Keystone International Schools

Keystone International Schools was established in 2012. Keystone follows the Ontario curriculum with a project-based, experiential approach to learning. Keystone serves both international and local high school students in grades 9 through 12 in the heart of Toronto, where students are prepared for post-secondary success. Universities expect students to think about what they learn: understand, analyze, formulate, investigate and propose solutions to non-routine problems. They are expected to be resourceful and connect their learning to real-life issues. They need to organize themselves and manage their time to meet deadlines. At Keystone Toronto, students follow the Ontario curriculum, while learning key self-management skills. Apart from the core subjects, students pick their electives based on their interest and potential career choices. Selection of electives is a process that involves the students, parents, teachers and guidance counselor.

High school students discover new capacities for critical thinking and forming independent judgments. Students become financially literate in the Canadian system, learn to open their own business, use technology to their best advantage, read classics and explore scientific concepts. Classes debate ethical issues in science, history, economics and literature. Students write poetry, engage in a variety of mathematical reasoning, inquire, hypothesize and conduct hands-on lab experiments. Our teachers present demanding, open-ended topics that encourage students to observe, compare, analyze, create, question and imagine alternatives. They then help students understand why those concepts are important and how they can be applied in the real world. By combining theory and practice through our co-op and regular day program, students gain a true understanding of the world around them.

There are five ESL courses that are based on levels of proficiency in English. Depending on learners’ previous experience with English, students may be placed in ESL Level 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. Students of Grade 9 age whose initial assessment indicates that they are beyond ESL Level 4 (ESLDO) will be placed directly in Grade 9 Applied English (ENG1P) or Grade 9 Academic English (ENG1D).

Students' level of English is assessed during an interview and when necessary, supplemented with an English Assessment Test. Based on the results, students will be placed in the appropriate level of English class. Keystone International Schools have a tri-semester system offering a more flexible academic schedule. Typically, students take 3 credits during the first semester, 3 credits during the second semester and 2 credits in the last semester. If needed or desired, students can also take up to 2 credits during the Summer semester.

Classes are hundred minute blocks. By studying courses in hundred minute blocks, and only having to take maximum of three subjects per semester, students are able to concentrate on fewer courses at a time, resulting in less stress and more time to focus on their courses. Students get individual help and support from teachers. This type of academic schedule, which is more aligned with college and university system prepares students for higher education.

Canada is known for its high quality education system, with many school boards among the top in international rankings. As a result, a high school diploma from a Canadian secondary school is recognized internationally as a sign that the student has succeeded at the highest level of secondary education. Canadian secondary school diplomas are recognized by post-secondary institutions in Canada, US the UK, Australia, New Zealand and many countries abroad. Holding a Canadian secondary school diploma gives the students the advantage in the rest of their educational journey and professional lives.

Every student who begins secondary school must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The purpose of the community involvement requirement is to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities. Keystone International Schools partner with various local community organization and ensures that every student gets a placement that is in line with his/her interests when available.