Academics
A Pickering College education provides our students with an exceptional learning environment that prepares them for future success. We develop and instil 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
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.
The Global Leadership Program focuses on developing leadership skills and potential in each student from a global perspective, ensuring that our students are equipped to understand and address complex global issues through carefully planned curriculum, co-curricular opportunities, community service, authentic experiential learning opportunities, educational partnerships, and cross-disciplinary independent projects.
By working with others locally and globally through transformational partnerships, travel, community service opportunities, and technological communication, our students experience and appreciate what it means to be an active and responsible global citizen. The Global Leadership Program equips our students to pursue their passions, post-secondary studies, and careers to be effective leaders in a globally competitive and rapidly changing, interconnected world.
Pickering College offers all students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 challenging and meaningful learning opportunities through its Co-curricular Program. If students are to be successful in leading a balanced and purposeful life, they must explore and develop their skills and talents beyond the classroom. This unique program encourages students to participate in a variety of activities, including competitive athletics, recreational sports, fitness, diverse clubs, community outreach opportunities, as well as art, music and drama.
Our Outdoor Education Program (JK-12) engages students in activities that enrich their curricular understanding, present a multitude of benefits from exploring and enjoying our natural heritage to inspiring them to be more active stewards of the environment. Through our access to the Blue & Silver Farm as well as a series of progressively more challenging off-campus trips and excursions, our program encourages intellectual, emotional, and social development, leadership as well as age-appropriate risk taking within a safe learning environment.
Pickering College Learning Commons
At Pickering College, the Learning Commons is more than a library; it’s a vibrant academic hub that supports curiosity, discovery, and meaningful learning at every stage of a student’s journey.
From their earliest years, students are encouraged to develop a lifelong love of reading and exploration. Junior School learners discover new stories, participating in engaging story times connected to classroom themes, and building foundational research and literacy skills. As students progress through Middle and Senior School, the Learning Commons evolves with them, becoming a dynamic resource centre that supports independent inquiry, critical thinking, and academic excellence.
Students have access to an extensive collection of print and digital resources, including scholarly research databases, curated e-book libraries, multimedia learning tools, and trusted news and academic platforms. These resources empower students to deepen their understanding, explore personal interests, and engage confidently with complex ideas.
Guided by expert library staff, students learn how to conduct effective research, evaluate information responsibly, and use academic tools with integrity. The Learning Commons also plays an important role in fostering inclusive perspectives by maintaining a diverse collection that reflects a wide range of voices, experiences, and global viewpoints.
Serving the entire school community, the Learning Commons is thoughtfully designed to support both collaborative learning and individual study. Through evolving technologies, innovative programming, and carefully curated collections, it ensures that Pickering College students are equipped with the skills, resources, and confidence they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
The Arthur Garrett Dorland Friends Historical Research Collection
The Arthur Garrett Dorland Friends Historical Research Collection (Canadian Quaker Archives) holds over 5000 titles of non-circulating books, journals, newspapers, and pamphlets dating from the late 1600s to today. This special collection is located next to the Learning Commons at Pickering College. Currently the archives are not operating as usual however, an inventory can be found at quaker.ca/archives/our-collection. For genealogical information, many public libraries provide free access to www.ancestry.ca.
Transcriptions of early records and historic journals are also available on the Canadian Friends Historical Association website.