McDonald International Academy

Established in 1994, McDonald International Academy (M.I.A.) is a fully registered and accredited secondary school inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education. M.I.A. is a vibrant academic and social community, boasting the highest North American standards through a collaborative effort from teachers and students alike. We employ the latest teaching methods and technological aids to provide students with excellent educational opportunities. Since our inception, over 10,000 students from over 40 countries have graduated from M.I.A. and have successfully been accepted into universities and colleges in Canada and the United States.
Welcome to McDonald International Academy, your home away from home. Our school offers a wide variety of programs and subjects: each with a stimulating curriculum taught by highly qualified, experienced, professional educators who help our students succeed – not only in our school, but also in the future studies and career paths they choose after completing their studies at M.I.A.
Our school promotes more than academic excellence. We know that students' moral is essential too, so we provide a pleasant atmosphere where students can thrive socially in a secure environment. Students tell me how much they like McDonald International Academy and how rewarding this time in their lives have been. I trust that you, too, will immensely enjoy and benefit from your time here.
The Secondary School Program (Grade 9-12 University Preparation Program) offered at McDonald International Academy (M.I.A.) is developed according to the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training requirements. The program aims to provide students' high-quality learning in a friendly learning environment and allow individual students to choose programs that suit their skills and interests. The program is designed with a flexible schedule to maximize their career planning and post-secondary school education opportunities.
McDonald International Academy follows the globally recognized curriculum set by the Ontario Ministry of Education. This four-year program is designed to adequately prepare students for post-secondary studies at University or College in Canada, the United States, and worldwide.
Our credits are recognized by all American and Canadian universities and Colleges. Since our inception, over 15,000 students from 40 countries have graduated from M.I.A. and successfully entered many well-known universities and colleges both in Canada and the U.S.A. Also, over 20 % of our graduates are offered University Entrance Scholarships each year.
Students may apply to any university of their choice during a student's final year of high school. In Canada, they require six grade 12 pre-university level credits in order to be considered. Each university and the specific program will have its minimum grade requirements for admission. They may also apply for college programs that require completion of their O.S.S.D. and specific prerequisite courses depending on the area of study.
The 110-hour IELTS preparation course focuses on improving students' English language skills and testing techniques and strategies for IELTS listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The purpose is to help students learn about and prepare for the IELTS test systematically and achieve a minimum of band 6.5 for each component, with an overall band score of 7 or higher.
Two instructors teach the courses: Maren Hancock (Ph.D. Candidate, MA, B.A. (Hon), A.R.T.C., A.M.R.C.) will teach the IELTS writing and speaking portions, and Jasmine Wang (MEd, MA,) will teach IELTS reading and listening. Maren Hancock is a Ph.D. Candidate in Humanities at York University. She currently teaches at Ryerson University in the Department of Creative Industries and will be defending her dissertation in Spring 2020. Maren also holds two teaching diplomas in Speech Arts and Drama and has over twenty years' experience teaching academic writing and public speaking. She is also a renowned professional D.J., musician, and entrepreneur.
Maren actively supports her students by targeting their needs and then tailoring her teaching accordingly. Combining students' specific needs and learning styles, she helps students improve their speaking and writing responses with concise academic vocabulary, expressive sentences, and easy to follow the logic, always while responding to frequently occurring topics in IELTS. Maren's class can effectively help students achieve a qualified 6.5 or 7.5 on both speaking and writing.
Jasmine Wang holds an MEd in Language and Literacies Education from OISE, and an M.A. in Linguistics and English Language Teaching from Shandong University, China. She also holds a TESOL Certificate from Woodsworth College, University of Toronto. Jasmine has over 17 years' experience teaching IELTS preparation courses, and many of her students have achieved high band scores – ranging from 6.5 to 9 – in their IELTS testing.
Jasmine has a concise and thorough understanding of students' needs, and she carefully designs her lessons to suit students' actual needs. Through many of her years of experience, she knows the IELTS questions' critical principles very well. Combining her unique strengths in understanding student needs and the IELTS test, she helps her students effectively achieve their desired scores.