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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Appleby College

Grades Gr. 7 TO Gr. 12 — Oakville, ON (MAP)

Pages in this report:

  • Grades
    Gr. 7 — Gr. 12
  • Gender
    Coed
  • Class Size
    12 — 16 students
  • Tuition
    $43,090 to 85,970/year
  • Language of instruction
    English
  • Associations
    CAIS, OIS, RoundSquare
  • Enrolment
    514 day students, 271 boarding students
  • Curriculum
    Liberal Arts
  • EBROCHURE
    View eBrochure

School address

  • 540 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, Ontario, L6K 3P1 (MAP)
  • Busing available (View details)

School Busing:

Appleby College offers bus transferring. Service options offered are regular rider, regular rider AM only, regular rider PM only, occasional rider, door-to-door pickup.

The regions Appleby College offers busing from are:

  • Etobicoke
  • Oakville
  • Mississauga
  • Milton
  • Burlington

Our Perspective

How we see Appleby College


Our Kids Feature Review

  • A long history of academic innovation and program development.
  • A dedication to global learning and global citizenship animates the academic and social experience.
  • Leadership is bold and progressive.

The 50-page review of Appleby College is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.

Read our in-depth review

Key insights from our research

  • The blend we’re trying to achieve is that commitment to excellence, at the same time as that breadth of experience.… Finding that balance between excellence and breadth is important in the younger years.… The curriculum is deliberately broad, and then students can start to specialise in Grades 10 through 12.
    —From Interview with Appleby College Principal: Innes van Nostrand.
  • Compared to other students I’ve encountered at university, I’d say Appleby made me one of the much better-prepared individuals. It gave me the space to grow.… We had a year of guided experience, to make good habits. That is a massive advantage, in so many ways, when you go into university.
    —From 2021 roundtable discussion about Appleby College. (The quote comes specifically from Kevin Ding, an alum).
  • The experiential education programming allows you to think deeply about who you are as a person, enter the world at the age of 18 with a sound understanding of yourself, and approach new challenges and new communities in a thoughtful way.… We had amazing academics, and amazing extracurriculars.
    —From Interview with Appleby College alum: Noah Caza.
See all our top insights

Featured articles

Profile of Innes van Nostrand, Principal, Appleby College

Van Nostrand’s passion for education as a force driving societal change is what motivates him as Principal of Appleby College. “Education is probably the greatest driver of societal well-being that we have.”

Helping kids deal with climate anxiety

Facing a future fraught with climate fears? Appleby College's Next Climate Fellowship helps 11-13 year olds tackle climate anxiety through real science and critical thinking. This unique program empowers youth with knowledge, turning fear into power, and fostering innovative solutions for a hopeful tomorrow.

School's Perspective

Compare with:  

How Appleby College sees itself


The school administration answered our questions

Who are you, as a school?

"Founded in 1911 and located on a picturesque 60-acre campus in Oakville, Ontario, Appleby College is a university preparatory, coeducational day/boarding school for students in Grades 7–12. At Appleby, we believe every student deserves an opportunity to pursue an education that excites and challenges them. An education that offers them the chance to discover and embrace their passions both inside and outside of the classroom. Hallmarks of the Appleby experience include our Grade 12 boarding programme; our extensive athletics, arts, service and clubs; our emphasis on global learning and cultural understanding with participation in a global learning experience as a core requirement of the Appleby College Diploma; our commitment to financial assistance with over $5.3 million in bursaries, loans and scholarships annually; and our experiential learning programme centred around the S. Bruce McLaughlin Northern Campus in Temagami which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. This coming school year we will be introducing three new diploma specializations in Business, S.T.E.M., and the Creative Arts to complement the existing Global Leadership and AP Capstone programmes. To learn more about Appleby please visit us at www.appleby.on.ca. To arrange a tour, please contact Sophie Grossman, Executive Director, Admissions at [email protected]."

  • Over $5.3 million in financial assistance annually
  • 20 AP courses & AP Capstone programme
  • Social Emotional Learning and Positive Education
  • S. Bruce McLaughlin Northern Campus
  • Student Leadership programme
  • Co-curricular Passport: athletics, arts, service and 100+ clubs
  • Grade 12 boarding programme
  • Appleby College Diploma with Distinction in Global Leadership

What do you do differently and uniquely well?

"Differentiators for Appleby include; our emphasis on experiential learning - Grade 12 boarding; our northern campus and outdoor leadership programs; participation in an international learning experience. Our commitment to developing global competencies in our students by embedding cultural awareness and understanding in all aspects of the Appleby experience. Our caring and nurturing culture where students can thrive knowing that they are supported and belong."

To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

"Families choose Appleby for multiple reasons including; the rigor of our academic programme and the fact our graduates attend some of the finest universities in the world. Our emphasis on global and cultural understanding and the diverse/welcoming character of our school community. The breadth of our athletic, arts and service co-curricular programmes. Experiential education is also a key consideration - our norther campus, boarding and global experiences."

What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

"At Appleby we are fortunate to have a community that recognizes, appreciates and celebrates all of the elements that contribute to an Appleby College education. From our caring and nurturing culture to the growth experiences embedded in our boarding, experiential global education programmes to the incredible support the school receives from our Parents Association and Alumni, we have been able to build a legacy that speaks to the enduring nature of the Appleby experience."

What might families find surprising about your school?

"At Appleby, we want to make sure that prospective students and their families fully understand what the Appleby experience is truly all about so that when it comes to them choosing Appleby there are no surprises. If there is one area that some families find surprising it is the size and global reach of our Alumni community. We are fortunate to have an active and engaged network of 8,000+ Blue Dogs living around the world, many of whom are still very involved in our community as mentors."


School Facilities

Photo-tour of facilities


Athletics facilities


Arts facilities


Campus


Classrooms


Residences


Science facilities


Instructional resources


Shared spaces


School Videos

Insider Perspectives

How people from the school’s community see Appleby College


Video reviews of Appleby College

Alum, Simi Ogunsola (2023)

Watch our alum interview with Simi Ogunsola to learn about the unique experience of attending Appleby College.

Roundtable Q&A (2023)

Watch our Appleby College Q&A discussion to gain fresh insight into the school's culture, values, and strengths.

Alum, Jaime Bourbonnais (2022)

Watch our alum interview with Jaime Bourbonnais to learn about the unique experience of attending Appleby College.
See all video reviews (9 total)

School leadership

Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone


Interview with school leader

Watch our Appleby College leadership interview with Innes van Nostrand to learn about the academics, culture, and values of the school.
Watch the interview

Message from school leadership

Innes van Nostrand, Principal

Deciding where to go to school is one of those choices that feels more profound looking at it in the rear-view mirror than it does over your dashboard. When you make the right choice, it can change the direction of your life in amazing ways. Ways that only become clear after the journey.

When you speak with Appleby graduates – those who graduated last year to those who left 70 years ago, those who live across Canada and those who live around the world – they talk about the enduring nature of the Appleby experience. They talk about powerful bonds of friendship and preparedness for leadership that stay with them. Experiences that help define who they are.

Breadth, excellence, innovation and caring – this is what defines the essence of the Appleby College experience.

We challenge our students to develop high levels of capabilities across a wide range of activities – academics, athletics, the arts, service, global education, outdoor education, as well as living and working with people from a diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives. This broad experience is all-encompassing and, we believe, the right approach to prepare our graduates to be major contributors to their local, national and international communities in the fast-changing, globally-connected world of today and tomorrow.

Over the last couple of decades, we have garnered an international reputation for innovation, be it in the use of technology or global education or teaching methods. Today, we are in the midst of another exciting development as we look forward to enhancing the Appleby experience with the construction of a new athletics and student life space - the A.W.B. Alumni Centre for Athletics and Student Life. Designed to transform our capacity for indoor athletics and training programmes, the new facility will also support our expanding academic and co-curricular aspirations.

Great school culture must be central to a great student experience. We take pride in creating an environment where students know that they belong, where they find areas that they love, and where they both experience and contribute to a community that cares. We believe in growth through challenge. But equally, we believe that supporting young people is the best way to empower them to succeed in the face of that challenge.

Appleby is not for everyone. But if breadth, excellence, innovation and caring are appealing, look through this prospectus, come on a campus tour, speak with our students and faculty, and find out whether Appleby is the right place for you. Decide for yourself whether Appleby is the kind of launch pad that you want as you look down the road at your future.

I look forward to welcoming you!

Innes van Nostrand

Principal


THE OUR KIDS REPORT: Appleby College

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