# St. Clement's Early Learning School (SCELS) > St. Clement's Early Learning School (SCELS) is a small independent school in midtown Toronto, Ontario, founded in 1955. It serves children from Nursery through Grade 2, with an emphasis on small class sizes, individualized programming, and a warm, secure environment for a child's first years of school. Families of all faiths and cultural backgrounds are welcome. Key facts: - Location: 70 St. Clements Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4R 1H2, Canada (midtown Toronto, Yonge & Eglinton area) - Founded: 1955 - Grades served: Nursery (children turning 3 by December 31), Kindergarten (children turning 4 by December 31), and the Primary program for Grades 1 and 2 - The Grade 1–2 Primary program is for boys, preparing them for a Grade 3 entry year at a local private school; all other programs are co-educational - Nursery is offered as a half day, extended day or full day; before-school and after-school care are available for an additional fee, as are extra-curricular activities and Spanish classes - Roughly 125 families and a staff of about twenty - Principal: Marsha Hamilton - Phone: +1-416-489-0822 - General enquiries: mainoffice@scels.ca — Admissions enquiries: admissions@scels.ca - Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (before- and after-school care runs on a wider schedule) - Admissions: applications are accepted year-round for the following academic year; the school holds an Open House each October and offers private tours by appointment ## About the school - [About Us](https://www.scels.ca/experience/about-us): Overview of SCELS — the school's philosophy, approach to early childhood education, and what makes a small boutique school different. - [Our History](https://www.scels.ca/experience/our-history): The school's founding in 1955 and its home in a historic landmark church building in midtown Toronto. - [Welcome from the Principal](https://www.scels.ca/experience/message-from-the-principal): Principal Marsha Hamilton's introduction to the school and its community. - [Our Staff](https://www.scels.ca/experience/our-staff): Leadership team and teaching staff, with roles and biographies. - [Parent Testimonials](https://www.scels.ca/experience/parent-testimonials): First-hand accounts from current and past SCELS families, organized by topic. - [Careers at SCELS](https://www.scels.ca/experience/careers): What it is like to work at the school, and current employment opportunities. ## Admissions - [Applying to SCELS](https://www.scels.ca/admissions/admissions-info): The admissions process, application requirements, and timelines for the coming academic year. - [Book a Tour](https://www.scels.ca/admissions/book-a-tour): Request a private tour of the school and meet the staff. - [Open House](https://www.scels.ca/admissions/open-house): Details of the annual Open House, held each October for prospective families. - [Tuition Fees](https://www.scels.ca/admissions/tuition-fees): Tuition and fee structure by program, and what is included. - [International Applicants](https://www.scels.ca/admissions/international-applicants): Guidance for families applying from outside Canada. - [Uniform](https://www.scels.ca/admissions/uniform): The uniform dress code, the reasoning behind it, and where to buy items. ## Programs and student life - [Programs](https://www.scels.ca/student-life/programs): The Nursery, Kindergarten and Primary (Grade 1–2) programs, plus extra-curricular activities and before- and after-school care, including ages served and daily schedules. - [Curriculum](https://www.scels.ca/student-life/curriculum): How the curriculum is structured across subject areas and developmental stages. - [Our School Virtues & Awards](https://www.scels.ca/student-life/our-school-virtues-awards): The monthly school virtues — friendship, cooperation, respect, peace and unity, courage, love and kindness, responsibility, honesty, confidence and determination — and the three houses students and staff belong to: Munsch (red), Carle (blue) and Seuss (green). - [The Jen Cumming Library](https://www.scels.ca/student-life/jen-cumming-library): The school library, named in memory of Jennifer Cumming, and its role in the reading program. ## Curriculum subject areas - [Language](https://www.scels.ca/curriculum/language): Reading, writing and oral language instruction. - [Mathematics](https://www.scels.ca/curriculum/mathematics): Early numeracy and mathematical thinking. - [French](https://www.scels.ca/curriculum/french): French language instruction at SCELS. - [Science and Social Studies](https://www.scels.ca/curriculum/science-and-social-studies): Inquiry-based science and social studies units. - [The Arts](https://www.scels.ca/curriculum/the-arts): Visual art, music, drama and creative expression. - [Physical Development](https://www.scels.ca/curriculum/physical-development): Physical education, movement and gross motor development. - [Social Learning](https://www.scels.ca/curriculum/social-learning): Social and emotional development, and learning to work with others. - [Primary Program](https://www.scels.ca/curriculum/primary-program): The Grade 1–2 Primary program for boys, and how it builds on the Kindergarten years. ## Community - [Parent Committee Events](https://www.scels.ca/community/parent-committee-events): The Parent Committee, how it operates, and the events it runs through the year. - [Fundraisers](https://www.scels.ca/community/fundraisers): Fundraising and charitable initiatives that SCELS students take part in. - [Partnerships](https://www.scels.ca/community/partnerships): Organizations and community partners the school works with. - [Donate](https://www.scels.ca/community/donate): How to support the school, including donations in memory of Jennifer Cumming. ## Contact and calendar - [Contact](https://www.scels.ca/contact): Address, phone, email, office hours and enquiry form. - [Calendar](https://www.scels.ca/calendar): School year calendar — term dates, holidays, closures, and school events. ## Optional - [Privacy Policy](https://www.scels.ca/privacy-policy): How the school handles personal information collected through the website.