Global Leadership Program

At Pickering College, students from JK through Grade 12 engage in the Global Leadership Program, an enriched, fully integrated framework that encourages them to understand the wider world and build the competencies needed to contribute meaningfully to it. The program emphasizes creative thinking, thoughtful decision-making, and the ability to turn ideas into purposeful action while reflecting on the outcomes of their choices.

Learning at Pickering College remains rooted in inquiry, with a strong focus on student voice and independence. Students explore authentic, hands-on experiences both in and beyond the classroom, allowing them to pursue their interests and develop their unique strengths.

The school’s longstanding commitment to whole-student development ensures that every learner is supported in growing intellectually, creatively, spiritually, and athletically. Teachers guide students in realizing their full potential within the school community and in the world beyond.

At a Glance

The Foundation Years (JK-Grade 5)

The Foundation Years Program sets the foundations of Global Leadership through cumulative challenges and interdisciplinary projects organized around six building blocks: Global Engagement, Leadership, Design and Build, Environmental Stewardship, The Arts, as well as Literacy and Languages. The program’s culmination is “My Key Idea,” a public speech advocating for support on a topic of personal significance. From Junior Kindergarten to Grade 4, students collaboratively complete class projects that align with the GLP Foundation Years block.

The Pillar Years (Grade 6-8)

The Capstone Years (Grade 9-12)

In the Senior School, our faculty and staff provide rich, meaningful, and relevant experiences both inside and outside the classroom. The GLP program is delivered through subject classes, mentor meetings, visits from industry leaders, field trips and excursions, clubs, teams and committees to name just a few. The Capstone Action Project requires students to independently research an issue of global significance and take action through an innovative solution to this issue.

Upon successful completion of the Capstone Action Project, Pickering College students graduate with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma and are eligible for the Pickering College Global Leadership Diploma (GLD) or the Pickering College Global Leadership Diploma with Distinction (GLD+).

Impact Incubator

The Pickering College Impact Incubator empowers students to transform innovative ideas into real-world ventures with purpose and impact. Through mentorship, design thinking, prototyping, product development, and launch support, students work alongside educators, industry experts, and community partners to develop solutions that address authentic challenges. From apps and social enterprises to wellness products and educational tools, the incubator helps students move beyond ideas to create meaningful, tangible outcomes.

The Impact Incubator takes the Capstone Project in Grade 12 a step further to accelerate and launch students with an innovative, viable idea to develop a product or address a significant local or global issue.

See finalists here

GLP Diploma and Diploma with Distinction Criteria

Outlined below are the requirements for the Pickering College Global Leadership Diploma. All students will complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and will be eligible for the Pickering College Global Leadership Diploma (GLD)* or Pickering College Global Leadership Diploma with Distinction (GLD+) upon completion of the additional requirements as stated below.

Students joining after Grade 9 can submit experiences at prior school for assessment under the same framework.

GLP Diploma

Engagement and achievement in Grade 11 and 12 GLP Program Capstone Research Project
Engagement and achievement on Global Leadership Program and Projects in Grade 9 and 10 or prior activities at previous school
OSSD Requirements
Sustained and meaningful community service activity
Successful completion of IDC4O Global Leadership: Theory to Action 0.5 credit (70 per cent or above)
Recent and consistent GLP achievements at Competent or above as per GLP rubric including the 10 Demonstrations of Global Leadership and the GLP Interdisciplinary Grade Projects

GLP Diploma with Distinction

As above for GLP Diploma
85 per cent average of top 6 Grade 12 courses
Recent and consistent GLP achievements at Distinction as per GLP rubric

I was absolutely blown away by the accomplishments of these students. I am awestruck by their dedication, research, and passion for their projects. When I graduated from Pickering College, the leadership program was a cornerstone of the Pickering College experience. It has served me well in my time since Pickering and prepared me for challenges life presents when trying to establish yourself in the world. Yet after today, it is evident that the program was in its youth and had not yet grown into the program it could become. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it flourishing into the program it is today. I can say with the utmost confidence that these students are not just learning about leadership, they are living it. I am excited to see what these young leaders accomplish going forward. - Neil Proudfoot '08

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