Living on campus at Upper Canada College BOARDING LIFE

Living on campus at Upper Canada College BOARDING LIFE

Welcome to UCC Boarding HOME AWAY FROM HOME What s an ideal atmosphere for boarding students? Welcoming, supportive, fun that s a good start. We know choosing the right residential program requires much research and deliberation. The goal is to find a place where your son can learn and live in a supportive academic community, and we re here to assist him every step of the way. Urban location with easy transit access UCC is uniquely situated in an urban, world-class city. Within a fiveminute walk, boarders have access to our convenient public transit system. We re fortunate to be nestled in the heart of Toronto. A city of multiethnic neighbourhoods, Toronto reflects the diversity of our international boarding community. We are committed to providing students with a safe and rewarding residential experience. As expected, many students require assistance as they adjust. Our Residential House Advisers are sensitive to new students needs as they make this transition. With a staff-to-student ratio of 1:5, advisers and faculty provide the direction and encouragement students need to achieve their goals and dreams. Our two residences of 44 students each are home to actors, athletes, musicians, debaters and scholars from across Canada and around the globe. Boys have well-supervised opportunities for evening and weekend activities. In class and beyond, activities are designed to support the school mission and develop men of character. Boys come to UCC from across Canada and around the world, and experience everything a culturally rich and diverse city like Toronto has to offer. Upper Canada College is situated in the heart of the city, about 30 minutes from Pearson International Airport. UCC s boarding program has been an integral piece of school life since 1829. 1 Upper Canada College

Support Services SETTLING IN Whether you re arriving from another province or a distant country, adjusting to a new environment takes time and patience. The following services support our boarding students as they settle into their home away from home. House Advisers Within the boarding community, Senior and Associate House Advisers represent most of the academic disciplines. Students are also encouraged to seek extra assistance from their subject teachers. Richard Wernham & Julia West Centre for Learning Whether a student is writing an essay for the first time or developing time management skills, the Centre for Learning (CFL) offers support programs. As well, the CFL s Upper School coordinator lives on campus and is available during the day and in the evenings during supervised study. These are areas of support offered to our students: identify areas of strength and improvement; develop study strategies; develop reading and writing skills; develop organizational, time-management and testtaking skills. Health Centre Health Centre staff provide medical care, assessment, emergency treatment and personal counselling. With registered nurses and a school counsellor, UCC keeps the development needs of adolescent boys foremost in mind. The Health Centre is also a confidential space for discussing health and personal concerns. A physician is also on call, and UCC is a short drive to world-renowned hospitals including the Hospital for Sick Children. School Counsellor The school counsellor offers confidential counselling services and assists the House Advisers, staff and parents to promote the well-being of students. Food Services Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available in the Upper Dining Hall. Each house is equipped with fridges and a toast and milk room. Students may order delivery food at the discretion of the Senior House Adviser. They may also purchase food at the nearby grocery store. University Counselling Office The University Counsellor works most closely with students in the IB program. However, boys may obtain information about university and career preparation. With 100 per cent receiving university offers, and IB scores 10 per cent above the average, our grads are well-equipped for top universities in North America and internationally. Computer Support The entire campus offers full wi-fi capability and each student is assigned a personal Apple laptop for classroom use. House Personnel Each house has a team of faculty and staff advisers and an elected student head. Seaton s and Wedd s Houses are comprised of boarding students. The residential staff includes four Senior House Advisers, four Residential House Advisers and eight Assistant House Advisers. Communication Parents are encouraged to contact the Senior House Adviser to discuss their son s personal well-being and progress. Parents are always welcome and the Senior House Adviser will arrange conferences with teachers. Senior House Advisers are committed to regular telephone or Skype calls home to discuss student progress. A central part of life at UCC, the House System offers boys consistent daily support and organizes students for intramural sports, social activities with sister houses from nearby girls schools and more. 2 Upper Canada College 3 Upper Canada College

Student Life DAILY SCHEDULE There is never a dull moment in the life of a UCC boarding student. Here s a snapshot of a typical day. 7:30 a.m. 8:15 a.m. Breakfast 8:30 a.m. 8:55 a.m. Assembly or Advising 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Period 1 10:35 a.m. 10:45 a.m. Recess 10:50 a.m. 12:20 p.m. Period 2 12:25 p.m. 1:05 p.m. Lunch 1:10 p.m. 1:55 p.m. Period 3 2:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Period 4 3:45 p.m. 5:30 p.m. After-School Activities 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Dinner 6:45 p.m. 7:00 p.m. House Meeting 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Evening Study 9:00 p.m. 10:45 p.m. Free time or additional study time 11:00 p.m. Lights out; IB students are permitted late-evening study CREATIVITY, ACTION AND SERVICE In addition to scheduled classes, all boarders must complete a balanced program in three co-curricular categories: Creativity, Action and Service (CAS). These activities promote personal growth through various art, athletic and service activities. With over 60 different clubs to choose from, it s not hard to find something that interests you, whether it s photography, chess or debating. The challenge will be deciding what to pursue. As a boarder, I have tried many things that I never had before. At my old school, no one did sports, clubs or any activities other than studying. I am on the cross country, swimming, and track and field teams. I am involved in the Mandarin Club, International Club and Key Club. In sports, I made friends with my teammates who introduced me to the brotherhood of UCC. - Xu Zhang, 15 COMPETITION AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT With 19 sports and 45 interscholastic teams, our Upper School athletics program stands above its peers in terms of opportunities and facilities. Boarders have access to the ice arena three nights each week and the fitness centre each night. With four streams of athletics, there are opportunities for both competition and skill development: physical education class; the House sports system for mass participation with no try-outs; intramural sports and competitive sports teams to represent UCC, travel and receive high-end coaching. FIVE ESSENTIAL AGREEMENTS Communication is essential: All students must have a cell phone and text to notify their advisers when leaving campus. Boarders must respect the 11 p.m. weekday curfew: Everyone must be in their room by 11 p.m., i.e. showers finished, etc. Collaborative study should occur before 11 p.m. Attendance is mandatory at regularly scheduled events: These events include breakfast, assembly and advising, and house and community meetings. Mandatory co-curricular involvement: All boarders must be involved in school activities, e.g., sports, theatre. The fall term is mandatory, with a minimum two-term involvement. Houses must be empty between 4-5 p.m. each weekday. Keep a clean room: Beds made daily. Desks and floor tidy. Boarding s Five Essential Agreements are intended to ensure a high level of safety, engagement, well-being and responsibility. 4 Upper Canada College 5 Upper Canada College

Weekend Life OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM While classes are not held Saturdays, a wide range of co-curricular, athletic, social and community activities occur on weekends, and boarding students are expected to be fully involved. Opportunities for entertainment and enrichment in the community include bike tours, rock climbing, a winter ski program, movies, museums, theatre and sporting events. Near the College are several independent girls schools that often join us. Weekend activities are programmed with several key opportunities in mind: exploring cultural neighbourhoods; offering community service experiences; connecting to the day boy community; connecting to coed opportunities with neighbouring boarding schools; offering enriched outdoor-education opportunities on Toronto s waterfront, at Norval Outdoor School and on the Niagara Escarpment. Living in Toronto Our boarding students have the fortune of living in one of the world s most culturally diverse urban centres. Toronto is Canada s largest city and Ontario s provincial capital. It is home to more than 60 ethnic communities. Often called a city of neighbourhoods, Toronto features diverse communities including Chinatown, Little Italy, Little India and Greek Town. All have dynamic cultural festivals throughout the year. Toronto also showcases an annual jazz festival and Luminato, a worldclass celebration of music, dance and theatre, to name a few. Endless shopping options are within arm s reach and our exciting restaurant scene is a constantly evolving caravan of all the top dining trends. Our transit system of subways, streetcars and buses offers convenient connection to the College, just a five-minute walk from campus. Unique Academic Offerings INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM The International Baccalaureate Program is the gold standard in internationally recognized university entrance programs. With IB scores 10 per cent higher than the average, UCC students have an edge with admissions offices when it comes time to apply to some of the best universities in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. CUSTOMIZED SUPPORT FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS Negotiating a new province or country and a new school is no small task. That s why boarders will experience an extra-reassuring welcome when they re immediately connected with the resources of the Centre for Learning (CFL) upon arrival. English Language Learners (ELL) may attend a special Orientation Day upon arrival, before school starts. The CFL is renowned for research on boys learning and is an expert at making sure each and every boy feels confident, and learns and performs to the best of his ability, whatever his unique needs. ELL have special access to its services and resources including: prearrival, sending boarders the first chapters on the first book they will be reading in English and discussing the text online; on arrival, offering school and neighbourhood tours, and helping parents see more of Toronto; in school, running classes for English skill development, arranging peer tutoring and matching ELL with native speakers. English Language Learners have special access to the Centre for Learning to help stay on track as they pursue the IB diploma. 6 Upper Canada College 7 Upper Canada College

FAQ COMMON QUESTIONS UCC s boarding program has been an integral piece of school life since 1829. When did the boarding program start? Upper Canada College s boarding program has been in place since the College s founding in 1829. Where do boarding students come from? The boarding program is home to 88 young men each academic year. Students come from across Canada (50 per cent) and internationally (50 per cent), from over 20 countries, including those in North and South America, Europe and Asia. When does boarding begin? Boarding is offered beginning in Grade 8 (age 13 minimum) and goes to Grade 12 (graduation). Are guests allowed? The Boarding Experience Program allows day friends to join boarders for up to one week. Prospective boarders are welcome to try boarding for up to five days. Is laundry available? Laundry is done for all Grade 8 through Grade 10 boarders. Machines and instructional guidance is provided for IB boarders. Do all boarders have roommates? All Grade 12 students are assigned a single room. All other boarders have a double room, and there are three triple rooms in each house. Our boarding students are available to talk via Skype at uccboarding. Connect with us and arrange a time to video chat live. 8 Upper Canada College

Office of Admission 220 Lonsdale Road Toronto, ON Canada M4V 2X8 416-488-1125 admission@ucc.on.ca www.ucc.on.ca