About Maple Leaf

At Maple Leaf International School, we bring the joy of learning into your child’s classroom through a student-centred approach rooted in an authentic Ontario education – right here in Trinidad.

Students aged 4 to 18 benefit from smaller class sizes, an immersive curriculum, dedicated teachers, and a modern, well-equipped facility.

Join the Maple Leaf family and allow your child to unlock their full potential.

Our Vision

To be recognized as the premier elementary and secondary school in Trinidad and Tobago.

Our Mission

Maple Leaf International School develops self-directed learners who demonstrate excellence and integrity in becoming leaders and well-balanced contributors to the global community.

The Foundation of the Maple Leaf Program

The Ontario System of education believes that its moral purpose is to ensure that all children are educated to high levels of intellectual, practical and social competence; it does not matter where you are coming from, but rather, where you are going. Realizing this vision, it is Maple Leaf’s goal to help develop the intellectual, emotional and physical potential of our students so that they can become the best contributing citizens they can be.

WE BELIEVE:

Every student at Maple Leaf should be able to read, write, do math and comprehend at a high level. This is the necessary foundation for later educational and social choices.
Every student should have exposure to music and the arts.
Every student should be safe and feel safe at school.
Every student should reach the highest level of achievement that his or her ability and willingness to work will permit.
Every student should have a favourable educational experience at Maple Leaf International School.
Every student should know how to think for him or herself, appreciate the rights and obligations of good citizenship and learn about character values.
Parents are participants in the school’s learning mission and vision.

Our History

Maple Leaf International School was the dream of three exceptional individuals – Tessa Sutton, Barbara Bovell, and Lanny Steinberg – who sought an alternative to the traditional educational system offered in Trinidad & Tobago.

In 1994, Barbara and Tessa had just gone through the experience of preparing their two eldest children for the Eleven Plus exam and had seen first-hand the pressure placed on both children and their families. This experience compelled them to seek a more balanced approach to education. They approached Lanny, who was then associated with the Canadian High Commission and recently helped to establish a Canadian school in Singapore.

Together, they took on the ambitious task and within four months, opened a non-profit private school based on the Ontario Curriculum. The original location was an old colonial-style building on Sweet Briar Road, owned by Richard Harford.

Maple Leaf International School officially opened its doors on the 4th September 1994 with 36 students, from Grades 1 to 6. Jim Henry, a retired principal, was appointed as the school’s first Principal, and staff were hired both locally and from Canada. Keith “Ollie” Oliver was hired as the security guard and remains a valued member of staff to this day.

A Board of Directors was established to oversee the school’s operations, with Tessa Sutton serving as the first Chairperson. The Board was structured to provide the necessary legal, financial, educational, and managerial oversight to ensure consistency, continuity, and the long-term sustainability of the school.

As the student population grew, it became clear that the school had outgrown its charming St. Clair address. In September 1998, the school moved to its current location in Alyce Glen.

Maple Leaf International School continues to build on the strong foundation laid by its founders. It produces graduates who carry with them a treasury of knowledge and positive habits. With their minds, bodies, and character developed, they are well-prepared for the next stage of their educational journey.

The Ontario Education System

Internationally Recognized Education

At Maple Leaf International School, Kindergarten through to Grade 12 curriculum is based upon the internationally renowned Ontario (Canada) Curriculum. This Curriculum is ranked the highest out of all English-speaking countries. It has consistently received high ratings in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)*. It focuses on students’ individual learning and development as well as building their character by acknowledging each individual’s unique personal strengths.

* PISA is a worldwide study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on scholastic performance of students in Mathematics, Science and Reading. Source: OECD PISA

Affiliation

Maple Leaf is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education. The Principal has the authority to grant secondary school credits towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). We are privileged to be one of nineteen schools in the world that can offer a Grade 12 diploma outside of Ontario. This diploma is recognized and respected worldwide.

Literacy | Numeracy

The development of literacy skills has an impact on an individual’s overall well-being. In the context of a well-rounded student experience, no outcome is more indispensable than a solid foundation in literacy and numeracy. This pursuit means more than the basic ability to read, write and do math. It includes the growing capacity throughout the elementary and secondary years to understand information from a variety of sources, to interpret this information across a variety of disciplines and to think and communicate with a high degree of critical analysis.

More than ever before, the ability to function, contribute and prosper in our society requires a sound education, which is built on the foundation of literacy and numeracy.

Maple Leaf Programs

Career Counselling

Library Services

Student Support

Technology in the Classroom

Student Leadership

Co-curricular

House League

Student Support

Differentiated Instructions

Service Learning

Community Consciousness

Elementary School Education

Grades

JK/SK (Age 4-5) to Grade 8 (Age 13)

Seamless transition from Elementary School to Secondary School

Spanish

Art

Music

Secondary School Programs

Program choice and options

Math, Science and Technology, English and Humanities, Art, Music & Drama

Work Placement Opportunities

French & Spanish

Planned Professional Development

Teacher Training and enhancement

Professional Learning Community Teams

The Ontario Curriculum

The Ontario Ministry of Education website provides the curriculum documents spanning Kindergarten to Grade 12. These documents are available for download.