Assessment
TFS wants all children who attend our school to feel at home in their educational environment, and assessment is a key means of determining a child’s fit with the school.
Procedures vary according to the grade for which the child is applying. For most students, applying with little or no prior knowledge of French, all assessments are done in English. French is not required for entry, up to and including Grade 7, the last year during which the Introductory Program is offered. Francophone students who do not speak English will be tested in French. Bilingual students will be tested in the language of their choice.
Timelines and deadlines
Most families choose to apply during the regular application cycle (see dates below); however, applications are accepted year round.
Jardin d’éveil (age 2)
No assessment is required and applications for the program will be accepted up to November 15, 2011 for the 2012-13 school year. Jardin d'éveil entrants are randomly selected based on the pool of candidates received by the end of day on November 15. Early applications will not receive priority. However, new applications for siblings of children currently enrolled in the school will be given priority in terms of space availability. The same applies to children of alumni. Placement will be confirmed by December 15, 2011.
Please note: Applicants for entry into Jardin d’éveil in September 2012 must be two years old by December 31, 2012.
Children in Jardin d’éveil who want to continue at TFS will have to apply for Pre-Kindergarten (PK) and be assessed in the same way we assess all new prospective PK students. Entry into PK is not guaranteed; however, Jardin d’éveil children will have priority.
Pre-Kindergarten (age 3)
Children are assessed through an individual standardized aptitude test lasting approximately 45 minutes, during which we closely monitor language and reasoning skills, concentration and maturity. All children must be toilet-trained by the time they start school in September 2012.
Please note: Applicants for entry into PK in September 2012 must be three years old by December 31, 2012.
Screenings for PK candidates for September 2012 will be scheduled from January 9 - February 10, 2012.
Decisions will be communicated by February 24, 2012.
Junior Kindergarten (age 4), Senior Kindergarten (age 5) and Grade 1 (age 6)
Students are assessed through an individual standardized aptitude test, lasting approximately 1 hour for JK candidates, and 1.25 hours for SK and Grade 1 candidates, during which we closely monitor language and reasoning skills, concentration and maturity.
Screenings for JK, SK and Grade 1 candidates for September 2012 will be scheduled individually by appointment from October 24 - December 2, 2011.
In addition, a morning of group activities will be held for SK and Grade 1 applicants on Saturday, November 26, 2011.
Decisions will be communicated by December 15, 2011.
Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5
The assessment includes a standardized aptitude test as well as subject testing in English, Math and (when applicable) French. At this level, the testing process usually takes between 3 and 4 hours.
Candidates will be assessed in a group testing session on Saturday, January 28, 2012. Candidates who apply after this test date are assessed individually or in small groups based on availability.
Decisions will be communicated by February 24, 2012.
Grade 6 to Grade 12 (Level V)
The assessment includes taking the SSAT as well as a personal interview at TFS. (Please visit www.ssat.org/ontario for SSAT details.) Students who speak French will undergo a separate French assessment at the time of their interview.
Candidates are asked to set up individual interviews by appointment from October 2011 onwards.
As well, a Shadow Day on December 8, 2011 will offer applicant students the opportunity to be paired with a TFS student with similar interests. By spending a morning in class and staying for lunch, prospective students get an authentic look at what it’s like to attend TFS.
Decisions will be communicated on February 24, 2012.
