|
TFS offers a unique combination: a bilingual education, academic excellence, international programs, and co-ed learning, all in an environment that values diversity.
What is unique about the curriculum at TFS?
TFS is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Education in France, as well as by the International Baccalaureate organization.
From Jardin d'éveil (age 2) to Level II (Grade 10), the TFS curriculum is a blend of both the French and the Ontario curriculum, following the sequence recommended by the French Ministry of Education, and integrating elements specific to the Ontario program where appropriate.
From Level III (Grade 11) to Level V, we follow the Ontario guidelines and introduce the International Baccalaureate program. Level III is a foundation year for the IB and Levels IV and V cover the IB curriculum more specifically. The IB is compulsory at TFS, and students can opt to pursue a Bilingual IB Diploma.
Is TFS primarily for Francophone students?
Fewer than 10% of TFS students are Francophone. Of students who enroll, the great majority do not speak French as a first language.
Our curriculum is very effective at integrating children who have little or no previous knowledge of French. Regardless of their mother tongue, our younger students who join us in Jardin d’éveil or Pre-Kindergarten, are immersed in French throughout the day. For these students, who join us from JK Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 7 with no previous knowledge of French, we offer a special introductory program which allows students to remain at their grade level. After one year of our intensive instruction in small classes, Intro students are ready to join the regular program the following year.
How does TFS compare with French immersion programs?
- The TFS program begins in Jardin d'éveil (age 2) and is taught entirely in French. (Note: All Child Care is also delivered in French.) Most French immersion programs only begin 3 years later in Senior Kindergarten (age 5).
- TFS introduces English instruction in Grade 2. Most French immersion programs introduce English instruction 2 years later in Grade 4.
- From Grade 4 up to and including Level II (Grade 10), 70% of all courses are taught in French, 30% in English. For most French immersion programs the split is 50/50 during Grades 6, 7, and 8.
*Our unique Introductory Program, enables students with little or no prior exposure to French to enroll at TFS up to and including Grade 7. Students coming from French schools or immersion programs can enter at any point, including the high school years.
How well do TFS students perform in English?
TFS is known for excellence in French and English. Our students take standardized English tests (designed for English as a first language students) and regularly perform on average one or two grade levels ahead of the Canadian norm. Our students’ marks in English have also consistently been higher than the international average at the IB exams.
If I do not speak French, how will I help my child with his or her homework?
Our students are trained to do their homework by themselves. Homework is intended to instill independent work habits, responsibility and time management skills. It includes a review of the skills and content covered in the classroom, as well as projects that allow students to put their learning into practice to enhance research and communication skills. Homework should not be difficult for your child. If your child has questions or areas of difficulty, please let us know by writing a note to the teacher in the agenda book. Teachers are always available for extra help.
You can help your young child in other ways, such as reading to your child every day, encouraging your child to read in French every day, listening to your child read aloud, and making sure his or her homework is completed. As always, your support and encouragement will help your child to perform well in school.
What other languages are offered at TFS?
A third language is introduced in the curriculum as early as Grade 6. Students at our Toronto campus may choose to study Spanish, German or Latin. Students at our Mississauga campus may choose to study German and Spanish.
As of Level I (Grade 9), students may take the following languages: Spanish, German or Latin.
From SK to Grade 7 in Toronto, children may sign up for after-school Mandarin classes as part of our co-curricular program.
How many students are there per class?
Class sizes vary but the maximum size for any class is 22 students, and for the younger grades we have smaller class sizes: 10 for Jardin d’éveil (with 2 teachers), 12 for Pre-Kindergarten, 14 for Junior Kindergarten, 16 for Senior Kindergarten and 18 for Grade 1.
How important are athletics at TFS?
Athletics are an integral component of life at TFS. TFS is a member of the provincial Conference of Independent Schools (CIS) and competes for championships in swimming, softball, gymnastics, cross-country, badminton, track & field, basketball, volleyball, tennis and soccer. TFS has more than 40 competitive sports teams across the Toronto and Mississauga campuses, at a variety of age group levels.
Intramural and co-curricular activities vary by season and by branch but complement a strong physical and health education program. Our regular program may include recreational sports such as softball, badminton, basketball, soccer, swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, floor hockey, groove dancing and rock climbing.
What diplomas are available at TFS?
TFS students can earn:
- International Baccalaureate Diploma
- International Baccalaureate Bilingual Diploma
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma
- TFS Diploma
- TFS Bilingual Diploma
- Diplôme National du Brevet des Collèges
What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma and why is it so respected?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program is a comprehensive and rigorous program offered during the last two years of high school (Level IV and Level V). The IB is highly regarded by universities throughout the world, some of which have developed special admissions policies and even scholarships for IB students. Students with strong IB examination results frequently receive advanced standing or credit at university.
The IB diploma program is compulsory at TFS. TFS’ 5-year high school program (Levels I - V) includes a pre-IB year in Level III which allows students to refine and consolidate their skills in all the academic areas they will encounter in the IB.
TFS students are particularly successful at obtaining the IB Diploma. In 2009, 98% of all TFS candidates were successful in obtaining their IB Diploma. This success rate is consistent with the average rate of successful Diploma candidates recorded in the last five years (99%), and compares very favourably to an overall world pass rate that averages 80% for the last five years.
Another distinction at TFS is that more than half the TFS students choose to pursue a Bilingual IB Diploma.
What is the “Diplôme National du Brevet des Collèges” and what are its benefits?
TFS students have the opportunity to assess their level of French by taking an examination aimed at native French speakers. This external examination is administered by the Ministry of Education in France and takes place at the end of Level II. Students who pass earn the Diplôme National du Brevet des Collèges.
Students in France who are in the classe de troisième – equivalent of Level II – and students of the same age group who attend one of the 250 French schools around the world, also follow this course of study and write the examinations for the Diplôme.
TFS students who opt to write the examinations benefit in three ways: it gives them an opportunity to assess their performance using an examination designed for French nationals as a benchmark; it gives them experience with external examinations; and it demonstrates their level of bilingualism.
In 2009, 98.5% of all candidates were successful in obtaining the Diplôme National du Brevet des Collèges.
Does TFS offer child care?
Yes. The Child Care Services of TFS offer three programs:
- child care to complement PK half-day classes;
- before and after school Child Care; and
- Étude, supervised after-school study for students in Grades 1-7.
Parents can also use the child care services on an as-needed basis.
How well did the most recent graduating class perform?
Success of our graduates
TFS students distinguish themselves while at TFS. The results of our recent graduating class illustrate how well prepared our students are for success. In 2009:
- 98% of all TFS candidates earned the IB diploma;
- 95% of our graduates attained averages above 80% in their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
- 50% of our graduates achieved averages above 90% on courses completed at TFS.
All our 2009 graduates have been admitted to a university program.
Where do most TFS graduates go to university?
Over the past five years, our graduates received acceptances to many different programs at a wide variety of universities. Our graduates of 2009 made the following choices:
- 55% chose universities in Ontario
- 23% chose universities in other provinces
- 19% chose universities in the United States
- 3% chose universities in the United Kingdom
|
