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The PC Difference

At Pickering College, we provide a nurturing, supportive and enriching learning environment for all students. We educate and develop the whole child through a focus on academic excellence, co-curricular distinction, character and leadership development, and by providing an individualized approach to student learning. We know our students and ensure that they are supported and encouraged to meet their individual needs and accomplish their dreams.

Educating and developing the whole student is a shared responsibility between staff, faculty, parents and alumni. Our teachers enable each student to develop their intellectual, creative, spiritual and athletic potential. Our students are well-rounded individuals who balance a variety of opportunities, feel connected to the school community, and experience personal fulfillment in their lives.

Our programs build on the special strengths of our community: the personal and individual attention we provide our students; the safe and supportive environment; the diverse cultures and experiences within our community, and the unique aspects of our boarding program.

The teacher advisor program, Morning Meeting, family-style lunches and family-based boarding program foster a spirit of community and a caring, friendly environment in which our students thrive. At Pickering College, we remain true to our founding principles, values, mission, history and traditions. Students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni have pride in the school, and feel valued, engaged and connected. We are a compassionate community with extraordinary students who achieve remarkable outcomes every day.
 

Why invest in a Pickering College education?

A Pickering College education provides our students with an exceptional learning environment that prepares them for future success. We develop and instill in our students the attributes, values, knowledge, self-confidence and courage to be successful in post-secondary studies and beyond. Our students not only develop strong academic skills, but they develop social consciousness and leadership skills in order to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.

Experiential learning opportunities deepen understanding and develop leadership capacity from a global perspective. Our learning community is enriched by bringing together students who represent a diversity of cultures and perspectives to study and live at our school. Our students work to develop into ethical, responsible and active citizens who can make a difference in the local and global community.

We offer a smaller school environment where students know their teachers and classmates well. Students are encouraged and supported to do their best. They have ample opportunity to try new things - be it creating a film, learning a new language, hosting their own radio show or venturing off for a weekend of winter camping. Students learn with highly-motivated classmates from Ontario and from more than 30 countries around the world.

Pickering College is a proud CAIS School

In Canada, education is provincially mandated and CAIS Schools are required to meet Ministry requirements.

However, CAIS schools provide more. Our National Standards and Procedures are congruent with the internationally accepted criteria and model core standards adopted by the NAIS International Commission on Accreditation and updated annually based on current research and exceptional practices. The Standards Council of the CAIS Board reviews and approves all changes to the Accreditation Guidelines.

Learn why accreditation matters
 

Educational Partnerships

As a school with a long history and deep roots in the local and global community, we recognize and value the educational partnerships we have formed with various organizations to support our academics, in particular our Global Leadership Program. We are extremely proud of these partnerships as they are an acknowledgement from external organizations of the academically rigorous, creative and innovative programming we offer our students. 

UNESCO school, Associated Schools Network

Pickering College is proud to be a UNESCO school in the international Associated Schools Network. UNESCO, which is the acronym for the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes peace and collaboration between nations. UNESCO schools are in over 180 countries working collaboratively in support of international understanding, peace, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable development, all values taught at Pickering College. Pickering College was the first independent school in Ontario to become a full member of the Associated Schools Network. As members, we are able to participate in projects, conferences and special activities with schools worldwide. 

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center

Pickering College is proud to work closely with the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC), one of Canada’s leading human rights and social advocacy organizations. Inspired by the legacy of Simon Wiesenthal, FSWC works to build a more inclusive and respectful Canada by sharing the lessons of the Holocaust, advocating for human rights and combatting both antisemitism and hate in all its forms. FSWC’s initiatives focus on Holocaust education and studies and aim to foster the values of respect and acceptance, while teaching the responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society like Canada. Pickering College’s students have benefitted greatly from hearing personal accounts from FSWC guest speakers and several of Pickering College’s faculty members have travelled to Poland for a Holocaust study tour, providing them with first-hand knowledge of the Nazi genocide of European Jews. As a result of this experience, our faculty members have been sharing their knowledge and implementing lessons in their classrooms regarding this difficult subject. Learn more about Compassion to Action for Educators.

Global Ideas Institute, Munk School of Global Affairs

Our relationship with the University of Toronto has been long standing in different areas, and in addition to our work with I-Think, our students have been a part of the Global Ideas Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs since its inception. For over a decade, Pickering College has sent a team of students each year to  the university to attend lectures and activities. Supported by teaching assistants, the students are challenged to develop an innovative solution to a difficult problem. The program concludes with them pitching their ideas to a panel of academic and industry experts. This prestigious program has resulted in many of our graduates further developing their solutions after being inspired by their experience. In addition to our work with the Munk School of Global Affairs, Pickering College has hosted Master of Teaching students from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE) as they complete their practicum work at Pickering College to learn more about global education in action.  

Facing History and Ourselves

Another special relationship for Pickering College is that we are the only Canadian partner school in the international organization Facing History and Ourselves. Their rich program for Middle and Senior School students uses history, literature, ethical decision making and unique teaching strategies to help students explore difficult topics, like human rights abuses. Students are challenged to reflect on their choices, the treatment of others, and examine prejudice as they become thoughtful, responsible citizens of the world. These pedagogical tools and strategies have been integrated across grades and disciplines. A focus in our work with Facing History has been around Indigenous issues in Canada, and  the school has partnered with  the organization to have guest speakers, events and professional development for our faculty and to train teachers from other schools.

Additional affiliations

Integrative Thinking, which was conceived by Roger Martin, the former Dean of Rotman, uses tools to teach problem-solving with the goal of developing creative and viable solutions. These thinking tools are incorporated across grades and subjects, so every Pickering College student has the chance to learn strategies that are used by students at the University of Toronto. Thanks to this affiliation, the school has developed a special Grade 12 International Business course that was designed with the Rotman School of Management focusing on Integrative Thinking

In support of our beliefs in wellness and stewardship, Pickering College is celebrating that we have earned the Platinum distinction from EcoSchools Canada for our environmental work, and a Gold medal as a Canadian Healthy School, both the highest honours to be achieved in their respective programs. As a school, we have an engaging experiential outdoor education program integrated into our curriculum. Using our school property and the farm, students have numerous opportunities to explore and discover nature. In order to enrich this programming across grades, Pickering College is also working closely with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority. Classes have the opportunity to complete nature studies and experiments to expand their scientific knowledge. 

There are numerous organizations that the school works with over the year to support programming in different areas, including the Critical Thinking Consortium for teacher professional development and resources. Pickering College is also supporting the concepts of democracy and youth engagement by partnering with Samara and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship for curriculum development and civic engagement.

Pickering College is proud to be internationally and locally recognized for the Global Leadership Program and that these transformational partnerships will continue to enrich our work with our students.

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