Integrated Learning and Learning at Ursula Franklin Academy

 Ursula Franklin Academy (UFA) is a small specialized high school in the Toronto District School Board. The school is capped at 500 students, by design. The school offers integrated liberal arts and sciences packages, preparing students for academic programs at the post-secondary level. The learning experiences offered at Ursula Franklin Academy will reflect not only the learning expectations identified by the Province and the Toronto District School Board, but also the students’ own interests, developing a sense of responsibility and individual accomplishments. Cross-curricular future-oriented skills such as conflict resolution, computer technology, problem-solving, student leadership, and exposure to international languages.

At Ursula Franklin Academy, a school with student leadership, integrated learning and connected knowledge, academic excellence, and a solid foundation of social justice we are committed to ensuring that fairness, equity, inclusion and student voice are essential principles of our school community and are integrated into our school culture, classrooms, extra-curricular opportunities, Wednesday Enrichment Program, operations, and practices. Ursula Franklin Academy follows the Equitable Policy practices as outlined on the TDSB website.

Our social justice roots and school values inform our decision making. Students and teachers work together on a first-name basis to help deconstruct hierarchical structures.

Ursula Franklin Academy has a focus or specialization in the following areas:

Ursula Franklin Academy has a focus or specialization in the following areas:

  • Wednesday Enrichment Program
  • Math and Science Programming
  • Integrated Learning
  • Student Leadership
  • Social Justice-anti oppression integration through all the curriculum area
 

The Wednesday Enrichment Program

The Wednesday Enrichment Program is the most unique aspect of Ursula Franklin Academy. On most Wednesdays throughout the year students do not participate in their regular classes. Instead, they participate in ‘Wednesday Sessions’. Each year students take up to 24 mini-courses (Wednesday Sessions) spread over six units. This is over and above the regular eight credit courses they take annually to graduate high school. While faculty run many of the sessions, they are not the only ones to support these courses: students, parents, and community members all contribute to offer a wide variety of exciting educational experiences for our students. The content of these courses is as varied as the passions and interests of the members that make up the UFA community.

Some examples include: Lego Robotics, Disastrous Debates, Literary Reviews, Lava Lamp Listening Lounge, Slow Flow Yoga, Geocaching, The Mysterious world of Math, Urban Ecology Experience along with many other wonderful opportunities for skill-based learning and “out of the box” experiences. If a student wants to propose a Wednesday session they can use our Wednesday Enrichment Program website to design and propose their own session for teachers to consider supporting. In this way the program develops leadership skills and is responsive to student voice in a very direct and concrete way.

In order to facilitate this unique program into our weekly schedule, the course curriculum is condensed into the other four days of the week. In this way, the curriculum may feel accelerated to UFA students.

Mathematics and Science Programming

The school’s Math and Science programs are amongst the best in the Toronto District School Board. Ursula Franklin’s career as a physicist and involvement with the school during the founding years has ensured a rigorous program in both disciplines, preparing our students for post-secondary education pursuits in related fields.

Integrated Learning

Informed by Connected Knowledge, and A Community of Learners, core values of Ursula Franklin Academy, the thoughtful integration of learning has been central to the design of the school’s structure.  During our first 20 years as a school, we focused on Integrated Technology and Integrated Learning and were ahead of the curve with regards to not only the thoughtful use of technology, but the societal implications of technology on our humanity. Franklin’s 1989 Massey Lecture and subsequent 1990 book “The Real World of Technology” informed our teaching and learning practices.   Since 2015 UFA has more focused on the interconnections of various curriculums, and the world in which we live as part of our commitment to Connected Knowledge and A Community of Learners.  Staff collaborate on emphasizing specific and overall expectations and design meaningful assessments, projects and/or classroom discussions to solidify the integrated learning.  Our Wednesday Enrichment Program, as described above, further supports integration of learning across the curriculum.

Student Leadership

  • Ursula Franklin Academy’s greatest asset is the student body. Students are provided formal and informal leadership opportunities and training via curricular and extracurricular experiences.  Students lead Opening Day, Grade 9 Retreat, Family Night, Open House, Potluck, Intramurals, Prom, Yearbook, Assemblies, UFA Idol, Full-Day Wellness Conferences, Full-Day Cultural Conferences, daily announcements, student Newspaper and more.
  • Our key leadership groups include the Student Council, PALS (People Acting as Leaders of Spirit), and the FAA (Franklin Athletic Association). Other student led groups and activities include, Black Student Association, Dance Club, DECA, HOSA, Muslim Student Association, Stage Crew, Library Helpers, Jewish Student Association, Anti-Oppression Committee, PASS Club (student tutors), Radio Club, Sports Teams, Intramurals, Yearbook, Indigenous Student  Association, Assemblies, Model UN, SASS, Computing Contests, Math Contests, Reach for the Top, Rainbow Week, Grad Breakfast, Arts Night, UFA Idol, STEM Club, Asian Student Association, Environmental Alliance, and Future Options Fair, to name a few!

Social Justice and Anti-Oppression Integration

  • Our five school values (A Community of Learners; Spirit of Inquiry; Democracy; Social Justice; and Connected Knowledge) affirm and guide our commitment to social justice and anti-oppression in our curricular and extra-curricular programs.
  • Ursula Franklin, a Canadian United Nations Pearson Peace Prize Award recipient was a staunch advocate for peace, equity and inclusion and her legacy lives on through our school community.
  • Teachers approach their curriculum using the lens of anti-oppression. A distinct humanities pathway also allows students to participate in programming specific to  social justice via such courses as Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, Law, Philosophy, English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices, Visual Arts: Expressions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Cultures; and Challenge and Change in Society.

 Course Offerings

As a small school by design, the school does not have as wide an offering of courses as some other schools. Students should review the courses offered to ensure that their interests are going to be met within the school. Our curriculum is delivered following the Ontario Provincial Curriculum. We offer a full suite of academic courses including courses that help to affirm students’ intersecting identities as well as better understand racism, hate, intolerance and oppression. The academic program at Ursula Franklin Academy is rigorous due to the pace at the school.

 Uniform Policy

The student uniform policy was originally conceived by parents, students, staff and Dr. Franklin to meet two major objectives: an aid in working towards developing a sense of equity; and in helping to maintain a strong sense of community. At the time of selection, the combination of colours did not represent any country represented by the United Nations – an important consideration to ensure the school uniform did not take on any unintended meaning or representation. Students are required to wear the complete school uniform at all times at school and while participating in school activities.

At Ursula Franklin Academy, a school focused on social justice, we are committed to ensuring that fairness, equity, and inclusion are essential principles of our school community and are integrated into our registration process, programs, operations, and practices. Ursula Franklin Academy follows the Equitable Policy practices as outlined on the TDSB website.