Schlegel Villages is proud to officially launch its latest Living Classroom at The Village of Humber Heights, in partnership with Humber Polytechnic, strengthening a proven model that prepares the next generation of health care professionals through immersive, hands-on learning.
The Living Classroom model offers students the opportunity to learn in state-of-the-art classrooms and simulation labs located directly within the Village, while gaining real-world experience alongside the residents who call it home. This approach has already demonstrated success at six other Schlegel Villages across Ontario by grounding education in person-centred care from day one.
“There is no greater way to understand the impact a health care professional has in the lives of others than to be in a space where these interactions happen daily,” says Jamie Schlegel, President and CEO of Schlegel Villages. “The Living Classroom at Humber Heights offers students the opportunity for true experiential learning, while also helping address Ontario’s urgent need for engaged, committed health care professionals.”
The Humber Heights Living Classroom includes a 50-seat classroom, a six-bed simulation lab, and an apartment-style learning space designed to support authentic care scenarios. Students in the Personal Support Worker and Practical Nursing programs will learn onsite, supported by faculty, Village teams, and residents.
“I am so proud to stand here today as we prepare to welcome our inaugural cohorts of Personal Support Worker and Practical Nursing students,” says Dr. Sandra Filice, Dean of the School of Nursing at Humber Polytechnic. “This model goes beyond traditional experiential learning by combining real-time interaction, advanced simulation, and interprofessional collaboration, preparing students for both their careers and the responsibility of caring for older adults with dignity and respect.”
Gina Antonacci, Senior Vice President, Academic at Humber Polytechnic, says the Living Classroom reflects Humber’s commitment to applied learning and partnership-driven innovation.
“By embedding education within a long-term care community, we are creating opportunities for students to learn in authentic environments alongside residents and care teams,” says Antonacci. “Over the next decade, this site will train thousands of Personal Support Workers and Practical Nurses, helping to meet the growing demand for care across our province.”
The success of the Living Classroom will be shaped not only by the learning space itself, but by the people within the Village.
“Our team members and residents are at the heart of this Living Classroom,” says Laurie Wolf, General Manager of The Village of Humber Heights. “Through everyday connections, shared experiences, and mentorship, they will play a vital role in shaping skilled compassionate care providers for the future.”
Together, Schlegel Villages and Humber Polytechnic are creating a learning environment that benefits students, residents, and the broader care sector, today and for years to come.
