Primary at SHS
The Junior Kindergarten-Grade 2 Experience
At SHS, we understand boys and the importance of teaching the whole boy. Faculty at Sterling Hall build a strong teacher-boy relationship and develop a sense of belonging and community that enhance a positive first school experience. We know that a successful JK-8 education makes a difference for the growth and development of boys now and as they move forward in their journey to adulthood.
A LONG HISTORY SPECIALIZING IN PRIMARY EDUCATION
As one of the few all-boy elementary schools with a Primary program that begins in Junior Kindergarten, The Sterling Hall School has been a leader in Primary education since inception. That is over 35 years of designing our JK to Grade 1 program around the needs of our young learners, building strong foundational literacy, numeracy, inquiry and social and emotional learning.
SHS understands early learners and creates the right environment for them to grow with confidence, curiosity and character. We have small class sizes where every boy is known, a welcoming and inclusive community where parents are actively involved and curriculum that is tailored to how young boys learn.
WHAT MAKES PRIMARY AT SHS SO UNIQUE?
WHY SHS FOR PRIMARY?
To learn more about why your son belongs at Sterling Hall and to book a time to meet with us, please click on one of the links below.
Focus on formative years
Focusing exclusively on Junior Kindergarten-Grade 8 means all of our resource purchases, professional development design and faculty hiring are done with the boys' developmental needs in mind.
Leadership and mentoring opportunities
When Grade 6-8 boys might be grappling with the middle years, SHS boys are building their leadership portfolio through our distinct Grade 8 Leadership program and mentoring skills through our class buddy programs. In fact, all of our Kindergarten-G4 boys meet with their G5-G8 mentors regularly. Grade 8 boys also meet with their faculty mentors every week for 30-60 minutes.
Higher levels of academic achievement and self-esteem
Through continued strong teacher-boy relationships, our boys continue to focus on academics while discovering who they are and where their passions lie; they become more confident in themselves through their adolescent years.
Maintain a more positive attitude towards school
Research has shown that children in JK-Grade 8 schools feel more of a sense of community and belonging; there is less bullying and stress creating a safer environment for learning and risk-taking. In this way, our boys maintain a growth mindset throughout their Middle Years.
Finding the best high school fit
Boys grow, change and expand their horizons during their Middle School years. Sterling Hall has a Director of Graduate Placement, its own High School Fair, a panel with Alumni, experts and guest speakers and a systematic process to help boys be successful with applications, interviews and making high school selections aligned with their unique strengths, interests and goals.
Testimonials
Mandy - Grade 1 Parent
SHS is not a school that simply informs the boys and their parents what to do. Instead, it helps the family to discover the best part in the boys, and be the strongest support in the journey of boys’ growth. We truly appreciate and feel grateful about how the community, from the receptionist, to the teachers and the staff, encourage my son to know better about himself, take challenges, and reveal his great potential.
Mandy - Grade 1 Parent
Francesca - Parent of 2 boys in Primary
As a mom of two boys who couldn’t be more different, the ability of the teachers and support staff to provide the individual attention needed to foster their education and growth, has been invaluable.
Francesca - Parent of 2 boys in Primary
Nancy - Parent of 2 boys
SHS transformed my son's perspective on school into a place of belonging, a safe place to take risks and a place to embrace the power and possibility of 'I can'. There's no place like it.
Nancy - Parent of 2 boys
Sarah and Daniel - Parent of 3 boys
Our son developed a strong foundation and a love of reading because of The Sterling Hall School’s literacy program. His teachers have taken a warm and caring approach and given him individualized attention when teaching literacy.
Sarah and Daniel - Parent of 3 boys
Cody - Grade 1
In Grade 1, I show bravery when I play soccer with the older boys at recess and leadership when I help wipe the tables at lunch. I also showed judgement when I made the choice to do the right thing when I had a chance to be silly.
Cody - Grade 1
Candice - SK Parent
Since joining SHS, my boy's personality has beautifully blossomed. He's become more outgoing and confident, a change I attribute to SHS's exceptional approach to tailoring their focus on each boy's individual character and fostering a nurturing community environment. It's clear SHS truly understands and caters to the unique needs of every boy.
Candice - SK Parent
Alyssa - Parent
What makes SHS unique is its integration of emotional intelligence and character development into all aspects of the curriculum and co-curriculars. Kindness and empathy are prioritised in all interactions, and they are consistently role modelled by all faculty and staff.
Alyssa - Parent
LEARN MORE ABOUT STERLING HALL
If you would like to discover more about our school, SHS offers many opportunities to learn about our programs and our tight-knit community. Whether it's our robust academics, our character-building community circles, our talented caring faculty, our boy-friendly schedule and instruction, or our giving parent community, all of these facets make SHS an inspiring and empowering place to be.
If you prefer a more individualized approach, Sterling Hall's Personalized Information Session with an Admissions Team member can provide you with the information you are looking for. If you would like to explore on your own, please feel free to click on the Visit Us section below to watch the videos posted there, or if you have specific questions for our Admissions Team, simply complete the Inquiry Form on the Inquiry Page via the link below. As you will soon discover, Sterling Hall is where boys belong.