In Whitby, Ontario, Trafalgar Castle School is a small school producing big results.
When it comes to schools, bigger isn’t always better. Larger schools can mean bigger class sizes, fewer close-knit connections with students and less focus on the students and their specific needs or goals.
And that’s what makes Trafalgar Castle School different.
One of Trafalgar Castle School’s greatest strengths is that it’s small by design. At Trafalgar, each of its 227-plus students in Grades 4 through 12 is personally known by their teachers and staff throughout the Castle and supported by a close-knit community and circle of care that cultivates a strong sense of belonging.
“When you walk into school each day, and you are known, it changes everything.” Deputy Head of School Kate Hebdon says, “Not just a smile or wave, but an intentional connection like stating your name or connecting with something you’ve done; this makes all the difference. It takes intentional practice and consistent application of our action orientation for student leaders and adults to ensure that if a student misses a day at Trafalgar, they know they will be missed.”
Trafalgar creates intentional opportunities within the school that are foundational for its students to learn to connect with other older or younger students across grade and social landscapes, creating a strong sense of belonging. Its House system, for example, ensures that students in Grades 4 through 12 are cross-pollinated into one of four Houses that collaborate and participate in school spirit activities and challenges together throughout the year. Assemblies bring the school community together around core values. The “Big Sister/Little Sister” mentorship program enhances a sense of belonging and community across Junior and Senior Schools. The School’s Prefects encourage social connectivity among their fellow students and provide guidance and leadership, while the Trafalgar Activity and Spirit Council (TASC) leads fun activities to foster school spirit. Then there are school clubs and ‘Take Time Thursdays’ when students across all grades come together for student-led activities based on similar interests. These events and programs are embedded into the day rather than the edges of the day.
As a small school, Trafalgar can also meet its students’ individual needs with specialized programs. Trafalgar’s Advisor’s program was developed to create a safe place for expressing emotions and fostering social and emotional development. Led by Trafalgar faculty, the program brings together a small group of students from grades 9 through 12 for twice-weekly “check-ins” with each other beyond class time and purpose-built activities that connect to community building and self-care. Additional programs include Traf Steps, designed to prepare middle school students with the emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills needed to navigate the tween and early teen years and prepare them for senior school and beyond.
According to world-renowned professor and education researcher John Hattie, when students feel seen and heard in a classroom, there is higher achievement, more student engagement and more respect for self and others. Trafalgar Castle School’s teachers and advisors demonstrate care, empathy, support and open communication so that its students feel safe, better understand others, and embrace learning with a positive lens.
Being small means that learning is not a one-size-fits-all approach. With class sizes ranging from 6 to 23 students, with most at approximately 15, Trafalgar can tailor learning to meet students where they are. Small class sizes also enable teachers to know what interests the students and integrate these interests into the learning environment, promoting deeper engagement and growth.
“It’s hard to hide in a small classroom.” says Trafalgar’s Dean of Academics, Laurie Kuchirka, “Students are known to participate more actively in small classes. When students participate more, they make meaning of the learning, resulting in more significant learning gains.”
Trafalgar also provides a wide range of learning supports to meet individual academic needs, such as Dragon’s Den, the School’s extra after-school academic assistance from faculty, and the High Performing Athletes and Artists Program (HPAA), which offers greater support and increased flexibility for students in Grades 9 through 12 who are pursuing athletics or the arts outside of school at an elite level.
Being a small school means big results, and the results speak for themselves. Trafalgar Castle students achieve well beyond provincial and national academic standards. Ninety-nine percent are Ontario Scholars, with more than 85 percent earning the Honour Roll, more than 90 percent graduating with High Honours, and 89 percent achieving university scholarships. They are accepted to a post-secondary school of their choice and have shown to be more likely to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM) than girls in co-ed schools.
Trafalgar’s culture sets the norm for students to jump at the opportunity to join clubs, teams and ensembles like the School’s Castle Band and Junior Choir, both of which won Gold at MusicFest Canada 2024. The School’s robotics team earned 2nd place in the national MATE ROV Competition. Trafalgar’s Softball and Swim teams won their championships. Trafalgar students also raise funds and awareness and volunteer locally and around the world; they become part of a global, well-connected network of successful alumnae.
If there’s one thing that Trafalgar proves, it’s that small is mighty.