Imagine a barn. Not just any barn. This barn housed the very first Bayview Glen School.
Bayview Glen School stands as a beacon of independent education. It started as a nursery school and day camp in 1962. L. Doreen Hopkins founded it. It has grown into a leading preparatory school. Bayview Glen now educates over 1,000 students. These students range from Preschool to Grade 12. The school’s motto is “Whole Child. Whole Life. Whole World.”
Initially, Bayview Glen was located in a barn in the Don River Valley. The barn was near Crescent School. By 1964, the school expanded. It included students from age two to Grade 1. An adjoining property was acquired. By 1969, new buildings were added. The school grew to include students through to Grade 6.
L. Doreen Hopkins died in 1980. The L. Doreen Hopkins Foundation took control. A permanent facility replaced the barn. Space for an upper school was leased. It was leased from an engineering firm. In 1985, four teachers opened a Grade 7 and 8 class. This class was in the renovated office space. Through the rest of the decade, one grade per year was added. In 1989, the valley property was sold. The lower school moved to the Duncan Mill Campus.
The Macmarmon Foundation took over the Doreen Hopkins Foundation in 1991. Terry Guest was appointed Headmaster. Also in 1991, Bayview Glen had its first graduating class. In 1998, Bayview Glen acquired the upper school campus. It was located on Moatfield Drive.
The Duke of York opened the upper school in September 2000. The site included a double gymnasium and theatre complex. Stuart Grainger succeeded Terry Guest in 2001. Eileen Daunt became Head of School in 2003. James Lee succeeded Eileen Daunt in 2022.
Bayview Glen celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011-2012.
In 2012-2014, Bayview Glen underwent renovations. A new building brought the prep school and upper school together. Prince Andrew reopened the Moatfield Campus in 2014. The campus offers many facilities. These include a double gym and an expanded dining hall. There is also a theatre gallery and an alumni hall. New classrooms and lounge areas were added.
The school mascot is the Gryphon. It represents speed and majesty. The Gryphon has the body of a lion and the head of an eagle.
Bayview Glen has four houses. Each student is placed in one of these houses. The houses compete against each other. They compete at sports-related events. The houses are Falcon, Bear, Wolf and Lynx.
Bayview Glen’s facilities have appeared in the movie *Kiss and Cry*. This film is based on the story of alumna Carley Allison.
Bayview Glen continues to foster self-esteem and academic excellence. It provides a secure and supportive learning environment. The school prepares students for university. It also prepares them for the world of work. Bayview Glen instills important values. These values include responsibility and making a difference.