If you're new to TDChristian High School, we think it's a very special place. Just ask our nearly 5000 graduates. If one word comes up over and over again, it's community. Our relatively small size, strong student-teacher relationships, intentional community building, and student opportunities for connecting, performing and learning means that you're never just a number at TDChristian.
Our mission is to be an intentional and God-honouring learning community. Our vision is to be a community of learners who serve God and others through authentic and relevant Christ-centred education. TDChristian High School’s focus statement: Learning for Service in the Light of God's Word. Learning at TDChristian takes place by enfolding, engaging, and empowering students.
Why? As God’s image-bearers, students matter. To live a life of service, students need to know themselves and be known. When students are accepted and accepting, and their talents, passions, and gifts are recognized, they become important members of the school community. Such enfolding provides a firm foundation for learning.
How? From the initial family interview until graduation, we work diligently with students in uncovering and developing their God-given talents for service. We welcome them into multi-grade “family” homerooms in which they contribute, celebrate, and grow. During the first week of Grade 9, students are brought into the TDChristian community while learning and serving on a two-day trip. During their time at TDChristian, students learn through rich experiences in diverse areas: academics, video, art, drama, music, athletics, and STEM space. Throughout the school year, we challenge our students to cultivate their passions and develop their abilities while sharing their learning, especially through presentations.
Why? Learning at TDChristian is for today, with an eye to tomorrow. A love of learning is fostered by piquing students’ interests and taking into account their gifts. Creating room for students to have voice and choice in their learning produces determination, allows for healthy risk-taking, and brings about a rigorous depth of understanding. Additionally, engaged students develop grit, perseverance, and a strong work ethic.
Learning is stimulated and nurtured in our inviting and up-to-date physical and virtual learning spaces. However, it flourishes through the student-teacher relationship which we emphasize and foster. Our teachers are engaged in, passionate about, and dedicated to their craft. In each learning opportunity, they assist students in sharing their findings in significant and relevant ways. Projects that emphasize skills such as creativity, collaboration, initiative, adaptability, information analysis, entrepreneurship, and effective oral and written communication are essential to learning at TDChristian. Students are pushed to become wisely discerning, to think and learn about how to conduct themselves and how to serve effectively in an ever-changing world.
Why? For learning to be relevant and service-driven, TDChristian’s walls must be permeable. We desire to connect our students authentically to life outside the institution by partnering with groups and organizations to grow the kingdom of God. We want our students to work actively with others, from getting their hands dirty to giving leadership willingly, so that they are a blessing to their communities and they are blessed in the process.
Students are empowered when they contribute to our vibrant community through student leadership opportunities and assemblies. Service trips, Focus Days, Project Days, and Internships immerse students in learning outside the building – integrating learning with life is paramount. Daily, we stretch students creatively, intellectually, and practically to impact all of God's creation including in athletics, the arts, drama, and robotics. Courses in Communications Technology and Entrepreneurship along with interdisciplinary blocks of learning in French & History, the environment, social justice, and engineering complement a full range of courses. We aim to link students to outside organizations or places in which they can serve with their hearts and minds.
It's about providing learning opportunities. TDChristian offers a wide range of courses to appeal to students with different interests, abilities, talents, and goals. In other words, we work with students and families so that students get into and are successful in diverse university or college programs. Our desire is for students to find programs that fit with their hopes, dreams, and aspirations, including strong math and science options, English and humanities, the social sciences, arts, and technology. In short, we work diligently to help students at high school learners so that they can continue their post-secondary education in programs that match their aptitude and interest.
Besides offering the courses required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, students take additional courses (such as Bible and Perspectives) to qualify for the TDChristian diploma. We also offer students the opportunity to explore diverse optional courses to truly discover their talents and skills.
