Co-educational independent school located steps from the Royal Ontario Museum in downtown Toronto. Offers programmes for students in grades 7-12.
Diversity at Dragon
Valuing diversity is integral to the educational mission of The Dragon Academy. Our students are exposed to the diversity which so enriches Canadian society, and embrace the tolerance and openness so essential to democracy.
Diversity at The Dragon Academy is explored and valued in all its forms: diversity of thoughts, beliefs and worldviews, identities and affiliations, aptitudes and aspirations, races and cultures, genders and sexualities, experiences and economics both within The Dragon community and the wider world. Our commitment to diversity has its roots in social justice, and a progressive belief in the importance of education for democratic citizenship. We believe our diverse community plays a vital part in our students' academic, social, and individual growth.
Academic
Diversity supports and enhances a well-rounded program of study. Exposure to diversity gives students insight into the worldviews, experiences, and expressions of others through literature, languages, social science, history, and the arts. Ethical dimensions of science and applied mathematics benefit from considering diversity. Diverse perspectives are intrinsic to The Dragon Academy curriculum. Our students are motivated to ask questions, pursue knowledge, and compare what is learned with established ideas, advancing rigourous academic inquiry. Diversity facilitates learning to think critically and creatively. And it nurtures an open mind.
Progressive education promises progress towards a freer and a better world. It comes from a belief in the core principles of democracy, and in the potential of education to encourage students "to protect individual rights and the common good, to seek justice, equality of opportunity for all, to cherish diversity and truth," as children's book author Milton Meltzer said.
For some reason this is still a very radical idea. It certainly swims against the tide of conventional education, which is authoritarian in its delivery, and conformist in its values.
By contrast, Progressive Education is built around four core values: freedom of expression, imagination, co-operation, and commitment to social justice. These values are expressed in how we teach, and what we teach.