Exchange and Boarding Programs Resource Information

These pages are intended for international students considering applying to Toronto Waldorf School under the Exchange or Boarding Programs. They cover life in Toronto and at Toronto Waldorf School, policies governing the admission of international students, and the process by which you may apply to TWS.

Any additional questions not answered here may be addressed to Katharina Dannenberg, our High School Administrator, at kdannenberg@torontowaldorfschool.com or + 1.905.881.6137 ext. 309

4. Life in Toronto and at Toronto Waldorf School

Toronto Waldorf School is located in the suburb of Thornhill, Ontario, approximately one hour's ride on public transportation ($5 each way) form downtown Toronto. Thornhill is a small and quiet middle-class family suburb. Social and cultural activities are accessible in the surrounding community and in Toronto.

Toronto is the premier city of Canada, with nearly 5 million people in the Greater Toronto Area. Both Toronto and the province of Ontario are the most populous in Canada, the economic and cultural engines of the world's second-largest country. Toronto is thought to be one of the most
multicultural and socially progressive cities in the world. Located in the Great Lakes region of North America, Toronto is an hour's flight from other major cities such as Ottawa, Montreal, New York and Boston.

Toronto is a cultural centre, home to a symphony orchestra, museums, concerts, festivals, movie theatres and thousands of activities and sports for teenagers. It is also known for its cultural diversity and wide variety of inexpensive ethnic food. Known as a "city within a park,” Toronto has 1500 local parks, a 5000-animal zoo and an active lakefront. Its subway system links up with an extensive network of buses, making exploring the city practical for those relying on public transit.

Toronto has a long winter (about five months: mid-November to mid-April), a short spring (mid-April to May) and fall (October to mid-November) and a four-month summer (June to September). It is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, resulting in humid hot summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and fall, the times of year when Toronto's natural beauty is most evident, are very colourful.

The school is located on a splendid 23-acre campus that includes the main school, a Waldorf teacher-training facility, a retirement community, anthroposophical doctors' offices, a weekly organic market, a farm with gardens and animals, and a forest and creek. The school building includes large classrooms, two gymnasiums, music and practice rooms, woodworking and metal shops, a theatre stage, library, computer lab, kitchen and café.

Social Life in Toronto and at TWS

Social life in Toronto is very different from the life of most European students. The legal drinking age is 19, and as most dancing clubs serve alcohol, those under 19 are unable to attend. Many European students find the change in social life to be very significant.

Successful students are those willing to initiate social activities themselves, and in new and different venues than they would attend at home. Toronto Waldorf School provides school dances, house parties, a coffee house and other performances, but life here is very different from life at home!

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