The Joy of Discovery |
UCC’s Preparatory School provides a caring environment for boys to develop cognitive and social-emotional skills, resilience and independence
Our robust, vibrant and developmentally appropriate programming ensures boys at the Prep are continually engaged and inspired. Students and their families receive high levels support from expert and dedicated faculty and staff.
Prep School At-a-Glance
- Students’ physical, emotional and cognitive wellbeing is nurtured through a range of initiatives that extend widely beyond the classroom, including diverse recess activities, school spirit & cultural holiday celebrations, a late start mid-week, and a nutritious hot-lunch program.
- Our exceptional teachers and teacher-librarians bring expertise across subjects & varied areas of interest, using evidenced-based approaches to offer students transformational experiences.
- Curricular & co-curricular learning takes place in innovative, student-centred spaces that are leading-edge and designed for easy collaboration among faculty and mixed year levels.
- Our After-School Program (ASP) is fully integrated into student life, offering both structured after-school care and many club-based activities like robotics & hip-hop. Running from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays, the paid program combines supervision with opportunities for growth, learning and fun.
- Families play an integral role in the Prep experience, from “Tinkering Tuesdays” in our innovation lab, to visits to our Norval Outdoor School, and many other opportunities for connection.
Junior and Senior Kindergarten
We place our youngest students at the very centre of their experience, finding joy in following their lead and recognizing the unique development needs of this age group, all while providing structured support, guidance and expertise.
- Instruction is a thoughtful mix of play-based exploratory activities, dedicated outdoor time, and explicit instruction.
- Our literacy practices are aligned with the most current research, ensuring instruction is both integrated & supported.
- Subject specialists visit students within their primary environment to provide developmentally appropriate instruction.
Year 1 through 5
In the Primary Division, students transition into a phase of growing independence supported by their dedicated Home Form teacher, who oversees the bulk of their instruction and knows each student and his family.
- Evidence-based best practices drive instruction in literacy and numeracy.
- Students benefit from dedicated specialist instruction in arts, athletics, languages & design programming.
- Prep traditions like Colour Houses, assemblies, the Blue Ties Breakfast, and theatrical productions build community. Mentorship is provided through learning & reading buddies, and co-educational opportunities are ongoing with neighbouring girls’ schools.
- All students gain experience being on a team, with sports like softball, futsal and swimming starting in Year 4. Students also develop skills through non-positional experiences and official roles like class representatives, leadership council membership, and the Eco-warriors.
Year 6 and 7
As students prepare for the Upper School, our focus shifts to providing appropriate independence with continued high support. This is the culmination of their Prep journey, emphasizing choice and personal development.
- Flex Time allows students to partner with teachers to make choices that support their learning, whether seeking academic assistance, practising a musical instrument, or doing homework.
- All students participate in instrumental music in Years 6 and 7, with options for private music instruction.
- We are a 1:1 device school. Tech is incorporated as a tool to support learning, with our focus on screen purpose rather than simple screen time.
- Students engage with the Prep Learning Garden club, and themes of sustainability and regeneration are integrated into classroom instruction.
