Field Learning at Summit
Inside or out, learning at Summit is always rooted in real-world connection.
We believe meaningful learning happens everywhere, not just at a desk. Whether we’re working in our outdoor classroom, skating at the local rink, or exploring the city through project-based fieldwork, our students are constantly engaging with the world around them.
Every outing is purposeful—whether it’s designed to enrich a current project, support social-emotional development, or nurture a sense of joy and curiosity. These experiences are central to our approach to experiential learning, deepening understanding, building confidence, and fostering a lasting connection to community, environment, and self.
The City as Our Classroom
We don’t just learn about the world—we step into it. The city offers endless opportunities to extend our learning beyond the school building. From the arts and sciences to sports and entrepreneurship, students explore the richness of Toronto through regular field experiences that connect directly to their projects and passions.
Our access to the TTC is a privilege that opens up the entire city. Students learn how to navigate routes, read maps, and travel with confidence. These outings also provide daily opportunities to build important social skills—practicing the etiquette of public transit, learning how to behave respectfully in theatres and places of business, and understanding how to move through different spaces with awareness and responsibility.
The city becomes a place of wonder, relevance, and real connection—where learning is personal, hands-on, and filled with possibility.
Learning in Nature
We’re incredibly lucky to be surrounded by nature. From the Humber River to High Park, Summit students have access to an abundance of green space—something rare in a city school. We use these spaces not just for breaks, but as extensions of our learning environment.
Students spend a minimum of two hours outdoors daily, whether they’re skating in Lessard Park, exploring Magwood Park and the Humber River, climbing trees in Beresford Park, or learning in our outdoor classroom at St. Paul’s Church. These natural spaces offer endless opportunities for observation, inquiry, movement, and connection.
We head outside whenever we can—reading under trees, conducting science experiments by the riverbank, watching the salmon run in the fall, and building resilience through play in all seasons. These experiences foster curiosity, calm, and a deep respect for the natural world.