Academics

Private High School

Town Centre believes in setting high academic standards in a supportive environment.

Town Centre Private Schools offer a co-educational, private High School and an IB World School with all courses taught at the university entrance level. We challenge our students, but at the same time we provide them with the support they need to rise to these challenges. TCPS offers the best features of a traditional university preparatory school including high academic standards, sound educational leadership and a systematic, sequential curriculum.

Students in grades 9 and 10 participate in an IB Prep Program which is designed to prepare students for the Diploma Programme in grades 11 and 12. This program includes significant focus on the development of international mindedness, research projects, critical thinking, analytical and writing skills. Students in grades 11 and 12 may enroll in the optional IB Diploma Programme (DP) or continuing with the regular Ontario ministry curriculum. All students will graduate with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Those students who successfully complete the full IB Diploma Programme will also receive the IB Diploma. 

The IB also gives certificates to students who complete the program requirements for an IB Diploma Programme course but are not taking the full Diploma Programme. The benefit of this option is that students get to study the course of their choice, get experience with the IB curriculum and also can earn university credit. Students who take the certificate option will still be required to do exams and internal assessments.

At TCPS it is our priority to ensure that when our students graduate, they are fully prepared for their next steps in life including the demands of university. The school looks at each student as an individual and we provide students with a well-rounded experience incorporating a strong academic program and extracurricular opportunities in the areas of sports, arts, music, community outreach, academic clubs such as STRIVE, MUN, Business Club, and HOSA as well as other areas of student interest.  Students in our High School have the opportunity to participate in a variety of inter-school competitions in the areas of Academics, Sports and Clubs. Visit our High School Extracurricular and Competitions pages to learn more about these opportunities.

Semesters

This year we are using a semester system. This was put in place to optimize the student learning environment while adhering to enhanced health and safety measures. The students are taking four to five courses per semester and each semester runs for approximately 18 weeks. 

Communication

Communication between teachers, students and parents is paramount, and teachers consult with students and parents on an ongoing basis.

Each course and extracurricular club or team has a page set up in Microsoft Teams where staff can communicate daily with students and post important information.  

Within each semester we will report three times which is more than the required number of reporting periods needed. The reason for this is to identify early in the term if good work habits are in place and working well.

TCPS offers a custom Parent App where we publish our memos and reminders. This keeps parents up to date with activities, themed events, exciting goals and achievements our students participate in and receive timely notifications such as updates and safety advisements for inclement weather.

High School Tutorials

Students have the option of attending daily After School Tutorials from 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. to receive additional instruction and assistance with their academics.  This program is covered by the student activity fee and there is no additional charge for attending high school tutorials.

Hot Meal Program

High School students have an optional Hot Meal program catered through Kid’s Kitchen.  Kid’s Kitchen is a renowned catering company for schools, and is located right here in Markham.  The Kid’s Kitchen Hot Meal program offers an A La Carte menu and daily specials with a variety of entrees, side items, snacks, desserts and drinks.  Parents simply order online at www.kidskitchen.ca and items are prepared fresh daily by Kid’s Kitchen and delivered to the school.  This program is optional and students are still welcome to bring a lunch from home.

High Academic Standards

Town Centre Private Schools’ High School is registered with the Ministry of Education. Students study in small class settings, with a low student teacher ratio. TCPS accepts applications for enrolment from all other private, public and independent schools.

Parent Resources

Visit our Parent Resource page for links to the Parent Portal, Parent App downloads, Dell Laptop Information, Kid’s Kitchen, School Calendar, Uniforms, Alpha Textbooks and School Rings.

The IB Advantage – IB Diploma Programme

Building Futures: The Academic Journey at Town Centre Private Schools

As of December 2024, there are 5,928 IB schools all over the world in 156 countries. In Canada alone, there are 376 authorized IB schools, but only 182 are authorized to teach the Diploma Programme. 

Town Centre Private Schools (TCPS) is an officially authorized IB Continuum World School offering an optional IB Diploma Programme (DP) in grades 11 and 12. TCPS is currently the only IB Continuum World School in York Region, offering the IB PYP, MYP, and DP. Graduates earn both the IB Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

IB Education Highlights:

• Global Focus: Emphasizes critical thinking, independent learning, and global understanding.
• Curriculum: Includes six subject groups and the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity, Service, and the Extended Essay).
• TOK Exhibition: Students present projects on various knowledge areas, addressing real-world issues and interdisciplinary connections.

In 2024, TCPS students performed above global average.

For students at Town Centre, successfully completing the IB Diploma Programme offers several benefits and helps students prepare for the demands of university in the following ways:

International Mindedness and Global Recognition: The IB curriculum fosters a global perspective, encouraging students to understand and appreciate different cultures and viewpoints. This is particularly valuable in today’s interconnected world. The IB Diploma is recognized by universities worldwide which can enhance students’ university applications and provide opportunities for receiving advanced standing or university credits, giving them a head start in their higher education journey.

Rigorous Academic Standards: The IB Diploma Programme is known for its challenging curriculum, which includes a wide range of subjects and promotes critical thinking, research skills and independent learning.

University-Level Courses: TCPS only offers courses at the university entrance level, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the academic demands of higher education.

Supportive Environment: TCPS provides a supportive learning environment with dedicated teachers who guide students through the rigorous IB curriculum and help them develop the skills needed for university success.

Holistic Development: The programme emphasizes not only academic excellence but also personal growth. Students engage in extracurricular activities, community service, and projects that develop their leadership and teamwork skills.

Personal Growth: The IB programme focuses on developing skills such as inquiry, collaboration, reflection, and teamwork, which are essential for future success.

The IB Diploma Programme at TCPS aims to create confident, well-balanced students who are prepared for the challenges of university and beyond.

For more information on the Town Centre IB Programmes, contact our High School Vice-Principal and Diploma Programme Coordinator Ken Huber at 905-470-1200 or by email at ken.huber@tcmps.com.

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International Baccalaureate (IB) World School

Town Centre Private Schools is an officially authorized IB Continuum World School offering an optional IB Diploma Programme (DP) in grade 11 and 12.

Founded in 1968, there are approximately 3529 IB schools all over the world in 144 countries. In Canada alone, there are 358 authorized IB schools, with hundreds more waiting to be authorized through the stringent IB authorization procedure. The IB is a global education which emphasizes critical and independent thinking and global understanding while encouraging student choice in an inquiry-based learning environment. Students at TCPS will continue to learn the Ontario curriculum but through different lenses including:

• identities and relationships
  

  

• dimensions of time and space
• personal and cultural expression
• scientific and technical innovation
• globalization and sustainability
• fairness and development

Some of the other key benefits of the IB programmes:

• IB is the most highly regarded and accepted International Education Board in the world by virtue of its Child-Centred Approach to teaching and learning.
• IB provides a very well-balanced approach which promotes international mindedness in its students.
• IB programmes give space to both its teachers and students to continuously grow in their respective areas, while open mindedness towards parents’ participation in the process of child’s education, contributes to confident and well-balanced students.

For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.

IB in Action

TCPS IB Exhibition Week

International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge Exhibition

Awards and Scholarships

Each year TCPS graduates are offered numerous entrance scholarships based on their averages upon admission to university.  In 2024, TCPS graduates were offered scholarships totaling $777,700.

In addition to entrance scholarships, Town Centre Private Schools is proud to announce that graduating students have been awarded the following distinctions:

The Governor General’s Academic Medal, presented annually to the student with the highest academic average in both grades 11 and 12 upon graduation from secondary school.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Award, presented annually to the graduating student who exemplifies the spirit of community both inside and outside the school with an emphasis on continued participation.

Principal’s Award, presented to students who have maintained an average of 90% or greater throughout their four years of study at Town Centre.

Principal’s List, awarded to those students with an overall average of 90% or higher in all courses taken that year at Town Centre.

Honour Roll, is awarded to those students who have maintained an average of 80% or higher in all courses taken that year at Town Centre.

TCPS Outstanding Student Award, is presented to the student who, as voted on by the TCPS faculty, best demonstrates the ideal qualities of a TCPS graduate through high academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, community service and genuine care and concern for others. 

University of Waterloo Euclid Mathematics Contest and University of Waterloo Canadian Senior Mathematics Awards, medals are presented to students for achieving the highest mark within the school and certificates are given to students who score in the top 25% of students tested.  Some students receive both medals and certificates.

Harknett Music Award, is presented to the student who combines high academic achievement in music with a demonstrated passion for the subject with an emphasis on performance within the school. 

University of Toronto National Biology Competition Awards, a certificate of achievement is awarded to the top scoring TCPS student.

Athletes of the Year, is for the students, male and female in each grade, who have made the greatest contribution to Town Centre athletics over the school year as voted on by the head coaches of the various sports.

Eye of the Tiger Award, is a career achievement award presented to the graduating students, male and female, who have made the greatest contribution to Town Centre athletics over all their high school years as voted on by the head coaches of the various sports.

Competitions

Each year the high school students participate in a wide variety of academic challenges and competitions.  Our students have traditionally performed very well in these competitions demonstrating the quality and strength of the TCPS program.

University of Waterloo Financial Literacy Competition

Sponsored by Genworth Canada, The Financial Literacy Competition (FLC), developed by the University of Waterloo School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) in collaboration with Business Studies teachers within the Waterloo Region, is open to Grade 9 and 10 students. FLC is an avenue for secondary school teachers to encourage their students to challenge and hone their knowledge in personal finance, accounting and wealth management, as well as to strengthen their literacy foundation in preparation for their future.

York Region Science and Technology Fair

The York Region Science and Technology Fair is a regional Science Fair that showcases student research performed by students in grades 7-12. Participation in the fair is open to students currently attending a York Region public, catholic, or private school, are homeschooled, or who reside in York Region. Selected top projects from the York Region Science and Technology Fair are invited to represent York Region and compete at the Canada Wide Science Fair.

Canada Wide Science Fair

Since attending the York Region Science and Technology Fair, a TCPS student has advanced to the Canada Wide Science Fair each year.

University of Waterloo Mathematics Contest

The University of Waterloo Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing develops and administers many internationally recognized contests to help to inspire the next generation of students to develop an interest in and love for mathematics and computer science.  At the high school level these include the Pascal (grade 9 ), Fryer (grade 9), Cayley (grade 10), Galois (grade 10), Fermat (grade 11), Hypatia (grade 11), Euclid (grade 12) and the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest.

University of Waterloo Chem 13 News Exam

The Chem 13 News Exam is designed for Grade 12 high school chemistry students in their second high school Chemistry course. Topics include: organic chemistry, equilibria, kinetics, oxidation-reduction, bonding, structure, reactions, solutions, and gases.

University of Toronto National Biology Competition

The University of Toronto National Biology Competition provides students with an opportunity to test their knowledge and understanding of biology.

University of Waterloo Canadian Computing Competition

The Canadian Computing Competition (CCC) is a fun challenge for secondary school students with an interest in programming. It is an opportunity for students to test their ability in designing, understanding and implementing algorithms.

SSAF

The SSAF offers athletic competition for our elementary and high school students. This sports league offers the students a chance to try out and compete against other schools in inter-school competitions.

TCPS competes at the high school level (grades 9 – 12) with boys, girls and co-educational sports teams. The SSAF provides our students the opportunity to demonstrate their school spirit and show sportsmanship in friendly competitions.

Admissions

Students are accepted into the High School program at the beginning of each semester provided that the pre-requisite courses have been successfully completed.  To learn more about application requirements and to register, click on the REGISTER button below to be linked to the High School Admissions page.

For further information about enrolment or to arrange a tour of Town Centre, call (905) 470-1200 and ask for Leepy Hajra, High School Principal or Ken Huber, High School Vice-Principal.

Ms. Leepy Hajra High School Principal Tel:  (905) 470-1200 leepy.hajra@tcmps.com

Mr. Ken Huber High School Vice-Principal Tel: (905) 470-1200 ken.huber@tcmps.com