Frequently Asked Questions by Parents

• What does it cost to attend TanenbaumCHAT?
• What if I can’t afford the tuition?
• Are there any other costs?
• Is there busing?
• Is there a school uniform?
• What are the hours of the school day?
• Can I decide which campus my child will attend?
• What are placement tests?
• How does my child prepare for the placement tests?
• Are all students accepted to TanenbaumCHAT?
• What can I expect when my child first starts at TanenbaumCHAT?
• What does TanenbaumCHAT expect from my child?
• How can I help my child succeed at TanenbaumCHAT?

What does it cost to attend TanenbaumCHAT?

Tuition fees for the 2011 – 2012 school year are $21,500. Fees are set each year by our Board of Directors. Part of the full fee qualifies for a charitable donation receipt.

What if I can’t afford the tuition?

We are the community school and we welcome families from a wide spectrum of economic backgrounds. Please do not allow financial circumstances to prevent you from applying to our school.

The Tuition Assistance Program, primarily funded by the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, is completely confidential. When determining fair subsidies, we take into account a family’s total financial profile, and, where applicable, tuition assistance history from other Jewish day schools. If a family needs tuition assistance at more than one school, a shared “Family Tuition Fee” is determined. Every parent automatically receives Tuition Assistance forms.

Are there any other costs?

Mandatory charges for materials and activities that are part of curriculum may add up to $500 (in Grade 9). Textbooks – new or used – typically cost $300-$700 annually. To ease this burden, the cost for materials at the Book Sale may be divided into several payments. Other charges depend on course and extracurricular choices.

Families may be eligible for assistance for many of these costs. No student should be prevented from participating in any school activity for financial reasons.

Is there busing?

Busing is available at both campuses. Please contact your campus to inquire about the routes and costs.

Is there a school uniform?

We do not have a school uniform but we do have a dress code. Students are required to dress respectably, neatly and modestly. Boys must wear a kippa (or other appropriate and approved head-covering) at all times. Boys and girls must have shoulders, midriffs and knees covered. The school dress code is detailed in the Student Handbook.

What are the hours of the school day?

We have four ‘regular’ daily timetables:

	BEGINS	ENDS
Normal	8:25AM	4:30PM
Friday (Summer)	8:25AM	3:30PM
Short Friday (Winter)	8:25AM	2:30PM
Short Day	8:25AM	3:06PM
Lunchtime Dismissal	8:25AM	12:40PM

Students must be at school by 8:25AM, and in class at 8:30AM.

Can I decide which campus my child will attend?

The school reserves the right to determine which campus a student will attend. Placement is normally determined by your home address. Students living south of Steeles Avenue attend the Wallenberg Campus. Students living north of Steeles Avenue attend the Kimel Centre. The school may consider applications, on a case-by-case basis, to vary this rule under exceptional circumstances. Applications should be sent to the Admissions Coordinator, and must be approved by the Director of Education.

Based on demand, some programs may only be offered at one campus.

TanenbaumCHAT is one school, and both campuses operate with the same philosophy, ethos and standards.
What is the purpose of the intake interview?

The interview is our opportunity to meet our future students and their families, to get to know them (strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes) and for them to ask any questions about our school. It is also the time when we explain the course curriculum for Grade 9.

Interviews take place during the school day. At least one parent or guardian – preferably both – must attend the interview together with the student.

What are placement tests?

All students who apply to TanenbaumCHAT must take placement tests in Hebrew, English, Math and if applicable, French. These are specifically designed for TanenbaumCHAT, and help us to understand the strengths and abilities of each student, and the incoming grade as a group. The Hebrew placement test for New Stream applicants is administered at the intake interview.

Because placement tests are diagnostic, we do not disclose the results. Each student is placed in their appropriate streams of study based on their placement test results and on their middle school record. We can only process applications if we have the placement test results on file.

Placement tests, together with consideration of student records and other data, enable us to ensure that:

• TanenbaumCHAT has suitable program to offer the student;
• Every student is placed in the most appropriate course level for his or her learning style;
• Every student is placed in a balanced class, enabling us to provide the best teaching.

The school reserves the right to determine student placement.

How does my child prepare for the placement tests?

No preparation is needed. Make sure you bring pencils (for the Math test) and a pen for the other tests. All boys are asked to wear a kippa.

Please click here to select a time for your child to take the placement tests.

Are all students accepted to TanenbaumCHAT?

Our goal is to make the school accessible to as many students as possible. However, we have to be sure that the school has a suitable program at which the student will have a reasonable chance of success, and that they are motivated and prepared to attend the school.

What can I expect when my child first starts at TanenbaumCHAT?

Coming to high school generally coincides with the full onset of adolescence, and both can sometimes be perplexing. We are here to support our parents as much as our students. If you ever have concerns about your child – whether they are academic, social or emotional issues – we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact the school to speak with a teacher, guidance counsellor, vice principal, principal or the Director of Education.

During high school, students develop into maturing teenagers, becoming more independent. Both students and parents may experience the “roller coaster” of teenage years!

What does TanenbaumCHAT expect from my child?

For a student to succeed, we expect that their commitment to their TanenbaumCHAT program is top priority. We encourage students to get involved in a myriad of extra-curricular activities, but we also don’t want them to overtax themselves. We expect all students and their families to respect the school, its facilities and our faculty at all times.

How can I help my child succeed at TanenbaumCHAT?

To achieve our goals, we count on your cooperation as our partners, in several vital areas. These include:

• Being constructive, respectful, understanding and supportive of your child as they go the school;
• Dealing thoughtfully with both freedoms and boundaries;
• Ensuring they fulfill their (and your) first duty – daily attendance;

• Sharing and supporting the overall philosophy and aims of the school, and being an ambassador for TanenbaumCHAT in the wider community;
• Supporting the faculty and administration in following school rules;
• Giving our faculty feedback regarding your child’s progress, and ensuring that the school is fully informed about any factors —medical, social, family or otherwise— that may affect your child’s school life;
• Providing the school office with updated records of names, addresses, all telephone numbers and email addresses for both students and parents.