Junior Academy is an independent special education school in Toronto that supports students with diverse learning needs. Our students may have learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), developmental differences, executive functioning challenges, or academic gaps that make learning in a traditional classroom difficult. We provide individualized learning support, specialized instruction, and a structured, supportive environment designed to help students bridge learning gaps, build confidence, and have a positive experience with being at school.
At Junior Academy, our admissions criteria relies on a student’s ability to be successful in a classroom setting. Regardless of diagnosis, students must demonstrate appropriate classroom readiness skills, which include adequate communication skills and self-regulation skills, as well as an ability to integrate into the classroom setting. We are not able to accept students with significant behavioural challenges.
Yes. Junior Academy supports students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and recognizes that students with autism have a wide range of strengths, learning profiles, and support needs. Our individualized approach provides structure, predictable routines, targeted academic instruction, social-emotional support, and opportunities to develop communication, self-regulation, executive functioning, and independence. Junior Academy also offers ABA services and other specialized services for students who benefit from them.
Members of our school community who have access to O.A.P. Funding (Ontario Autism Program) are able to use this funding for ABA services within the school. Students who utilize O.A.P. for ABA services within the school must be overseen by the Behaviour Analyst in order to have these services covered.
Our ABA therapy team is supported and overseen by a Registered Behaviour Analyst who is stationed at Telus Health. Our R.B.A. (BCBA) ensures cohesive programming, age appropriate goals and helps support families as they navigate ABA within the classroom, in our specialty programs or in pull-out skill acquisition sessions.
A formal diagnosis is not required for a student to be considered for Junior Academy. Admissions decisions are based on the individual student’s learning profile, strengths, needs, and whether our program is an appropriate fit. During the admissions process, we review available educational and assessment information to better understand how we can support the student.
Junior Academy looks at the whole student, including their academic skills, learning profile, strengths, challenges, and support needs. Where appropriate, our educators can provide targeted instruction and remediation to help address gaps in foundational skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics.
Yes. Junior Academy can be an option for students who are struggling academically or whose learning needs are not being fully met in a traditional classroom environment. Small class sizes, individualized instruction, specialized teaching strategies, and additional learning support allow students to receive more targeted attention. We work to identify the underlying areas of difficulty, address academic gaps, and help students develop the skills they need to become more successful and independent learners.
Junior Academy provides individualized and targeted learning support based on each student’s specific strengths and areas of need. Our educators use specialized teaching approaches, multisensory strategies, remediation, technology, hands-on learning, and differentiated instruction to help students access the curriculum and strengthen foundational academic skills.
Students also receive a thorough and comprehensive Student Success Plan (SSP), which identifies individualized goals, strengths, areas of focus and strategies.
Yes. Junior Academy provides individualized reading and direct instruction programming for students who experience challenges with foundational literacy, decoding, encoding, reading fluency, comprehension, or other aspects of reading development.
Teachers identify areas of need and provide targeted instruction designed to strengthen literacy skills and improve students’ confidence as readers.
Junior Academy uses a variety of programs and strategies for reading and writing programs. We use evidence based programs like UFLI Foundations for our younger readers in K-3 classes in conjunction with Acadience Reading assessments. We also use direct instruction programs like Reading Mastery and Orton Gillingham as remedial reading interventions. For our older grades, teachers instruct with novel studies, fiction, poetry and non-fiction reading and writing units designed to meet the needs and interests of their learners.
Yes. Junior Academy provides individualized mathematics support for students who experience difficulty with numeracy, mathematical concepts, problem-solving, computation, or applying math skills independently.
Teachers provide targeted instruction, additional practice, hands-on learning, and differentiated strategies to help students strengthen foundational math skills and address academic gaps. Junior Academy uses the JUMP Math, Touch Math program including supplementary materials and IXL math.
Large and small independent schools, as well as public schools. Our Vice-Principal starts working with families in Grade 7 to find the right school for Grade 9. We will also help to navigate the application process for the schools you are interested in.
All grades have a gym class every day. Students are also invited to join daily clubs and teams offered at lunch time and before and after school. All students also have two 30-minute recess periods each day as well as a 90-minute Outdoor Education period once every two weeks.
Yes.
Before school care begins at 7:30am and after school care is available until 5:30pm. Regular drop off in the morning begins at 8:10am, with classes beginning at 8:30am. Dismissal is between 3:00 and 3:30 depending on grade level.
Class size varies depending on the age and dynamics in the classroom. On average, homeroom class sizes are between 10-14 students.
Monthly teacher ‘check-ins’ are standard at Junior Academy and teachers email their parents with a class update once a week with news about what is happening. Students in Grades K-8 receive three report cards a year, and we hold Parent/Teacher interviews twice a year. Our school uses ‘Edsby’ an online education platform where teachers will have ‘Home Pages’ to share information with families. In addition, parents can speak to staff directly to learn what is happening in class and what assignments/ homework are required.
Yes, Junior Academy has social and emotional development programs lead by teachers, our on-site Occupational Therapist and Child Counsellor. These periods happen during regular class time or through private sessions with an individual student.
Yes, Junior Academy provides remedial reading/writing programs such as Reading Mastery and Orton Gillingham. Tutoring by learning specialists is provided on an individual basis. Tutoring sessions are paid for separately by parents.
We have an in-house Occupational Therapist who works with students during the course of the school day. Services include sensory integration therapy, gross and fine motor assistance and social skills training. Initial sessions may be funded by LHIN, if approved. Our Occupational Therapist has developed our FLEX program, wherein the entire school population benefits from classes on Friendship, Learning Skills and Executive Functioning Skills.
A speech-language pathologist visits the school to provide speech therapy to students. Initial sessions may also be funded by LHIN if approved.
Please note, individual sessions with our OT and SLP professionals are not included in tuition and are an additional cost.
Yes, supporting each child’s individual needs and growth is very important to us. The decision to implement 1:1 support is always made collaboratively with families, ensuring that it reflects a shared understanding of the student’s needs and goals.
When a student would benefit from this level of support, Junior Academy takes great care in finding the right fit. We conduct a thoughtful recruitment process, including interviews with qualified candidates, and then share a shortlist with families. From there, we work together to make a final decision that feels right for everyone. Our goal is to ensure that the support provided aligns with a child’s unique strengths and areas of need.
The school manages all administrative aspects, including hiring and payroll, to make the process as seamless as possible for families. Please note that the cost of the support worker is the responsibility of the family and is billed monthly. The hourly rate is paid to the school, which in turn compensates the support worker. Junior Academy does not profit from this service.