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Sunnybrook School

Canada, Toronto

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$0 - 35,900
Ages 4 - 12 years
Pupil numbers 140
Type Co-educational
Opened 1952
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Singapore Curriculum, Canadian Curriculum
Taught languages French
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School, Elementary
Introduction

Sunnybrook School is a private IB elementary school in Canada serving ages 4 to 12 (JK–Grade 6). The curriculum follows the IB Primary Years Programme, with reference to the Ontario guidelines, and also incorporates Singapore mathematics and Canadian curriculum elements. The school emphasizes inquiry-based learning, concept-based teaching, and global citizenship through the IB Learner Profile. Literacy emphasizes phonics and literature, integrated across the Program of Inquiry in a transdisciplinary approach, and digital literacy and basic coding are embedded. The campus features a renovated library with over 14,000 volumes, flexible Learning Studios, and an outdoor playground with artificial turf, basketball hoops, and spaces for mixed-age play. The school runs a one-to-one iPad program with a digital citizenship curriculum developed with Common Sense and Project Zero. French is taught daily starting in JK, and arts, music, drama, and physical education are woven into the program. Enrichment includes author visits, field trips, and school-wide performances.

469 Merton St, Toronto, ON M4S 1B4, Canada

The Essentials

Sunnybrook School has 140 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
469 Merton Street, Toronto, Ontario M4S 1B4, Canada. The school is located at this address in Toronto.

Stages
Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP).

Type
Private IB elementary school.

Country affiliation
Canada

School day structure
The school opens at 8:00 am. Before Care begins at 7:45 am. After Care runs 4:00–6:00 pm. Homework Studio is available 3:50–4:30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for students in After Care.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are worn by students. House activities require wearing the House Colours, and a House T-shirt is given as a welcome gift by the Sunnybrook Parents' Association when students arrive.

Food Options
The lunch program is provided daily at no extra cost and meals are prepared fresh daily on the premises by the SBS chef.

House System
The school has five Houses: Birch (yellow), Willow (blue), Maple (red), Oak (purple) and Pine (green). Grade 6 students serve as House Heads, and House activities include House Games, Spirit Days, and eco-friendly initiatives; points are awarded for various achievements, including wearing the uniform properly and speaking French.

Governance and Ownership
Sunnybrook School was founded in 1952 by Mrs. Irmingard Hoff. The Director is Irene Davy, Ph.D. (since 1984) and the Principal is Teralee Brunn (since 2018) with Vice Principals Michael Rossiter and Tanya Low. All parents are members of the Sunnybrook Parents' Association, a parent-run organization that supports the school through fundraising and activities.
Fees

Annual tuition at Sunnybrook School ranges from up to CAD 35,900 for 2026/27.

Fees Overview (2026/27)

Application and Registration Fees
- Enrolment application fee (non‑refundable): CAD 200 upon application. For local students applying after March 1, the application fee is CAD 250. For international applicants the application fee is CAD 250.
- One‑time registration (acceptance) fee (non‑refundable): CAD 7,000 for SK–Grade 6; CAD 4,000 for JK; CAD 4,000 for Grade 1–6 siblings of current students.
- Sunnybrook Parents' Association (SPA) fee (payable upon acceptance): CAD 100.
- Technology fee (payable upon acceptance for SK–Grade 6): CAD 950 in the first year; CAD 750 in each subsequent year for SK–Grade 6.

Tuition: Total and What It Covers
- Total tuition for the 2026/27 school year (SK–Grade 6): CAD 35,900 per student. Tuition includes books, materials, yearbooks and school trips except for student iPad costs, clubs, and trips costing more than CAD 25. The lunch program is included in tuition.

Tuition Payment Structure — New Students
- First installment due upon acceptance: CAD 5,000.
- Remainder due as per the school schedule: CAD 30,900. Total tuition CAD 35,900. New enrolments may pay by term or arrange monthly payments.

Tuition Payment Structure — Returning Students (per term installments)
- First installment (due Feb 9): CAD 5,000. SPA fee (CAD 100) and Tech fee (CAD 750) are also billed at this time.
- Second installment (due Jul 31): CAD 12,360.
- Third installment (due Oct 31): CAD 9,270.
- Fourth installment (due Jan 31): CAD 9,270.
- Total tuition for returning students: CAD 35,900.

Monthly Payment Plan and Billing Schedule
- Monthly payments may be arranged in addition to the first installment. Monthly payments are due on the last day of each month from July 31 through April 30. The standard monthly payment amount under the plan is CAD 3,120 and includes a monthly plan premium of CAD 30.
- Occasional or ad hoc charges (for optional services) are invoiced monthly where applicable.

Optional and Additional Fees
- Daily After School Care (until 6:00 pm): CAD 3,500 per year (optional).
- Occasional After School Care (invoiced monthly): CAD 25 until 5:00 pm; CAD 55 until 6:00 pm. After‑club rate (5:00–6:00 pm): CAD 30.
- Clubs and any trips costing more than CAD 25 are charged separately and are not included in tuition.
- Student iPad costs and certain extracurricular club fees are not included in tuition and are billed separately.

Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable; Sunnybrook School operates as a day school (no boarding fees).

Refund and Withdrawal Terms
- Withdrawal after confirmation of enrolment will result in the forfeit of tuition fees paid for the 2026/27 school year.
- Withdrawal after March 1, 2026 will result in the forfeit of all other fees (for example, Tech fee and SPA fee) paid for the 2026/27 school year.

Payment Methods and Financial Policies
- Accepted payment methods: online banking (BMO, CIBC, RBC, Scotia, TDCT) and post‑dated cheques.
- NSF cheque fee: CAD 35 per returned cheque.
- Invoice and payment deadlines follow the dates listed under the tuition payment schedules above; late or returned payments are subject to the stated NSF fee and school billing policies.
Academics

Sunnybrook School teaches IB (PYP), Singapore Curriculum, Canadian Curriculum for students aged 4 to 12.

Curriculum
The curriculum is written and refined by the Sunnybrook School faculty in accordance with the IB Primary Years Programme framework and with reference to the Ontario Ministry of Education guidelines. Sunnybrook School educates its students according to the IB principles of global competence and citizenship. The school uses the IB Learner Profile as a common vocabulary of values and behaviours that support the development of global citizenship. The curriculum emphasizes inquiry-based learning and learning through concepts. Literacy uses a phonics- and literature-based approach and is integrated across the Program of Inquiry in a truly transdisciplinary approach to literacy. Digital literacy and basic coding are embedded in the curriculum.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social and Emotional Learning is integrated into the curriculum through the PYP enhancements. The school teaches students to understand and manage emotions, set positive goals, and maintain healthy relationships. Positive Discipline is used in the classroom to teach responsibility, self-discipline, problem-solving, and cooperation, and to build trust and self-esteem. Brain-based research shows students learn best when they feel safe and connected, guiding classroom practice. Younger students develop cooperation and independence skills, while older students are guided in managing group settings and relationships.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Many children are learning English as an additional language while attending Sunnybrook. The staff create goals for the children to work towards while they are learning a new language. The school takes care to establish these goals to help students become bilingual by the time they leave Sunnybrook. A speech pathologist works weekly with children who qualify.

Mental Wellbeing
The school embeds mental health and well-being into daily life. Recent teacher professional development in mindfulness and mental health allows staff to support students in various ways. Mental health breaks, mindfulness sessions, one-on-one teacher–student meetings, and community sharing circles are integrated into the curriculum and daily school life.
Parent Experience

History
Sunnybrook School was founded in 1952 by Mrs. Irmingard Hoff as one of North Toronto's first preschools. It moved to the present Merton Street location in 1960, in purpose-built premises. A series of renovations followed, including a gym and three classrooms added in 1985, and the school has since become JK–Grade 6 with one class per grade. In 1999 it became Canada's first English-speaking school to adopt the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. In 2018 Irene Davy stepped down as principal and Teralee Brunn became principal.

Community
Citizenship education is a pillar of SBS's IB vision; as an IB school, it educates for global citizenship as well as local and digital citizenship, and student action is integrated into the Program of Inquiry. Action ranges from individual student initiatives to group projects and whole-school events, with activities that develop responsibility and community awareness. School-wide actions include the Kids Can Too program for grades 4–6, the annual Terry Fox Run, Care & Share with the Red Cross, Eco Club activities and an Earth Day assembly, Poem in your Pocket Day, and Disaster Relief efforts.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
All Sunnybrook parents are members of the Sunnybrook Parents' Association (SPA), a parent-run organization that helps enhance the school experience for students. For over thirty years, SPA fundraising has supported the arts, athletics and classrooms, providing Smartboards, playground equipment, library resources and sports gear, and bringing in authors and musicians. The SPA also fosters parent–school interaction by hosting coffee mornings and speaker evenings, and contributes to community through events such as Pub Night and the Fun Fair. Participation is welcome through attendance at SPA meetings, social events, or volunteering.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Sunnybrook School features spaces that support inquiry-based learning, including an expansive outdoor playground, a renovated library, and flexible learning studios. The playground includes an artificial turf area, basketball hoops, four square, two climbers, a sandbox, wooden blocks, and a shaded picnic table area, with mixed-age play before school and during the day. The library was renovated in 2013 and houses over 14,000 volumes, with information literacy and research skills as central goals. Learning Studios are classrooms that blend traditional materials with modern technology and use flexible furniture that can be reconfigured for a variety of activities. The library serves as a hub for before- and after-school activities and supports the school's Program of Inquiry across learning spaces.

Sports Facilities
Outdoor play spaces include an artificial turf area and basketball hoops, along with four-square courts, two climbers, a sandbox, wooden blocks, and a shaded picnic area. These facilities support active, mixed-age play and opportunities for physical activity during the school day. The playground and related spaces are designed to complement IB PYP enhancements that emphasize unstructured play for social, emotional, and academic growth.

Academic Facilities
Learning Studios are active spaces where classrooms are designed for inquiry and creativity, with furniture that can be rearranged to support different activities and integrate traditional materials with modern technology. The library was renovated in 2013 and houses over 14,000 volumes, with a full-time teacher-librarian who collaborates with teachers to develop information literacy, research skills, and independent learning. Beginning in JK, students have the privilege of taking books home, and the library hosts a Homework Studio after school. Enrichment programs, such as author visits, are planned by the teacher-librarian to enhance learning across the Program of Inquiry.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Clubs are a big part of school life, with over 75% of students joining clubs in Fall and Winter terms. Beginning in grade one, clubs are offered by SBS teachers and by community-based organizations, and are available at lunch recess and after school. Clubs vary by term and include Choir, Floor Hockey, Chess, Art and Crafts, Lego, Robotics, Yoga, Hoops, Violin, Ukulele, and Sewing.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The SBS curriculum includes the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) alongside Singapore mathematics, a comprehensive language program, daily French, arts & music, and Physical Education. The program uses an inquiry-based approach with the learner at the center, encouraging students to construct meaning by exploring concepts and collaborating with peers. It emphasizes social-emotional well-being as part of the learning and supports a one-to-one iPad program with a digital citizenship curriculum developed with Common Sense and Project Zero from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Enrichment beyond the classroom includes class visitors, author visits, and field trips to deepen understanding.

Arts & Creative
Arts & Music are integrated across the IB programme. Visual arts, music, drama and dance are taught as ways of knowing within the Program of Inquiry. Each year includes an arts unit under the theme How We Express Ourselves, and the school holds an annual Art Show in the Arts Studio. The Musical is staged annually and involves students from Grade 1 to 6, with opportunities in drama, public speaking, and choral performance through the SBS Choir and Sunnybrook Singers.

Cultural & Language
French begins in daily classes starting in JK, with language learning positioned as foundation for multilingualism and global citizenship. The French program uses varied teaching methods, including drama, stories, and music, and connects with the Program of Inquiry to enrich learning. The IB values multilingualism as part of global citizenship, and language learning is a required element of the PYP.

Social & Hobbies
Sunnybrook offers a variety of clubs at lunch and after school. Meaningful learning extends beyond the classroom with enrichment such as class visitors, author visits, and field trips. Students also participate in performing arts through drama and the annual musical, and in public speaking opportunities; there are choir groups that develop performance skills.

Community & Service
Sunnybrook takes an active role in the local community and beyond, with events such as Orange Shirt Day and the Terry Fox run. Students are encouraged to take initiative to propose actions to support the community and world, with staff support but student-led organization. Students share their cultural celebrations in assemblies and classes, and IB alignment gives them opportunities to be active and contributing members of society locally and globally.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities are rich and varied for older students; younger students benefit from mentoring by older peers. Students can assume leadership roles in Eco Club, at the annual musical, leading assemblies, giving tours, on sports teams, or in the learning studio. In Grade 6, students serve as House Heads, ambassadors for the school, guide tours for new families, help with events, and participate in the Grade 6 Graduation.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Mindfulness and mental health are embedded in daily life at SBS. Staff have undergone mindfulness and mental health professional development, and practices include mindfulness sessions, mental health breaks, one-on-one teacher–student meetings, and community sharing circles as part of the curriculum. The program emphasizes balancing intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being for students.
Languages

Language Provision
French is taught daily beginning in JK as part of a comprehensive language program. The French curriculum uses drama, music, and technology to develop vocabulary and speaking skills and is linked to the IB Program of Inquiry to enrich learning. The program prepares students for a full middle school French program, and multilingualism is an emphasized goal within the IB framework.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions Process

1. Visit the school: See Sunnybrook School in action during an Open House or sign up for a tour. The Open House experience begins with a presentation by the Principal and Vice-Principal about the school philosophy, curriculum, IB PYP, and community, followed by a Grade 6 Ambassador Student-led tour and time to ask questions. The conclusion brings you back to the Arts Studio where admissions staff are available to discuss further.

2. Submit an application: Complete the application form (you will need to create an account) and include 2 of the most recent report cards and a birth certificate. After submission, you will receive email instructions about how to pay the application fee.

3. Pay the application fee: The application fee is $200.00 ($250.00 for students applying after March 1; $250 for international students).

4. Student Visit & Assessment: We invite students applying to SK through Grade 6 to visit the school and spend either a half or full day in their respective grades. This visit helps us understand the child and lets the child experience SBS. International applications can be accommodated through Zoom for the interview and assessment components.

5. Parent Interviews: During the admissions process parents will have a personal meeting with the Principal, Teralee Brunn, to discuss the family and to ask further questions about SBS.

6. Follow Up Meeting: The Vice Principal and Director of Admissions, Ms Tanya Low, will schedule a follow-up meeting after meeting your child to provide information about the assessment and next steps. The follow-up meeting can be held in person or via Zoom.
School Events
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