private

YMCA Academy

Toronto, Ontario

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At a glance

Grades: 6 – 12
Gender: Co-educational
Founded: 2009
Board: Independent
Religious affiliation: Inspired and supported by the YMCA of Greater Toronto
Principal: Tim Seabrook
Program type: Site based only
Associations: No Association Membership

Tuition & admissions

Tuition: $29,216 /year
Interview required: No

Admissions process

Applications are accepted year-round; early application is encouraged because admissions are competitive. · Submit an Inquiry / Registration of Interest. · Attend a school tour; new applicants are advised to tour before applying. · Complete the application package and provide relevant educational documentation, including IEPs, report cards, and psychoeducational assessments. · Participate in a Student Day Visit, attending classes and completing assessments. Middle School and Grade 9 applicants complete literacy and numeracy diagnostics. · Exchange feedback with the Admissions Team to assess fit. · Receive an admission decision and, if accepted, begin enrolment.

Academics & learning

Curriculum: Middle school (Grades 6–8) combines literacy, mathematics, STEAM, project-based learning, mindfulness and social-emotional wellness. High school provides Ontario credits with differentiated instruction, individualized IEP support, assistive technology and cooperative education placements. Class sizes average about six students according to the school.
Student–teacher ratio: Small classes averaging 6 students per class
Class size: 6
Accreditation: Ministry of Education-inspected independent school. · Described as a fully accredited high school.

Tuition & financial aid details

Full-year tuition: $30,992
Included services and resources: Laptops and assistive technology, YMCA of Greater Toronto membership, on-site counselling, an overnight outdoor education experience, and additional student and family supports.

Bursaries & scholarships

Families unable to pay full tuition may apply. Apple Financial Services provides evaluations of family financial resources.
Contact the Academy about Tuition Assistance or future academic years.

Course descriptions

Middle school (Grades 6–8)

Reading, writing and math foundations, STEAM inquiry, student-interest projects, mindfulness and learning strategies, with IEP-guided differentiated teaching.

High school

Ontario secondary credit courses, differentiated instruction, assistive technology and pathways to an OSSD, Ontario Secondary School Certificate or Certificate of Accomplishment.

Co-operative education

Credit-bearing workplace placements integrate classroom learning with community work experience; the school says students may earn up to two additional credits in a subject.

View course information on the school website

School images

Learning programs

Specializations

Education for students with mild learning disabilities and learning style differences. · Individualized special education support. · Experiential and project-based learning.

Learning support

Individual Education Plans for every student · guided by a Special Education Advisor and used in daily instruction and assessment. IEPs are amended annually using feedback from students · staff · parents or guardians · and medical professionals. Non-credit Remediation and Resource classes provide targeted support. · Universal Design for Learning and differentiated instruction. · Laptops, assistive technology, extra time, quiet spaces, scribing, and one-to-one instruction. · Time management, organizational skills, and self-advocacy development. · Daily literacy and numeracy remediation. · After-school homework assistance and individual support upon request. · Student Life Counsellor drop-in and scheduled sessions, plus individual and group counselling. · Additional longer-term clinical psychotherapy support for students who may benefit.

Student life

Arts

Art is included in the Grades 6–8 STEAM curriculum · hands-on projects include digital media creation.

Facilities

On-campus YMCA gym, pool, and recreation facilities. · Access to laptops and assistive technology.

Clubs & extracurricular activities

Breakfast Club: The school describes this as a long-running student breakfast and community programme.
Jack Club: Named as the organizer of a Jack Club scavenger hunt during the school’s 2026 Toronto Islands trip.
Student-interest clubs: Past offerings named by the school include Astronomy, Basketball, Cooking, Comic Book, Drama, Jack.org and Mock Trial; clubs change yearly and these examples are not a guaranteed current roster.

Outdoor activities & education

Toronto Islands annual trip (June 2026 report): A school post describes the annual June trip, including ferry travel, a scavenger hunt, island exploration and a staff-versus-students activity.
Cedar Glen overnight trip (2025 report): The school’s 2025 report describes a multi-day camp experience with team challenges, outdoor activities, art in nature, shelter-building and a Halloween dance.
Regular excursions and community learning: The school describes regular field trips, co-op placements and experiential learning across Toronto and beyond. Activity selection changes each school year.

About the school

YMCA Academy is a Ministry of Education-inspected alternative middle and high school in downtown Toronto serving Grades 6–12, particularly students with mild learning disabilities and learning differences, in a small, supportive environment.

Location & school highlights

Location

Downtown Toronto location
with museums
galleries
and YMCA facilities used for experiential learning and regular excursions.

What makes the school distinct

Classes average 6 students.
Every student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that guides daily instruction and assessment.
Universal Design for Learning, differentiated instruction, and individualized assistive technology.
Integrated academic, social-emotional, and counselling support.
Hands-on projects, city-based learning, and workplace placements.
Full access to on-campus YMCA gym, pool, and recreation facilities.