The Family Studies Department is committed to students and student learning by helping students appreciate their own identity, learn more about their cultural heritage, and gain knowledge and understanding of human development. We hope to empower students to become active, inquisitive and discerning citizens.

Our objective is to enable students to gain insights into a wide range of factors that influence them and the world around them. We hope to create lifelong learners who will be able to take not only the practical skills and apply them to everyday life situations, but take the critical and creative thinking skills learned and begin to question and differentiate the world around them.

Our goal is to provide diverse course offerings to ensure multiple learning opportunities for every type of learner. Individual courses provide students with a foundation for a variety of post secondary destinations and pathways. There are no mandatory prerequisites; this allows students to opt into our courses when their timetables permit. Each course has a stimulating curriculum, which allows students to connect the material to real life experiences.

All courses encourage students to develop critical and creative thinking skills. Students are given opportunities to deepen their understanding of relevant issues and to develop practical skills, including research and inquiry skills. Students are encouraged to explore a range of perspectives and approaches and to develop the habits of mind that enhance individual and community well-being and contribute to lifelong learning.**Family Studies is part of the Health and Well-Being Sector of Specialist High School Major (SHSM) that is offered at Thornhill Secondary School.**