Upper School Information

Upper School Information

Last updated
9/4/2024 9:06:06 PM

The Strength of 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

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  • 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

AP OFFERINGS
  • English Composition
  • English Literature
  • Calculus AB
  • Calculus BC
  • Statistics
  • Computer Science A
  • Art History
  • Studio Art
  • French Language
  • Chinese Language
  • Human Geography
  • Macroeconomics
  • Psychology
  • World History
  • U.S. History
  • Physics 1
  • Physics 2
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Research
  • Seminar

Advisor Programme

  • Advisors work with students, their parents, teachers and school directors to encourage, guide and provide support

  •  New Upper One (Grade 9) and Upper Two (Grade 10) students are assigned to an Advisor, with a group of eight to 10 other students

  •  Advisor groups stay together from Upper One (Grade 9) to Senior Two (Grade 12) so Advisors can follow a student’s development

  • Advisor groups allow students to transition into a new grade, discuss school issues, seek peer advice and learn from knowledgeable faculty members


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

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  • 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 boarding 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 S. Bruce McLaughlin Northern Campus

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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


Global Experiential Learning

  • Experiential immersion enhances student learning, service leadership, teamwork and understanding in intercultural environments
  • Students engage in multiple aspects of culture including language, religion, the arts, history, geography and globalization
  • Inspires students to become empathetic world leaders in creating a future where active citizenship can impact the world
  • Participation in a global experience is a core requirement of the Appleby College Diploma with trip options in December, March and May

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

Upper School Facts

145

Upper One  Students

170

Upper Two Students

23

Sports Teams 

25

Nationalities & Cultures

9:1

Student to Advisor Ratio

2

One Fall and One Winter Trip to the 
S. Bruce McLaughlin Northern Campus

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