Hillfield Strathallan College KEY INSIGHTS

Hillfield Strathallan College is a coeducational, independent school that offers personalized, hands-on education for students from 18 months to 18 years. It is one of the largest independent schools of its kind in Canada.

HSC is made up of four schools, each with its own unique character. Unlike most independent schools, parents have the option of choosing between an accredited Montessori School or the adaptive programming of the Junior School, both of which accommodate students until Grade 4. Middle School brings students together for a rigorous and project-based program that spans four years (Grades 5-8) before moving on to the Senior School.

HSC is committed to providing a rigorous academic environment where learning is engaging and challenging while also upholding this rich culture of connection. “As teachers, we want the kids to feel like they belong here,” says Senior School French and Spanish teacher Antheia Cadette-Blasse. “We try our best to make them feel welcome and loved and that we care about their education and about them as individuals.”

As you might expect coming from a college that dates back more than 100 years, there’s a sense of pride in maintaining traditional events and customs at HSC. That being said, progress and change are also top of mind. Technology and innovation augment the curriculum and students are encouraged to follow their passions, explore their interests, ask big questions, and push themselves to try new things and think outside of the box.

ON THE SCHOOL CULTURE

“The reason why kids are so happy here comes down to four main things,” says Head of College, Marc Ayotte. “We have a high academic standard and are constantly challenging and supporting students, we have an individualized approach to learning, we provide a safe environment where all students feel well-known and loved, and we value leadership and provide students with many formal and informal opportunities to lead throughout their time at HSC.” And above all, he adds, “it’s the sense of community. You can be here from the time you’re 18 months until you’re 18 years old, on the same campus, with the same people, but you also get the opportunity to have a variety of different experiences and challenges.”

The staff and students at HSC are all interconnected. “We’ll have high school students coming to read with 4-year-olds, and the Grade 8s will teach the Grade 4s rugby, and when we walk down the halls we’ll see kids saying hello to every person they pass. From the cleaning staff to the kitchen staff to the bus drivers, everyone who works here is part of a team and a family,” says Erica Otaguro ’07, the Montessori School vice-principal and a learning services specialist.

HSC is one of the largest independent day schools in Canada, yet despite its size and the wide age range of students, we are told over and over again that everyone on campus feels like they’re part of a family. It’s this community feeling that brings many new families to the College and encourages many alumni to return with their own kids.

ON THE FOUR SCHOOLS

HSC’s Montessori School is among the oldest continuously running Montessori schools in Canada. “The multi-year curriculum in each class allows every child to work across all disciplines and at a level personalized to their skill development,” says Danielle Hourigan ‘82, Montessori Principal. “Students self-select tasks and work independently with materials that feature a corrective element, affording the child the opportunity to reflect, problem solve, and self-assess work.”

Open concept classrooms and interactive learning set the Junior School apart. A garden curriculum brings science to life with outdoor gardens and even indoor plant walls. Students are encouraged to follow their passion and independent projects based on student interest are common.

Culture plays a really important role in the Middle School, and creating a community where students feel safe to be themselves, explore their identity, thrive academically, and come into their own is what HSC is all about. “The middle schoolers here all know each other, they start their days together, they all have lunch together, and they finish their days together. It’s a happy, joyful place and the students want to be here. They have tons of spirit and pride and it’s wonderful to watch,” says Jessica Setzkorn, Middle School Vice Principal and School Life Coordinator.

With more than 130 course options, the Senior School provides a supported and challenging academic program. All subjects are taught at the academic level with an option to take Advanced Placement exams in Grades 11 and 12. Classes are taught in state-of-the-art classrooms and by teachers with expertise in their subject areas who are passionate about supporting and guiding students on their educational journeys. Beyond the compulsory credits, students are encouraged to explore their interests through a wide variety of elective credits.

ON THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT

“Our students don’t see any limits because they are surrounded by other kids who don’t see limits,” says Ayotte. “When you’re surrounded by ambition and success, it becomes self-evident to strive for that.”

There is no typical HSC student because, as we are informed, HSC accommodates a diverse range of learners. Kathleen Collins, the Junior School curriculum coordinator, emphasizes, “Our program is shaped by student voice and choice,

making it particularly suitable for students with alternative learning styles.” She adds, “We prioritize flexibility, allowing students to approach tasks in a manner that suits them, and our programs are designed to offer robust support for various learning styles.”

The principles guiding learning at HSC encompass personalized learning, PBL, and experiential learning, extending across all four schools. According to Ayotte, “Authentic learning transpires when the curriculum is both engaging and pertinent, and we firmly assert that learning extends beyond the confines of the classroom.” HSC provides abundant outdoor education experiences, community service initiatives, individual and group projects, as well as opportunities in technology and design, contributing to a dynamic and constantly evolving learning environment.

ON ATHLETICS AND CO-CURRICULARS

The College has a huge offering of athletics, arts, and other clubs, activities, affinity groups, and travel opportunities that students have access to. While academics are extremely important, it’s clear that raising well-rounded individuals with a variety of interests is a priority.

Senior School students have more than 50 co-curriculars to choose from each term, giving students an opportunity to discover their passions, uncover new interests, or hone existing skills. It’s an opportunity to make friends and connections beyond the classroom.

From community leadership to recreational activities to inter-school athletics, competitive clubs, and the arts, the choices that HSC presents its students with are impressive. The school’s co-curriculars are teacher and staff-run.

HSC offers arts education in four categories: dramatic arts, music, technology education, and visual arts. Each program is led by accomplished specialists who not only foster creative exploration but also encourage students to actively participate, take risks, and relish the joy of creative expression. “I wouldn’t say we are an athletics school or an arts school, but rather we provide a really excellent balance with opportunities for everyone,” says Ayotte.

“The strength of our program is in its variety,” says Paul Masotti, the director of athletics. “We have basketball, soccer, rugby, swimming, alpine snowboarding, and volleyball, just to name a few.” All students are welcome and encouraged to participate. “Even kids who don’t see themselves as athletes have the opportunity to build confidence and develop their skills,” says Masotti. You’ll find a lot of well-rounded students at HSC who participate in a variety of co-curriculars while also making time for athletics.

ON SCHOOL VALUES

Fostering a strong sense of self, HSC focuses on giving every student the opportunity to become the best version of themselves, gaining confidence while learning and growing in a safe and nurturing environment. Academics are rigorous but accompanied by a focus on social and emotional development. Students are given space to try new things, fail, learn, and try again. The College’s project-based learning (PBL) approach gives students the opportunity to explore areas of passion that are appropriate to their age and stage, while encouraging independence, resilience, and active participation in community.

From anti-racism, to Indigenous education, to pluralism and diversity, the College provides a variety of lenses through which the students can see the world. “We have important conversations as a staff to ensure we are able to bring this information to our students in a way that’s age and stage appropriate while exposing them to a diverse range of resources,” says Junior School Faculty, Kathleen Collins. Teacher education is on-going and staff at HSC seem to share a love of learning with their students.

The sense of community created by HSC staff with a focus on making sure every student feels seen, respected, and valued is what the College prides itself on. It’s why former students return to work and volunteer here after graduating and alumni send their own kids.