Middle School

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

• Q. WHAT DOES THE ACADEMIC & GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP PROGRAMMING LOOK LIKE AT SMLS?

  Our enriched academic programming challenges and engages girls at their own varied starting points. The program balances traditional core concept teaching with inquiry-based and project learning that integrates themes across multiple subject areas. A new feature of our program is the opportunity for reaching ahead to earn Grade 9 credits in Grade 8.
  
  

  Throughout the year, girls have the opportunity to participate in a variety of opportunities to test their academic abilities which, depending on the year, include challenges such as math contests, bridge building, the Spelling Bee of Canada, the CIS Junior Speech Competition, Kids Lit Quiz, music festivals, dance festivals, and more. These opportunities help to further build on the confidence that girls are developing every day in the classroom.
  
  

  Opportunities for adventure within Ontario, as well as outside the province and internationally, are offered across all three years of Middle School under the leadership of our renowned Global Citizenship Department.

• Q. WHAT CO-CURRICULARS ARE AVAILABLE?

  A strong focus on academics coupled with involvement in co-curricular activities makes for a well-rounded student. We encourage girls at every age and stage to participate in their choice of co-curricular clubs and activities, and offer a wide assortment to choose from. Involvement with peers in such activities outside the classroom creates a stronger sense of community and school spirit, and naturally helps to forge new friendships. It also challenges the girls to explore their passions and discover new interests.
  
  

  It also challenges the girls to explore their passions and discover new interests.
  
  
  

• Q. WHAT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES EXIST?

  COSSOT is a Coalition of Single Sex independent schools of the greater Toronto area. Member schools include St. Mildred's-Lightbourn, Bishop Strachan, Branksome Hall, Crescent School, Havergal College, Royal St. George's, St. Clement's, St. Andrew's College, Sterling Hall, Trafalgar Castle, Upper Canada College, and St. Michael's College School. Together we plan a variety of age-appropriate events and determine guidelines for these activities. All Middle School COSSOT events are fully supervised by staff and Prefects from participating schools.

  
  In planning these events, one of the objectives at the Middle School level (Grades 7 and 8 only) is to provide opportunities for students to meet and socialize with other students from a variety of schools. The number of students able to attend each event varies, and as a result, each participating school is allotted a predetermined number of spots. Often, we have more interest than spots and, therefore, must place limits on the number of girls who attend. A lottery system is used to select names of girls to attend events when there are more interested girls than spots available. Effort is made to ensure that each girl is able to attend at least one event, if she so chooses.

• Q. HOW DO WE SUPPORT SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

  Girls in Middle School are in the midst of one of the greatest times of change in their lives. Our Middle School Homeroom Teachers understand how girls develop, and are dedicated to creating a safe and caring learning community where girls are comfortable being themselves.
  
  

  Our Student Support Team includes Heads of School, Guidance Counsellors, Learning Strategists, Nurses, our School Chaplain, and Social Worker. This team works to develop a school climate where all of our girls can thrive, and supports students and their families in a variety of ways.

  
  Our weekly whole school and Middle School-focused Chapels and assemblies, led by our School Chaplain and Middle School Head, empower girls to strive to be their best and celebrate their personal and collective successes.  

• Q. HOW DO WE CREATE COMMUNITY AT SMLS?

  Millies of every age and stage learn the importance of service and generosity, and come to understand that the positive impact is far-reaching, both locally and globally. In addition to making girls aware of the needs of others, it also brings to light the fact that even they can make a difference in the world.
  
  

  A strong sense of community is important to us at SMLS, and with programs such as our weekly whole-school Chapels and our Big Sister, Little Sister initiatives, our Middle School girls develop relationships with Junior and Senior girls, as both "big" and "little" sisters.  
   

  Middle School girls have many opportunities throughout the year to support charities and organizations such as The Terry Fox Foundation through the Terry Fox walk, Home Suite Hope's Empty Bowls homeless fundraiser, and a variety of other school and student-led initiatives.
  
  

  Student involvement in these and other initiatives help support Middle School girls with the completion of our very own SMLS "Junior Duke" Program award, by earning service hours. And more importantly, they help instill a strong sense of community and philanthropy at a young age.