DID YOU KNOW that UCC hasinformed us that, at the Grade 9 level,they are offering significantly moreplaces than in the past? DID YOU KNOW that Leslie Anne

Dexter, V-P Academics, and ElizabethGray, Graduate Placement Co-ordinator,have visited the Admission Directors ofthe schools to which our Grade 8students have applied?The relationshipsthat they are building are invaluable tothe application process for our families.It is clear through these visits, that theSHS student is known to be well pre-pared academically and a true Sterlingboy.

UNIQUE TO SHS… No otherschool offers a leadership programlike SHS. Our program gives theboys real leadership opportunities toprepare them for their choice ofsecondary school.

99 Cartwright Avenue,Toronto, Ontario416-758-3410

www.sterlinghall.com/rightplace

Current SHS Parent"... third of three sons to attend SHS. This school provideseverything we desire and demand of a school: academicchallenges, social development, leadership opportunities,building self-esteem and self-respect. SHS has been to date–A Phenomenal Experience!"

SHS Continuum Brochure-FINAL2:3 FOLD.QXD 12/20/10 12:47 PM Page 3