Greenwood College School

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Coordinates43°42′01″N 79°23′11″W / 43.70015°N 79.38643°W / 43.70015; -79.38643
Established2002 (2002)
FoundersRichard Wernham[1]
Julia West
John Latimer
David Latimer
Greenwood College School
Location

, ,
M4S 2L8

Canada
Coordinates43°42′01″N 79°23′11″W / 43.70015°N 79.38643°W / 43.70015; -79.38643
Information
School typeIndependent day school
Established2002 (2002)
FoundersRichard Wernham[1]
Julia West
John Latimer
David Latimer
PrincipalHeather Thomas
Grades7–12
GenderCo-educational
Enrollment498
LanguageEnglish
Campus typeUrban
ColourGreen
MascotGreenwood Grizzly
Public transit accessSubway: Davisville
Buses: Route 28, 11
AffiliationsCanadian Accredited Independent Schools, Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario
Websitegreenwoodcollege.org

Greenwood College School is an independent co-educational middle school and high school located on the south-east corner of Mount Pleasant Road and Davisville Avenue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Beginnings and growth

Established in 2002[1] by Richard Wernham, Julia West, David J. Latimer and John R. Latimer,[2] the school provides an experiential education to over 500 students in Grades 7 through 12. The school is housed in a facility built in 2002 which was expanded and renovated in 2016. In addition to its urban campus, Greenwood also uses several outdoor facilities.

In the early 2000s, couple Richard Wernham and Julia West, along with father-son duo John R. Latimer and David "Lub" Latimer, imagined of a co-educational school in Toronto that would be an alternative to the foremost independent schools in Toronto, which were mostly single sex and offered the International Baccalaureate.

Founding principal David Thompson left Greenwood in June 2008 become the Headmaster at Lakefield College School. The former Vice-Principal, Allan Hardy, was appointed his successor.

Greenwood completed a renovation and expansion of its main facility in 2016. The expansion increased the school's square footage by 120% and added several new facilities, including a second gym, a performance theatre, new science labs, large Learning Community classrooms and a rooftop terrace outdoor classroom. Greenwood's sports teams use nearby facilities including Leaside Arena, the University of Toronto Athletic Centre, Deer Park Pool and Sunnybrook Park.

Post expansion

After completing the renovation and expansion, Greenwood's student body grew to 500.[3] Founding principal David Thompson left Greenwood in June 2008 to become the Headmaster at Lakefield College School. The former Vice-Principal, Allan Hardy, was appointed his successor. Upon Allan's retirement in 2018, Sarah Bruce became the Principal. In 2024, former Deputy Head of School Heather Thomas was appointed as her successor.[4]

Expanding the campus

A greenspace development project is underway, which will see the establishment of nearby recreation space, including a practice-size turf field, outdoor classroom and social spaces.[5]

Notable alumni

Fees

The tuition fee for the 2025-2026 academic year is $47,170.[6] For new students there is a one-time registration fee of $9,000. Tuition covers student participation in all school programs, including the Outdoor Leadership Program for grades 7 to 11, which includes trips to locations across Canada.[7] Like many independent schools with a Bring Your Own Device program, students are required to purchase a laptop with the required programs installed.

Outdoor education

With academics, Greenwood College School's students are immersed in the school's Outdoor Education Program. Greenwood's Outdoor Education program takes students outside for shared experiences, community building and facing challenges together to build lifelong connections. It includes trips in the fall and winter, considered to be essential character-building experiences that encourage the development of perseverance and leadership.[8]

The founders intended to create a school with strong academics, as well as a learning environment where children are given the opportunity to learn outdoors and leadership and teamwork are essential.[9]

Service learning

Greenwood's Service Learning program gives students the opportunity to participate in a variety of initiatives.[10] On Wednesdays, classes start late to give staff the opportunity to participate in professional development sessions as students take part in community service.[11]

Greenwood is the only school in Ontario involved in the Hockey H.E.R.O.S. program, where students act as hockey instructors for children aged 8 to 12 years from Toronto's inner city communities.[12]

See also

References

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