The evolution of private-school curricula

One of the most beneficial aspects of a private school education in Canada is the incredible flexibility afforded to the curriculum. Canadian private schools aren’t publicly funded, so there’s immense freedom in terms of what they teach, how, and by whom. This means curricula are constantly evolving to deliver a comprehensive, rigorous and relevant education that simultaneously supports students’ unique needs, interests and passions. “This flexibility empowers students to develop confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning,” says Shalousha Gracian, director of admissions at Rowntree Montessori Schools in Brampton, Ont. Elanna Robson, vice-principal of student learning at Toronto’s Greenwood College School, agrees and notes private schools are also able to implement change efficiently and effectively. “We’re nimble,” she explains. “We can recognize–and respond quickly to–the reality of today’s dynamic challenges.”

How do curricula evolve?

The evolution of private school curricula can take many forms: it might mean adding or removing a class, exploring new directions within a discipline, changing teaching modalities, or all of the above. “Our curriculum has evolved to better meet the needs of students and reflect current educational practices,” says Kim Williams, director of admissions at Crestwood Preparatory College in North York, Ont. “Course offerings have expanded to include more interdisciplinary and relevant learning opportunities, while instruction has shifted toward more student-centred, blended, and inquiry-based approaches. Particular focus has been on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).”

At Lauremont School in Richmond Hill, Ont., curriculum adjustments are made in response to both educational research and the changing needs of students. “We’ve strengthened our dual-pedagogy model by deepening the integration of Montessori principles in the early and elementary years and expanding the International Baccalaureate framework in the secondary school,” explains Rachel Marks, the deputy head of school. “Course offerings have been enriched to emphasize inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary connections and real-world applications.”

For newer Canadian private schools, such as Vega Academy in Toronto, it’s less about updating an existing curriculum and more about building one from scratch. “From the start, we’ve designed and developed offerings by combining Ontario Ministry-aligned credit courses with project-based learning and ethical AI literacy, all intended to help students become future-ready,” says principal Miguel Lameiro. Preparing students for the future is also the guiding approach at St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School in Oakville, Ont. “Our curriculum has evolved intentionally to remain forward-thinking, future-ready, and deeply student-centred,” explains Brad Read, associate head of school, learning and innovation, “while still grounded in academic rigour and strong disciplinary foundations.” Read cites inquiry-based learning, personalization and the purposeful integration of technology and digital tools as some of the key areas of that evolution.

What triggers changes?

There are myriad reasons behind the evolution of a private school’s curriculum. “We treat curriculum as a living design,” says Garth Nichols, head of school at Kingsway College School in Toronto. “Each year, we refine courses, assessment practices and timetable structures in response to student evidence, faculty insight and emerging needs.” At Greenwood, the academic team drives change. “[They] carefully review course offerings each year,” Robson says. “Teachers are encouraged to propose new courses that they feel will enhance our personalized and experiential approach.”

Classes may be added, removed or modified each year to ensure the curriculum remains relevant and engaging, and those changes could be based on such factors as evolving educational standards, emerging fields of study, best practices, Ministry of Education guidelines, and/or feedback from parents, students or faculty. “Changes are designed to expand students’ knowledge,” Williams says, “provide new learning opportunities, and ensure that our curriculum remains current while meeting students’ diverse interests and goals.” Marks agrees. “A focus on evolving educational trends, student interests and feedback are important to bridging the gap between traditional instruction and the real-world competencies students need today,” she says.

And Read notes, “This means we may pilot new courses, redesign existing ones, or phase out offerings that no longer serve students as effectively. Change is driven by purpose–not novelty–with a clear focus on relevance, depth and impact.”

How do students benefit?

For private school students, a flexible, ever-evolving curriculum means new, exciting and timely learning opportunities regularly arise in a range of subjects, from robotics and coding to languages and the arts. “Students can take Advanced Placement courses, earn HarvardX computing certifications, and pursue the DELF (diplôme d’études en langue française) French-language diploma,” says Williams, “alongside creative electives that encourage innovation, voice and personal growth.” Some of the “off the timetable” classes offered at Greenwood include photography, leadership and musical theatre. “For musical theatre, students take on roles assisting with the junior musical, or in the full-school musical, on stage or behind the scenes,” says Ryan Vachon, the school’s director of academics and pluralism.

Julie Rouette, executive director of teaching and learning at TFS: Canada’s International School in Toronto says students at her school now “engage in experiential learning from an early age, with specialized design and technology classes introduced in Grade 2, where they begin developing the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills essential for a rapidly changing, AI-influenced world.” AI literacy is also a core component of the curriculum at Vega. “Students begin by reflecting on their own assumptions, then move into guided AI dialogue to test ideas,” says Lameiro.

This malleable, adaptive approach to a private school’s curriculum also helps students thrive by building broader foundations for learning, expanding offerings, encouraging innovative ideas, boosting engagement, and supporting different strengths, learning styles and aspirations. “A flexible curriculum moves beyond exam-focused learning and empowers students to pursue their interests, explore topics in-depth and take intellectual risks,” says Jennifer Baldassarre, director of admissions at Lynn-Rose School in Mississauga, Ont. “This nurtures a genuine love of learning that continues long after graduation, fostering self-motivated, curious learners who are confident in pursuing future academic and life goals.”

And Rouette believes a flexible curriculum that evolves over time yields intellectually inquisitive graduates prepared to excel at leading universities in Canada and around the world. “This ongoing evolution,” she says, “ensures learning remains relevant, rigorous and purposeful.”