FAST FORWARD >> FAST FORWARD >> MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL TRANSFORMATION
CAPITAL BUILDING PROJECT December 2015
2
OUR
20/20 Vision Strategic Plan identified two key priorities as part of a commitment to providing a dynamic learning environment for students: to enhance our existing facilities at 1320 Yonge Street, and to maintain our status as a leading innovator in technology integration.
3
IT IS NOW TIME TO CIRCLE BACK TO THE SPIRIT IN WHICH 1320 YONGE STREET WAS PURCHASED AND TRANSFORM THE SPACE IN WHICH OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS INTERACT AND LEARN.
4
W H Y TH I S ? WHY NOW? It is an honour to present to our community the reinvention of our facilities at 1320 Yonge Street. Our programmes and teachers have long been our competitive advantage. We have provided an exceptional learning experience and innovated our way over the past 50 years to become a leading International Baccalaureate World School. We have had quite a journey. In 1965, The York Montessori School opened in a church basement. The quality of the programme and the strength of the teaching made the school a success. Within a few years the school was thriving, we had a reputation of educational excellence, and classes were being taught in the hallways. In 1979, an office building at 1320 Yonge Street was purchased as our new home. We grew into this building over the next several years, until once again we were teaching classes in the hallways. In 2008, the Board of Directors approved the purchase and renovation of 1639 Yonge Street which opened in 2010 as the home for our JK to Grade 5 students. Our Junior School is a purposebuilt facility that meets the needs and expectations of our community. The space was designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects after consultation with our faculty and parent community. The classrooms, gym, cafeteria, library and gathering space were all designed to support our teaching philosophy and the needs of our students. I was fortunate to be involved with the Board and
the Premises Committee during the acquisition and build of the Junior School, at that time referred to as the Lower School. When it opened, we evaluated the programme needs and offerings at the Upper School before undertaking any major alterations to the building. The added breathing room meant that lockers were moved out of the hallways and the library and Student Services areas were expanded, but essentially, it was a very fine school in an office building. As Head of School, I have drawn from the experience of the previous facilities planning process and understand how important it is to get it just right. In 2011, a major shift took place when the Upper School was split for pedagogical, academic and social reasons into a Middle and a Senior School. This has transformed the school in many ways. Our Middle School focuses on the social and emotional needs of our young students with dedicated space for our Middle School counsellors, Learning Resource teachers and Student Life advisors. It all works – but it is tight. Our Senior School students have made use of a library that was originally built to house the Junior School collection. We have managed for years, but it is now time to create a Learning Commons that supports our digital and text collection. Our cafeteria functions, but does not compare well with the beautiful, spacious and light-filled cafeteria at the Junior School, nor is it available for student use most of the day due to scheduling.
5
Our Strategic Plan, 20/20 Vision, identified the renovation of 1320 Yonge Street as a pressing and immediate need. Our renovation includes a cafeteria that works as a flexible learning zone, meeting the teaching needs of our faculty and the need for a cafeteria that serves as the main social space of our school. Improved athletic facilities have long been seen as a priority and are now being addressed with the addition of a 4,000 square-foot Athletic Centre. This space will allow teams to train, fitness and yoga classes to happen and individual students to work on their personal health as part of our strategic focus on wellness and student development. We will amalgamate the services for our students and parents in the new Student Wellness Centre which will fulfill the strategic directions requested by our community. Working together, we have an opportunity to provide enhanced academic, social and fitness spaces that meet the varied needs of our students and reflect the way that they live and learn. It is time to take the next bold step in the history of this incredible school and unleash the full potential of the innovative teaching and learning already occurring at The York School.
Conor Jones Head of School
We can transform the Middle and Senior School into a uniquely “York School” space that current students are proud to call home and to which prospective students are drawn. We can create a space that represents the energy, creativity and possibilities of our community. I am thrilled to introduce the exciting building project which will be supported by our Fast Forward Capital Campaign. Working together, we will open the doors to a renewed school in September of 2017 – one that will support our progressive approach to education as we embark on our next 50 years. Sincerely,
Conor Jones Head of School
FAS T FOR WAR D TO 20 1 7
-
6
REVITALIZED YORK ON YONGE - LOOKING NORTH AT NEW ENTRANCE
7
TIMELI N E DEC. 2015
OFF IC IA L C A P ITA L C A MPA IGN LAUNC H
M A R. 2 0 1 6
PR E -C O NST RU C T ION BEGINS
JU N E 2 0 1 6
PH AS E I & P HASE II C O NST RU C T ION BEGINS
SEPT. 2 0 1 6
PH ASE I C OMP LET E
SEPT. 2 0 1 7
PH ASE II C O MP LET E D OORS O P EN
8
RAT I O NAL E SUPPORT FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Evidence abounds that The York School is an exceptional learning environment. Our students’ IB Diploma exam scores are consistently 4 points above the global average and on par with the best IB schools in the world. Our graduates are accepted into and excel at leading universities in North America and abroad. Our teachers are leading innovators in their field who creatively engage the whole student. Our families know that we provide academic excellence within an inclusive community where students know each other well and feel valued for who they are. We are now ready to transform our Middle and Senior School into an environment that truly supports our current practices. We are ready to physically create a school that will inspire ways of learning we have not yet imagined.
EDUCATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY The model of schooling that most of us experienced emerged from the early industrial economy. It emphasized content, memorization, rules, conformity and standardized outcomes. Students sat in rows, followed instruction from
the teachers, and were encouraged to fit themselves into a predetermined mold. Two major developments have radically altered that emphasis: the digital revolution and advances in learning research. Gone are the days of content memorization and repetition. Our students now access just about any information at any time. Now, the emphasis is on helping students understand how they learn and developing core intellectual and emotional skills. This shift has changed the role of the teacher and has brought the needs of students to the forefront. It has also meant the end of the traditional classroom. A progressive education acknowledges the importance of student well-being and positions the teacher as a catalyst who ignites student potential and self-discovery. It focuses on the development of thoughtful and caring people. It supports critical thinking and creative problem solving. It accepts that, as digital natives, today’s students have a fluid and unique conception of collaboration and community. A progressive education requires a progressive structure – one that provides for learners‘ needs: academic, physical, social and emotional. A contemporary education demands a facility pulsing with a new ethos: dynamic, adaptable, communal, connected and inspiring.
FLEXIBLE LEARNING SPACES Students thrive when their learning is individualized and customized through flexible spaces, adjustable furniture, breakout sessions, access to varied resources and the exercise of individual choice. Some students need a quiet space to read; others seek a group discussion. One student wants to review the core principles of a lesson with the teacher; another is ready to jump ahead to application. Lessons and learning unfold in myriad ways. The transformation at 1320 Yonge Street will create multipurpose space that can merge seamlessly – blending performance areas, crash zones and teaching space. At the core of what makes The York School unique is our culture. Our students, staff, parents and visitors will interact in our new space with more fluidity and a greater sense of openness. Once completed, our school will function as a more cohesive JK-12 continuum, bringing our Junior, Middle and Senior School facilities and culture together.
WE BELIEVE EXPERIENCE TEACHES. WE DEVELOP INQUIRING, KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ENGAGED CITIZENS OF THE WORLD.
9
I N Q UI RY C E N T R E & G AT HE R I NG P L ACE
LAUGH
CARE
PLAY
ENGAGE
10
11
PERFORM
SHARE
READ
LEARN
12
BREAK O U T S PA C E & SC I ENCE L A B S
13
14
G LAD I AT OR F I TN E SS CE N TR E
15
16
THE YOR K C A F E + LOUN GE
17
18
FU N DR A I S I N G MILE STON E S SEPTEMBER 2017
$5M $4M $3M $2M $1M
$6M
TOTAL FUNDRAISING REQUIRED
DON O R R E COG N ITION 3-D DONOR WALL
RANGING FROM $25,000 - $500,000+
THE 1320 CHALLENGE: $1,320 x 5 YEARS = $6,600
We have over 30 opportunities for named spaces in recognition of significant donations.
What does a progressive, contemporary, international, urban and unique school do to enhance the student experience AND recognize community support for the transformation of its Middle and Senior School campus?
Donations can be made over a 5-year pledge period. Please contact: Conor Jones // 416.646.5271 or Judy MacGowan // 416.926.1325 x 1192
We will create a named installation using a state-of-the art 3-D printer, which will also become a resource for our students.
19
20
FAS T FOR WAR D - S E P TE MBE R 2 0 1 7
21
22
PROJE C T S C O PE & SPACE S MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSROOMS
4
TH
FLOOR
3
RD
FLOOR ART & DESIGN WING
COMPUTER LAB/ BREAKOUT SPACE
KITCHEN & SERVERY
BREAKOUT SPACE GLADIATOR FITNESS CENTRE
LARGE DIVISIBLE CLASSROOM
YORK CAFE
SEMINAR ROOM
IB SCIENCE CLASSROOMS
2
ND
FLOOR
1
ST
FLOOR
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC ROOM
INQUIRY CENTRE
BAND PRACTICE STUDIOS
STUDENT WELLNESS CENTRE
STAFF CHANGE ROOM
GATHERING PLACE LOBBY/ ENTRANCE BOARD/ MEETING ROOM ADMINISTRATIVE AREA
26
APPENDIX A NAM IN G OPPOR TUNI TIE S FR O M $25, 000 - $ 50 0,0 00 + • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Inquiry Centre (named) Gathering Place The York Cafe + Lounge Gladiator Fitness Centre Courtyard (named) Wellness Centre Kitchen & Servery Board/Meeting Room Music Room - Music (Band) Studio Science Labs - Diploma Level (2 opportunities) Common Area Art Classooms (1 named, 1 remaining opportunity) Music Room - Music (Vocal) Studio Design & Tech Learning Commons - Fireplaces (2 opportunities) Classrooms (10 opportunities) Breakout Space - by Courtyard Breakout Space - outside Science Labs Seminar Room The York School Laneway Fitness Centre “Bays” (8 opportunities)
* as at November 18, 2015
27
TH E YORK C AFE + LOU NGE
G AT HE R I N G PLACE
G L A D I AT O R F I T N E S S CENTRE
At the core of the redesign process, the York Cafe will be a lively social hub that serves as a study space, a meeting area and offers full functionality as a cafeteria. Facing Yonge Street, it will be a light-filled central space for students and staff.
This central area will provide a place for parents, students and visitors to casually socialize and access our administrative space. The central feature will be a staircase that functions as a stage for small performances.
As an urban school, our athletics programme flourishes with limited space but with tremendous creativity. A newly built 4,000 square-foot training centre will provide our community with the facilities to exercise and optimize their health.
WELL NESS CENT RE
CLASSROOM S PA C E S
MUSIC + BAND STUDIO
The social, mental and emotional needs of our students are best met with centralized access to counsellors and social workers. This Centre will reflect our commitment to student wellness.
Our classrooms will facilitate the delivery of progressive classes with technological integration. The flexibililty of each classroom will ensure that every student can explore ideas and study in a way that best suits their needs.
Our music programme has produced some exceptional musicians. A purpose-built, sound-proof studio will incorporate a performance space for informal gatherings.
FAST FORWARD >> MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL TRANSFORMATION
CAPITAL BUILDING PROJECT