Gain exclusive insight into life at The Linden School from our carefully curated video and written reviews that deliver in-depth insider info from parents, alumni and students.
Our Perspective on The Linden School
All schools, to some extent, defy the various stereotypes that the general population might have about private education. Still, the Linden School is a particularly stark example of that. Founded by Diane Goudie and Eleanor Moore in 1993, the school was intended as a needed and necessary alternative to what was happening in public schools, as well as other private institutions. Goudie had butt heads with other educators by demanding that education be based in a sense of equity, especially as girls and women are concerned. The Linden School is the result, and today it does exactly what Goudie and Moore hoped it would: provide an example of a school for girls that will make a difference in the students' lives and, in turn, encourage them to make a positive difference in the lives of others. The goal, as Moore said at an address at York University, is to educate each student to "to speak with courage--[to] be credible, find a community, listen for all voices, change structures, be a leader and above all make a difference." Since they founded the school, Goudie and Moore have lead by example, earning honorary doctorate of law degrees from York University in recognition of their leadership in the field of education. On receiving the doctorate, Goudie addressed the convocation saying "Ask yourselves the tough questions: What do you want to achieve beyond your paycheque? What are you prepared to risk in order to make a difference in your communities or in the global community?" Those are, of course, very tough questions, and the Linden School is structured around them. For the wrong student, it could be overwhelming. For the right student, it can provide a very strong foundation for a lifetime of engagement, leadership, and success.
Video reviews
Get crucial behind-the-scenes information about The Linden School from video interviews with probing questions that we recorded live with parents, current students, and recent alumni.
Watch our alum interview with Toni Spilfogel to learn about the unique experience of attending The Linden School.
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Written reviews
Dive deeply into the real culture of The Linden School with reviews we’ve structured to highlight only the most valuable insights and opinions submitted by parents, students, and alumni.
My daughter came to Linden from an overcrowded Toronto Catholic District School Board classroom...
The school's principal, Janice Gladstone, is a passionate leader. Over the past few years, she's helped to expand Linden's community engagement by planning co-operative events with other Independent schools in Toronto and Int...
I am very happy with the quality of instruction at Linden. The teachers at Linden are passionate about what they teach. And, most importantly, they challenge the girls to challenge themselves. For example, my daughter loves ho...
My daughter has just completed her course selection for grade ten, so I'm well equipped to say that while Linden is a small school, its academics are mighty. Of course, the concern at the high school level is: with such a smal...
Linden has a wealth of extracurricular opportunities for the girls. The no-cuts sports program fosters a real sense of community and learning among the students. I've seen my daughter play three different sports in a term. Lin...
The student body at Linden is diverse. Since the school is small, the girls all know each other by name. It's amazing to see the early learners and elementary girls paired up with the older girls as reading buddies and in art ...
My daughter really enjoys going to the Linden school. She likes being part of a small, girl-centred community. She's inspired as much by the confidence of the grade twelves as she is by the bubbly eagerness of the early learne...
As a parent, I enjoy being part of the Linden community. "Linden people" tend to be well-rounded and socially responsible parents who are thoughtful advocates for their childrens' best interests. Parents are encouraged to brin...
The Yonge and St. Clair neighbourhood in Toronto is host to a group of diverse independent schools (one large, one small, and one religious) as well as several public schools. Since there are a number of students in the area, ...
Our admission experience at Linden was very comfortable - and it was certainly a factor in our daughter's accepting the school. We really enjoyed the warmth and friendliness of Linden students at the Our Kids Expo, which made ...
My daughter is very bright, engaged and articulate, but she's also very reserved and shy. She ...
The Linden principal, Janice Gladstone and the faculty seem to be incredibly tuned in to the needs of the students and to ensuring the teachers step up their knowledge as trends and issues arise, such as spending time furtheri...
The teacher seems so much more engaged and energetic than I've been used to in the public school system. Much of the teaching seems to happen outside the school - in the park, on field trips, etc. Everything seems real-worl...
My daughter is still in the junior grades, but I feel that there's a great academic improvement since she joined Linden. She reads very well now, and didn't at all at the end of grade 3 when she left public school, and her m...
Students and educators arrange lunch time and after school clubs of every type, and there are ample sports opportunities, both intermural and with other schools.
There are around 100 girls in the school from JK to grade 12. It's a family feel, with lots of inter-grade interaction. The junior school engage in field trips and community activities, as does the senior school. They have ...
My daughter loves her teachers and her classmates. She feels she's found her people. They are active, intelligent and creative - just like her!
Presumably due to the STEM and social justice focus of the school, I have found most Linden families to be engaged, intelligent and active in their individual communities. Linden girls live all over the city, so it takes an e...
The school is 1 short block directly south of St. Clair Subway station, and half-a-block east of Yonge. It's a very handy location. There is a large park on the street which they use for sports, science and a lot of their a...
The admissions process for me was meeting with their guidance counsellor myself first and then bringing my daughter in with me to meet one of the faculty and the principal. I took to everyone I met, and so did my daughter. ...
