Forging the Path
A comprehensive tactical plan has been developed to activate the Spark strategic vision. It will be a 5-10 year horizon of activities that will evolve as required to meet our goals.
We are advancing this strategy with a number of key initiatives designed to advance the objectives of ‘The Big 3’:
1. Human Capital and Unconventional Expertise
- Innovative Professional Development programs for faculty and staff to advance teaching and learning approaches that are aligned with our new vision for academic excellence.
- Whole school professional learning on Pluralism and how collaborate in meaningful and collegial ways.
2. Transformational Program
- Research and realign curriculum design to achieve a more expansive vision of academics to include creativity, character development and life skills.
- Enhance current collaborations and experiential programs, (i.e., Victory Gardens, Foodrunners, GO! Outdoor Education and International Exchange), to bring the classroom into the world.
- Investigate new approaches and integration of diverse subject areas to personalize learning and create a seamless path from Grade 8 through graduation.
- Courageous Conversations, a program for Senior School students, faculty and staff piloted last year, will be implemented. This provides an opportunity to explore challenging social and world issues while learning the skills of active listening, respectfully engaging with diverse perspectives on sensitive issues, and expanding our worldview.
- Changed our Senior School Schedule to intentionally build connection and belonging through weekly community time on Wednesdays.
- Changed Little and Junior School schedule to build time for faculty collaboration and interdisciplinary work, particularly when integrating science, technology and art.
- Created the role of Vice Principal of Student Life and Belonging to focus on community connection, co-curricular programs and student wellbeing.
- YHS is now cell-phone free to promote real-world social connections between students and to reduce the negative impact of social media on student mental wellbeing.
- Two faculty research teams looked into research internships and work placements for our Senior school students.
- A new online learning program for student learning will be launched in 2025/26, thereby expanding the variety of Senior School electives.
Across the LS and JS, faculty is examining current resources and practices to create a more cohesive, streamlined approach to teaching in the core subjects of English Language Arts and Mathematics, as well as assessment practices.
3. Dynamic Future
- Transformation of Junior School facilities including a new Innovation Lab and Atelier to support enhanced learning in science, art, engineering and technology.
- Renovation of Senior School spaces to support more complex program developments including a Multimedia Lab and an Engineering and Robotics Lab.
- A refreshed brand identity will be launched shortly to communicate who YHS is to our community and beyond.
Continued growth and expansion of our YHS Connect online platform to increase global Alum engagement and networking opportunities.