Prospective parents often ask “Why should I choose Sommerville? What makes your school different from another school?” The answer to this question is a multi-faceted one, but the one aspect of Sommerville that is commented on most often by visitors to the school is the warm, family atmosphere that exists within the school community.

Features of Sommerville include:

• Strong communication between parent and school supports the intimacy which typifies the Sommerville Manor tradition.  Ultimately the responsibility for academic success lies in all three areas with the family and school working together to support the student and provide guidance, learning opportunities and teaching expertise.  Parents are highly visible at Sommerville and their interest is welcomed. The school Parent Association is a group of enthusiastic and devoted parents who actively work toward creating an atmosphere of unity and school spirit.

• Sommerville Manor is a Private School registered and inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education. Our staffing ratios, curriculum content and academic standards consistently exceed the Ministry recommendations. Staff members at Sommerville are carefully selected for their excellence in academic and personal qualities. Since Sommerville Manor programmes are designed to encourage total student commitment from an early age, we employ a dedicated and caring staff who will model our goals personally for the students.

• It is our belief that leadership skills are developed in the early years and this potential is encouraged in the students through peer grouping, small class sizes and gradually increasing areas of responsibility.  Students in the upper grade levels gain confidence and maturity by acting as role models for those in younger grades.

• Within our programme structure, the tailoring of academic programmes provides flexibility in the classrooms and an opportunity for personal success on every level. Students can experience the freedom of working to attain their personal goals at a variety of academic levels and thereby experience pride in their achievements.