Student Support |
Who is available to help
This guide maps out the extensive network of programs, specialists, and support hubs available across UCC. However, even the most comprehensive support system is only as effective as the partnership behind it.
True student success relies on a vital triad: the student, the family, and the school. Our resources are designed to equip and empower, but it is student engagement, curiosity, and parent partnership that bring them to life. By actively exploring these supports together, staying in open communication with advisers, and taking ownership of the learning journey, we ensure every student achieves holistic excellence and becomes the best version of himself.
Students at Upper Canada College have three main support hubs available to them, with a variety of support staff within each.
Academic Guidance and Growth Hub |
Wernham West Centre for Learning |
Student Services |
Academic Guidance and Growth Hub
The Academic Guidance and Growth Hub focuses on helping every student cultivate his "Best Self" and “Learning” by strengthening core learning skills and driving academic excellence. Through collaborative support from teachers, advisers and university counsellors (Upper School), students navigate their academic pathways, build effective classroom strategies and foster meaningful connections within the UCC community. This holistic guidance empowers learners to maximize their individual performance, achieve their goals, and prepare for success at UCC and beyond.
Teacher
- Monitor daily progress
- Discuss subject-specific progress, feedback and classroom strategies
- Provide extra help sessions
Form Adviser — Prep School
- Learning scaffolding and holistic development
- Social-emotional coaching
- Connect to UCC supports
- Explore co-curriculars
- Self advocacy growth
Adviser — Upper School
- Discuss and provide supports available at UCC
- Explore co-curricular and year-level activities
- Support requests for extended absences
Senior House Adviser — Upper School
- Act as the adviser for our students in Year 8
- Develop positive interyear relationships in students in Years 8–12
- Address behavioural and academic concerns
University Counsellor — Upper School
- Discuss course selection, pathways and credit tracking
- Find individual support for postsecondary planning
- Access advice for university applications
Assistant Heads
- Provide year-level and cohort leadership, maintaining community standards, supporting complex student needs and ensuring every student grows academically and personally throughout their division
- Oversight of academic and wellbeing initiatives
- Intervention in pastoral and academic programming when escalation is required
PYP IB Coordinator — Prep School
- Curriculum and inquiry alignment for JK–Year 5
- Teacher support and professional development
- Facilitates the Year 5 PYP Exhibition
MYP IB Coordinator - Prep School and Upper School
- Transdisciplinary oversight for Year 6–10
- Criterion-based assessment guidance
- Facilitates the Year 9–10 Personal Project
DP IB Coordinator — Upper School
- Guides students through UCC graduation pathways
- Oversees DP Core components
- Liaison to International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) for exam administration and compliance
Wernham West Centre for Learning
The Wernham West Centre for Learning focuses on optimizing every student’s "Learning" potential by developing essential executive functioning skills and supporting cognitive wellbeing. Through collaborative support from learning strategists, the high performance coordinator or high performance math science teaching interns, students benefit from personalized learning plans, targeted academic strategies, and subject-specific assistance. This specialized guidance empowers learners to navigate academic challenges, build confidence, and achieve their full potential across all areas of study.
Learning Specialist
- Subject-specific help
- Assistance with time management and study strategies
- Customized learning support plans (individual learning plans, special circumstance documents)
High Performance Coordinator — Upper School
- Dedicated support to ensure the academic success and personal wellbeing of high performance students who face significant external or co-curricular time commitments
- Access help to navigate scheduling and missed assessments
- Monitors student progress, and maintains active communication among faculty, coaches, WWCfL, university counsellors and families.
High Performance Math Science Teaching Intern — Upper School
- Targeted math and science academic support
- Executive functioning coaching (development of organization and self-advocacy skills)
- Provides adaptable tutoring hours — including early morning and after-school availability — tailored to accommodate student training and rehearsal schedules.
Student Services
Student Services focuses on safeguarding every student’s "Physical" and "Mental" wellbeing to establish a healthy, balanced foundation for personal growth. Delivered by our dedicated Health Centre team and school counsellors, students receive comprehensive clinical care, health promotion, individual counselling, and tailored support for attendance or social-emotional challenges. This compassionate care ensures every student feels physically supported, emotionally resilient, and ready to navigate his UCC journey with confidence.
Health Centre Support — Registered Nurse
- Support physical ailments, medication and allergies
- Implement health promotion initiatives
- Provide first aid and safety management supports
Counselling Support — Psychologist, Counsellors — Prep School
- Social emotional wellness and self regulation
- Individual/group sessions or peer coaching
- Routines and attendance challenges
Counselling Support — Psychologist, Counsellors — Upper School
- Provide mental health support to manage stress, anxiety, social relationships and emotional balance
- Facilitate individual or group support sessions
- Case management and intervention for school attendance challenges