Upper School (Grade 9&10)

"Our Upper School provides a breadth of experience for our students, from our academic and co-curricular programme, to experiential trips at our S. Bruce McLaughlin Northern Campus in Temagami. Students have a multitude of opportunities to establish their identity, both their own and within their school community."

christopher patterson - Director, Upper school

Rich Curriculum

• Focus on character education

• Students have a rich choice of electives ranging from Arts to World Languages

• Students partake in innovative collaboration through a digital learning environment

• Students actively develop leadership skills and confidence through curriculum and support

• Strong group of Upper School core courses keeps Senior School course options open

• Click here to view the course calendar

AP (Advanced Placement)

• Challenges, accelerates learning and motivates students

• AP examinations are accepted as first-year credits at all Canadian and most U.S. colleges and universities

• 572 AP exams were written in 2022-23

• AP Capstone is an innovative diploma programme providing students an opportunity to engage in rigorous scholarly practice of the core academic skills necessary for successful university completion

• To achieve the AP Capstone certificate, students must complete and pass AP Seminar and AP Research and an additional four AP exams

Advisor Programme

• Advisors work with students, their parents, teachers and school directors to encourage, guide and provide support
• Upper One (Grade 9) students are assigned to an Advisor, with a group of eight to 10 other students
• Advisor groups allow students to transition into a new grade, discuss school issues, seek peer advice and learn from knowledgeable faculty members
• Advisor groups stay together from Upper One (Grade 9) to Senior Two (Grade 12) so Advisors can follow a student's development

Co-Curricular Passport

• The Passport is the guide for students in choosing co-curricular options over the course of their Appleby experience
• Provides flexibility so students can pursue areas of individual interest whether in Athletics, Arts or Service
• Ensures students take a variety of options from Arts, Athletics, and Service
• Athletics exemptions are offered, allowing students to pursue up to 12 terms of sports
• Minimum of three athletes (one per year) from Upper One (Grade 9) to Senior One (Grade 11)

Leadership

• Students can develop leadership skills through a variety of workshops and conferences
• Opportunities to develop leadership skills include the Upper School Council, International Council, Service Council, Arts Council or various leadership clubs
• Students learn about leadership through the co-curricular program, the advisor program and the residential life program
• Experiential education opportunities are provided through global education, the northern campus and co-curricular leadership roles
• Students have the opportunity to apply to a variety of formal leadership positions in the spring

Intercultural Learning

• Cultural immersion programme allowing students to broaden their perspectives outside their own culture
• Students engage with multiple aspects and influences of culture, including language, religion, the arts, history, geography and globalization
• Allows students to bring meaningful intercultural experiences to the classroom
• Inspires students to be leaders in creating a future where active citizenship can impact the world

Round Square

• Appleby was the first Canadian school to join Round Square
• Students have the opportunity to attend domestic and international conferences/exchanges
• Based on the theories of experiential educational philosopher Kurt Hahn
• Encourages personal development and responsibility in students
• The Round Square King Constantine Medal is awarded in recognition of outstanding commitment to the Round Square IDEALS

International Exchange

• Provides new perspectives and helps students gain a greater insight into the world
• Exchanges range from three weeks to an entire school reporting period in countries such as Germany, Spain, Peru, Oman, Switzerland, France, Australia, South Africa, Thailand and India
• Language-based exchanges strengthen oral and comprehension skills of the language
• Culture-based exchanges allow the student to develop their sense of independence

Outdoor Education

• Upper One (Grade 9) students participate in autumn outdoor education experiences to learn wilderness navigation techniques,
  develop an appreciation for the natural environment and build bonds in their advisor group

• Each winter Upper Two (Grade 10) students participate in a six-day trip to Appleby’s S. Bruce McLaughlin Northern Campus for winter camping and skills development

• Students receive instruction in a variety of wilderness skills, including snowshoeing, wilderness navigation with map and compass, outdoor cooking and camping skills

• Each group is assigned one Senior Two (Grade 12) and two Senior One (Grade 11) outdoor instructors

• Students who are new to Appleby in Grade 11 or Grade 12 complete a New Student Outdoor Education trip at Appleby's McLaughlin Northern Campus

Experiential Education

• Global Experiential Programme trip options in December, March, May and June

• Past locations have included various locations in Canada, Argentina, Costa Rica, Cambodia, Colombia, Germany, Mongolia, Macedonia, Morocco, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Senegal, Spain and Thailand to name a few

• As part of their Appleby Diploma, students in Upper School enjoy two experiential visits to the S. Bruce McLaughlin Northern Campus in Temagami for skills development in leadership and outdoor education

• Participation in a global experience is a core requirement of the Appleby College Diploma which is included as part of tuition fees for students entering Upper School

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

• This international award has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold
• Founded by the late HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh
• Encourages youth to be active, develop new skills and challenge themselves
• Students pursuing leadership opportunities achieve at least their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award

• 98 Silver Award recipients over the past three years at Appleby 

• Seven Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award recipients over the past three years at Appleby

• Download the Duke of Edinburgh's ORB Participant app on IOS here or for Android devices here