Grade 12 Pre-University: Our First Graduates, Supported From the Start

At the Grade 12 assembly, Head of School Michael O’Connor reflected on everything the inaugural class had accomplished together. Then, one by one, each student was called forward while Dani Jansen, Director of Teaching and Learning, High School, and Sarah Neeff, High School Principal, shared a personalized message written specifically for them. Elizabeth Brandman ’26 remembers tearing up. The moment captured the core ethos of St. George’s:

“You are never just another student here. People know you. They care about you. They notice when you are struggling, when you are succeeding, when you need support, and when you just need someone to believe in you.”

— Elizabeth Brandman ’26

That profound sense of being known defined the inaugural year of our Grade 12 Pre-University Program. Designed for families looking for a direct pathway to University beyond the traditional CEGEP route, the program offers a close-knit, highly guided pre-university year leading to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Believing Early

Launching a new educational pathway requires community partners who believe in an idea early. The Roasters Foundation stepped forward as a founding supporter with a $20,000 gift allocated toward the launch of the Pre-University Program and Inspired Futures bursaries. Their contribution provided meaningful momentum during this first year, helping to enrich the learning experience, support university exposure visits to McGill and Concordia, and assist with bursary funding.

“The launch of the Grade 12 Pre-University program is an important initiative, and we wanted to support that vision from the outset. Our contribution toward the program and bursaries reflects our belief that promising educational initiatives deserve community support, and that financial circumstances should not prevent students from accessing new opportunities. We hope our support will encourage others to invest in innovative ideas that help young people thrive and shape their futures.”

— Rachel Renaud, President, The Roasters Foundation

Making Their Mark

Throughout the year, our founding students integrated fully as campus leaders, competing on sports teams, winning regional robotics competitions, and starring in the school musical. Alongside their studies, every student received tailored university counseling, from application strategy and essay writing to time-management mentorship.

100% of Graduates Now at Top-Tier Universities

The outcomes speak to the strength of the program: 100% of the founding cohort earned acceptances to top-tier universities. Graduates are now studying civil engineering, software engineering, psychology, environmental biology, and entrepreneurship at leading institutions across Canada, including McGill, Concordia, Queen’s, and Western, as well as in the United States at Babson College, Lehigh University, and Vanderbilt University.

When our first graduates crossed the stage, they set a strong foundation for every class that follows. We are deeply grateful to The Roasters Foundation and all contributors whose early belief helps create new pathways and opportunities for St. George’s students.