Junior School

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Welcome

At Havergal College, our Junior School is a welcoming and supportive space that offers a program that teaches students the skills they need to be future-ready.

14

Specialist Teachers & Learning Support Specialists

Specialist Teachers and Learning Support Specialists

9:1

Student-Teacher Ratio

Offering individualized attention for students.

30+

Co-curricular Activities

To meet a variety of interests.

The Junior School welcomes young learners from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 by offering a nurturing and inclusive community that supports students at every age and stage of their educational journey. Rooted in the foundations of a  liberal arts education, the curriculum fosters a mindset of inquiry and equips students with a toolkit for both academic success and overall wellbeing, thus setting the foundation they need to meet the demands of a rapidly-changing world.

Grades

Experience

Teaching & Learning

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Teaching & Learning

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Co-Curricular Activities

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Co-Curricular Activities

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The Arts

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The Arts

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Wellbeing

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Wellbeing

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Athletics

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Athletics

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House & Community

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House & Community

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Our Campus

With the largest girls’ independent school campus in the city, Havergal’s 22-acres feature a natural protected tree-lined ravine, green playing fields and a combination of heritage and modern architecture. Our innovative new facilities are purpose-built to inspire learning and encourage self-discovery. Junior School students have access to all of the outdoor space, including playing fields, classrooms and a woodland trail.

Meet The Faculty & Staff

Our exceptional faculty and staff are what sets Havergal apart from other schools. They keenly participate in the life of the school as coaches, advisors and mentors and show our students every day that they care. Meet some of our team members:

Kate White headshot

Kate White

Head of the Junior School

Liz Watt headshot

Liz Watt

Assistant Head, Junior School

Lydia Abebe headshot

Lydia Abebe

Grade 5 Teacher

Holly Fournier headshot

Holly Fournier

Child & Youth Worker

Miranda Kus headshot

Miranda Kus

Math Coordinator

Emily Partyka headshot

Emily Partyka

Junior Kindergarten Teacher

Dora Scharf headshot

Dora Scharf

French Teacher

Nancy Tulli headshot

Nancy Tulli

Literacy Coordinator, JK–6

Michael Webb headshot

Michael Webb

Grade 2 Teacher

HC-X

Built with intention, HC-X–Havergal’s innovation hub–is designed to support students and faculty through new contemporary programs and innovative future-ready learning experiences.

FAQ

  • While we recognize that there are many factors that affect when a family is ready to apply to Havergal, the strong foundation of both skills and knowledge provided in the Junior School are incredibly valuable. The discovery of the value of their voice, listening with purpose and the confidence that our youngest learners possess in their ability to persevere and be resilient serves students well throughout their education.

    From Grade 5, an expanded co-curricular program offers more opportunities for students to take on leadership roles and try something new. Students develop a sense of independence and are appropriately challenged to step up and contribute to the broader life of their community. The Junior School program fosters curiosity, critical thinking, open-mindedness and an understanding of living our values of courage, compassion, inquiry and integrity. This approach enables students to achieve an increasing depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding and prepares them for further learning in the Middle School and beyond.

  • In the Junior School, leadership skills are developed at every grade level and responsibilities increase with age and grade. In Grade 6, students rotate through a leadership framework. The year is divided into thirds and for each section Grade 6 students take on the formal leadership roles of House Captain, Student Council and Community Council. In this way, there is a deliberate preparation and development of skills and mindsets that is age-and-stage appropriate and contextualized.

  • Our students learn that wellbeing is made up of skills and attributes that require attention and practice. They participate in physical activities, such as a run through the Lisa Hardie Woodland Trail, and engage in guided meditations for mindfulness journaling to calm and balance themselves and help them better understand their thoughts and feelings. They also explore student rights and responsibilities and then work together to co-create classroom agreements that support learning, communication and respect. In each of these activities, and in monthly themes like “Connection and Belonging” or “Understanding Personal Strengths and Challenges,” the first step with our youngest learners is to help them to see and name their experiences. Through finding the words that best express their identity as a learner, a friend and a member of the community, our students build a deeper self-awareness and a sense of belonging, which is the foundation of wellbeing.

  • At Havergal, we recognize the individuality of each child and know that each person learns in different ways. We aim to develop students’ self-knowledge as a learner, encourage confidence and nurture their agency. We encourage every student to be their own person, to challenge themselves and to celebrate successes.

    The Junior School Learning Support team is responsible for supporting students, families and faculty in a collaborative model with the goal of improving student learning and social/emotional wellbeing. The team provides academic and social/emotional support, monitors student progress, manages accommodations and liaises with outside service providers to ensure students experience an education that builds on their strengths and supports their areas of challenge.

  • The Junior School Learning Support team works in collaboration with faculty and families to monitor student growth and provide early and intensive intervention. Interventions are targeted to the specific needs of the student. When more information is necessary to provide effective support, families may choose to obtain an extended assessment (ex. Psycho-educational assessment). If necessary, specific recommendations based on the student’s learning profile will be considered and outlined on an Individual Education Profile (IEP). The IEP will list specific instructional, environmental and assessment accommodations that support a student in achieving their potential.