Canadian Independent Schools

The distinction between private and independent schools has become less important in recent years. All private schools operate within a budget and are supported largely by private sources, largely independent of government budgetary changes.

Most "independent schools" are affiliated with associations, such as the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) or the Federation of Independent School Associations (FISA). Associations demand specific standards of their members, and all schools must meet those expectations in order to be members.

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Private Schools by Region • Schools in BC • Alberta Private Schools • Prairies Private Schools • Ontario Private Schools • Quebec Schools • Maritimes Private Schools

Independent School Information • Private School vs Public School • Vancouver Independent Schools • Paying for Private School • The Private School Admission Process

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Funding for most independent schools can be obtained from governmental and private sources, depending on the province they operate in and the regulations set by their Education Act declared by their Ministry of Education. But most importantly, they are all non-profit organizations, whether they are religious or community-based, address special needs, teach in a specific method, or are home-schools. ( On this website, we use the terms private and independent interchangeably, and encourage everyone to ask each school and program about their governance, accreditations and grant options.)

According to recent statistics, over 110,000 students in Ontario alone attend independent schools. Some schools have even been around since the early 1800s! Join the ranks and expand your child's possibilities.

To find out more, visit our website devoted to independent schools.