Senior School
Technology & Textbooks

Learning in the Senior School is directly supported by the Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS). This learning portal provides students with personalized access to unit materials, assignments, research tools and course announcements. Blackboard is updated daily by all faculty and should be the first place a student checks following an absence. Blackboard can be accessed directly via yorkschool.blackboard.com or YorkNet.

At the beginning of each academic year, parents are given “observer” role accounts so that they can follow along with the learning, homework, and assignment due dates. Sign-in information for Blackboard is sent to parents in the summer but as a general rule, the username is: firstname+lastname (“johnsmith”) and the password is: the first 5 digits of your school accounting number.

For further questions about Blackboard or to get help, please contact the I.T. Help Desk Desk at 416-926-1325 ext. 1204 or Neil Moir.

Empowered by Google Workspace for Education

At The York School, we harness the capabilities of the Google Suite of educational applications and tools to drive our academic endeavors. This comprehensive learning toolkit is seamlessly integrated into our educational framework, managed through the Google Chrome browser. Students are instructed to utilize Chrome as their principal academic browser, with the option to create multiple Chrome profiles for personal Gmail accounts. Both students and educators rely extensively on Google Drive for daily activities, including collaborative work, assignment submission, and feedback exchange. At the onset of each academic year, students are provided with meticulously organized school-managed course folders within Google Drive, serving as their central repository for academic materials. Additionally, students receive guidance on configuring and managing Google Drive Cloud-Sync to ensure the security and accessibility of all files through backup procedures.

Engaging in Learning with Laptops - Senior School Laptop Program

For the past 25 years, The York School has maintained a prominent position as an innovator in integrating technology throughout its curriculum. Our educators consistently explore avenues to enhance subject matter with interactive tools and immersive learning experiences. To support this endeavor, The York School prioritizes substantial investments in both teacher professional development and classroom support personnel. Under the guidance of the Department of Learning, Innovation, and Technology, the institution ensures that its faculty and students are equipped with cutting-edge tools to maximize their academic potential.

Beginning with the 2025 - 2026 academic year, new students in grades 9 through 11 will be enrolled in our structured student-owned laptop programme. During this period, The York School will exclusively support Mac Laptops and the Apple platform. Students have the option to acquire any model from the Apple Store or bring in a Mac from home, provided it meets our specified minimum requirements. Families are requested to procure or bring in their previously owned laptops over the summer, enabling our LIT team to configure them with school software. New students will receive an invitation to a dedicated "Learning with Laptops" orientation, typically held a few days before the start of the academic year.

Textbooks

For Grades 6 through 12, textbooks are purchased online through the Alpha Textbooks or at the Alpha Textbooks store ( 3709 Chesswood Drive). You can place your textbook order online by logging into YorkNet, clicking the “Order Textbooks” icon, or going directly to the Alpha Textbooks site. Follow the information appropriate to your child’s Grade and textbook requirements. Used textbooks can also be purchased both online and in-store. 

Online ordering will be available by June 20, 2025.

For information regarding textbook orders, please reach out to Alpha Textbooks 416-461-3542 or info@alphatextbooks.com. For other inquiries contact Beth Wolfe.

Grade 10, 11 & 12 Digital Textbooks - Kognity

Kognity is a digital learning platform designed to enhance our student’s learning experience by supplementing traditional course materials with interactive, engaging content. The platform is used across many of the Diploma courses in Grades 10, 11 & 12. Its benefits include:

  • Interactive Textbooks: Kognity replaces traditional textbooks with digital versions that feature simulations, videos, assessments, and other interactive elements that cater to diverse learning styles.

  • Assessments & Feedback: Students have access to quizzes, practice questions, and progress checks that provide immediate feedback. Teachers can track student progress and offer support where needed.

  • Teacher Support: The platform helps teachers plan lessons, differentiate instruction, and monitor student learning more effectively. It also aligns with curriculum standards, ensuring your child receives the most relevant and up-to-date content.

The York School manages this textbook platform and charges the costs back to the student ONLY if their teachers use the platform as part of their curriculum. All Grade 11 and 12 students use this platform in two or more courses. Grade 10 students enrolled in MCR3U also use this platform. Those chargebacks will appear on your October statement.