About School Visits
The exhibition offers a profound educational opportunity for students. Aligning closely with the Ontario curriculum, visiting Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. deepens students’ understanding of World War II, the Holocaust, and the dangers of prejudice, racism, and discrimination.
Education plays a vital role in identifying bias in all forms and fostering greater social cohesion. By engaging with original objects and survivor testimonies, students connect history to human experiences, gaining more contextual impact to content than that achieved by textbook learning alone. This immersive approach fosters critical thinking, empathy, and a commitment to social justice – key values emphasized in the Ontario curriculum's focus on historical inquiry, ethical citizenship, and global awareness.
The robust slate of curriculum-supporting education programming has been developed in partnership with the Toronto Holocaust Museum, ROM’s Education Partner for the exhibition.
- Tuesdays to Fridays, 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM: Includes access to Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. plus General Admission.
- Facilitated experience includes: a 5-minute briefing, 30-minute audio-guided exhibition and 30-minute classroom experience including original objects and cultural belongings
- Examine the Canadian government’s response to human rights violations during the Holocaust and WW2; describe and analyze Canada’s role in the development and protection of human rights in response to the Holocaust and WW2 (i.e. UNDRIP, UN, Genocide convention); examine the experiences and contributions of Jewish people and communities in Canada; and critically examine the way Canadian society has treated immigrants and refugees in different times and places, including during the Holocaust.
- Curriculum links: Grade 6 Social Studies Heritage and Identity
- Pre-visit live virtual briefing + post-visit resources
- Minimum group size: 15 | Maximum group size: 35
- Tuesdays to Fridays, 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM: Includes access to Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. plus self-guided General Admission.
- Mondays, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM: Access to only Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. (General Admission is not available.)
- Facilitated experience includes: a 10-minute briefing, a 30-minute audio-guided exhibition tour , and a 15-minute debriefing.
- Post-visit resources
- Minimum group size: 15 | Maximum group size: 35
Engage with the topic in the familiar environment of your own classroom. Book a 60-minute virtual visit with a ROM Educator, who will provide curriculum-aligned content, context, support through challenging conversations, activities for elementary and secondary classes, and follow-up activities.
A more customizable and independent experience, this virtual option walks you through preparatory activities, exhibition content, and follow-up activities at a pace you control from the comfort of your own classroom. Virtual Exhibition Experiences can also be combined with an Onsite or Live Virtual Visit.
All school visits to Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. must be booked online in advance.
For more information, please contact School Programs
schoolv@rom.on.ca | 416 586 5801
Cancellation
We understand that last-minute changes can happen and ask that you please notify us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your booking. If you are cancelling multiple visits, please cancel them individually by responding to each reservation email or send a separate email listing all the invoice/reservation numbers affected.
- ROM is committed to accessibility for all visitors. We offer a variety of programs and services to ensure the accessibility of the Museum and its collections. To request communication supports and/or accommodations for your onsite or virtual field trip, please email schoolv@rom.on.ca or call 416.586.5801 x1 (voicemail only). Please note that some services may need at least three weeks advance notice.
- School groups are encouraged to bring as many teachers/supervisors (adults) as needed to ensure that kids are safe and well supervised. Please check your board/organization’s supervision requirements or aim for our recommended minimum supervision ratios:
- Grade 6 to Grade 8 (Ages 10 to 13): 1 adult per 10 children
- Grade 9 to Grade 12 (Age 14 and older): 1 adult per 15 youth
- Children aged 13 and younger are required to be with an adult at all times. Please review our Visitor Guide for additional information on supervision and ROM’s code of conduct
- ROM's Lunch Room (Level 1B East): 30-minute lunch slots are assigned upon arrival (if requested). Druxy’s ROM Café (Level 1B West) is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that outside food is not allowed in Druxy's, and food purchased there must be consumed there. We recommend large groups contact Druxy's directly at 416.586.7936 in advance. Please allocate supervision adequately in cases where the group is split between ROM's Lunch Room and Druxy's
- Useful Links
Activities & Educator Resources
Virtual Exhibition Experience: Auschwitz: Not Long Ago. Not Far Away.
Auschwitz.
Partners
Contact School Programs:
schoolv@rom.on.ca | 416 586 5801
Teachers - stay informed on new activities and resources as they become available. Sign up for School Visits eNewsletter.
Image: Uniform worn by Marian Kostuch, held as a Polish political prisoner. Image ©Musealia.
