Our curriculum is aligned with the Ontario Ministry of Education’s guidelines for integrating environmental education into all learning. Teachers are encouraged to identify learning outcomes relevant to educating for sustainable development. It is vital to the future of our planet that the next generation of community leaders and global citizens has a strong understanding of the environment, climate change, and the importance of conservation. Students want to help make a difference.

In September, Middle School students in Grades 5 to 8 pack their bags and hop on a bus for an outdoor educational experience called Beyond the Gates. This program allows them to explore nature and reconnect with the environment. Many new students are meeting friends and adjusting to their new school; others have never been away from home for more than a night or two. Some have never slept outdoors or paddled a canoe. Regardless of their experiences, every Middle School student meets a new challenge from the moment they step on the bus.

Since its addition to SAC, Willow Farm has become essential to our Outdoor Education program in all seasons. Our campus has 126 varied acres of streams, forest, marsh and meadow. Willow Farm acts as the hub for outdoor and experiential activities in all seasons: mountain biking, tree planting, archery, fire building, snowshoeing, wood carving, tobogganing, canoe building, cross-country skiing, and maple syrup making.

We embrace our Canadian winters and build and maintain an outdoor rink on the Quad for students’ enjoyment at recess and for boarding students on the weekend.