Academic Ambition
Educational Approach
TFS is renowned for its academics. The rigour of our curriculum — in which we teach the curricula of France and Ontario through the framework established by the IB programs — is unparalleled. Our graduates leave TFS with an education that is rich in challenge, diversity and opportunity, and they study in universities and pursue the programs of their choice.
While this focus on student achievement has always been central to who we are, our goal as a school is to develop students who are academically ambitious. What is academic ambition? In some ways in can be summed up through our motto: Individuals who reflect, citizens who act. Our motto emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to engage in reflection and lifelong learning so that they can develop the discernment needed in order to become active citizens who can make a positive impact in the world.
More specifically, our understanding of effective learning is based on the concept of academic ambition, which views learning as an ongoing journey of wonder and fascination, and the learner as an ethical and intellectually curious traveller in search of meaning.
Learning Through Academic Ambition
Learning based on the spirit of academic ambition is characterized by a number of attitudes and practices. For instance, our students pursue knowledge and understanding through deep inquiry. They develop critical thinking in order to better understand the complexity of the world and make wise choices. It is common for our students to question respectfully the status quo as a result of their deep understanding of causes and consequences in the local and global contexts. They communicate effectively in a variety of contexts, collaborating closely with others in the construction of meaning.
Our students embrace academic challenge through a model of trial and error and they tackle challenges with integrity, resilience and self-belief. They reflect constantly on learning so that steps for growth can be established, reviewed and updated. Ultimately, they continually strive for excellence and use their acquired knowledge, skills and dispositions to contribute to the betterment of humankind.
TFS is defined as being “une école exigeante” in the sense that we believe that our attitudes and practices as educators should model, enable and nurture academic ambition.
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We develop multilingual critical thinkers
At TFS, our students become bilingual in French and English, and they can choose third language classes starting in Grade 6. We often describe our program as “beyond French immersion” as our students learn French as a first language, following the curriculum from France and, at all times in the day, actively practising their French with francophones from around the world.
We understand that languages do not exist in a vacuum and are deeply connected to culture, which is why our education introduces our students to the diverse cultures tied to different Francophonie countries. They gain an ability to see the world from multiple perspectives, to think broadly and relate more deeply. -
We celebrate difference
TFS believes in coeducation because life is coeducational. Many of our graduating students have been studying together since Grade 1 or before. Their experiences teach them how to communicate and collaborate, and to accept and truly respect one another’s differences.
Our community is diverse. Collectively, our families speak more than 60 languages. Our teachers hail from all parts of Canada, and from many parts of the francophone world: la Francophonie. And while TFS is non-denominational, we welcome families of all faiths. -
We empower our students to be engaged citizens
A profound sense of ethical citizenship, guided by the four values of integrity, discernment, respect and engagement, imbues our teaching and learning. We encourage our students to acquire a global outlook based on mastering several languages, developing intercultural skills and taking a keen interest in local, national and international affairs.
We nurture this sense of citizenship not just because this is good in itself, but also because it is the best way to ensure that they have a positive impact in the world through their chosen professional careers or personal passions.
