RMH

Jennifer can’t help it.  Her eyes flood with tears when she thinks about the impact Ronald McDonald House Toronto School has had on her 14-year-old daughter.
“If we didn’t have the School, Rebecca would have totally lost her Grade 9 year,” says Jennifer.

Rebecca and her mom arrived at Ronald McDonald House Toronto in October, 2011 from their home town of Pictou, Nova Scotia. The teen had been on a waiting list for a heart transplant for several months. A donor match was found earlier than expected and Rebecca received her transplant this past summer.

The teen was enrolled in school shortly after the family began staying at the House. Because of her health issues, which began from a young age, Rebecca had experienced many challenges at her home school – with teachers and fellow students alike.

“But the teacher here understands what kind of learner I am and she explains things in words I understand,” says Rebecca. “She makes it a lot easier than if I was back home in public school, where there are 30 kids and you can’t get that one-on-one feeling.”

Recognized by the Ministry of Education, Ronald McDonald House Toronto School is the only private school in a House in Canada. It allows seriously ill children, who are staying at the House while receiving life-saving medical treatment, to maintain their academic standing. The School is also open to siblings. 

“Rebecca has moved up five grades in Math,” says Katie Doering, a teacher at the School. “That is an incredible achievement and one that would be impossible without our ability to provide individualized programming here at RMH Toronto School.”

Rebecca is achieving A’s in every high school credit she is enrolled in, and the Honour Roll is well within her reach. “The School has helped me in so many ways,” says Rebecca. “Never in a million years – in my wildest dreams – did I imagine I could get a 97 in Science!”

Rebecca and her mom also appreciate the absence of negative peer pressure at the RMH Toronto School. “Everybody is here for the same reason – because they themselves or someone in their family is sick,” says Jennifer. “Over the years, kids would make fun of Rebecca or bully her. But not here.”

“Socially, Rebecca has made important strides,” says her teacher . “At the beginning of the year, she rarely joined in during recess time, was unable to complete group work without major altercations, and befriended students five to six grades younger than her. Now, Rebecca suggests games for recess and leads the activities, completes group work with joy and excitement, and has made strong friendships with students in Grades Seven through 10.”

“This school has helped my daughter both academically and in building her confidence – two things that go hand in hand,” says Gillis. “The teachers are just the best. They’re amazing.”

As she wipes away her tears, Jennifer looks at Rebecca: “Because this House exists, my daughter didn’t have to put her education on hold for medical reasons.”

Rebecca simply looks up and says, “Thank you.”