Crescent School Prospectus

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A GREATER NEED FO R MEN WITH CHARACTER.

CRESCENT SCHOOL

MEN OF CHARACTER FROM BOYS OF PROMISE

CRESCENT FACTS AT A GLANCE

Welcome to Crescent School

We live in a society that is volatile, complex, and in a constant state of flux.

There has never been a greater need for men of character who can step up and positively influence our world. It is why I am sincerely thankful that you are considering Crescent School for your son.

Crescent’s commitment to build Men of Character from Boys of Promise is a tradition that runs deep. For over a century, we have been dedicated to helping boys discover who they are, how they can lead and the legacy they can leave behind.

We are a school where character development is a responsibility that rests with every member of our community. It is a community that encourages our boys to expand their perspectives, challenge their beliefs, learn from each other and actively mature and grow.

Our teachers model good character each day and build strong relationships with their students, making sure that each of them feels known, cared for and has a sense of belonging. And we infuse character education into everything we do to ensure our students have the skills they need to thrive.

Lasting friendships and strong bonds are also an inherent part of the Crescent School experience. I can assure you that your son will graduate with an alumni brotherhood that will be with him for life and share his commitment to building a better world and creating a better society.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to our campus and our community.

HEADMASTER MICHAEL FELLIN P’24

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A GREATER NEED FO R MEN WHO ARE ENGAGED.

Why a school for boys?

Boys face unique obstacles as they travel on their journey. They may lag behind girls in literacy and numeracy, are more likely to be suspended from or drop out of school and have lower acceptance rates to university. Boys also have higher rates of loneliness, depression and suicide and often battle societal views around toxic masculinity, which can have a deep impact on their identity.

Crescent School understands and celebrates boys. We focus on their intellectual, physical, social, and emotional lives and have an appreciation for the intensity and complexity of boyhood.

We seek first to build good character, helping each boy make responsible choices, respect others and live an honourable life. And we encourage our boys to perform at a high academic level while taking care of their wellbeing.

Boys learn differently

Schools for boys take into account a simple fact: boys develop and learn in different ways than girls. Boys are more spatial and visual by nature, hard-wired to learn more easily through actions than words.

Crescent teaches in ways that boys learn best. Every faculty member in our school has made a conscious decision to teach boys. Their passion to do so requires a commitment to building relationships, crafting a character-infused curriculum and leading a classroom that engages every student.

A boys’ school allows boys to be more open

A school for boys helps students discover and explore their full potential. Without the social pressures of a coed environment, they can be whatever they want to be: scholar, athlete, artist, student leader or friend.

Working together in the classroom, on the playing field, or in the performance halls, Crescent boys are united by a special bond of brotherhood. They build meaningful friendships with their peers and our staff and faculty that they carry with them forever.

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A GREATER NEED FO R MEN WHO ARE GOOD LEADERS.

Building character since 1913

What it takes to earn the Crescent Diploma

Developed in conjunction with the Centre for Curriculum Redesign, a non-profit global leader in 21st century education, the Crescent Diploma is awarded to students who have met Crescent’s enriched academic requirements; demonstrated the character qualities a graduate needs to learn, lead and build a legacy; and been fully engaged in community life.

There are three main features of our academic program that are integral to the Crescent Diploma: modern and future-ready knowledge, character-infused education, and signature experiences.

A 21st century approach to learning

At Crescent, our curriculum incorporates traditional subjects made relevant for today. For example, data science is part of mathematics. Relationships and consent are discussed in health education. And public speaking is folded into the performing arts. Our curriculum also includes modern subjects such as computer science and psychology and deals with current topics such as artificial intelligence, coding, digital literacy and emotional intelligence to ensure our students are ready for the future.

Character-infused education

Crescent’s approach to teaching and assessing character competency is deliberate, systematic and evidence-based. We have identified critical character traits – including leadership, courage, curiosity, critical thinking, and adaptability – that our boys need to become Men of Character. These qualities are mapped onto all our curricular and co-curricular programs.

Teachers watch for evidence that these character qualities are being demonstrated by students in order to provide feedback, mentoring and encourage personal growth.

Signature experiences that are unique to Crescent

Signature experiences are also a central part of our boys’ character journey. Above and beyond our core curriculum, they are available to our students in each of our divisions. Our boys participate in a range of experiences where they learn about themselves and the world around them, developing the character they need to thrive in, and improve, our complex society. Examples of these handson experiences include leadership workshops, student exchanges, international outreach, adventure journeys, and a host of community service opportunities.

Crescent has always been a school focused on character development. This is embedded in our mission, Men of Character from Boys of Promise. The Crescent Diploma captures what makes a Crescent education different than others. It is awarded to students as they graduate from each division of our school (Grades 6, 8 and 12).

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A GREATER NEED FO R MEN WHO ARE CURIOUS.

One school. Three divisions. Countless opportunities.

Crescent School is made up of three divisions: a Lower School for boys in Grades 3 to 6, a Middle School for boys in Grades 7 and 8, and an Upper School for boys in Grades 9 to 12.

Lower School

In our Lower School, our young Boys of Promise are introduced to the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, and Compassion that will guide their day-today lives. Our Lower School has a detailed character education program with goals, themes, and character pledges in every grade. Our faculty inspires our boys to explore their imagination and their world. All our robust curricular and co-curricular programs support our boys in reaching their goals.

Middle School

Middle School is where a boy pursues his potential, taking his first steps toward manhood. Our innovative character-infused curriculum and our unique CharacterIn-Action co-curricular programs enable him to find his passion and the learning skills that work best for him. Students are actively involved on teams, in Outreach programs, in bands and robotics, in plays and intramural programs. Our boys learn how to be leaders, delivering daily announcements, performing community service, tutoring younger students and more.

Upper School

Our Upper School boys focus on defining their purpose and learning the important things they need to know as men. Boys participate in our wide-ranging co-curricular activities. Our local and global outreach opportunities allow our boys to become fully immersed in communities beyond Crescent and become engaged citizens. Upper School boys are encouraged to hone their leadership skills, be collaborative, and develop their communications skills by holding executive positions in teams and clubs or through meaningful opportunities for peer mentoring and mentoring younger boys. The Prefect Counsel is comprised of 17 Grade 12 students – including Head Boy – who are elected annually to positions of authority and responsibility by their peers, faculty and staff.

Crescent School offers rich and diverse experiences for boys.

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A GREATER NEED FO R MEN WHO ARE COL LABORA TIVE.

Arts

Crescent’s commitment to the arts is clearly demonstrated by our superb facilities and the dedication of our faculty. Our drama program encourages our boys to be courageous, collaborative, and master the art of communication. Our visual arts classes inspire creativity in every medium and teach our boys how to express their ideas clearly. Our media arts curriculum lets them present their ideas through website design, 3D video production, print, photography, sound, and animation. Crescent’s music program includes instrumental and vocal performance groups.

Athletics

Crescent Athletics programs are opportunities to teach values above winning and promote leadership, courage and collaboration. We have over 80 sports teams that compete in CISAA, including our signature sports of soccer, basketball and rugby. Our sport model focuses on long-term development principles. Lower School has equal playing time for games and end-of-season events. As boys progress to Middle and Upper Schools, teams feature the most skilled players and there are playoffs. Students not selected to teams are encouraged to participate in intramural programs.

Business

Our Business programs give our boys the chance to hone their business skills while engaging in real-life “character-in-action” situations. Students can lead, communicate and use analytical and critical thinking skills and are encouraged to be courageous and self-aware in high-pressure situations. We have a Crescent School Investment Team where boys manage a real money portfolio, a Business Team Leadership Program and a Junior Business Club. We also participate in Business Case Competitions and DECA.

Outreach

Crescent’s Outreach programs offer our boys opportunities to discover and demonstrate their character and become engaged citizens with a social conscience. Through active involvement in local, national and international community service, students open their minds, hands and hearts to make a difference in the lives of others, develop personal leadership skills and reflect on the kind of men they want to become. Our students also actively participate in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award that encourages personal development.

Robotics

Our Robotics curriculum and co-curricular teams and clubs are opportunities for our boys to develop new skills and to be creative – and they learn about potential careers in science, technology and engineering. We offer technical design courses where students design, program, wire and fabricate solutions to address a specific need. Our Team 610 competes in the FIRST Robotic Competition at the world level − and we offer Lower and Middle School students the opportunity to participate in Crescent’s VEX IQ Robotics Club.

Developing character through the arts, athletics, business, outreach and robotics.

Crescent’s five Character-In-Action programs provide our boys with ample opportunities to develop character outside the classroom.

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A GREATER NEED FO R MEN WHO ARE SELF-AWARE.

Supporting every Crescent boy on his journey

Working in partnership with students, staff and parents, Crescent Student Services supports the wellbeing of our boys in all areas of student life.

Academic Wellbeing

Crescent provides academic support to help our boys develop the learning skills that are integral to becoming proficient students. That includes providing them with effective strategies for time management, studying and test-taking.

Guidance and University Counselling

As our Upper School boys prepare for graduation, Crescent’s Guidance and University Counsellors work with them to determine their course selection. They also help our boys explore their career options and formulate the best plan of attack to gain acceptance to a university program that will help unlock their full potential.

Social-Emotional Wellbeing

Social-emotional support is available to broaden our boys’ understanding of who they are and how they can mature into Men of Character. Our social workers are available to provide counselling, coaching and advice – and to work with teachers to ensure that our boys

can cope with any issues they might have. And we hold monthly wellness days, where students engage in stress-releasing activities.

Physical Wellness

Our Wellness Centre provides primary care to students who become ill or injured at school and ensures boys coping with chronic illness or injury are appropriately accommodated in their learning environment. Crescent School partners with Holland Bloorview Concussion Centre, a full service concussion clinic that offers education, support and care for all our boys.

Food Service/Lunch

Understanding how essential good nutrition is for boys’ mental and physical wellbeing, Crescent provides a healthy lunch program that is free with tuition. A variety of foods is available each day and accommodations are made for students with special dietary needs or for religious, health or lifestyle reasons.

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A GREATER NEED FO R MEN WHO ARE ADAPTABLE.

The Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education

Four areas of research

The CCBE focuses on four major areas: character, wellbeing, boy-centred pedagogies, and diversity, inclusion and belonging.

The CCBE champions how boys learn best through professional learning and research programs. It oversees research-informed learning activities that help teachers better implement Crescent’s boy-centred relational, experiential, and active forms of teaching. The CCBE provides professional learning and coaching for teachers, supports faculty research projects in the classroom, and leads national and international research studies with partner organizations. And it manages student research projects with the Student Participation Action Research Collaborative (SPARC), a research consortium that mobilizes student insights and voices to improve school culture, policy, and practice.

Supporting Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At Crescent School, we value each person’s unique life experience and we strive towards being a community where everyone feels welcomed and valued. We believe that human differences enrich our school and provide myriad perspectives from which we can learn through our character-infused curriculum, Character-In-Action programs and other learning experiences.

Crescent School has always been committed to discovering how boys learn best. To further this commitment, we established the Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education (CCBE) in 2020 to be a beacon in boys’ education, serve the Crescent community of teachers, parents, and students, and be a global resource for those interested in understanding and working effectively with boys.

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A GREATER NEED FO R MEN WHO ARE ETHICAL.

Crescent boys enjoy a brotherhood for life

Lasting friendships and strong bonds are an inherent part of the Crescent School experience that our boys carry with them when they leave our school.

Our alumni frequently return to our campus to share their experiences, offer guidance and give back to the school in a variety of ways. True Men of Character, they can be found passing along their skills in the classroom and in clubs such as DECA and Robotics. They are also generous supporters of our student financial aid program, helping guarantee that the Crescent School experience is in reach of deserving boys.

The Crescent Alumni Network enables graduates to connect, give back and expand their professional network.

Alumni Programs

Our Alumni Internship Program connects young Crescent alumni with meaningful summer employment opportunities. Our University Mentoring Program connects an alumnus enrolled in university with a Crescent student entering his first year at the same university or in the same academic program. And our Professional Mentoring Program connects an experienced alumnus with an alumnus pursuing a similar career path.

We have a growing and active alumni network around the world. These friends, advisors, mentors, and role models provide personal and professional connections and support for life.

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A GREATER NEED FO R MEN WHO ARE CREATIVE.