Below are Canada’s leading private schools, organized by distance from your specified location.
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AHA International School (est. 2001) Greensboro, North Carolina Every private school offers something unique, and that’s especially true of AHA: it’s the only international Jewish college prep boarding school in the world. The intention is to teach through the lens of the Jewish faith, while also being accepting of the entire spectrum of observance. As such, the school is a unique opportunity for students to live and learn within a group of true peers, namely those who share a tradition yet who also bring a range of perspective to that tradition, including the international experience. The annual enrollment is about 150 students, with nearly 90 percent boarding on site, ensuring that campus life is firmly centered on the boarding experience. AHA is located on a 100-acre parcel of land that includes extensive green space, including a wildlife preserve and a private lake, which is used to great advantage within the outdoor education program. The academic program is rigorous, and that rigor helps define the student population as well—these are young people who see the value in academic achievement, and who wish to move into positions of intellectual and social leadership. More than 30 percent of the faculty have a Ph.D in the field in which they teach, something that is indicative of hiring practices and the desire to bring the university experience very overtly into the culture of the school. AHA is truly one-of-a-kind, and there are certainly many things to recommend it. In any way you care to slice it, there's a lot to love.
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Fort Erie International Academy (est. -2019) Fort Erie, Ontario Though relatively new, FEIA has a lot to offer, beginning with extensive physical resources. The campus includes two academic buildings, with some structures dating to the 1920s, and others, modernist, constructed in the 1960s. Learning and living areas are varied, spacious, and developed in ways that you simply don’t find in international schools of this vintage. To build a campus this large and well-appointed would be a feat for any school in its first years. Also beginning construction is a boarding facility that, once finished, promises to be jewel of the property. To say the school is proximate to the Canada-US border risks understatement—Buffalo, New York, is just across the Niagara River, the shore of which is just a block from the FEIA campus. Also close by is the largest customs port between the two countries. As such, the school has access a considerable array of transportation hubs, including both the Toronto and Buffalo international airports. The academic program is rigorous, created for students intending to go on to post-secondary studies in North America. The co-curricular program adds dimension to student life, and is rightly a priority of faculty. Given that the school is relatively new, FEIA perhaps isn’t the first option that comes to mind, though that will surely change, particularly with the completion of the dormitory. It’s a strong option, to be sure, and definitely a school to watch.
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Niagara Christian Collegiate (est. 1932) Fort Erie, Ontario Niagara Christian Collegiate can be a bit deceiving, at least at first glance. The setting is rural, with the nearest community of size being Niagara Falls to the north. The Niagara Parkway—the route through which NCC is accessed—is a sleepy, scenic drive along the eastern edge of the Niagara peninsula. The campus, for anyone driving by, can seem sympathetically sleepy, a world away from the hustle of urban life. Which, to some extent, it is. What you don’t see—and perhaps what even locals don’t accurately grasp—is the breadth and the diversity of the academic programs as well as the school’s student population. Half are international students, arriving from as close as the US to as far afield as Japan and Tunisia. The curriculum has a similar breadth, and the goal of the school is to deliver a comprehensive, international education through the lens of Christian values. The ideal student is one who is interested in all of that: growing within their faith and gaining a sense of their place in the world alongside peers of a like mind.
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Robert Land Academy (est. 1978) Wellandport, Ontario Some students thrive in environments where they have lots of latitude to be independent and self-motivating. Others thrive in the opposite: an environment that is it structured and ordered, with very clear limits and recognizable boundaries. Robert Land, truly, is for them. The daily routine is regimented, and discipline is enforced. The results, often, are astonishing. This is a school that prides itself on its ability to turn lives around, and that pride is well placed. Robert Land isn't for every student, but, of course, no school is. For students who require structure in order to succeed, the school can make a remarkable difference in a very short period of time.
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Ridley College (est. 1889) St. Catharines, Ontario Ridley expresses so many of the great traditions of private school, and it comes by all of them absolutely honestly. The school was founded in 1889, making it one of the oldest schools in the country. It began life as an Anglican boys’ school—it was named after an Anglican Bishop—but is non-denominational today, and has been co-ed since 1973. That said, many of the traditions that inform the life of the school date to the founding, including chapel meetings that serve to bring the school together around shared events and shared values. The school maintains a cadet corps, the largest of its kind in Canada. The chapel, and indeed all of the buildings that comprise the campus, are, frankly, gorgeous. It’s easily one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. The strategic plan, implemented in 2014, provided an opportunity to take stock of the school at the time of its 125th anniversary, including a dedication to maintaining a global perspective across the breadth of the curriculum. Throughout its long history Ridley has maintained a reputation as one of the best schools in Canada, one that no doubt will remain for very many years to come. The ideal student is one who arrives predisposed to make the most of the wide range of academic and extra-curricular opportunities that will be made available to them.
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Wheatley School (est. 1986) St. Catharines, Ontario Wheatley was founded in 1986 by Eda Varalli, who remains as the principal of the school today. Her inspiration was, truly, the best there ever is—to create a school that just did things better than they were being done. She took the Montessori method as a starting point, particularly in its focus on the individual, the belief that instruction is best when it takes the curiosity and the spirit of the learner. The school has grown over the years, including notably in 2001 with the move into the school’s current facility. The community that the school describes includes parents and extended family, and annual events underscore that, such as a grandparent’s day every April; during Family Literacy Week, parents and grandparents are invited to come into the school to read with students. In all, there’s a nice little spark throughout the life of the school, evident in things like the parent open house titled, beautifully, “Come See What I Can Do Day,” or the standing invitation for parents to have coffee with the principal. Sometimes there is a lot of power in the details, as well as in consistent leadership, and Wheatley serves as a lovely example of that.
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Great Lakes Christian High School (est. 1952) Beamsville, Ontario Families look to Great Lakes based on its reputation for offering a strong academic program combined with the opportunity to grow spiritually within a community of shared interest. Due to the boarding program, the student population is diverse, bringing an international perspective to coursework and social life. The values piece is, of course, important, though equally so is the place that it occupies both within instruction and within the life of the school. The curriculum is delivered through a Christian lens, with a specific attention to empathetic service, both locally and internationally. The ideal student is one who will thrive within a close-knit community of shared values and interest, and where social currency is gained through academic and personal achievement. For the right student, the experience of Great Lakes can be as transformative as it is empowering.
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Hamilton District Christian High (est. 1956) Ancaster, Ontario HDCH was founded in 1956, and has been doing great and impressively consistent work ever since. It has a good size, with 470 annually, and a good breadth of curricular and extracurricular offerings to match. Instruction is project-based, allowing students to work together around authentic tasks which build and support a facility with the core curriculum. Families are also drawn by the values which undergird the academic program. The school rightly reaches out to resources and organizations within the local community, using those interactions to build an empathetic world view, and a genuine appreciation of diversity. Certainly, there’s a lot to love.
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Tapply Binet College (est. 1997) Ancaster, Ontario
Private schools are created in order to address different kinds of learners, and different learning styles, and Tapply Binet is a great example of that. It’s a small school, which for the students who attend, is its great strength. The average class size is just 3 students, with none exceeding 6. As such, the program is very much student focused, and student led, in something akin to a tutorial approach to learning. Instructors engage closely with students, allowing them to interact with the material and with each other around the concepts being presented. Lessons are built to address the specific curiosities and perspectives that the students bring with them into the classroom. The goal of the program is to reward personal curiosity, and grow students’ ability to access and process information through that lens. The expertise of the staff is also a draw for the families that enroll—all instructors have doctorates and are specialists in the areas in which they teach. The ideal student is one operating at the top of his or her peer group, one who longs for an environment that will nurture their academic instincts, and who is preparing to continue to university. |
Hillfield Strathallan College (est. 1901) Hamilton, Ontario The school began its life in 1901 as the Highfield School for Boys, though it has grown, amalgamated, moved, and changed its name a few times since then. All of that is reflected in the physical plan of the school, one that bears no outward signs of the school’s age. The development path included associations and amalgamations between Highfield, Hillcrest, and Strathallan schools and colleges, their names combining to form the one under which it is known today. The school has earned its strong reputation for all the right reasons, namely providing a basis for success in postsecondary school and beyond.
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Columbia International College (est. 1979) Hamilton, Ontario While some schools pride themselves on being small, Columbia finds its strength in being large—with a student population in excess of 1800, it is easily the largest boarding school in Canada. What Columbia might lack in intimacy it gains in the ability to provide a wealth of supports and programs that smaller schools simply can't. The school maintains extensive liaison offices, a dedicated guidance staff, and even its own medical clinic. The faculty, through size and experience, is remarkably adept at providing a quality, well-rounded education with an eye to success in postsecondary education. The school provides ESL to students who need it, and liaises directly with universities in Canada and beyond in order to facilitate the transition to postsecondary education. In all, the school excels at doing what it was created to do: to support the university-bound international learner who is living away from home within a culture, and at times a language, that is unfamiliar.
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Haven International School (est. 2018) Brantford, Ontario Haven international School is a private school that empowers young minds to reach their fullest potential in education. We deliver Ontario’s Curriculum, but what sets us apart is our ability to deliver this curriculum through individualized learning. At Haven, students are guaranteed a unique educational experience where individual goals and aspirations are valued and met. Haven’s team of teachers are all fully committed and dedicated beyond expectation to offering a one of a kind independent education.
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Montessori House of Children (est. 1974) Brantford, Ontario Established in 1974, Montessori House of Children is within the first cohort of schools offering the method in Canada, with the first schools starting up in the late 60s. Then as now the intention was to provide a strong, values-based foundation with an eye to the skills and abilities that children will need to be successful in the primary and elementary grades. The program intends to offer a family-oriented approach in a comfortable, familiar environment, as supported by the building itself. Also true to its original mandate, MHC hews closely to the philosophy and methods developed by Maria Montessori, something that is a draw for the families that enroll here. A range of learning differences are supported, and small class sizes ensure a high level of individual attention.
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Blyth Academy Burlington (est. 2015) Burlington, Ontario Sam Blyth founded Blyth Academy in an understanding that, as the world changes the needs of students change, and education therefore must to evolve to meet them. Throughout the decades of its life, Blyth Academy has consistently proven its ability to meet that mandate. It began by offering a global curriculum, one that covered the basic literacies as well as collaborative and leadership skills. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar campuses, Blyth Academy Online, launched in 2014, offering asynchronous courses that students can start at any time throughout the calendar year. In response to the COVID crisis, Blyth Academic Orbit added a synchronous virtual school to the offering, bringing all the schedules, teachers, peers and relationships of a traditional academic experience, the only difference being that all was mounted entirely . In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners.
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Braemar House School (est. 1996) Brantford, Ontario Braemar House was founded in 1996 by a group of parents looking for a school for their children centred around their shared values and beliefs. That’s great of course, as are the specific values that they had in mind: citizenship, stewardship, and community. When we think of education, we think of academics, though those initial families were aware that academics, while important, are only one part of the bigger picture. The school has grown and formalized since then, as with the creation of the Citizenship Program in 2005, as well as the creation of the Virtues Project, which contribute to the other character building initiatives within the delivery of the core curriculum. There is of course an abiding attention to delivering a strong academic program—there has been a significant attention to developing 21st century literacies—though it’s the attention to values that remains, rightly, an important draw. The ideal student is one operating at the top of his or her peer group, able to thrive in a vibrant educational atmosphere. |
Burlington Christian Academy (est. 1975) Burlington, Ontario Founded in 1975, parents, understandably, have turned to BCA first because it is one of the few private school options in the Burlington area where the elementary curriculum is taught through a Christian lens. And, to be sure, that’s one of the schools prime offerings. That said, the program has other strengths as well, including very broad arts and athletic programs that are unique to schools of this size. The variety and attention is a plus, though so is access—in a school of 140 students, and with this level of programming, all students are able to experience and participate in organized sports, leadership training, music, and theatre. The school has also dedicated itself to higher order athletics, with a level of coaching and training that, again, is atypical within schools of this size. So, while the values piece is certainly a draw, the school has a lot to offer in addition, including a proven academics, a rich extra-curricular programming, housed within a close, community atmosphere.
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Ashwood Glen (est. 2019) Burlington, Ontario Ashwood Glen is a recent and welcome addition to the private school market. It’s in the process of reaching IB accreditation, a process that takes two years, though is already teaching to that curriculum. The benefits of the IB include integration within a global community of learners, as well as as internationally recognized and admired approach to learning. The instructional spaces were purpose built with the Ashwood program in mind, allowing for movement and a high integration between learners around shared learning tasks. The incorporation of a Maker Space signals an intention to help children develop the 21st century skills they’ll need when they advance to the secondary grades and beyond.
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Burlington Royal Arts Academy (est. 2018) Burlington, Ontario Burlington Royal Arts Academy is a private secondary school offering provincial academic curriculum. Guided by outstanding faculty, our specialty is the ARTS . Students pursue artistic excellence through a variety of experiences. Disciplines include Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Drama, Media Arts and Animation Studies. Some credit options available in the evenings and on weekends for flexible timetabling. In Sept 2020 a robust after school program and an IELTS Testing Centre was introduced.
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Oakville Christian School (OCS) (est. 1982) Oakville, Ontario OCS was founded in 1982 to serve a need principally for a quality school that taught the Ontario curriculum through a Christian lens. Since, the school has built its reputation on precisely that: offering a Christian perspective on the core Ontario curriculum. The school has a strong community feel, a product to some extent of its size, though leadership has given close attention to developing instruction and extra-curriculars, including the development of a strong athletic program. The school continues to reflect its original mandate while also remaining agile, adopting new programs and practices to meet the needs of students in a changing world. |
Glenn Arbour Academy (est. 2005) Burlington, Ontario Glenn Arbour positions its approach to instruction within a sense of possibility, building from a student’s sense of what they’re capable of and then extending it. Students feel that they are at baseline and building from there, rather than feeling that they are below baseline and reaching up to achieve it. Perhaps it’s a fine point, but the lived experience, for many students, can be transformational. The goal is academic excellence and personal confidence, and Glenn Arbour has built its reputation on delivering students into their high school careers with both of those. Families are also drawn to an impressive roster of extracurricular activities, one that is somewhat remarkable for a school of this size. As such, students not only have access to the activities of their choice, they are also challenged to try others that they may not consider in other environments. |
Appleby College (est. 1911) Oakville, Ontario While boarding isn't as much of a focus as it once was—the day students now outnumber the boarders, as they have done for some time—Appleby's stance is nevertheless predicated on the benefits that boarding can afford: independence, self-discipline, and responsibility. The school prides itself on a reputation for academic innovation, one that it has rightly earned. The program is designed to prepare students for the world that they will move into after graduation, and indeed it is a leader in that regard. Diversity is seen as a core strength, and the school has instituted a range of programs intended maintain a diverse academic, cultural, and economic student population. The ideal student is one who is forthright, active, confident, and self-directed.
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Halton Waldorf School (est. 1984) Burlington, Ontario Any school is more than the buildings or the setting, though perhaps especially with Waldorf programs, setting is an important piece. Halton’s program is established and proven, having been founded in 1984, and the facilities are notable as well, providing, in many ways, the ideal environment for the Waldorf approach. The buildings aren’t small, though they really confer a nice sense of place, some that is beautifully extended by the school’s proximity to green space. Waldorf intends to set students apart a bit from the bustle of daily live, and all the distractions that might be found there, and refocus students’ attention, and awaken a perception and appreciation of children’s talents and their place in the world. You’d be hard pressed to find a learning environment that better expresses and supports those goals. It’s idyllic, and matches the strength of the academic program and the experience of the staff.
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MacLachlan College (est. 1978) Oakville, Ontario “MacLachlan prides itself on being at the cutting edge of innovation in teaching and learning theory,” says Michael Piening, head of school. “This generation of learner, and the world they are growing up in, is very engaged, social and interactive. We looked internally at how we could best respond and adapt to enhance student exploration, creativity and knowledge.” That’s quite a mouthful, to be sure, but it’s a good one nevertheless. Schools are challenged to adapt their programs to the needs of students, and there are a lot of red herrings out there, such as an over-emphasis on digital literacy, for example. To be a 21st century learner can mean many things, though at McLachlan it means engagement with ideas, peers, and community. The annual Word Fest is a great example of that, in that case using the language arts program as a starting point for an engagement with issues and topics that require students to think creatively, empathize, and communicate their ideas. Earlier this year the grade one classes took part in a workshop with the Hamilton Children’s museum, roll-playing a shipwreck, stuck on coral in the midst of a storm. That, and indeed many programs at MacLachlan, can rightly turn heads. They provide telling examples of how the school expresses its dedication to engagement, exploration, and social interactivity, all of it as charming as it is impressive. The ideal student is one who can thrive in a diverse, active, and challenging academic environment.
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Dearcroft Montessori School (est. 1968) Oakville, Ontario Now in its 50th year, Dearcroft is one of the older Montessori schools in the country, founded in 1968 by Peter and Barbara Phippen. It also has very consistent history, now being directed by Gordon Phippen, son of the founders. All of that, while not essential to the delivery of a quality Montessori program, nevertheless underscores what parents and students value in the approach, namely a clear sense of community, family, cross-generational interaction, and a sense of tradition. The program hews very closely to Maria Montessori’s model, and also brings the community—both local and beyond—into the classroom. The student body is on the larger end for a dedicated Montessori school, and the benefits of size are apparent in the range of programs offered.
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St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School (est. 1891) Oakville, Ontario The school has a long history, having been founded in Toronto 1891. After a move to Oakville, it later paired with a school guided by Ruth Lightbourn, a renowned teacher who founded a school almost by default—she began as a tutor for the children of John Guest, then headmaster of Appleby College, and her success was of the kind we associate with Nanny McPhee. She became the go-to tutor, and in time founded her own school. That and St. Mildred's formally joined in 1969, combining the traditions and the drive of both under one umbrella. More than anything, the intention is to provide girls with the skills, experience, and esteem that will carry over into academic and professional success. Ample opportunities are provided for students to discover their passions, wherever they may lie, as well as the encouragement to grow within those areas of interest.
Open Houses
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Linbrook School (est. 2014) Oakville, Ontario There has been a Linbrook School at this site in Oakville for more than 80 years—prior to 2010, it was the site of a public school with that name. The current Linbrook school keeps the name, as the founders liked the continuity it provided within the community, including the educational tradition that the school represented. That said, the current Linbrook shares little more than a name with that school. It’s the only boys’ school in Oakville, and the approach is based in providing a diversity of activity, and physical movement, both within the classroom and without. Students learn in a dynamic, group environment. Classrooms are large to promote small group facilitation. The facilities were entirely updated for the school's opening, and incorporate a full range of instructional technology. The grounds, including green space and play fields, also recommend the school.
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Clanmore Montessori School (est. 1997) Oakville, Ontario “Let’s talk this out under the magnolia tree,” is the Clanmore version of, “we need to have a talk.” How great is that? Certainly, from the magnolia tree on up, there’s a lot to love here. The Clanmore building, as well as the context it sits within, is gorgeous. The home was built in 1904, and the school bought it in 1998 from descendants of the original owner. Which, frankly, just feels right for some reason. Atmosphere, is an important aspect of Montessori education, and all of the additions and adjustments to the structure have been undertaken with that in mind. It sits on the edge of the Joshua’s Creek Conservation area, and the school rightly makes use of that location within its programming. The curriculum hews to a close reading of Maria Montessori’s intentions, the attention to student-guided instruction prime among them. |
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Oakville, Ontario Chisholm was created to address the needs of the kinds of learners who are prone to falling through the cracks of a traditional education. Special needs is the term we might use, though the definition used at Chisholm admits a broader understanding than we typically grant, including students from across the entire academic spectrum. What they share is a need for a more structured academic experience. The school is headed by Dr. Howard Bernstein and Dr. Shirley Bryntwick, both clinical psychologists. The ideal student is one who requires more than they are able to get from a traditional academic setting, and who benefits from a very structured, personal, planned approach to their education. A robust interface between parents and the school is encouraged, and close communication is ongoing throughout the academic year.
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Rotherglen School - Oakville (est. 1979) Oakville, Ontario Rotherglen School was founded in 1979 by Marie Laningan at the Erin Mills campus. The school has grown in the intervening years to include four locations, all of which share the same approach. Were all the students housed at one campus, Rotherglen would be one of the largest independent schools in the area, home to 1000 students annually. The various locations, however, afford a unique sense of community within each, with small class sizes, and a close-knit feel. While aesthetics don’t mean everything, they nevertheless do mean something, and the school is physically beautiful, with dedicated, consistent learning spaces.
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La Villa Montessori School (est. 2012) Mississauga, Ontario La Villa rightly prides itself in offering a very authentic presentation of the Montessori method, and for many families that is a primary draw. As such, students are engaged in an active, hands-on, cooperative environment, where the core curriculum is delivered in consort with a growing understanding of their place in the community of the school and beyond. Close attention is given to the acquisition of skills as well as interpersonal, physical, and emotional development. |
Wildwood Academy (est. 2002) Oakville, Ontario Wildwood was founded in 2002 in order to serve primary and middle-grade learners who require more support than they would find within a traditional classroom. The environment—both physically and pedagogically—was designed to address the needs of students with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, dyslexia, and autism Spectrum Disorder. In some senses, that describes quite a range of students and abilities, including those who may function both above and below their peers. While the classroom setting and extra-curricular activities provide opportunities for social development, the pace of instruction is individualized. The intention is to prepare students for high school, developing a personalized suite of strategies and skills necessary for them to make the most of academic life once they leave Wildwood after grade 8.
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Walden International School (est. 2014) Oakville, Ontario The work of Walden, as suggested by the school’s name, is informed by the work of Henry David Thoreau, specifically the idea that working within a natural setting, allowing curiosity to guide you, is the basis to working with others and knowing your place in the world. The offering of the IB program underscores that world view, as does an emphasis on getting into nature. It’s a noisy world. Kids need quiet, and Walden rightly makes that a priority. Instruction is student driven, seeking to inspire curiosity, while also capitalizing on the interests that students bring into the classroom. While academics are strong, it’s the values that the school promotes that is a particular draw to the families that enroll here. The school includes a dedication to 21st century skills, fostering leadership and independence, developing communication and interpersonal skills, as well as much of the staff, students, and the culture. As such the school is at the cutting edge of curriculum delivery, with a gaze firmly set on the skills, behaviours, and values that students will need as they move forward in schooling and in life. The ideal student is one able to make the most of an enriched, creative, student-driven educational environment.
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King's Christian Collegiate (est. 2001) Oakville, Ontario KCC is impressive, beginning with a sparkling campus inclusive of a broad range of cutting edge facilities. It’s a larger school, and demonstrates all the benefits of size, including extensive in-class resources and extra-curricular programming. There’s a lot to do here, and the students who attend are typically keen to make the most of it. The faculty are required to take part in ongoing professional development, and are given lots of latitude to be creative in the delivery of the curriculum. And on it goes. The athletics facilities are extensive and absolutely up to date, the arts programming diverse and dedicated, and the cafeteria exemplary. The ideal student is one who is operating at the top of his or her peer group and looking to learn and grow within a values-based environment populated by those of a similar mindset.
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Peel Montessori Private School (est. 1992) Mississauga, Ontario Maria Montessori opened her first school in 1907, so the Montessori method has been with us, fully formed, for more than a century. The ideas that Montessori brought to the table have found their way into mainstream education in a variety of ways. That said, the whole is truly greater than the sum of any of the parts, and it’s the sum that Peel Montessori offers. Parents who turn to Peel are looking for fidelity to the core program as initially described: the community feel, the organization, and the individualized approach that makes the method so successful with young people. Children have fun, though the school rightly brings leadership and responsibility into the classroom as well. The goal is for students to gain not just with the skills and knowledge necessary for success, but also the confidence to excel.
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GlenOak Academy (est. 2017) Mississauga, Ontario One of the greatest things you can ever hear an educator say is this: “We’re all here together. To help one another. That’s what it’s about.” That’s a quote from Susan Goode, principal and founder of GlenOak Academy. She was speaking about the range of learning exceptionalities that students have, from those who are currently achieving below grade level, those above, and those in between. If there is a core concept to the GlenOak program, it’s precisely that: kids learn differently, at different rates, and the reasons are as varied and as personal as the students themselves. Here, they all participate together, in small class settings, with instructors adapting to meet the needs of each student. It’s less about IEPs, and more just about that all children need support, and that learning begins when they are able to feel good about themselves, their abilities, and the relationships they share with others within the learning environment. It’s true that many students—not all—arrive here having felt at sea elsewhere, having exhausted other options, and looking for a solution. Parents regularly report on the welcoming nature of the environment, and appreciate a close, casual relationship with the administration. The programs are inclusive, and build learning and interpersonal skills along with a mastery of the curriculum. There are part-time and full-time options, and staff is positioned to work closely with families to make sure that all needs are being met. For many, if not all, the experience of GlenOak is transformational, helping learners achieve in ways that they were unable to in other academic settings.
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Ontario Online Schools Network (est. 2019) Mississauga, Ontario The OOS is a student centred, teacher paced, asynchronous learning environment that caters to senior students in the college and university pathways. Our teachers are OCT certified, currently practicing educators, who have a passion for empowering students to take ownership of their learning, using an inquiry based approach. Along with the skills from the curriculum, we emphasize the development of 21st century competencies, because we believe that this is the best way to prepare students for future success.
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Holy Name of Mary College School (est. 2008) Mississauga, Ontario HNMCS began in 1964 as Holy Name of Mary School, and it has grown and changed in the decades since. For a time the school was publicly funded, and while it operated continually through the years, it was re-established in 2008 with a new name—the current one—and as a fully independent school for girls. Today, as in 1964, HNMCS is supported by the Felician Sisters, and is also supported by the Basilian Fathers of St. Michael’s College School, who co-founded the independent school. The vision of the school has also remained through the years, though was rededicated in 2009. Families who turn to HNMCS are looking for strong academics and values, and indeed they find both. The values that the school promotes those of the Catholic tradition, with an emphasis on empathy, justice, and excellence. The ideal student is one who shares those core values, will thrive within a challenging academic atmosphere, and is preparing for post-secondary education.
Open Houses
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Kaban Montessori School (est. 2002) Mississauga, Ontario Despite what many might perhaps naturally assume, not all Montessori schools are created equally, even within the class of schools that hue very closely to the core of the model. As Maria Montessori would herself have approved, each school takes on a unique character through the passions and personalities of those that work and learn within it, and Kaban is a good example of that. The name, Kaban, is a Mayan word meaning “earth,” and was chosen to represent the unique cast of the program, one that seeks to highlight stewardship to the environment both within the school and outside in the natural world. It’s a nice touch, and one that brings forward some of the core elements of the method that perhaps get short shrift. Yes, manipulatives are a part of it, though they are tools toward achieving the goal of mastery of the concepts and, in working with peers, a confidence in who we are and how we relate to others. Kaban nicely focuses its efforts very clearly around those concepts, both within its physical space as well as in the delivery of the curriculum. The size of the school is big enough to allow for diversity in programming while also allowing all of the students to feel that they are known and have a role and responsibilities in the life of the school. Instruction is student-centered and individualized, something that is an important draw for the families that enroll within the school. In all of that, and more, there’s a lot to love.
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Carrey International Education Inc. (est. 2018) Mississauga, Ontario Planning for tomorrow. Carrey International Education provides an adaptive approach to education, headed by a team of experienced teachers. Since its establishment, we have put parent expectations first and accommodated students' needs based on the curriculum. We provide after-school supplemental education and enrichment programs (all grade levels), striving to be at the top of the industry. As educators, we provide guidance and solutions for parents and a communication bridge between them and their child’s school.
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Mentor College (est. 1982) Mississauga, Ontario Mentor College and TEAM School are closely associated, something that brings unique strengths to both. They are overseen by a single administrative body, and they share some facilities, services, and extracurricular programs. The benefits are in a shared infrastructure and organizational efficiency. The facilities are modern and robust, as are student services and transportation. There is a robust, rich program of extra-curricular activity, something that, again, is a benefit of not only the school's size, but also the intra-school associations and programs. That said, the division of the campuses gives each—high school, intermediate, and primary—its own sense of propriety and identity. It's a unique model, one that gains both the benefits of a large student population, as well as those of smaller communities of students. In numbers, this is one of the largest schools in Canada, though the lived experience of the families that attend doesn't bear that out. Frequent and casual communication between parents and teachers, as well, underscores a personal, student and family-centered approach.
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Meadow Green Academy (est. 1995) Mississauga, Ontario Georganne MacKenzie founded Meadow Green in order to offer an academic program that was both rigorous and inclusive of Christian values. The approach is as consistent as it is committed to addressing the specific needs of each learner, both academic and social. In crafting the curriculum MacKenzie wanted to reflect the academic traditions of strong core language, numeracy, and assessment, while also bringing in modern best practices. The ideal student is one operating at the upper end of his or her peer group, and who is able to thrive in a challenging, diverse, and cooperative learning environment.
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Sherwood Heights School (est. 1989) Mississauga, Ontario Sherwood Heights intends to give students a strong foundation for further study, granted through a traditional, content-based academic program. Expectations are clear and explicit, including a demonstrable facility with the core curriculum and the development of watertight study habits. For many families that culture—one in which social currency is gained through academics—is a primary draw. Extra-curricular programs augment the core areas of instruction. The ideal student is one who is academically inclined, operating at the top of their peer group, and looking for an environment that prizes all of that.
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Bronte College (est. 1991) Mississauga, Ontario Any way you look at it, there’s a lot going on at Bronte College. The student population is predominantly boarding, which in turn provides a foundation for the life of the school. Students arrive each year from more than 30 countries from around the world, and the instruction adopts an international gaze as well. AP, IB—the academic programs are focused intently on the progression to university, and to ensure success in post-secondary life. The ideal student is one who will thrive within a very diverse, challenging, globally minded academic environment.
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Mississauga, Ontario The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012, marking the end of an astonishing period of growth and development. The school really did start in a basement, moving from there into a range of branches throughout the GTA, in time consolidating onto the two campuses that the school occupies today. Schools don't grow that much, or that quickly, if they aren't servicing a specific need, and certainly that's true of TFS. The acronym stands for Toronto French School, which is the name that the school was founded with, though in time it was offering a lot more than the name suggested. Language remains an important part of the curriculum, though the culture of the school reaches beyond language. The environment is rich, varied, and supportive. The student body is culturally and academically diverse, all of which is encouraged through a robust bursary program.
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Mississauga, Ontario Sam Blyth founded Blyth Academy in an understanding that, as the world changes the needs of students change, and education therefore must to evolve to meet them. Throughout the decades of its life, Blyth Academy has consistently proven its ability to meet that mandate. It began by offering a global curriculum, one that covered the basic literacies as well as collaborative and leadership skills. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar campuses, Blyth Academy Online, launched in 2014, offering asynchronous courses that students can start at any time throughout the calendar year. In response to the COVID crisis, Blyth Academic Orbit added a synchronous virtual school to the offering, bringing all the schedules, teachers, peers and relationships of a traditional academic experience, the only difference being that all was mounted entirely . In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners.
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Shepherd Montessori Private Catholic School (est. 2000) Mississauga, Ontario When Edgerton Ryerson established a national, public education system, he highlighted the need for consistency: every school should be the same, offer the same things, from coast to coast. Sadly, that conception of what schools should be, and what they should provide, remains doggedly with us today. Thankfully, schools like Shepherd Montessori step away from that model, choosing rather to offer something as unique as the community they are formed to serve. Shepherd is a school using the Montessori method to deliver a program that is also based in the values of the Catholic church. In that, it’s happily one of a kind. Further, the student population is small, allowing a heightened level of individual attention, something that is also a primary draw. The community of the school is diverse, and while not all families are active within the Catholic church, all nevertheless appreciate the school’s attention to developing the students’ understanding of their spiritual selves. The approach in the classroom is child-centered, child-directed, and project oriented. The ideal student is one able to thrive with a close-knit learning environment.
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Vincent Massey Academy (est. 1985) Etobicoke, Ontario Established in 1985, Vincent Massey has developed a long standing reputation in the community for excellence in early education. A staple in South Etobicoke for over 30 years, Vincent Massey offers a Reggio-inspired environment where everyday learning challenges students to test their assumptions and explore their curiosity as we open doors to exploration and inquiry.
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TEAM School (est. 1981) Mississauga, Ontario Mentor College and the TEAM schools (Tutorial and Educational Assistance in Mississauga) are closely associated. They are overseen by a single administrative body, and they share some facilities, services, and extracurricular programs. The most obvious difference between them is focus: where Mentor College provides a program for students proceeding within the academic stream, and the TEAM providing a program for those proceeding within the applied stream. That said, it's the other differences—including style of instruction, class size, and individual attention—that ultimately distinguish the schools. Many students arrive at TEAM after struggling to meet their true academic potential within a more traditional academic setting. The ideal student is one who will benefit from the added support and attention, with particular attention to numeracy, literacy, and the development of sound learning skills. Due in part to the association with Mentor College and TSS, the facilities are modern and robust, as are student services and transportation.
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Star Academy (est. 1997) Mississauga, Ontario Star Academy was founded in 1998 and was led by the founder, Belinda Bernardo, until her retirement in 2017. She was succeeded by Julie Benneyworth and Heather Rees, creating a nice continuity in leadership, as well as a substantive dedication to the values that Bernardo instilled in the school, those of respect, curiosity, collaborative learning, and active engagement. Administration has also consistently demonstrated their desire to regularly revisit best practices, adapting instruction, including adoption of 21st century learning, to meet the students where they are, and to take them where they will need to be. Families that enroll often do so in light of those values as well as the things that are unique to the school, including a more intensive commitment to physical education, an 11-month instructional year, and a low teacher-student ratio. Other draws include small class sizes, individual attention, and cross-curricular instruction. |
Voice Integrative School (est. 2000) Toronto, Ontario Marie Lardino, the founder of VIS, began her teaching career within the public system in Ontario. As such, she witnessed first-hand the impacts that the province-wide reforms begun in 1998—in particular standardized testing—had on her students. Grades, she felt, became a regrettable focus, increasing student stress and anxiety. That was the impetus that lead her to found VIS in 2000. It builds from the strength of having a common curriculum, though presenting it in a more personal, supportive, student-centred environment. To date, the success of the school has been remarkable, gaining the attention of professional educators, and providing an example that many have chosen to emulate. Marie Lardino, now retired, continues to guide the school as its arms-length director, and believes that students learn best in environments where “belonging and safety are acknowledged, practiced, and celebrated.” The academic program is rigorous, though student success is a product of the empowerment that they feel each day when they arrive at school.
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London Christian High (est. 1965) London, Ontario London Christian High is a full service day school teaching the Ontario Curriculum from a Christian perspective. At LCH, academic rigour and authentic learning experiences are emphasized. Students can participate in a range of extra-curriculars including OFSAA sports and mainstage drama productions. At London Christian High, we believe that everyone has been created on purpose and for a purpose. Our central goal is to help each student discover their talents and gifts and how to cultivate a meaningful life in Christ.
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Oak Learners (est. 2016) Etobicoke, Ontario Oak Learners is the very definition of a community-based, student-centered academic environment. Classes are small, personal, and lessons begin with the talents, interests, challenges and curiosities that the children bring with them into the room. An emphasis on the arts is used as entrée to the curriculum, underscoring a cross-curricular approach to instruction. Classroom spaces are bright, open, and adaptable to large group, small group, and tutorial-style learning. Founder Kelly Ferrell is rightly a draw, bringing a wealth of experience to the offering, as well as a proven track record as an educator, leader and entrepreneur. The faculty she’s attracted shares her enthusiasm for active, hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Still relatively young, Oak Learners has quickly established itself as a key offering within its catchment area. |
New Haven Learning Centre (est. 1997) Etobicoke, Ontario New Haven Learning Centre may be different than the vast bulk of private schools, though in the most important ways, it isn’t. The goal is to work with children, supporting them to learn, and grow, within a purposeful community. Instruction is evidence-based, drawing from a range of best practices and expertise, and conducted in close collaboration with family and support workers. Likewise, there is a desire to keep the student experience close as possible to what you’d find in any school across the country. With a high student-teacher ratio, parents appreciate that their children are known throughout the school, and feel a part of the school community, as well as the fact that the challenges they face are understood. Attention is kind, empathetic, and the results are profound.
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Keystone International Schools (est. 2011) Toronto, Ontario One of the resources of Keystone International Schools is the city itself, something that administration has very consciously built into the programs. Toronto has a wealth of resources, of course and Keystone strives, rightly, to make the most of them. While not a preparatory school in name, the program nevertheless addresses itself to a student population preparing for success at university. Supports are in place for international students, and the school adopts an international gaze, looking well beyond the school walls, educating students to be adept at international communication and engagement. The ideal student is one able to thrive within a diverse, collaborative academic environment.
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Toronto, Ontario We might typically think of a prep school as a high school that intends to prepare students for university. Clearly, Liberty uses the term in a slightly different sense, and intends to provide a strong foundation in the early years, preparing students for success when they move on to the middle and high school years. Attention is given, of course, to core academics, though likewise to building confidence and creating independent, engaged learners. As per the Montessori approach, instruction is inquiry based, seeking to build on the children’s talents and interests. The attention to the atmosphere of the school is clear, and the spaces are beautifully appointed to provide an environment conducive to learning together, and which also reflects the character and diversity of the surrounding neighbourhoods. |
Avalon Children's Montessori School (est. 2000) Toronto, Ontario Avalon began in 2000 with a single toddler room and one casa classroom and has happily grown ever since. The program today extends through Grade 8, offering a consistency for children through the primary and elementary grades. Likewise, the breadth allows for a greater interaction between generations than elsewhere, something that is rightly a cornerstone of the Montessori approach. The best Montessori schools are those that retain a fidelity to the core of the method while also meeting the needs of the community it serves, expressing their diversity and their values. Certainly, that’s a great strength of Avalon, and one of the reasons that families consistently turn to it. In the nearly two decades of the school’s life it has earned an impressive reputation for good work, professional development, and a strong delivery of the core curriculum. No doubt, it continues to provide all of that and then some.
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St. Michael's Choir School (est. 1937) Toronto, Ontario Since 1937, St. Michael’s Choir School (SMCS) has nurtured creativity and academic excellence through the study of music in a unique faith-based environment. Located in downtown Toronto, this invigorating learning environment offers a robust music and academic curriculum for boys with options of Extended French. Admission is based on a successful vocal audition, academic assessment and family interview.
Open Houses
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University of Toronto Schools (est. 1910) Toronto, Ontario UTS began its life in 1910 as a laboratory school within the University of Toronto department of education. Then, as now, it shared a building with that faculty. When it was founded the intention was that there would ultimately be more than one school, including a girls' school, as the initial enrollment was just boys. Hence the plural "schools" in the name, though there has only ever been one. UTS is remarkable for all kinds of reasons, including an alumni that includes 2 Nobel Laureates, twenty Rhodes Scholars, eleven Olympians, and three ambassadors. In the century since it was founded, UTS weathered some interesting times, including student protests in the 1960s. At one point a student presented the headmaster with a blank sheet of paper saying "this is a list of our demands." It might sound a bit silly now, but the school was at the centre of the debates that would, in time, bring some important advances to public schooling in Canada, including the abolition of matriculation exams and a 4-year secondary school program (rather than 5). Those changes, and many others, are symbolic of the school's excellence, and it remains one of the foremost schools in the country. While not a gifted school, at least in name, the ideal student is one who thrives within a challenging, brisk academic environment.
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Oxford Learning Academy (Private School) (est. 1984) Milton, Ontario Oxford Learning Academy was established in 1984 to provide supplemental tutoring, and while it still offers part-time learning, it has also developed a full-time program. Instruction is student-centred, student-paced, and requires more of individual learners than typical classroom instruction. Oxford, of course, has long lead the charge in this regard, and continues to provide an alternative that, for many learners, is transformational, allowing them to achieve their potentials in ways that other instructional approaches simply don’t.
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Cornerstone Montessori Prep School (est. 1990) Toronto, Ontario The total student population is perhaps on the larger side for Montessori schools in the area, though residing on two campuses. As such Cornerstone reflects the benefits of size, namely in a broader access to resources, while maintaining a very close-knit feel within the classroom. Families are drawn to the Christian values which provide a foundation for the program, and augment the interpersonal aspects of the Montessori method. The teaching methods and the educational philosophy follow those developed by Maria Montessori, and then grow out from there, giving the school its unique character. The program stretches from preschool through Grade 12, allowing students to learn and grow in a consistent environment. The goal is to graduate students who have a good sense of themselves, their place in the world and what they can bring to it, and prepared to provide empathetic leadership within their community. The school has grown into a reputation for providing exactly that, with consistent, caring faculty in a family-oriented setting. The program is challenging, and includes a rich language program, intended to support students in reach their full academic and social potentials.
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USCA Academy (est. 2010) Mississauga, Ontario USCA Academy is a leading Private and International School for local and international students, situated in central Mississauga, Canada. The School offers Elementary School Program(Grade1-8), Ontario Secondary School Diploma Program(Grade 9-12). University Preparation Program (Grade 12). After finishing the program, students can apply to top universities in Canada or anywhere in the world. At USCA Academy, we pride ourselves on giving our students a quality education from certified and highly experienced teachers.
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Westside Montessori School (est. 2008) Toronto, Ontario There are various aspects to the Montessori model of instruction, though Westside nicely addresses not only what Montessori is, but also what it can mean in the longer-term. Maria Montessori didn’t think small—her classrooms, she felt, could be a doorway to many things, including world peace. That’s a very big thought of course, but within it is that idea of the longer-term, the belief that education is about the future of a society through addressing the future of each child. At Westside, that’s very much the intention: to give young students the basis for success in their education, and ultimately, success in life. The vibrancy of the surrounding Kensington Market community finds its way, very happily, into the classroom as well. Core literacy and numeracy are important, though there is also an attention to esteem, executive functioning, and social interaction. Rightly, families look to Westside, often principally, because of the program’s attention to those foundations. |
Braemar College (est. 1995) Toronto, Ontario The quality of the academic program at Braemar College is a draw, as is the flexibility of the program: there are five annual intakes, and courses are offered throughout the entire calendar year. The location, though, is a principle draw as well, and rightly so. The school sits on the property of the University of Toronto, right in the very heart of the city. As such, it is adjacent to a wealth of world class resources, not limited to those of the university campus, but also museums, theatres, parks, urban hubs, transportation, and even the provincial legislature, which is a block or so away. Students get a sense that they are in the thick of things, and indeed they are, with so many cultural and academic resources so close at hand. Student life here is as close to a university program as you can have without actually being enrolled in university. For many, that can be an inspiring and galvanizing experience—students not only are preparing academically for post-secondary studies, they are growing into that social environment as well. Braemar College is large, though very comfortably so, and students report a vibrant and personal student experience with ample latitude for personalised support and enrichment.
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The YMCA Academy (est. 2003) Toronto, Ontario The very heart of private education is providing options for parents looking to support their learner, and YMCA Academy sits at the very heart of that concept. It was founded and developed to support learners with needs that may not be adequately met within other settings. Likewise, it comprises an academic environment in which those students aren’t constantly reminded of their exceptionality. Here, they participate in a community that is supportive, sympathetic, and socially oriented around their personal needs. That, in itself—irrespective of the programs or the curriculum—can be transformational. This isn’t a school for others, making a concession for them. Rather, it is a school for them. That’s huge.
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Guiding Light Academy (est. 2007) Mississauga, Ontario One of the reasons that private school is attractive is because there is no assumption that one size fits all, and Guiding Light is a great example of that. It presents both traditional and Montessori instruction in consort with the values and lessons of the Catholic church. It’s not for everyone, though for some, it provides a strikingly tailored fit. The ideal family is one that is active within the Catholic faith and looking for a school that will support that spiritual life. Families who enroll are drawn by the strength of the academic program, as well as by the breadth of extra-curricular offerings, all offered within a very close-knit school community. There is no other school like it, and for the families that enrol, that's perhaps Guiding Light's greatest strength.
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The Abelard School (est. 1997) Toronto, Ontario Historically, a liberal arts curriculum comprised a course of study required by citizens in order to take an active part in civic life. It included not just what a person would need to know, but how they would need to be, including an understanding that the cultivation of intellect is a worthy goal unto itself. The Abelard School was created to reflect those kinds of goals. In 1997, a group of seasoned teachers founded the school in order to deliver the basics of a secondary education—the knowledge and the skills required to move on to university life—as well as to impart a love of learning and to encourage creative engagement across the academic spectrum. Those ideals, and indeed those teachers, remain today. The school is small—there is a total enrolment of just 50—and whatever it may lack in terms of a breadth of programming it gains in depth and individual attention.
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Montcrest School (est. 1961) Toronto, Ontario For most families who consider private schooling, it’s the values piece that really tips the balance, and Montcrest is a great example of that. Yes, it’s got a strong, demonstrated history of academic excellence and innovation, including close attention to individual learning styles. In addition, though, it has demonstrated a keen and ongoing attention to the development of values, character, and community. The Peacemakers program is one example, and indeed a particularly good one. Students within it are trained in peer mediation and conflict resolution, which they then very visibly promote throughout the school environment. That kind of attention contributes to the development of leadership skills based in collaboration. The community garden, quite delightfully, is where all of those values are poignantly expressed. The location of the school on the edge of one of the city’s storied ravines is also a plus, something that the school rightly makes much use of.
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Kendellhurst Academy (est. 2004) Mississauga, Ontario Private schools, of course, intend to offer an alternative, and Kendellhurst is a great example of that. The program is founded in an approach to ECE that borrows the best from Montessori and other alternative approaches, yet does it in a very tailored, intentional way in order to best address the needs of the students that attend. It's less about doctrine than meeting the specific needs of student population. There are three locations, though all feel a piece of the communities that they sit within, something that the Streetsville location is a particularly good example of. The educational context is local, small, and integrated with the needs of the families that enroll here. The feel is homey, comfortable, and supportive, and camp sessions allow families to extend that experience into the summer months, providing an opportunity for continuity between school terms. Organic meals and after school programs are included with tuition, something that can provide a welcome support to the daily management of family life.
Open Houses
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Toronto, Ontario Sam Blyth founded Blyth Academy in an understanding that, as the world changes the needs of students change, and education therefore must to evolve to meet them. Throughout the decades of its life, Blyth Academy has consistently proven its ability to meet that mandate. It began by offering a global curriculum, one that covered the basic literacies as well as collaborative and leadership skills. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar campuses, Blyth Academy Online, launched in 2014, offering asynchronous courses that students can start at any time throughout the calendar year. In response to the COVID crisis, Blyth Academic Orbit added a synchronous virtual school to the offering, bringing all the schedules, teachers, peers and relationships of a traditional academic experience, the only difference being that all was mounted entirely . In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners.
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CaST School (est. 2020) Toronto, Ontario CaST, City-as-School Toronto, is a progressive Day School with a unique hybrid online component due to Covid-19. Our blended environment of online morning classes and afternoon, in-person learning maximizes the use of place-based learning opportunities—in art museums, university lecture halls, libraries, community centres, parks and our classrooms—with the ability of going fully online if circumstances warrant. Safety and exciting academic challenge blend seamlessly for great teaching and learning. |
The Rosedale Day School (est. 1995) Toronto, Ontario Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Rosedale is proximate to a wealth of physical resources that wouldn't be available to schools of a similar size located elsewhere. The student body is small, with just 170 students, though the school partners with the University of Toronto, the AGO, and the ROM, all of which are located within a short distance of the school. The school very happily makes use of all of those resources, including the athletic facilities at U of T. The school adopts a range of progressive practices, including a promotion of cross-curricular instruction and cooperative learning. In all, it's a very nice mix, combining the intimacy of a small student body with a lot of resources and facilities close to hand. While perhaps not a gifted school, per se, the ideal learner is one who can benefit from an enriched curriculum.
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Blyth Academy Etobicoke (est. 2018) Etobicoke, Ontario Sam Blyth founded Blyth Academy in an understanding that, as the world changes the needs of students change, and education therefore must to evolve to meet them. Throughout the decades of its life, Blyth Academy has consistently proven its ability to meet that mandate. It began by offering a global curriculum, one that covered the basic literacies as well as collaborative and leadership skills. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar campuses, Blyth Academy Online, launched in 2014, offering asynchronous courses that students can start at any time throughout the calendar year. In response to the COVID crisis, Blyth Academic Orbit added a synchronous virtual school to the offering, bringing all the schedules, teachers, peers and relationships of a traditional academic experience, the only difference being that all was mounted entirely . In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners.
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Howlett Academy (est. 2001) Toronto, Ontario Jan Howlett was a force in the world of education, and her desire to establish a school was due to frustrations with the public system. She pulled her two sons out of it when they were in grades 4 and 6, choosing to educate them at home. Seeing her dedication and skill, parents were soon calling to ask if she would accept their children as well. She did, and Howlett Academy was born. The school isn’t for the faint of heart. Howlett used terms like “mastery” long after they had gone out of fashion in the public system. The strengths of the Howlett program are a clear, well-organized curriculum, attentive supervision, and a clear set of academic goals and expectations. Students are encouraged to reach for excellence, and the school maintains an impressive track record of achievement.
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Branksome Hall (est. 1903) Toronto, Ontario Clans and tartans, prefects and polo shirts—the initial gestalt is very traditional. Some of the buildings on campus are heritage buildings, which adds to the luster, though they pre-date the founding of the school. Still, the spirit of the school is strikingly modern. The IB program starts early, as does the view to globalism. Branksome has a sister campus in South Korea, offering a hint of the dedication to an international gaze. Lists of notable alumni don't always reflect the work of the school—princes, for example, appear on those lists no matter what they achieve at school or afterward—though Branksome might prove the exception, in part because of the consistency of the achievement it demonstrates. Arts, letters, philanthropy, and leadership are all well represented in the list of notable alumni, just as they are within the school itself. Branksome Hall sets its sights very high, to be sure, and the ideal student is one who shares the core vision and is able to function in a very diverse, challenging, expansive environment.
Open Houses
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The Dalton School (est. 2012) Toronto, Ontario The Dalton School is a dual-language school, so it doesn't use the language immersion model that most Canadians are familiar with. First off, no prior Mandarin or English proficiency is required to enroll. Further, both languages are given equal weight, unlike in many public school immersion programs where students all share a first language and are all learning the same second language—at The Dalton School, 50% of the day’s instruction is in Mandarin, and 50% in English. The curriculum is balanced in order to allow students to achieve academic proficiency in both languages. So, it’s different, and as such, visiting the school can be, and often is, a striking experience. Most Canadians, truly, have never experienced an academic environment quite like it, with very young children functioning easily, casually in two languages. Both languages naturally open up a range of learning areas—both social and academic—not the least being an exposure to a wider range of culture influence, providing the groundwork for an expanding and empathetic world view. All academics follow an enriched presentation of the Ontario curriculum. Dalton has a very close, community feel, and parents are welcome to be involved in the life of the school. A new home for the school is set to open in 2018, allowing space to further grow the program and the enrollment. |
Hitherfield School (est. 1991) Milton-Campbellville, Ontario Ann Scott founded Hitherfield in 1991 after a career within the Halton school board, and she remains at the head of the school today, giving a nice continuity to the development of the programs. The intention throughout has been to offer something that wasn’t offered in the public board, principally a more individualized, caring approach to learning. The school is small, and the size is one of its strengths. While it’s not a country school in name, the feel is comparable to schools that situate themselves within that movement—namely a learning environment that very much reflects the community that supports it. Parents are important to the life of the school, and are encouraged to take a role that will express their skills and interests. The ideal student is one looking for something more personal approach, one more attentive to the abilities, experience, and passion that students bring into the classroom.
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McDonald International Academy (est. 1994) Toronto, Ontario McDonald was founded in 1994 to deliver a quality university preparation for students in Canada as well as those arriving from around the world. Ever since, it’s been doing exactly that. The school maintains a small, almost exclusive feel, especially when compared with some of the larger international schools found in Ontario and beyond. The two campuses augment that feel, and students enter a close-knit academic and social community. All of the important supports are in place to appeal to the international learner, from language support, to assistance with daily life, to university counselling. The downtown campus, perhaps especially, is proximate to a rich range of resources, including the nearby University of Toronto campus. The school prides itself on offering a strong academic basis for university entry, as well as a rich and rewarding social experience. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a very vibrant, diverse, challenging and urban academic context.
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Royal St. George's College (est. 1964) Toronto, Ontario Royal St. George’s College began as an Anglican choir school, and that tradition remains, in various ways, to this day. The entire school meets every Thursday for evensong, for example, and the houses are Canterbury, Westminster, Winchester, and York. The Royal designation was bestowed by the Queen herself at about the time of the school’s 25th anniversary. In that, and much else, this is a very traditional school, which can at times seem untouched by time and the pace of history. The choral program remains very strong, though is part of a very broad range of extracurricular programs. The school very rightly makes good use of all the cultural centres nearby, including U of T, the ROM, the AGO, and the reference library. Values, too, remain important, and are a draw for many parents who enroll their boys here, whether or not they live within the Anglican tradition.
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Toronto, Ontario It’s true that not all students learn in the same way, though it's also true that not all schools address the full range of learning within the populations that they serve. TLC was created to offer an option to students who, for a whole range of reasons, weren't finding the kinds of support, teaching, and student experience that they needed to learn best. In that, and much else, this isn’t your average school, which is exactly what makes it, for those who enroll, such a strong offering. The school is small, class sizes are very small, meaning there is pronounced personal attention. There is a focus on gaining a sense of confidence in academic and social abilities, and relationships with peers and instructors, rightly, is seen as the foundation of learning. Robyn Keystone, Head of School, is an Orton-Gillingham practitioner, applying a multi-sensory approach to instruction, and included in that is a desire to work with students to find approaches that work best for them. The staff is exceptionally experienced, empathetic, and work in collaboration with the families that enroll. It’s a unique offering, and for those who attend, an exceptionally welcome one.
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Blyth Academy Online School (est. 2012) Toronto, Ontario Sam Blyth founded Blyth Academy in an understanding that, as the world changes the needs of students change, and education therefore must to evolve to meet them. Throughout the decades of its life, Blyth Academy has consistently proven its ability to meet that mandate. It began by offering a global curriculum, one that covered the basic literacies as well as collaborative and leadership skills. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar campuses, Blyth Academy Online, launched in 2014, offering asynchronous courses that students can start at any time throughout the calendar year. In response to the COVID crisis, Blyth Academic Orbit added a synchronous virtual school to the offering, bringing all the schedules, teachers, peers and relationships of a traditional academic experience, the only difference being that all was mounted entirely . In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners. |
Blyth Academy Orbit (est. 2020) Toronto, Ontario When it was launched in 2020, Blyth Academy Orbit at stroke created an new kind of online offering. With a longstanding experience with in-class and online asynchronous instruction, there was a sense they could do even more for a greater number of students. Blyth Academy Orbit offers an entire high school experience within a virtual campus—students attend classes in real time, and follow a traditional high school schedule. They are placed in classes just as they would be in a traditional high school setting: they see the same students every day, the same teachers, and have opportunities to interact and take part in co-curricular programs. “It gives them a cohort, it gives them a community,” says Chief Academic Officer Kathy Young. “It gives them regular predictable contact with classmates and the teacher, engaging with each other around ideas, that sharing of ideas, that sharing of experiences. It’s important.” It is. It also reflects the long experience that Blyth Academy has had, and makes use of extensive resources and expertise. In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Across all its offerings, Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners.
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Kingsley Primary School (est. 1981) Etobicoke, Ontario When parents are considering a school, they’re right to ask about instructional styles, teaching, programs, assessment. Those are important. Though when we pick up our kids from school each day, we’re not thinking about those things. Instead, we ask: “How was your day?” Maybe we ask it reflexively, but when it comes to how children learn, that’s actually where the rubber really meets the road. Kids learn best in a consistent, supportive, personal, safe, and community-focused environment. Providing that kind of environment is what forms a basis for all of the work at Kingsley. When they say “thrive” they mean it in the broad sense—gaining a strong academic foundation—but also in the sense of having fun, gaining confidence, and finding a voice within a community of peers. The programs are strong, the teaching staff seasoned, and the school has had consistent success for more than three decades. For the families that enroll here, all of that is important. Likewise, the strength and focus of the learning environment is often, quite rightly, a principle draw. After all, a child's ability to thrive in life begins in having a good day, today.
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Quo Vadis Elementary School (est. 2020) Etobicoke, Ontario Quo Vadis Elementary School is a one-of-a-kind private Catholic day school offering a fully bilingual Polish-English academic program for Kindergarten through Grade 2. Additional grades up to Grade 6 will be added in future years. Quo Vadis provides a well-balanced education at a high academic level combined with the teaching of Polish language and culture, and Catholic values in an environment that will help and encourage each student to develop to his or her full potential.
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Summit Micro School (est. 2010) Toronto, Ontario Amanda Dervaitis, one of the founders of Summit Micro School, is a champion of the micro school, and she created the school in light of the benefits a small school can offer. The program is, in a sense, the reinvention of the one-room schoolhouse with mixed age classrooms and very close student-teacher relationships. Likewise, the programming is very responsive to the needs of the students, and adaptable to a wider range of resources, including those within the neighbouring community—while the student body may be small, the classroom extends well beyond the walls of the school, including regular interaction with local businesses and services. It’s perhaps not a typical model, though for many families, it’s rightly a very attractive one. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a flexible, vibrant learning environment.
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Waldorf Academy (est. 1987) Toronto, Ontario We often consider the ideal student for a certain educational setting, though with Waldorf schools, it's important to also consider the ideal parent. Instruction student directed; benchmarks are less important than engagement. Multiple intelligences, multiple-sensory learning, cross-curricular instruction, visual learning—it's perhaps the epitome of what we think of as alternative education: constructivist rather than didactic. Waldorf Academy is one of the first of its kind in Canada, and was created when a group of parents decided to come together to create the kind of school that they wanted for their children. It's grown since then, and the organization and infrastructure has been formalized as well, including the creation of a purpose-built learning environment. Nevertheless, the core concept remains. The successful student is one who thrives in an interactive, transactional, arts-enriched setting. The ideal parent is one who sees the value in a constructivist approach, narrative-based assessment (letter grades are given in Grade 6 and up) and who prizes a considered and careful approach to the use of technology. |
Great Lakes College of Toronto (est. 1978) Toronto, Ontario The Great Lakes College of Toronto was established in 1978, our school has developed expertise in educating international high school and post secondary students throughout the past 35 years. We specialize in preparing our students for entrance into North American universities and colleges, as well as assisting students with learning English as a second language. GLCT is known for our "Personalized Education Program" in which we aim to meet the various needs of all our unique students.
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The Mabin School (est. 1980) Toronto, Ontario When Geraldine Mabin founded the Mabin School in 1980 it was considered strikingly experimental. Children were taught in open environments, followed their curiosity, and learned more through guided experience than direct instruction. A teacher at the school once commented that "Our pattern is to have no pattern." Today, despite the changing educational landscape in Canada during the intervening decades, the school remains at the vanguard of alternative education. While Mabin left the school in the 1998, it still reflects the ideals on which it was based, and she remains involved with the school today. "Time in the classroom for actual learning as opposed to teaching is shrinking," Mabin said in 2011. "There's a very high expectation on academics and testing. A lot of time is spent on drumming in lessons and worrying about kids who haven't made it. Children should be given time to learn things, to not be pushed." The instruction is strong, and supported through extensive cross-curricular programming. Parental involvement in the life of the school is encouraged. The ideal student is one who will thrive within a rich, vibrant, and varied learning environment.
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Park Street Education (est. 2020) Toronto, Ontario Park Street offers an affordable, experience-based education that helps students learn, socialize and develop while earning a valuable education. Our structured remote learning environment provides curriculum designed to keep students engaged while helping them experience the world in which they are living with all its wonders and challenges. For parents, Park Street provides the confidence and educational certainty designed to allow student to engage in the curriculum with their peers without a reliance on their parents.
Open Houses
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Kingsway College School (est. 1989) Etobicoke, Ontario Neil deGrasse Tyson has said, "imagine how different the world would be, if, in fact, that were 'reading, writing, arithmetic, empathy.'" Kingsway College School poses the same question, and has worked to augment a strong academic program with a cross-curricular attention to values. It can risk sounding a bit grand, as when Derek Logan, the head of school, notes that a goal is to teach students to "lead with vision and humility." These are little kids, after all, given that the program ends at Grade 8. Nonetheless, the attention to values, and providing opportunities for social development, in addition to a sense of mastery with core skills, is a strength of the school. The ideal student is one who is able to thrive in an active, academically challenging environment.
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Northstar Montessori Private School (est. 1996) Mississauga, Ontario Northstar isn’t your average Montessori school, in part because of its size—with an annual student population of 300, it’s a fair bit larger than the average—as well as its resources. The school was founded in 1996, though has grown its programs considerably in the intervening decades. There are some things that understandably stand out, such as the training pool, which is a recent addition, though they only underscore a more general awareness of the broad range of programming and facilities throughout the school. There are lots of bells and whistles, all of them welcome, though the core program is here too, with a fidelity to the Montessori method as demonstrated through CCMA accreditation. The program is offered from preschool through Grade 8, allowing families a consistency of approach and experience through the primary and elementary years.
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The York School (est. 1965) Toronto, Ontario Every school is unique, and The York School is particularly adept at proving the point. Just in terms of the basics, it’s an IB, coed day school in downtown Toronto, and that constellation of attributes alone makes it stand out. It’s also true that every school has its own culture, its own character, and The York School is a particularly good example of that as well. With the latest developments, the school has truly arrived, and the evidence for that is ample. The leadership brings a unique, fresh take to the entire project of learning. It’s supported by a significant program of care, exemplified by an active, engaged wellness team, one situated in daily view of the students through their work and their placement within the facility. That attention is continued in a university counselling office that is as good or better than we’ve seen anywhere. If schools aren’t yet looking to York as an example of how best to counsel students in their move to post-secondary education, they should. In all, it’s not just about beginning early, and being attentive, it’s also about perspective, and the one evidenced here is, frankly, inspiring.
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De La Salle College (est. 1851) Toronto, Ontario De La Salle College is a Lasallian school, part of an association of schools in more than 80 countries worldwide. The schools are affiliated with a Roman Catholic teaching order founded by Saint Jean-Baptist de La Salle in France in 1679. Canonized in 1900, La Salle was later proclaimed by the Vatican as the patron saint of teachers. So, in all, the College has quite a pedigree. It is committed to a Catholic Education, and religious observance is a daily component of student life. The academic program is rigorous, and augmented by an equally rigorous dedication to the development of ethical leadership, self-confidence, and social responsibility. The ideal student is one intending to advance to university.
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St. Jude's Academy (est. 2006) Mississauga, Ontario St. Jude’s is, notably, an IB world school which, as of September 2018, will be offering the entire continuum, from the primary years through the high school grades. That’s a draw for the families that enroll here, principally because of the strength of the academic program and the international focus that it allows. The IB was developed to educate toward a facility with the core curriculum—language and numeracy—as well as interpersonal communication, creative engagement with others, and an empathetic view toward the diversity within the global setting. St. Jude’s does all of that, including the values piece, which often isn’t perhaps stressed as much whenever people discuss the IB. The school promotes an understanding of our place in the world, as citizens, in the awareness that other people, of course, are citizens, too, just like us. The culture of the school is close-knit, with small class sizes and an very safe, family feeling throughout. It’s also a very vibrant, active school community--the entire school meets every day for a morning assembly, something that solidifies the sense of place and belonging, something further enhanced by the house system. There’s a lot going on, and every point within the school affords a front-row seat. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a diverse, challenging, socially engaged academic atmosphere.
Open Houses
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Oakwood Academy (est. 2007) Mississauga, Ontario Not all students are created equally, and Oakwood was created, more than anything else, with that idea firmly in mind. It was founded by Trillian Taylor and Michele Power, who remain directors at the school today. The school is intentionally small, allowing for a very individual attention to the unique needs of each student, including an overt attention to social and emotional development. Families who enroll here do so knowing that their learners are capable of a lot, while in the awareness that they would benefit from a different approach than is found elsewhere. Students entering Oakwood join a community of true peers, something which in itself can be transformative to their learning experience and academic success.
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The Linden School (est. 1993) Toronto, Ontario 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.
Open Houses
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London International Academy (est. 2002) London, Ontario London International Academy was founded in 2002 with an explicit attention to preparing students for success at university in North America. In the years since the student population has grown considerably, as has the school’s mandate. Today annual enrollment is 350 students who arrive from around the world. The school has developed a full palette of services with the international student in mind, including language instruction, university guidance, cultural exchange programs and a challenging curriculum. The ideal student is one with an eye to succeeding in post-secondary studies in Canada.
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Esprit Academy (est. 2020) Toronto, Ontario Instruction is student-lead, building from the curiosities, talents, and skill base that each student brings into the room. Most who enroll here are operating above their grade level, though require support to remain challenged and engaged with earning. The delivery follows the Ontario curriculum, though is cross-curricular, making connections across subject areas and areas of interest. The school is centrally located, adjacent to public transit as well as wealth of world-class resource, of which the program rightly makes good use. The feel is close-knit, and while the intention is to grow enrolment, it will remain a small, student-centred school in a lovely brick building on a leafy street in the heart of the city. Esprit may not be big, but between its reason for being and the expertise and experience behind the offering, it has a lot to give.
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Olivet School (est. 1893) Etobicoke, Ontario Olivet was established in 1893, though through moves and development, the school doesn’t reflect its age. Nevertheless, there is a continuity which, if less overt, remains within the life of the school. The academic program is strong, though families also turn to Olivet due to an appreciation of the context that the school provides, including an attention to spiritual and personal growth. The aim of the school is to provide a foundation for life, and for learning after the children go on to other schools after grade 5. The property accesses green space, allowing the lessons to extend to those about environment and environmental stewardship. Parental involvement in all aspects of the life of the school is very high, a function of the school’s size. All of that combines to create a community atmosphere that extends beyond the classroom, and beyond the walls of the school. The ideal student is one who will thrive in a challenging, close-knit academic environment. |
Mississauga Christian Academy (est. 1977) Mississauga, Ontario While some Christian schools offer only a Christian-inflected education, MCA was established in 1977 to provide a program that actively promotes the values and lessons of the church across all the curricular areas. It’s also unique in that it’s one of the few schools in the region that are formally affiliated with a church, Meadowvale Bible Baptist. Class sizes are small, and the annual enrollment of 140 students allows for individual instruction and a close-knit community feel within the school. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a challenging, collaborative academic environment, and is looking to grow into their faith within a community of true peers.
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Arrowsmith School (est. 1980) Toronto, Ontario The Arrowsmith School was founded in 1980 by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young to provide support for struggling learners. The school has been an object of interest ever since, due to the concept that Arrowsmith-Young built her program around. "If we look at a lot of special education programs, the majority assume the learner is fixed," she said. "What my program is saying is that we can change the learner so they can learn." While there are many things that set the school apart, that sense of what is possible is prime among them. The Arrowsmith School works closely with students to develop their strengths, address weaknesses, and build academic, social, and vocational competence. That the method works may be evidence of neuroplasticity, and science may yet underscore that. In the meantime, daring to dream —as well as creating a supportive, caring, understanding environment —can itself provide what many students need in order to succeed, and that's what the Arrowsmith school principally addresses.
Open Houses
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Wychwood School (est. 2014) Toronto, Ontario Wychwood was founded by Dr. Rebecca Wells-Jopling, an educator who is as unique and uniquely qualified as the school she created. Wells-Jopling has taught in the public school system, at Emory University in the US, and high school in Bordeaux, France. She is also an accredited baseball coach, and coaches year round. Wychwood is small, admitting a max of 12 students a year, and while the academic program is challenging and very strong, the goal is to graduate students able to work well with others, confident at their place at the table. The location of the school is a strength, and instruction rightly makes good use of the vast range of resources available nearby, including the Young People’s Theatre and the High Park Nature Centre, as well those on a smaller scale, inviting local experts into the classroom. There is an obvious passion behind the delivery of the curriculum, one that demonstrates Wells-Jopling’s close, exceptionally informed understanding of evidence-based practice. She’s collaborated with leaders in the field, as with the mathematics curriculum, which was created by Dr. John Mighton, fellow at Toronto’s Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences. That level of attention and expertise is evident across the curricular and extra-curricular offerings. The ideal learner is one able to thrive in a very small, creative, and engaging learning environment.
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Blyth Academy London (est. 2013) London, Ontario Sam Blyth founded Blyth Academy in an understanding that, as the world changes the needs of students change, and education therefore must to evolve to meet them. Throughout the decades of its life, Blyth Academy has consistently proven its ability to meet that mandate. It began by offering a global curriculum, one that covered the basic literacies as well as collaborative and leadership skills. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar campuses, Blyth Academy Online, launched in 2014, offering asynchronous courses that students can start at any time throughout the calendar year. In response to the COVID crisis, Blyth Academic Orbit added a synchronous virtual school to the offering, bringing all the schedules, teachers, peers and relationships of a traditional academic experience, the only difference being that all was mounted entirely . In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners.
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St. Michael's College School (est. 1852) Toronto, Ontario It's one of the oldest schools in Canada, and is steeped in legend, having descended directly from a secret school founded in the mountains of central France during the French Revolution. Today, it's the only independent Catholic boys' school in Ontario, and one of only a few in Canada. A dedication to teaching the core curriculum though a Catholic lens remains, as does a commitment to strong academics across the board. An extensive program of modernization completed in 2002 brought the school firmly into the 21st century. That said, the school is best known in the popular imagination because of its storied athletic program. The school has produced more than 180 professional hockey players, a raft of hall-of-famers among them. The school is large, and the academic program is rigorous. The ideal student is self-directed, able to thrive in a demanding, rigorous, and at times competitive environment.
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ABC Montessori (est. 1995) Mississauga, Ontario There’s a lot to learn in the early years, one of them being a confidence to learn and to engage effectively with others. ABC, in keeping with the core tenets of the Montessori approach, was founded in 1995 to create a caring, supportive, family-centred environment, and that remains foremost in the school’s approach. An impressive roster of extracurricular activities is a draw, as is the attention to values. ABC’s reputation has been rightly gained through an individual attention to the needs of each student, and providing a solid foundation for their ongoing academic life.
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Hudson College (est. 2003) Toronto, Ontario There are many reasons parents choose to enroll their children at a private school, from family tradition to elite sports. Parents who choose Hudson College, however, are less interested in the extremes at the edges of the private education market, and more interested in the foundational elements of a strong academic program and a positive learning experience: consistent social support, a sense of community, the agility to address student interests, and a consistent approach to curricular development. Jeff Bavington founded the school "to be a place where students with all different interests can come and feel part of a larger community, feel at home, and where students themselves can help create" the school environment. And it is.
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Upper Canada College (est. 1829) Toronto, Ontario UCC is one of the oldest and most storied schools in Canada. Its alumni include a who's who of Canadian political, business, and cultural life. Its history is, in many ways, the history of independent schooling itself; to attend is to become a part of a Canadian cultural tradition, one that retains a prominent place in Canadian education. The school leads in the provision of financial assistance, with a robust program of scholarships and bursaries intended to attract the brightest students in Canada and from around the world.
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The Bishop Strachan School (est. 1867) Toronto, Ontario The school’s approach, largely, is based in an understanding that it’s a complicated world, one which requires a set of complex foundational skills: being able to think for yourself, working cooperatively, and engaging empathetically with others. That includes a grasp of the curricular content as well as an ability to write well, speak well, and appreciate the elegance in a well-crafted argument. The learning environment is varied, diverse and comprised of a community of true peers, those who share a sense of curiosity and, while not being bookish, are inclined to academics and respond well to a challenge while appreciating support. Once here, they find those interests and curiosities shared and rewarded. "There's very little pressure to conform at a girls' school,” says an alumnus. “Being unique and having deep interests is what's considered cool.” The academics are not only strong, they have long provided an example that other schools have sought to emulate. That said, there’s a belief in being able to relax too—that it’s a journey, not a race, and that it’s as valuable to look around as it is to look forward. In terms of skills, outlook, and confidence, girls leave the school ready to take on the world. And they do.
Open Houses
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SimplySmart Child Care & Montessori (est. 2012) Mississauga, Ontario We provide infant, toddler, preschool and CASA programs for your child. At SimplySmart the focus is on the holistic development of the child in physical, social, and emotional areas. We embrace and encourage our core values of honesty, respect, gratitude and generosity, determination, compassion and responsibility also focus on inculcating them into the next generation. The end goal is to enable children to become future global leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and athletes, and in turn, build a better future.
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The London School (est. 2012) London, Ontario The London School doesn’t look like a typical school—it occupies a house in downtown London—and, in fact, it isn’t a typical school, which is why families turn here. The students arrive having demonstrated their skills and academic abilities, yet, for a range of reasons, aren’t reaching their potentials in a more traditional learning environment. Instruction is cooperative, allowing students to take responsibility for their learning in consort with their instructors. One of the goals is to motivate learners, and to help them find their own unique paths to success. The ideal student is one who will thrive within a very close-knit, student-oriented setting, and who is capable of operating at the top of his or her peer group.
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Lynn-Rose Schools (est. 1997) Mississauga, Ontario Founded in 1997, the mission of Lynn-Rose Heights is to provide individually oriented, student-lead instruction, challenging all to reach their potentials within the core academic fields and beyond. The blend of the Ontario and IB curricula is a draw for the families that enrol here, as is the quality of instruction and a very porous interface between families and faculty. The math and literacy programs have students working a grade ahead of their peers in the public system, with further acceleration offered to students able to function at that level. The attention to values, as those underscored within the IB programmes, is also a draw. There is a lot going on, though a close attention to specific skills, abilities, and needs of each student—as well as a broad range of resources to address them—is a distinguishing factor of the Lynn-Rose offering.
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Sunnybrook School (est. 1952) Toronto, Ontario Sunnybrook School was founded in 1952, becoming one of the very first preschools in Canada. It was exotic for the time, both for being a nursery school, as well as being founded by an Austrian educator, Irmingard Hoff. From opening day the school was at the leading edge of education at the time, and it has worked to remain there ever since. Sunnybrook was the first school in the country to adopt the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. It's since dedicated itself to development of 21st century literacies, an international curriculum, and the adoption of Singapore Math. Which sounds like a lot, and it is. The ideal student is one who is operating at the top of her peer group, and who is able to make the most of the range of programming on offer. |
Mindwerx4Kids Day School (est. 2006) Toronto, Ontario mindwerx4kids is designed with the belief that each person's combination of talents is distinctive. We provide an enriched curriculum with an individualized learning approach. Psychoeducational assessments help us understand our students, monitor skills and plan programs to optimize involvement. Curriculum, interactive technology, gym, arts, and fieldtrips make learning fun. Class sizes offer opportunities for participation, scaffolding and confidence so kids become lifelong independent learners.
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Greenwood College School (est. 2002) Toronto, Ontario Having been founded in 2002, Greenwood is a relatively young school, though has grown in response to the needs of the families that enroll here, and the place that it has within the academic mosaic of the city. It still thinks of itself as a small school, and the lived experience is personal and close-knit. That said, at 475 students, it’s certainly not tiny, and the curricular and extracurricular programs benefit from the size. The current facility, opened in 2016, is an apt expression of the goals of the school, as well as the families that support it. It includes flexible learning spaces and up to date athletic and arts spaces. Greenwood, in some sense, still flies a bit below the radar in the public consciousness, though given the success and growth it’s experienced, that won’t last long. The ideal student is one able to thrive within an active, academically oriented learning environment.
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Toronto Prep School (est. 2009) Toronto, Ontario As the name suggests, Toronto Prep School is very much a preparatory academy intending to prepare students for university. The ideal student is one who arrives at the school with a clear sense of where they are going and is able to effectively manage their time and their schedule. The environment is rigorous, and the school operates very much with the demands of a teen lifestyle in mind. Classes start late in order to align with teens sleep patterns; a partnership with GoodLife Fitness, located within the same building as the school, provides an opportunity to maintain physical fitness. Those kinds of things are beneficial to students who are prone to making the most of them.
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TPS Online - Toronto Prep School (est. 2020) Toronto, Ontario Toronto Prep School Online (TPSO) is a premium online high school offering full-time and part-time enrollment with unlimited access to elite faculty, premium guidance, and accessible support. Teaching and learning takes place through embedded videos, readings, targeted assignments, and other multi-media presentations. Students can work at their own pace, but have unlimited live support from Ontario-based teachers. In addition, our academic pacing and guidance services ensure that every student completes their course.
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City Academy (est. 1999) Toronto, Ontario All schools are unique, though that’s particularly true of City Academy. It was founded in 1999 by Sheila Dever, and her pedigree for teaching is simply unequalled. She brought a long experience in the public school sector and within the education faculty at York University. She created the program at City Academy to be intensive and challenging, and it is. Small classes and the four semester format focus student attention in unique ways, while allowing instructors to take cues from the students, adapting to their individual strengths and needs. There really is nothing like it. The ideal student is one intending to proceed to post-secondary education, and is looking to build the personal and academic skills that will be required for success in that context. |
Lycée Français de Toronto (est. 1995) Toronto, Ontario Not all immersion programs are created equally, and Lycée Francais is an example of that. The school was founded in 1995 with support from the French consulate to offer a French education to the children of French nationals living in Toronto (a portion of the faculty, then as now, are themselves French nationals). The program is based on the curriculum used in France, as developed by the French Ministry of Education. That said, the most substantive difference is that the program is dual, admitting students with either English or French as a first language, with French as the primary language of instruction from pre-school on up. Immersion often gets lumped in with gifted programs, though it's not at all just for high flyers. That said, the LFT program is challenging and very much intended, especially in the upper grades, for students preparing to enroll at university.
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CGS (Children's Garden School) (est. 1986) Toronto, Ontario CGS was founded in 1986 by Marie Bates, who remains as the principal at the school today. As that suggests, the school has remained very true to the founders’ initial intentions, namely to create a place that provides a strong academic foundation in a caring, open, and supportive environment. While reading, writing, and numeracy are key—just as they should be—so is the development of creativity and social engagement. Bates believes that children learn as much in music class as they do in math class, and she’s right of course. As such, the program promotes links across the curriculum, allowing children to see those connections while also broadening their horizons of interest. The strength of the program is reflected by the reputation that CGS has earned over the thirty-plus years of its life.
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OAT - Ontario Academy of Technology (est. 2013) Toronto, Ontario In a general sense, OAT is a specialty school in the way that, say, a ballet school is a specialty school—it brings together students who share a passion, and builds the curriculum around their engagement with that curriculum. And, like a ballet school, or a hockey school, it’s not for everyone. But, for the students that it’s for, the experience can be transformative. At OAT students work and learn alongside true peers, those who share an abiding interest in technology. The core curriculum is the provincial one, though delivered in a technology intensive learning environment.
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Alive Montessori & Private School (est. 2014) Toronto, Ontario Julia Simon founded Alive Montessori in 2001, and she remains very much the head and hands of the school today. She established the school as a means of delivering the Montessori principles, prime among them being the provision of a family-like atmosphere in which to learn. Families who enroll here are drawn to the small size of the school, allowing students to gain a heightened sense of their place within the life of the school. Instruction is personal, with pacing cues taken from the individual students, and a close attention to the talents, perspectives, and interests that they bring with them to the school each day. Students are encouraged to have a voice, and to use it in their daily lives. Numeracy and literacy are important, though passion is, too, something that Simon has rightly built the Alive program around.
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Maria Montessori School (est. 1975) Toronto, Ontario Not all Montessori programs are created the same, and one of the ways they vary is in their adherence to the core principles as outlined by Maria Montessori during her life as an educator. The school name, in this case, was chosen to distinguish the program as one that hews very closely to her ideals. From multi-age classrooms, to an emphasis on group work, to a keen awareness of developmental stages—in all of that and more, Maria Montessori School presents the very letter of the Montessori approach. The size of the school is also a very comfortable one—big enough to allow for a nice breadth of programming while also maintaining a close, community learning atmosphere.
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Children's Garden Nursery School (est. 1986) Toronto, Ontario Since Children’s Garden was established in 1986, there has been a nice consistency of approach and leadership through the directorship of Pauline Foulkes. When she began there were just two students, though enrolment grew quickly to the 100 student mark, where the enrolment remains today. Throughout, Foulkes has maintained a very hands-on, involved role within all aspects of care and instruction. Location and size are important, though the quality of the programming, of course, is too, and there are few instances of nursery schools with as long a record of providing such unwavering service. The school is housed, now as from the start, in the Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury, though the program isn’t affiliated with the church and is non-denominational.
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Toronto, Ontario BrightonLaunch is, for the families that enroll, a life-changer. The students enter an environment that is as empathetic as it is supportive, one in which they experience a community of peers, some of them for the first time. That alone can be transformative. The intention, as they say so beautifully, is to create “lives of success”—that they use that terminology is a great entrée to the focus of the program. Students are engaged through their strengths and talents, rather than any supposed or perceived deficits. They call the school a “launch pad” which is great, too—the program looks ahead to next steps, including entrée into social and work settings beyond the walls of the school. Instruction is informed by a wealth of expertise and experience. In all that and more, there’s certainly a lot to love.
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Rotherglen School - Mississauga (est. 1979) Mississauga, Ontario Rotherglen School was founded in 1979 by Marie Laningan at the Erin Mills campus. The school has grown in the intervening years to include four locations, all of which share the same approach. Were all the students housed at one campus, Rotherglen would be one of the largest independent schools in the area, home to 1000 students annually. The various locations, however, afford a unique sense of community within each, with small class sizes, and a close-knit feel. While aesthetics don’t mean everything, they nevertheless do mean something, and the school is physically beautiful, with dedicated, consistent learning spaces.
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St. Clement's School (est. 1901) Toronto, Ontario Located in the heart of midtown Toronto, St. Clement's School offers a well-rounded, balanced, and supportive learning environment founded on academic excellence. Mentorship is prized, and the school is committed to delivering on a mission to develop exceptional women who are compassionate, curious thinkers and open to new experiences. Girls are guided on their own paths of discovery with the support of a strong school community. That approach is coupled with a progressive 21st century curriculum and lessons reinforced by lived experience. An inclusive, energetic dynamic is the product of a mixture of small classes sizes and interconnected grade levels.
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St. Clement's Early Learning School (est. 1955) Toronto, Ontario St. Clement’s was founded in 1955, and has been doing great work with young children ever since. The approach is based in creating a caring community of learners, with small class sizes and a close-knit student body. It’s telling that the school tends to express its size in terms of families; they say that they are able to serve up to 200 families. Indeed, there is a real sense of partnership and involvement with families, as wholes, rather than simply a group of children. It’s that approach that informs the reputation of the school. The facilities nicely reflect St. Clement’s age and pedigree, while the interiors and appointments are at the cutting edge of early childhood instruction. |
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Toronto, Ontario Small class sizes, strong academics, a nurturing environment, and a supportive community—Seneca Hill, by any metric, meets and exceeds all the things that families look for in a private education. Founded in 1988, it has a long history in the region, and a consistent leadership throughout. The student population is 120 across K-12, so each student is known, and curriculum is delivered through keen understanding of their strengths, talents, and needs. An attention to project based learning and 21st century literacies is also a plus, as is a dedication to proving strong foundational skills in order to support them. |
Havergal College (est. 1894) Toronto, Ontario Founded in 1894, Havergal is one of the oldest girls' schools in Canada, and it shares a tradition with those of its vintage. The school was formed with a strong tie to a religious community though, even then, was looking beyond tradition, charting new territory, as it were, for girls to occupy. As such, the school was disruptive, educating girls to take new, more robust roles within society. Famously the first principal, Ellen Mary Knox, asked her students "What are you going to do?" She meant it very much in the way we'd think of that question today: you've got an opportunity to do something, to play a role, what is it going to be? Knox was emblematic of the kinds of women who were leading schools at the time. In turn, they played a larger role in the development of education in Canada than their male counterparts did. All of this is important in that it really does underwrite the goals of the school today: to challenge girls, and to be socially disruptive in the best sense of that term. It's easy for us to look back and see that girls' schools were necessary all those years ago. What Havergal continues to demonstrate—as other schools that operate with the same goals and intentions—is that they remain necessary today.
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Fieldstone School (est. 1997) Toronto, Ontario The aim of Fieldstone is to provide an inclusive, supportive, 360-degree student experience, and both curricular and extra-curricular programs have been created with that goal in mind. Class sizes are kept small, and the relationships between instructors, administrators, and students is close. The feel is nurturing, yet the academic gaze is wide. The intention is to educate students to positions of informed leadership, both locally and globally. A rich language program is a hint of that, including a one-on-one reciprocal English-Chinese mentorship, pairing native speakers of both languages. The ideal student is one with sights firmly set on university.
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TFS - Canada's International School (est. 1962) Toronto, Ontario The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012, marking the end of an astonishing period of growth and development. The school really did start in a basement, moving from there into a range of branches throughout Toronto, in time consolidating onto the two campuses that the school occupies today. Schools don't grow that much, or that quickly, if they aren't servicing a specific need, and certainly that's true of TFS. The acronym stands for Toronto French School, which is the name that the school was founded with, though in time it was offering a lot more than the name suggested. Language remains an important part of the curriculum, though the culture of the school reaches beyond language. The environment is rich, varied, and supportive. The student body is culturally and academically diverse, all of which is encouraged through a robust bursary program.
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Crestwood School (est. 1963) Toronto, Ontario The school was founded in 1980 with an eye to providing a strong, focused academic program for the lower grades. In the intervening decades it has very much kept with the times, including an early adoption of e-learning tools and texts, at times in partnership with national publishers. Student success is gauged through mastery of the course material, and the ideal student is one who is able to thrive within a supportive yet academically challenging environment. In 2001 the program was extended into the upper grades with the creation of the Crestwood Preparatory College.
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Brighton School (est. 2003) Toronto, Ontario The Brighton program begins from the understanding that not all students are able to adapt themselves to the curriculum; rather, in order to reach their potentials, they require an academic environment that adapts itself to them. That can take many forms, and Brighton offers the full range, from small, student-centred groups, to a balanced daily schedule, to a staff with the tools and supports—and the time—to really work individually with each of the students. There are lots of challenges out there, and Brighton has a history of helping their students meet all of them, no matter what form they might take. The service programs, spirit days, and extracurricular programs all extend and enhance the strength of the core program.
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Crescent School (est. 1913) Toronto, Ontario One of the chief benefits of a gender specific school is the provision of opportunities for students to resist the stereotypes that they would encounter in co-ed schools. Crescent, of course, addresses the specific needs of boys around learning and development, though that experiential piece is equally important: to maintain an environment in which boy’s attention and curiosity can be actively engaged, and where they can participate in all curricular areas outside of any need to impress others or gain status across gender lines. Crescent begins, as they say, from the understanding that "when you remove girls from the classroom, some remarkable things can happen." And they’re right to. They also have a long tradition of doing just that. The ideal student is one who is academically curious, has broad potential, and could benefit from increased opportunity to express both their curiosity and their potential.
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AVRO Academy (est. 2010) North York, Ontario AVRO was founded in 2010 by David Berger and Jason Ellenbogen, both of whom remain at the head of the school, continuing to guide it with a keen fidelity to their initial vision. They aren’t your typical educators which, again, is part of the draw. Berger is a long-time educator, and is also very integrated within the life the community that provides a context for the school, including a co-director of Spiritfest, an annual community arts festival. Ellenbogen, too, brings a unique set of skills and experience, including that of being a psychologist with clinical experience with teens and their families. They tailored the delivery of the curriculum based in a sense of best practices that they’d been growing in their professional lives. The faculty continues in kind. Chriasee Sen-Varma, an instructor and academic coordinator, is a physicist. Mindy Alexander, head of social studies, has taught art in prisons. And it continues from there. The feel is small, personal, and the approach builds from the talents and curiosity that the students bring with them into the classroom. The school was created out of a sense of doing things well, but differently, and with an added bit of spark. As such the school has attracted students and instructors of a like mind. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a diverse, close-knit, challenging while supportive learning environment.
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The Clover School (est. 1996) Toronto, Ontario One of the Montessori ideals is to provide a stimulating learning environment; the school environment, on the whole, should be comforting, familiar, friendly, and supportive, and The Clover School, frankly, provides a study in all of those things. The continuity of the school is also impressive. Isabelle Kunicki-Carter and Sandra Bosnar-Dale founded the school in 1996, and they've provided consistent leadership ever since. In that and every other way, it's one of the strongest Montessori programs in the city.
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Blyth Academy Lawrence Park (est. 2015) Toronto, Ontario Sam Blyth founded Blyth Academy in an understanding that, as the world changes the needs of students change, and education therefore must to evolve to meet them. Throughout the decades of its life, Blyth Academy has consistently proven its ability to meet that mandate. It began by offering a global curriculum, one that covered the basic literacies as well as collaborative and leadership skills. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar campuses, Blyth Academy Online, launched in 2014, offering asynchronous courses that students can start at any time throughout the calendar year. In response to the COVID crisis, Blyth Academic Orbit added a synchronous virtual school to the offering, bringing all the schedules, teachers, peers and relationships of a traditional academic experience, the only difference being that all was mounted entirely . In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners.
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Bond Academy (est. 1978) Toronto, Ontario Bond Academy began its life in 1978 with a different name and a fairly narrow mandate. It intended to be an academically-oriented school, one designed to meet a well-defined constellation of needs. Time has marched on, and Bond has as well. There are still the supports necessary for students who arrive from away, if not more so, but the program intends much more than just giving them the tools they will need to be successful at university and beyond. Instruction makes the most of the international learning experience, but also the students’ experience, addressing a greater social, cultural, and academic diversity. In that Bond has taken the goal of a liberal arts education—to educate responsible citizens, ones with the tools and the postures required for empathetic, productive civic behaviour—and applied it in the service of educating citizens of the world. If the school was once a place for international students to prepare for post-secondary study, today Bond is that and much else, having developed programs and approaches to deliver a robust academic and social experience, from Kindergarten through graduation.
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The Dunblaine School (est. 1969) Toronto, Ontario Dunblaine was founded in 1969 by concerned parents of children with needs that weren’t being met within the public school system. They wanted a safe environment, run by staff that understood, clearly, the needs of the students; one that offered an opportunity for them to grow academic skills, life skills, confidence, respect, and self-advocacy. And, for almost 50 years, that’s exactly what they’ve been doing. The current location is also the one that best represents what Dunblaine is all about: it’s a house in a quiet residential neighbourhood. The faculty maintain close communication with parents on all aspects of the students’ experience within the school. The staff represents the full range of all the right expertise, instructional and therapeutic. Frankly, this is what it’s all about. It’s a great school as well as a great example of what education should be about. If you have a chance to speak with a parent of a student of the school, by all means, do it. If you don’t, ask the staff to put you in touch. It will be the best introduction to the school, and its successes, you could hope to have.
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Northmount School (est. 1990) Toronto, Ontario Headmaster emeritus Glenn Domina quotes Theodore Roosevelt's "Citizen in a Republic" speech—" The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and blood"—to underscore his guarantee that at Northmount "your son will not get his sister's education." No, that's not the cornerstone of the school, but Domina's statements highlight the values that inform the life of the school, values that are also very firmly centred in the Catholic traditions on which the school's program is based. The school is strong, both socially and academically, and including a rich extracurricular program, particularly when viewed in light of the school's size. Faith is central to the approach. The ideal student is one who shares the values that the school promotes and is personally inspired by them.
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Toronto, Ontario La Citadelle was established in 2000 with just 5 students and operating out of a church basement. The program has grown considerably since then, with an annual enrolment of 200 students spanning prep-K to Grade 12. Further, in 2015 the school moved into a new space, doubling the size of the physical plan and providing an opportunity to grow the student population and its programs significantly. Despite that growth, the approach to instruction remains true to the original intentions. Since its inception La Citadelle has been progressive, and while achievement is one of the six core values, so are compassion and harmony. There is a high level of individual support, in part a function of a low teacher/student ratio. The ideal student is one that is operating ahead of her peers, able to thrive within a challenging, varied, and multilingual teaching environment.
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WillowWood School (est. 1980) Toronto, Ontario By any measure, there’s a lot to love about WillowWood. The work of the school is dedicated to supporting learners who, for a range of reasons, need something different, and who, for whatever reason, aren’t adequately supported in other academic environments. Their personal needs are assessed, as are their strengths and interests, and instruction begins from that point, seeking to build on their abilities in order to grow engaged learners equipped with the confidence and the skills to establish a place in the community of the school and beyond.
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The Sterling Hall School (est. 1987) Toronto, Ontario Boys' schools often state that they know boys, or are boy-friendly, though too often those statements aren't qualified. Sterling, thankfully, defines what they mean: energy, curiosity, and exploration. Certainly, boys from K to 8 typically have those in abundance, and the program at Sterling is intended to focus things a bit, channeling those natural attributes toward higher order growth and understanding. Confidence, resilience, motivation, goals—we think that boys naturally have these, but they don't. That Sterling places those kinds of values out front is telling of the overall instructional approach. The ideal student is one who can thrive in a structured, challenging, collaborative, and close-knit learning environment. Parent involvement in the life the of the school is both welcome and encouraged.
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Junior Academy (est. 1988) Toronto, Ontario Dianne Johnson founded the Junior Academy in 1988 in the belief that small is better, and indeed the school has remained small, with an annual enrolment of just 100 students. Johnson lead the school for most of its life, lending a continuity to the program and keeping the focus clearly on the quality of the students' learning experience, and maintaining, above all, an atmosphere of care and support. While not all students arrive from the immediate area, the school prizes its position within the community, and encourages active parental involvement within the life of the school.
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The Giles School (est. 1989) Toronto, Ontario The Giles School provides an enriched language immersion program from preschool through the middle grades. The French program starts in preschool, and a Mandarin program begins in grade 1 with a period a day spent in an immersive Mandarin environment. It's perhaps safe to say, in terms of language learning—both in terms of when immersion is introduced, as well as providing multilingual immersion—the program is the only one of its kind in Canada. Classes are small, and academics are rigorous, covering the entire core curriculum and then some. The ideal student is one who can benefit from enrichment and who will thrive within a play-based, curiosity-driven environment.
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Bannockburn (est. 1993) Toronto, Ontario Bannockburn is founded in Montessori, and hews close to the spirit of the method and its fundamental principles. There is an abiding attention to creating a supportive, student-centric environment, one that can stimulate and build on children’s curiosity. That said, there are a few welcome adaptations as well, such as lower teacher/student ratio that one might expect to see within a Montessori classroom. The school is very much an expression of the surrounding community—it was begun in 1993 by local parents and educators, and retains very close ties to the surrounding community today. The life of the school is informed by an active and robust parents’ association, with meetings held on the first Monday of each month. Given the location of the school, the fact that it sits on a five-acre property is an added plus, one that both adds to the atmosphere of the school, and allows for the programming, as appropriate, to spread beyond the interior instructional spaces. So, yes, the school has a strong Montessori program, though there is also a clear Bannockburn identity, one that nicely reflects the community that it serves.
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Hawthorn School (est. 1989) Toronto, Ontario As the only all-girls' Catholic independent school in Toronto, Hawthorn provides a unique and very specific program, one that focusses on the needs of girls while providing instruction through a Catholic lens. It was founded relatively recently—it celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2014—through the instigation of a group of parents who wanted the kind of academic specificity that the school continues to promote today. And, truly, there's no other school like it: girls are challenged to pursue passions in the full range of academic pursuit, STEM primary among them. Character, too, is a primary focus, including an expression of self. The ideal student is one who thrives within a supportive yet academically challenging environment.
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Crestwood Preparatory College (est. 2001) Toronto, Ontario There is a rich program of extra-curriculars, though the focus is on academics, including the development of sound study and test-taking skills. The Maximizing Academic Performance Program (MAPP) begins in the lower school, and augments a traditional approach to education, one that is didactic and where assessment is objective. The ideal students are those who have their sights set clearly on success within a university career, are motivated toward that goal, and are seeking to augment or improve their academic prospects.
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Glen Briar Academy (est. 2014) Toronto, Ontario Glen Briar Academy offers personalized programs that are complemented by a deep commitment to socio-emotional and character development. Our teaching practice is tailor-made to fit modern children; their varied learning styles, interests and abilities. With individualized learning at the core of its pedagogy, Glen Briar Academy is a place for the whole child to thrive and grow.
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Central Montessori Schools (est. 1995) Toronto, Ontario Since it was founded in 1995, CMS has grown to include five locations in the GTA. The program is founded on the core ideals that Maria Montessori promoted in her work, those of respect, community, purposeful engagement, and self-directed learning. That said, Montessori didn't create her program as a museum piece, but rather as a starting point, and that's a spirit that CMS upholds as well. Dr. Montessori, as has been said, "adjusted and adapted her educational system to better serve children's needs, and well-functioning Montessori classrooms typically share many features reflecting those adjustments." One of which was, of course, a willingness to adjust and adapt. As such, the CMS program includes, as at the Maplehurst location, a computer lab, a library, and a music room. In all, the focus is very clearly on the child, and supporting child development, which is just as it should be. |
Magnificent Minds (est. 2011) North York, Ontario The mantra of private education is “fit”—finding the right environment for your child’s specific learning needs. Magnificent Minds is a great example of that concept, to be sure. While there are psychoeducational services and support in place for students who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the school’s approach can benefit a range of learning needs; most often children arrive here coming from environments that, for whatever reason, were unable to provide the supports they needed. The school is small, and for the families that enroll here, that is one of its great benefits. Instruction is student-centred, adapting to the needs of each individual. There is an emphasis on play, and an awareness of the benefits of growing a positive sense of self within a close community of peers. The context of possibility, of celebrating and building upon a child’s unique talents and ability, for many students has been transformational.
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Webtree Academy (est. 2016) North York, Ontario While still a young school, founding principal, Henry Michels, brings a wealth of enthusiasm, insight, and decades-long experience to the program. Small class sizes are a draw, with less than 10 per, allowing for a very student-directed delivery, building from individual strengths, talents, and areas of interest. The school addresses itself to students operating at the top of their peer group, granting them the challenges and diversity of approach that can make the most of their gifts. The diversity of the student body—the homestay program attracts overseas students—adds to the experience, allowing for a range of perspective within classroom discussion.
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Bayview Glen (est. 1962) Toronto, Ontario It's a big world out there, with lots of big ideas in it, and Bayview Glen prides itself on offering students an introduction to all its breadth and complexity. The school is part of the Round Square network of schools, which reflects that ambition; the program includes cross-curricular links to concepts of community, self-reliance, and entrepreneurialism. For some students, it can be a lot, perhaps especially for those within the younger grades—the school admits students from preschool through to grade 12. A broad range of curricular and co-curricular activities back up the school's promise to deliver the world: Mandarin classes, a model United Nations program, as well as a range of arts and athletics. While learner support is provided, the ideal student is one who is able to thrive in an intellectually diverse, academically challenging environment.
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Metropolitan Preparatory Academy (est. 1982) Toronto, Ontario Metro Prep, in once sense at least, is very much what you might think a preparatory academy is for: the program is intended to prepare students for post-secondary education, particularly university. From there, however, all bets are off, and the school adopts none of the cliches or the stances that are hallmarks of the traditional, stereotypical prep school. The students don't wear uniforms, for one, the intention being to encourage individuality rather than conformity. Likewise, while the school intends student success, it's not defined in test scores, but by a creative engagement with the curricular content, and the world. Confidence over bravado; critical thinking over rote learning – in so many ways, this isn't your grandfathers' prep school. The ideal student is one who can thrive in a very active, engaging student environment, and intending to continue their studies at university.
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Sidney Ledson Institute (est. 1982) Toronto, Ontario The school was founded in 1982 in order to create a program that reflected the work of Sidney Ledson, an author and expert on topics relating to teaching technology and motivation. His methods gained traction internationally, at the core of which is the idea that we needn’t wait to introduce children to new skill areas (specifically around language and numeracy) and the sooner we start, the better. His books on reading expanded the concept and application of phonics, and his work remains a foundation for the language arts programs at the institute today. There, and elsewhere, the approach intends to challenge students to reach further, to expand and improve their abilities in order to reach their fullest academic potentials. The ideal student is one operating at the top of his or her peer group, and, in the later grades, is preparing for success within university studies.
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Montessori Learning Centre of Pickering (est. 1984) Pickering, Ontario Often what attracts parents to Montessori education is the close, community feel that many schools are able to provide, and that’s very true of MLCP. The school began in 1984 with 25 students, and growth has been less of a concern for its administrators than quality. The student population today is just 200, this in a program that spans preschool through Grade 8. Yes, there are all of the things we expect of the Montessori approach, though that’s coupled with a very close attention to the needs of individuals, both students and parents combined. Before and after care is available, and while it’s not included in tuition, the rates are very reasonable. Likewise, those programs are entirely flexible—parents pay only for what they use. In that, and in other ways, this is a school that really operates with the needs of its families foremost in mind.
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SuOn Academy (est. 2009) Toronto, Ontario SuOn Academy is an international school in the sense that it was founded to give students from China a substantive international experience, but also to provide an entrée into North American secondary and post-secondary. The facilities are excellent, to be sure, and the range of services available to the students are complete. That includes support around visas and entry requirements, language support and clear communication between faculty and parents, to delivering a well-rounded academic and social experience to the students when they are here. At 300, for many the size of the student population is a draw—international schools tend to be large, which can compromise the sense of community on campus. The daily lived experience is close knit, which students understandably appreciate. Maria Pereira has lead the school since its founding in 2009, adding a welcome continuity to the program. She’s clear that while academic excellence is key, she’s also positioned the program to address concepts of international citizenship and ethical leadership. It’s a strong offering, in some ways unique in the market, with a proven ability to deliver students to the post-secondary institutions of their choice prepared to succeed when they get there.
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Don Valley Academy (est. 2002) Toronto, Ontario Don Valley is one of those little gems within the city that doesn’t get nearly the attention that it deserves. It’s a small school, and the size is one of its strengths. Students choose Don Valley because they are looking for something different, something more personal, where they can exercise their talents and abilities in the ways they choose to exercise them. It requires a certain amount of responsibility, of course, though the program rewards those that arrive with it. This isn’t the school for a student looking for a full complement of intramurals, for example, but instead is looking for a respectful, quiet, challenging academic environment peopled by students and faculty that are true peers. The ideal student is one looking for a challenge, is operating at the top of his or her peer group, and is able to make the most of a flexible learning environment.
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Montessori Jewish Day School (est. 2000) Toronto, Ontario Community is a primary component of any quality independent school, whether it’s a community of interest, identity, or, even better, both. Parents who look to MJDS rightly are attracted to the sense of community that the environment there can instill. It’s about heritage, but it’s also about lots of other intangibles which inform a child’s understanding of her place in the world. Families are always keen to learn about the academic program of a school, though place and community, truly, are equally important, or arguably more so. The Montessori approach starts there as well, bringing mutual respect to the fore within the classroom setting. The administrative leadership is strong, as is the teaching, with a close attention to accreditation and development. In all, MJDS presents a very nice constellation of attributes.
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North Toronto Christian School (est. 1981) Toronto, Ontario The program at NTCS has been developed to extend the lived experience of Christianity of home and church into an academic setting. The values expressed there, as well as Biblical teaching, provide a foundation for the delivery of the curriculum across all instructional areas. For the families that enroll, that’s a primary draw, as is the opportunity for the learner to enter a student population of true peers in terms of academic ability and worldview. The extracurricular offerings are broad, and supported by the size of the student body, which is 400 annually. An emphasis on athletics and active lifestyles is also a draw. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a challenging yet supportive setting, and preparing for university studies.
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Rockway Mennonite Collegiate (est. 1945) Kitchener, Ontario In some ways, Rockway was born out of a pacifist impulse, established by Swiss Mennonites who were concerned about the military tenor that seeped into the public school system leading up to and during WWII. Times of course have changed, though the foundational principles remain, as well as the values that lay behind them: compassion, understanding, and an open mind to the experiences and perspectives of others. If all you knew about the school was its name, a closer look would reveal a lot of surprises. The school has a robust international program, welcoming students from around the world as well as an extensive exchange program. The curriculum is taught through a Mennonite lens, while also partnering with a local Muslim school, and creating regular opportunities for students to interact with local Jewish, Hindu, and Sikh communities. It’s a unique school, to be sure, which is exactly why families, both within and without the Mennonite community, enroll their children here.
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French 4 Tots (est. 2014) Pickering, Ontario The French immersion programs that Canadians are most familiar with were born out of the multicultural movement of the 1970s, and to some extent, they continue to reflect their age. The public school immersion programs begin, most typically, with Grade 1. Which is strange, given what we know about language acquisition, including uptake as well as the overall academic benefits of leering a second language. French 4 Tots offers a rich program that addresses precisely that, providing an early and authentically immersive French-language program. Given what we know about what learning languages can do for cognition, confidence, and just general academic engagement, the question isn’t “should we enroll in immersion?” but “why not?” The French 4 Tots program has a lot to offer, including a strong basis for children to advance to immersion programs in the primary years. Class sizes are small, allow for a high level of student-teacher engagement. The summer camp programs offer a nice opportunity for students to continue in a familiar environment outside the standard academic year.
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Signet Christian School (est. 1975) Toronto, Ontario SCS was formed in 1974 as an expression of the surrounding community, and created by a group of parents who wanted a school that would offer a strong academic program within a values-based environment. The name has changed, and enrollment has grown, though that focus remains. The school isn’t affiliated with a specific denomination, and attracts students from any and all, as well as those that don’t belong to a specific faith tradition. There are many ways that schools express Christian ideals, and in the case of SCS it’s very much those of inclusion, service, and ethical behavior. The school has a very close, community feel, and what it might lack in terms of extra-curriculars it gains in individual attention and a sense of belonging within the school community.
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Ontario Virtual School (est. 2010) Toronto, Ontario Since it was founded in 2010, it has grown to an annual student population of 3000, easily dwarfing the largest brick-and-mortar private schools in Canada by a third and more. The student body is comprised nationals, in addition to those in Canada, in more than 15 countries. The teaching staff of 25, all Canadian certified, and the school is accredited in Ontario, able to confer the OSSD. In all, this isn’t a new or developing concept, rather one that reflects a growing need. OVS students register for a much broader range of reasons, all of which signal the diversity of needs that OVS is serving. This includes students who are seeking to fill out a few courses in addition to their current school work, those striving to upgrade existing marks, and those who are scheduling around other commitments, from elite athletics to time spent in medical care. For overseas students, it’s an opportunity to earn an Ontario Secondary diploma, and therefore apply to Canadian universities, without incurring the costs the cost of boarding and travel. The delivery may be different that many are used to, but the teaching is strong, with a range of supports to ensure learner success. As such, OVS offers a valuable option to a growing number of students, in Canada and around the world.
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Innunco Academy (est. 2013) North York, Ontario Welcome to Innunco Academy. Innunco Academy is an online and on-campus private school that offers Grade 9 -12 OSSD credit courses or Diploma Program. Students can earn their diploma or course credits by learning online or on-campus. Students also have the opportunity to enroll as a part-time or full-time student to support their flexibility and their personal schedule. At Innunco Academy, students achieve excellence showcased from the Ministry of Education Approved Credentials.
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Little Owl Private School (est. 2001) Toronto, Ontario The student body at Little Owl reflects the diversity of the surrounding community, and the school uses that as a foundation to encourage and celebrate a multicultural perspective. Little Owl is small, which is a draw for the families that enroll, as is the program that runs from preschool through the primary and elementary years. There is a close, family feel, with an individual attention to the needs of the students. Likewise, there is an attention to building students’ emotional and social esteem within a values-based environment. The ideal student is one looking for something different, and who will thrive in a hands-on, community based academic environment.
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Central Montessori School – Maplehurst Campus (est. 1995) North York, Ontario Since it was founded in 1995, CMS has grown to include five locations in the GTA. The program is founded on the core ideals that Maria Montessori promoted in her work, those of respect, community, purposeful engagement, and self-directed learning. That said, Montessori didn't create her program as a museum piece, but rather as a starting point, and that's a spirit that CMS upholds as well. Dr. Montessori, as has been said, "adjusted and adapted her educational system to better serve children's needs, and well-functioning Montessori classrooms typically share many features reflecting those adjustments." One of which was, of course, a willingness to adjust and adapt. As such, the CMS program includes, as at the Maplehurst location, a computer lab, a library, and a music room. In all, the focus is very clearly on the child, and supporting child development, which is just as it should be.
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Blyth Academy Downsview Park (est. 2016) North York, Ontario Sam Blyth founded Blyth Academy in an understanding that, as the world changes the needs of students change, and education therefore must to evolve to meet them. Throughout the decades of its life, Blyth Academy has consistently proven its ability to meet that mandate. It began by offering a global curriculum, one that covered the basic literacies as well as collaborative and leadership skills. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar campuses, Blyth Academy Online, launched in 2014, offering asynchronous courses that students can start at any time throughout the calendar year. In response to the COVID crisis, Blyth Academic Orbit added a synchronous virtual school to the offering, bringing all the schedules, teachers, peers and relationships of a traditional academic experience, the only difference being that all was mounted entirely . In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners.
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Newton’s Grove School (est. 1977) Mississauga, Ontario Newton’s Grove began its life in 1977 as the first private school in Mississauga, known then as Mississauga Private School. It soon moved to Etobicoke, though returned to Mississauga in 2015, moving into its permanent location in 2017. The moves are symptomatic of the school’s growth, based in a growing reputation for its academics coupled with a robust athletic program. Values, too, are a draw, with a dedication to promoting respect and responsibility throughout the curricular areas. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a challenging, vibrant, socially oriented environment.
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Prestige School - Toronto Campus (est. 2003) Toronto, Ontario Prestige sets a high bar for its students, academically as well as socially and ethically. The program is designed and delivered to meet the needs of students functioning at the top of their peer groups. There is a close-knit feel within the student body, and an ongoing attention to the needs and development of each student as he or she progresses through the curriculum. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a challenging yet supportive environment and looking to learn within a peer group that consists of like-minded and similarly abled students.
Open Houses
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Cambridge International Academy (est. 2010) Ajax, Ontario Cambridge International Academy is positioned to address a diversity of learners, including those who arrive domestically and those arriving from overseas. Families are drawn to the small class sizes and the individual instruction they allow, as well as the international gaze afforded through working and learning with students from a range of cultural backgrounds and experiences. English language learning and homestay programs support international students. While the academic program is strong, families are also drawn to the focus on interpersonal, emotional, and social development. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a close-knit, challenging environment, and who is preparing for success at university.
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St. John's-Kilmarnock School (est. 1972) Waterloo Region (Breslau), Ontario SJK presents as a very traditional school, an impression granted by the name, the uniforms, the size of the campus. In fact, the school is both younger and more progressive than it might initially seem. Founded in 1972, it has taken all of the more modern educational concepts to heart: small class sizes, student-directed instruction, before- and after-school care from JK to Grade 6, an extensive busing program. The cafeteria menu is even built around locally sourced, non-GMO food. Academically, the program is intended to challenge learners who need to be challenged, and includes IB programs from JK through Grade 12. The intention is to address the whole child, providing strong academic and social support. The school has grown over the years, and is also in the midst of a 5-year development plan, to complete in 2020. While the physical plan is still quite new—it was completed in 1990—the current development is around community and instruction (rather than buildings and infrastructure) including an ongoing dedication to experiential learning, values-based instruction, and 20th century literacies. The ideal student is one operating at the top of his or her peer group, and who can benefit from a vibrant, diverse educational and social environment.
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Scarborough, Ontario Royal Crown is an international school, as reflected both in its programs as well as the student population. Students arriving from overseas can choose to stay within the Royal Crown residence, or homestay with a local family. Supports, such as ESL instruction and levelling are available to those who need it, as well as counselling around visa and travel requirements. There are also extracurricular programs developed with the overseas student very much in mind. Likewise, class sizes are kept small in order to provide opportunities to build instruction around the students’ specific strengths. The ideal student is one looking for a supportive, vibrant international educational experience.
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Crawford Adventist Academy (est. 1953) North York, Ontario Established in 1953, Crawford is committed to the holistic development of our students through academic excellence, spiritual nurture, enhancement of social & physical abilities. With a strong emphasis in music, science and sports, we are a balanced, co-ed family of schools - campus locations in North York (Main JK-12), Pickering (East JK-8) & Brampton (Peel JK-8) - that successfully develops our students to be confident,for post-secondary education, their chosen career path and to remain committed to a lifestyle of service.
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Trinity College School (est. 1865) Port Hope, Ontario Trinity is one of the oldest boarding schools in Canada and, having been founded two years prior to confederation, is indeed older than the country itself. While it looks entirely different than it did when it was founded—there are no original buildings, nor does it sit at the same site as it did in 1865—the core values remain: quality academics with an eye to educating students into positions of social, professional, and political leadership. Academic achievement is highly valued—this is a school, as many will tell you, where it is cool to be smart—though tolerance, personal expression, and consideration of others are equally important. Service is central to the ethos of the school, as underscored by a robust program of service learning managed by a director dedicated to developing opportunities within the local community and beyond. The ideal student is one who responds well to challenge.
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Hatch House Montessori School (est. 2005) Whitby, Ontario The most striking thing about Hatch House, at least initially, is that, yup, it’s a castle. It was built in 1874 by industrialist Nelson Gilbert Reynolds after he sold his previous home, Trafalgar Castle (which, in time, also became home to a prominent private school, Trafalgar Castle School). The name, Hatch House, comes from a later owner, industrialist Frederick Hatch who lived there from 1904 to 1969.
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Trafalgar Castle School (est. 1874) Whitby, Ontario It really is a castle, and the interiors are as striking as the exterior: turrets, arches, wood and stone. The school is also genuinely old, having been founded in 1874, though the building pre-dates the school. Yet, as ever, appearances can be deceiving, or at least can risk being made too much of. Trafalgar administration has, throughout its long history, consistently revised the curriculum and programs with an intention of providing, in a very literal sense, the best the world has to offer. That includes the adoption of the Singapore math and science curricula; Mandarin instruction; and writing instruction based on the program developed at the University of Chicago. A dedication to real-world learning has been built into the curriculum formally through the Beyond the Classroom initiative, which makes use of local resources and expertise, guided by the students' personal curiosities. Trafalgar offers an up-to-date, creative, and intentional program for girls preparing for university.
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Whitby, Ontario Sam Blyth founded Blyth Academy in an understanding that, as the world changes the needs of students change, and education therefore must to evolve to meet them. Throughout the decades of its life, Blyth Academy has consistently proven its ability to meet that mandate. It began by offering a global curriculum, one that covered the basic literacies as well as collaborative and leadership skills. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar campuses, Blyth Academy Online, launched in 2014, offering asynchronous courses that students can start at any time throughout the calendar year. In response to the COVID crisis, Blyth Academic Orbit added a synchronous virtual school to the offering, bringing all the schedules, teachers, peers and relationships of a traditional academic experience, the only difference being that all was mounted entirely . In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners.
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Blyth Academy Waterloo (est. 2016) Kitchener, Ontario Sam Blyth founded Blyth Academy in an understanding that, as the world changes the needs of students change, and education therefore must to evolve to meet them. Throughout the decades of its life, Blyth Academy has consistently proven its ability to meet that mandate. It began by offering a global curriculum, one that covered the basic literacies as well as collaborative and leadership skills. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar campuses, Blyth Academy Online, launched in 2014, offering asynchronous courses that students can start at any time throughout the calendar year. In response to the COVID crisis, Blyth Academic Orbit added a synchronous virtual school to the offering, bringing all the schedules, teachers, peers and relationships of a traditional academic experience, the only difference being that all was mounted entirely . In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners.
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Woodland Christian High School (est. 1976) Breslau, Ontario John van Pelt, the principal at Woodland, is a graduate of the school, and that’s telling. Community is an important aspect of Woodland, and van Pelt, having experienced it both as student and staff, offers a nice continuity to the life of the school. Community, of course, extends to the faith community, including service opportunities within local churches, something that is a primary draw for the families that enroll here. The student population is just north of 300, which is a nice place to be, one that allows a rich program of extra-curricular programming, while also maintaining a small-school, inclusive feel.
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Tall Pines School (est. 1987) Brampton, Ontario Tall Pines isn’t your typical Montessori school, in part because it sees the Montessori approach not as an end in itself, but rather as a starting point. There are lots of things here that Maria Montessori wouldn’t recognize, from school uniforms to 21st century literacies; from a robust athletics program, to a larger, more diverse student body. All of those things are very intentional, and Tall Pines has built its program to be innovative, offering the best of both Montessori and progressive instructional approaches. Administration is aware that they have options, and therefore the students do as well.
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Alder Ridge Academy (est. 2020) Brampton, Ontario There are lots of potential boxes that Montessori schools could tick, and Alder Ridge ticks all of them and then some. The facility is new, built purposefully to house the program, which is a definite plus. Spaces are large, filled with natural light, and designed to allow large group interaction as well as smaller, breakout groups. The playground is well appointed, though delivery of physical education is augmented by an indoor gymnasium and pool. There is a hot lunch program, and a host of co-curriculars. Classes are kept to 15 students in the toddler program, 16 in the Casa, with two instructors each. The focus is on skill mastery through guided play and group inquiry, so is very much a Montessori-plus approach, one that reflects the tradition while bringing in more recent best practices. Summer camps offer opportunities to get a sense of the offering and, for those already enrolled, a chance to extend the experience through the summer months. In all, there’s a lot to love, both for students and parents alike.
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Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. (est. 1984) Oshawa, Ontario Durham was founded in 1984 in order to address learners who are at the top of their peer group and require an enriched program in order to reach their potentials. Families are drawn by the small class sizes—they average between 8 and 12 students—as well as the full grade continuum, from preschool through Grade 12. The nursery and primary levels are taught through a Montessori approach, and while it’s not carried through the upper grades, the values are nevertheless shared throughout the school. Students arrive to an academically inflected environment, and a peer group that shares a predilection to achievement. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a close-knit, challenging yet supportive instructional environment.
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Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS) (est. 1969) Brampton, Ontario RMS was founded in 1969, placing it within the first cohort of Montessori schools in the country. As with those of its vintage, RMS has a long reputation for providing a quality program, one that has a high fidelity with the core aspects of the method. The school has grown to comprise four campuses, allowing for a nice range of resources while also maintaining a close-knit community environment at each location. RMS has also grown into its own identity, one based in adopting new methods and approaches, as appropriate and when sympathetic to the school’s mandate to educate with an eye to achievement and leadership. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a close-knit, challenging, active, and social learning environment. |
NOIC Academy (est. 2004) Markham, Ontario NOIC ACADEMY is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Being a full-time, high end private boarding secondary school, it has offered the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) since 2004. In March, 2015, it was authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to become an IB World School, offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). NOIC ACADEMY is co-inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education and IBO.
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Town Centre Private Schools (est. 1986) Markham, Ontario Town Centre offers the best of many worlds, beginning with a pre-school Montessori program. TCPS is also an IB Continuum World School offering the International Baccalaureate PYP, MYP and DP. The programs run from pre-school through Grade 12, and the student body is on the large end of the private school spectrum, certainly much larger than a majority of the schools nearby. All of that provides a lot of room for the school to develop the curricular and extra-curricular programs. For the families that look to TCPS, those are the things that really catch their eye: dedicated teaching, a broad range of programming, and a clear demonstration of academic strength and innovation. For families enrolling in the earlier years, the fact that the school offers before- and after-care is certainly also a plus; for those of older children, equally welcome is the offering of various after-school programs, including after school courses, tutorials, clubs, and competitive sports. Throughout, TCPS provides a truly unique program—there’s no other school quite like it—one based in an attention to learner-based instruction and collaborative learning, and a vibrant student environment.
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Maranatha Christian Academy (est. 1996) Brampton, Ontario Not all Christian private schools are expressly associated with a specific denomination, or a specific church, but MCA is both: it was founded by the North Park Worship Centre as a means of furthering their work and addressing the needs of their community and congregation. The school retains a fidelity to a close reading of the gospels, something that informs instruction across all curricular areas. The school is close-knit and family oriented, and what it might lack in extracurriculars it gains in a very individual approach to education. Enrollment is open to all, and not limited to the church community, and is particularly attractive to families looking for a school that provides the core curriculum as informed by Christian values.
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Sunrise Montessori School (est. 1988) Markham, Ontario Established in 1988, Sunrise has developed one of the most established and trusted programs in its catchment area. The teaching is strong, and the facilities top-notch. A principle draw for the families that attend is the continuity that Sunrise offers from birth through grade 8. As such, students spend their formative years within a consistent community of care, building meaningful, long-term relationships with instructors and peers. The opportunities for interacting with other age groups is a distinguishing factor of the Montessori approach, and is a key to the Sunrise experience. The school community is a good size, and there are many benefits, including a wide range of programs and activities, including French immersion, an indoor playground, and sports and physical activity. The afterschool programs are rich and varied, including piano, marital arts, and gymnastics, among others. All of that and hot lunches, too. There’s a lot to love, with the experience and expertise of the staff topping the list.
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Somerset Academy (est. 1990) Markham, Ontario Somerset has established its reputation in offering a challenging, supportive academic program to prepare students for success in high school and beyond. The school is small, something that is a primary draw for families looking for a more personal approach to instruction. The core curriculum is augmented by an overt attention to fostering communication and interpersonal engagement. The offering of French and Mandarin language instruction is also a notable draw. The ideal student is one operating toward the top of his or her peer group, who will thrive in a very close-knit, community oriented educational environment, and is able to work effectively through an accelerated curriculum.
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Yip’s Music & Montessori School (est. 1990) Unionville, Ontario Music can be a powerful thing, and Yip’s has created its program around that understanding. Benefits include social, creative, and cognitive development, and Yip’s uses it as a basis for delivering the Ontario curriculum. The use of the Montessori method provides some nice overlap, including a foundation in the core Montessori values of empathy and respect. Yip’s has grown to occupy four locations since the first was opened in 1990. As such the school has a deceptive range and breadth of instructional resources—while each location feels close-knit, the school is effectively quite large. That said, the lived experience for students is one of participation within a small, familiar, safe, and comfortable community of learners.
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Trillium School (est. 1991) Markham, Ontario Trillium, in some senses, hits the sweet spot in terms of size: it’s small enough to maintain an intimate, student-centred feel, yet large enough to have a robust program of extra-curricular activities. The Montessori focus in the early years carries over somewhat into the middle and upper grades, most evident in the attention to community and a sense of belonging within the school family. While the academic program is proven, the community of the school is also an important draw. Instruction is challenging, yet supportive, and cast within a global lens, perhaps most evident within the language programs offered. The ideal student is one looking for something different, able to thrive in a diverse academic atmosphere, and preparing to enter university.
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Toronto District Christian High School (est. 1963) Woodbridge, Ontario TDChristian was founded in 1960, and the school has grown considerably over the years. Throughout has been an abiding attention to stewardship within the school community and beyond. Service trips are a cornerstone of the curriculum, and that tone is set from the first week in Grade 9, with all students spending two days working with organizations supporting the city’s homeless population—TDChristian has partnerships with the Yonge Street Mission, Scott Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Church of the Redeemer, Good Shepherd Centre, St. Francis’ Table, and the Salvation Army. Of course that’s just one aspect of the program, though it’s telling of the approach taken within the school. The families that turn to the school often do so in an awareness of the character learning that is woven throughout the curricular and extracurricular programs. Despite the age of the school, all the facilities have been recently updated, including the integration of technology in the classroom. That process is continuing with a capital and development campaign that is currently underway. The ideal student is one who will thrive in an active, diverse, values-based learning environment.
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Brampton, Ontario Ontario eSecondary School (OES) is an accredited online high school with Ontario Certified Teachers (OCT) and quality courses that lead to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. We offer free 24/7 online tutoring with enrolment and ensure your experience is filled with success by being responsive and available. Registration is open year-round and students can complete courses in as quickly as 4 weeks or as long as 12 months. With affordable online learning we are a trusted source for Grade 9 to 12 credits.
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Vaughan, Ontario Delano was founded in 2014 with the mandate of providing a very forward looking approach to the early and elementary years. The focus is on collaboration, 21st century literacies, and allowing students to grow into an international, empathetic understanding of the world and their place within it. The core competencies are delivered, as is a sense of how they relate to who we are and what we’re able to achieve. The fact that the school also has an active cadet corps underscores the uniqueness of the offering. The ideal student is one operating toward the top of his or her peer group, and able to thrive in vibrant, active, socially engaging learning environment.
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King Heights Academy (est. 2004) Woodbridge, Ontario Parents are drawn to King Heights principally by its reputation for delivering high-quality academics. Not all schools perhaps have the same working definition for quality, though King Heights, in many ways, presents the most sound: challenging, collaborative, creative, and active. While not all students are required to enroll within it, the IB program provides a foundation for the life of the school that is inclusive of the values of global, linguistic, and cultural diversity. Also notable is a willingness to continually evaluate best practices, combining elements of traditional curriculum delivery with innovative tools and approaches. The culture of the school is one based in an empathetic world view, with parents and extended family welcome to participate actively in the school community.
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Our Lady of the Pillar Academy (est. 2012) Strathroy, Ontario The mission of Our Lady of the Pillar Academy is to support parents in fulfilling their role as the primary educators of their children by providing a classically inspired education faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church. We endeavor to inspire students to grow in wisdom and virtue seeking all that is good, true and beautiful. Together we strive to help students to realize more fully their baptismal call to bring Christ to the world and become saints.
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TMS (est. 1961) Richmond Hill, Ontario TMS was founded by Helma Trass, who learned the instructional approach from Maria Montessori herself. Trass was at the leading edge of Montessori education in Canada, and the school is, today, home to one of the longest running programs of its kind in the country. The elementary program that she began remains vital today, and it retains her dedication to the core ideals of the Montessori method. With the addition of middle and high-school programs, the school grew to become one of the largest Montessori programs in North America. The rebranding, from the initial Toronto Montessori Schools, to the acronym TMS, was adopted along with the growth of the school into the upper Grades. While the program is continuous, it is divided between two campuses, with preschool through Grade 6 taught at the Bayview campus, and Grades 7 through 12 at the Elgin Mills campus, which was opened in 2009. That campus is also home to the IB program, one that further extends an already impressive breadth of instruction.
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Wesley Christian Academy (est. 1988) Markham, Ontario Not all Christian schools are created the same, and Wesley is one that builds from the values of the Christian faith, using them to inform the delivery of the curriculum and the lived experience of the school. The school began as a pre-school program in 1988 and has grown since then, including a move into an expanded facility in 2004. Today the size of the school is at the mean for Canada, with approximately 350 students. It’s small enough to maintain a close, connected feel throughout the school, while large enough to allow for a full spectrum of curricular and extra-curricular programming. Families who enroll here are drawn by the strength of the academic offering, the breadth of programming, and the attention to personal and interpersonal development.
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J. Addison School (est. 2002) Markham, Ontario J. Addison School was founded in 2002 to serve both local and international students. The facilities are modern and extensive, including boarding and support programs designed with the needs of international students specifically in mind. The school is lead by alumni of York University, and the partnership between the institutions has grown over the years, including unique scholarships and internships. That relationship will presumably continue to grow with the completion of the York University-Markham Centre Campus. Lee Vendetti, principal at J. Addison has said, “This partnership offers all the key players in both institutions an opportunity to share expertise and resources that will make the transition to university and the working world a smoother and more meaningful experience.” The ideal student is one who will thrive in a challenging, academically oriented, international environment, and who is intending to continue to post-secondary education in Canada.
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Peoples Christian Academy (PCA) (est. 1971) Markham, Ontario There is a great range of approach within Christian education, from those that have chapel in the morning and little more, to those that weave Christian teaching and principles throughout the curriculum and the life of the school. PCA is very much the latter, a place where Christianity informs the entire school experience, and the delivery and the content of the curriculum. This is the school for students for whom the veracity of their faith is tantamount to who they are and the way the wish to learn; faith and fidelity to scripture are at the fore within PCA. The strength of the academic program is evident through decades of academic success. The school is on the larger side of the mean in Canada, and the benefits of that size are seen in the breadth of curricular and extracurricular programs that are on offer. The ideal student is one who is able to thrive in a challenging environment, and who is preparing to advance to university.
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Elton Academy (est. 2016) Richmond Hill, Ontario Our commitment at Elton Academy is to provide a safe and intellectually stimulating environment that will empower students to become innovative thinkers, creative problem solvers and inspired learners. We are devoted to providing students with an educational experience that will allow them to reach their full potential. High standards of achievement and expectations for each student in regard to academic performance, participation, and responsible citizenship are the foundation of our school.
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Brampton Christian School (est. 1977) Caledon, Ontario BCS was founded in 1977 by the Kennedy Road Tabernacle and was initially known as KRT Christian School. It’s grown since, and the name was changed to reflect the school’s non-denominational perspective, though the school is now, just as it has always been, a part of the KRT ministry. Bob Boshart became principal in 1982 and over the next 26 years he consistently lead the development of the programs, accreditation, and the expansion into the upper grades. That said, the development has been very much guided by the school community, and the involvement of the families who have enrolled past and present is a great source of strength for the school. A fairly recent and substantial capital campaign has brought the school to where it is today, with a renewed infrastructure and a full complement of up-to-date instructional resources. Families are drawn to the reputation that the school has gained over its life, as well as a program based in the values of the Christian faith.
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Saratoga Private School (est. 2020) Woodbridge, Ontario Saratoga seeks to create a challenging learning environment that encourages high expectations for success. Using strategic teaching methods, we make learning fun. Within a caring and supportive environment, there is a focus on the development of students' self-esteem, fostered through positive student and staff relationships, and open communication with parents as partners. Our goal is to develop courageous and self-confident children with leadership skills they can apply to any activity or project in the future.
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Foundations For Success (est. 2019) Richmond Hill, Ontario We believe that students are best prepared for success in high school, postsecondary education and beyond when they develop the skills needed to thrive in today's knowledge driven world. We work with students towards their personal and professional goals through a student led, teacher supported model. The digital classroom allows teachers and students to work 1-on-1 towards mastery of concepts, skills and personalized learning objectives. We combine the best of the in person and online learning experiences.
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Toronto Waldorf School (est. 1968) Thornhill, Ontario Not all Waldorf programs are created the same, and the Toronto Waldorf School is a great example of that. As every school, it has a character of its own, a product of the community it serves. It offers a full preschool through Grade 12 program, throughout displaying a commitment to active learning, process over product, and cross-curricular, collaborative learning. Families that enroll typically are also attracted by an overt attention to ethics, environmental stewardship, interpersonal values, and the encouragement of individual expression. While the curriculum is strong, it’s often that values piece that tips the balance. The ideal student is one who will thrive in an interactive learning environment that builds from the students' talents, interests, and curiosities.
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Trinity Montessori School (est. 1999) Markham, Ontario Founded in 1999, TMS has developed a reputation for offering a strong academic program that maintains a high fidelity to the core of the Montessori approach as demonstrated by CCMA accreditation. The program is regularly assessed through certification and EQAO testing, and families are drawn by the keen attention to the development of core numeracy, literacy, and early exposure to French. The size of the school hits a bit of a sweet spot, allowing for a full range of curricular and extracurricular programming, while also maintaining a close, personal, community-oriented feel. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a hands-on, social, challenging yet supportive academic environment.
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Vaughan College Private School (est. 2009) Vaughan, Ontario Vaughan College was founded in 2009 in order to provide a vibrant, robust preparation for success in post-secondary studies. The core academics are key, as they should be, though so is an attention to facility in their application, within specific disciplines, and as applied across the curriculum. The student body is smaller than the mean, allowing a very close-knit learning environment with a high level of teacher-student engagement. The atmosphere itself is a draw, one in which social currency is gained in part through academic achievement—all students arrive academically oriented, and therefore enter a community of learners that are all of a like mind. The program seeks to develop values as well as a global perspective, which is also a draw. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a challenging learning environment, and able to grow into a sense of responsibility for their learning.
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Unionville Montessori Private Schools (est. 1987) Unionville, Ontario Unionville offers everything you would rightly expect from a Montessori education, including casa classrooms and group arts and music instruction, which provide opportunities for hands-on learning and the development of natural peer and mentor relationships. The program also builds from that foundation, including a significant and enthusiastic adoption of in-class technology. That aspect of the school is integrated nicely within with more traditional aspects of the method, becoming a natural extension of the approach that Maria Montessori described a century ago. The school is larger than we might initially expect of a Montessori program, though the benefits of size include a breadth of curricular and extra-curricular programming. Families that enroll here are those that prize the Montessori approach, though are also looking for something more. Indeed, that’s exactly what they find.
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Toronto High School (est. 1997) Richmond Hill, Ontario Toronto High School is an inspected, accredited private high school, offering quality education to domestic & international students, in-class and online, at 2 campuses. In-class courses are offered in small size classes which grant students a better opportunity to excel in their studies. Our online school is available on a continuous intake, year-round. Experienced OCT teachers and knowledgeable staff are focused on providing personalized guidance and assistance to students enabling them to reach their goals.
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Richmond Hill Montessori Private School (est. 1986) Richmond Hill, Ontario RHMS was established in 1986, and has grown considerably over the years to where it sits now with an annual student population of 600. That’s big in the world of private schooling, particularly given that the program only covers preschool through Grade 8. Size can be a strength, to be sure, and Richmond Hill is a prime example of that. The program is broad and deep, with extensive curricular and extracurricular offerings. The campus has been developed throughout the life of the school, and today is an example, in every way, of how good a facility school can be, both aesthetically and practically. Classroom appointments are up to date throughout, including in-class technology that incorporates a full range of instructional devices and applications. All resources are applied in sympathy with the core program of the school and the values that undergird it. And, despite the size of the student population as a whole, the segmentation of the primary and elementary programs, in consort with the low student to teacher ratios, the lived experience of the school is quite close-knit and personal. Over the past three decades plus RHMS has done a lot, and in all the right ways, and the school certainly lives up to its reputation.
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Royal Cachet Montessori School (est. 2006) Markham, Ontario Montessori can mean different things to different people, and programs and facilities can vary between schools. That said, if you knew very little about what Montessori is, Royal Cachet may well reflect the image that you would have in your mind. The school operates out of a dedicated building, purpose built to house the Royal Cachet program. That's a plus. Within it the administration seeks to provide a setting and a model of instruction that remains very close to the intentions and techniques outlined by Maria Montessori. This is very much the school for those looking for a very traditional, dedicated, consistent application of the Montessori method. The ideal student is one who thrives in a play-based, constructivist learning environment.
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Prestige School - Richmond Hill Campus (est. 2003) Richmond Hill, Ontario Prestige sets a high bar for its students, academically as well as socially and ethically. The program is designed and delivered to meet the needs of students functioning at the top of their peer groups. There is a close-knit feel within the student body, and an ongoing attention to the needs and development of each student as he or she progresses through the curriculum. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a challenging yet supportive environment and looking to learn within a peer group that consists of like-minded and similarly abled students.
Open Houses
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Nancy Campbell Academy (est. 1994) Stratford, Ontario Founded in 1994, Nancy Campbell Academy is a preparatory school intending to provide a strong academic program, a foundation in character development, and to deliver students prepared to succeed in university. Gordon Naylor, the founder, remains as principal, giving valuable consistency to leadership. Over that time, curriculum was developed to address the overarching concepts of world citizenship, consistent with the provisions of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It can risk sounding lofty, though the school works to ground those ideals within the day to day. “If we can create an environment that is based in an ethical way of doing things,” says Naylor, “then we can demonstrate what we’re about, rather than just posting something on the wall saying this is what we’d like to be.” Certainly, reports from students, parents, and alumni vouch for the success of the approach. Students are encouraged not just to consider the concepts of ethical citizenship, but to think about what they, personally, can bring to the world. Academic achievement is a source of social capital within the setting; this is a place where it’s very much cool to be smart, engaged, and curious. The student body is diverse, and the program is designed specifically to address the needs of international learners arriving from overseas. The program, in turn, is strengthened by the breadth of and diversity of perspectives that they bring with them. The size of the student population—enrolment averages 80 students across the secondary grades—ensures that every member is known to faculty and peers, and feels part of the school community.
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Century Private School (est. 1994) Richmond Hill, Ontario Century began its life in 1994 when Sybil Taylor founded the Montessori school. The program has grown considerably since then, and in a variety of ways, most notably with the development of the high school program. The school is housed within a heritage building that provides a welcome sense of place and purpose. While the middle and high school programs perhaps venture away from the core of the Montessori method, they nevertheless retain a sense of community, hands-on learning, and peer support. The ideal student is one that can thrive within a challenging academic environment, and who is preparing for success at university.
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Holy Trinity School (est. 1981) Richmond Hill, Ontario Since it was founded in 1981, Holy Trinity School has sought to promote the values—respect for self and others, strength of character, encouragement, and insight—that are expressed by the Anglican tradition. Families are drawn to the student-centred instruction, the community feel, the dedication to academic development and innovation, as well as the school’s proximity to green space. The program is designed to reward curiosity, and to develop well-rounded learners who are adept and engaged in a broad range of literacies. The ideal student is one who will thrive within an academically challenging environment, as well as one that is intellectually, culturally, and philosophically diverse.
Open Houses
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Richland Academy (est. 2002) Richmond Hill, Ontario Richland is a Reggio Emilia inspired school, though the administration historically hasn’t been afraid to innovate and put their own spin on things. One example is the house system around which the community of the school is organized. It’s emblematic of the culture of care, and the house names—Suzuki, Fox, and Keilburger—are emblematic as well. Those things hint at an undercurrent of service and engagement that runs through the culture of the school. The instructional programs are strong, but often it’s that culture/values piece that is also a primary draw.
Open Houses
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Toronto French Montessori (est. 2000) Stouffville, Ontario TFMS is unique in that it provides language immersion beginning in the early years, and that it does so within a Montessori setting. What makes the program even more unique is that it does all of that through a Christian lens, bringing spiritual awareness and growth into the core of the program. The community of the school is small and close-knit, and parental involvement is welcome, something which is also an important draw for the families that enroll here. Ultimately, TFMS has a lot to offer, and it’s the combination of those offerings that make the school so unique. Yes, academics are important, just as they should be, but TFMS intends to deliver students into their high school years confident in their ability, their relationships with others, and their place in the world.
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Albert College (est. 1857) Belleville, Ontario When Albert College was founded, British North America was a group of colonies—confederation was still decades away—and Prince Albert, for who the school is named, was still alive. The college has had, clearly, a very long life, something that grants a unique life to the school and a unique perspective on learning. When students study WWII, for example, they learn about Lloyd George Bishop, an alumni who was killed in action in the first full year of that war. When they gather at the holidays, they sing the “Boar’s Head Carol,” just as their predecessors have done for, literally, more than a century. Yes, those are just details, but what they suggest to students can be quite galvanizing, namely that they are participating in something far larger than themselves. Moreover, the school, throughout its life, has remained at the leading edge of education in the country—when it was founded, it was co-ed, which was unusual for the time—offering a robust liberal arts education, with a focus on citizenship and character, preparing students for post-secondary study. Classes are small, the feel is close knit. More than ever, the school attracts a diverse student population, drawn from across Canada and around the world. The campus is very well appointed, with access to outdoor athletics and recreational spaces, and host to a long list of co-curricular activities. In every way, there's a lot to love.
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Academy for Gifted Children - P.A.C.E. (est. 1993) Richmond Hill, Ontario The PACE program was developed with gifted students in mind, based in an understanding of what they share—overall ability—as well as what they don't, such as specific talents, interests, and curiosities. The term of art is differentiated programming, though it's a term that can easily lend itself to misunderstanding. It doesn't mean that different students proceed through the curricula at different rates or are each given separate tasks based on their individual abilities. Rather, within a differentiated program all students proceed at the same pace through the material, while instructors provide multiple entry points that address the needs of individual students within the class. The ideal student is one who has been identified as gifted, and who requires challenge in order to succeed in academic work.
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Applewood Academy for Progressive Learning (est. 2001) Belleville, Ontario Every private school exists to meet the needs of a specific set of learners, which is something that on the whole differentiates private education from the public system. And in that sense, you can’t find a better example than Applewood. It isn’t the right school for all students, but for a specific set of students—principally ones that require therapeutic support and individual learning programs—it is unequalled. When students arrive at Applewood they find themselves in an environment in which they are at the centre of the program, not somewhere ancillary to that. They also find a staff that is expert in their needs, and can envision their path to success. It’s a great school, and a great story. The ideal student is the one who is struggling elsewhere, and who can benefit from a dedicated, empathetic, specialized environment.
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Villanova College (est. 1999) King City, Ontario Villanova was founded in 1999 on property that is home to the Mary Lake Augustinian Monastery. Today the school operates independent of the order, in terms of finances and leadership, though shares the values of service and charity. While the school is understandably a draw for families looking for a school delivering the curriculum through a Catholic lens, it also attracts those from surrounding communities who, apart from religious observance, share those foundational values. The school is relatively young, though has established a strong academic and athletic reputation in a short time. The school also has set standards for online communication, and the use of technology in instruction and assessment. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a challenging, active student environment.
Open Houses
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The Montessori Country School (est. 1988) Nobleton, Ontario The country school tradition is based in creating learning spaces that are inflected with some rural ideals—quiet, collaborative, community based, and including an interface with nature—that are reflected well within the MCS setting. Families are drawn to the community of the school, one that is small enough to allow students to know each other, and for parents to know each other as well. MCS also faithfully reflects the core of the Montessori tradition, including learning through hands-on manipulation and multi-age classrooms. In all of that, there’s a lot to like, including well-appointed classrooms and outdoor learning spaces.
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The Country Day School (est. 1972) King, Ontario The Country Day School (CDS) began, literally, over a dinner one evening in 1971. The region was in the process of amalgamating schools, which meant that students who had been attending local schools would be bussed to larger, more suburban ones. That didn’t sit well, in part because of the bussing involved, but also because of the sense of community that students had and, presumably, would lose by going to schools further afield. Seven families decided to do something about it, to take things into their own hands, and to build a school that would continue what had been developed in the rural, country schools that their children had been attending. (The name refers to that, as well as to the country day school movement that had been developing in the US since the late 19th century, with a period of renewed growth in the 1960s and 70s.) They didn’t have any experience building a school, but they turned to those who did, including Dick Howard, then head of Upper Canada College. “You’ve got to get a feel for the community,” was Howard’s advice, “who’s in it and how they perceive education.” And, for the next two years, that’s exactly what they did, speaking with families, and building a conceptual outline for what the school could be.
When CDS opened its doors in 1972, it was, in every way, an expression of the community that created it. The school has grown since then—enrollment has grown from 49 in that first year to over 700 today—and the community it sits within has grown and changed, too. Nevertheless, the school remains very much an expression of the families that turn to it. The size of the school allows for a very rich, robust extra-curricular program, and students are gently required to experience all aspects of it. The physical plant of the school has been significantly augmented through a recent and very sizable capital campaign. The core program continues to be underwritten by the values that the founding families intended to express, namely a sense of belonging, empathy, inclusion, and respect. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a vibrant, diverse, student-centred environment.
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Caledon, Ontario The King’s program was designed to meet the needs of students who are, academically, at the very top of their peer group. It’s challenging, though it also doesn’t shirk from some of the basics that get short shrift elsewhere, such as mental math, grammar, and vocabulary. Explicit attention is also given to higher order skills and attributes, such as interpersonal relations, communication, self-reflection, confidence, and leadership. The intention is to graduate students who aren’t simply primed to succeed at university, but to excel there, blazing a trail through to a satisfying and fulfilled professional life. The students at King’s have many gifts, though they need support, too, including a sense of belonging within a context that recognizes and values their interests and abilities.
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Aurora Preparatory Academy (est. 1979) Aurora, Ontario We all want to go where everyone knows our name, and while there is a strong academic program at APA, that sense of place is one of the primary draws for the families that enroll here. Students are known throughout the school, and their successes are routinely recognized, shared, and celebrated. For many students, that in itself can provide a transformative learning experience. The community of the school actively includes the parents and siblings of the students who attend, something that brings a welcome warmth and familiarity to the lived experience of the school. The size of the school also allows for faculty to approach each student individually, providing appropriate challenge and support to ensure that all reach their academic and social potentials. The ideal student is one who will thrive in a close-knit, personal, challenging academic setting. |
Aurora Montessori School (est. 1989) Aurora, Ontario AMS is a Montessori school, though in many ways it exceeds the expectations that parents might have of what a Montessori education offers. The programs are hands-on, community based, though the academic environment is large, both in terms of physical space and student population. As such the extra-curricular programs are robust, including sports as well as a fully development music program that includes group and individual instruction. Those things, in themselves, are a draw for many families. The grounds are extensive, with a porous interface between interior and outdoor learning spaces. The amphitheater is impressive, and likewise is a symbol of the school’s dedication to outdoor and environmental education. In all of that, the school’s name can risk being misleading. AMS isn’t your average Montessori school. It offers broad curricular and extracurricular programs, strong academics, and an overt attention to emotional and social development through the elementary grades.
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St. Andrew's College (est. 1899) Aurora, Ontario The program at St. Andrew’s has long been distinguished by a high rate of success, with the list of notable alumni providing an abbreviated who’s who of Canadian arts, letters, politics, and entrepreneurship. While Dr. Bruce Macdonald left the headmastership in 1935, the culture of the school, even today, remains very much an expression of his vision. This in part due to the fact that in a lot of ways he was well ahead of his time. For example, he was the first boys-school headmaster in Canada to hire a female instructor, something he did in 1905. Macdonald wanted the school to develop “the complete man, the well-rounded citizen”—athletics and arts, in addition to academics, were vigorously promoted. What’s interesting is that, even with those sorts of very progressive ideals, Macdonald was also very keen on tradition, something that he used to give students a sense of being part of something bigger than themselves. While there are a few schools that retain their cadet corps, St. Andrew’s is the one that has retained it entirely intact, with military ranks, pipes and drums, kilts and sporrans all firmly still in place. St. Andrews completed a substantial capital campaign in 2015 which included the creation of athletics facilities as well as the Wirth Theatre. All of that, as well all the development over the century of the school’s life, has created a school that is strikingly modern, while retaining a sense of participation in tradition. It’s a nice mix. The ideal student is one given to making the most of the varied programs on offer.
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St. Peter's ACHS College School (est. 1990) Harrow, Ontario St. Peter’s was founded in order to address a very specific kind of learner: active boys. There’s a hockey player in the school logo, though the athletic program is certainly not limited to that, nor is St. Peter’s intended as a hockey school. That program is strong, though the athletics here range in ways that you’d not typically expect in a school of this size. The focus is on physical health, and modelling a physically active lifestyle. Those programs, too, are intended to create a space in which boys are more apt to apply themselves to core academics, and the success of the school for the parents who enroll their children here is based there. It’s an atmosphere in which boys, often, will achieve a higher success in academics than they would in a more traditional educational setting. The school was founded in 1990, and has had a few locations since then, though in 2014 moved into its current facility. Values, too, are promoted, and the curriculum is taught through the lens of Catholic faith. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a very active, challenging, and team-oriented academic environment.
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Country Garden Montessori Academy (est. 1995) Newmarket, Ontario When Maria Montessori began designing the method that would eventually bear her name, she was charting some very new and controversial territory. In contrast to rote learning, or treating children like miniature adults, she felt that children were people too, with their own lives to live. Today those ideas aren’t at all controversial, and indeed much of the things that Montessori was doing then have found their way into all early childhood learning environments, as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. They include the right to play, to follow their curiosity, to grow and develop in a healthy way with kind, caring support. Not all environments deliver those things equally, with some doing it much better than others, and CGMA is certainly one of them. The school site itself is a great strength of the school, with green space offering a buffer from the world around, and allowing for a very clear understanding of place. When children arrive, they find themselves in a familiar, caring, vibrant, and entirely sympathetic environment. That’s important, as Maria Montessori knew, then, and which we know even better today. The programs are progressive, with lots of intergenerational interaction, something furthered by the scope of the school from preschool through Grade 12. There is a great fidelity to the hallmarks of the Montessori method, which is a draw for many families, the most important being a sense of respect, and for accepting children for the people that they are, and allowing them to grow and develop comfortably into a sense of themselves and the place they hold in the world.
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Pickering College (est. 1842) Newmarket, Ontario Pickering College was founded as the West Lake Seminary by Quakers in 1842 and, as you might expect, has had a long and interesting history since. Canada became a dominion, the school amalgamated, some buildings burned down, others were built up. It began as a co-ed school, something unique at the time, and as such provided an expression of the Quaker ideal that both sexes should be educated equally. It was also the first school in North America to offer a course in typewriting, symbolic of the school's desire to encorporate new ideas and technologies, and to educate students with an eye to the world they would enter upon graduation. Times of course have changed, though certainly many of the values that the school upholds today reflect those with which it was founded, including a desire to embrace new ideas and to support a diversity of interest. The ideal student is one who will thrive in a supportive yet challenging academic environment.
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Orangeville Christian School (est. -1979) Orangeville, Ontario Orangeville Christian School was founded in 1979, so has a long history and experience in the region. For the families that turn to it, Orangeville checks all the boxes and then some: small classes, student-centred learning, instruction guided by Christian values. Interdenominational, the catchment area is broad, served by a comprehensive busing program, bringing together a unique community of learners around shared goals and shared perspectives. The school delivers the provincial curriculum though with a noted “plus,” namely a prominent set of learning outcomes based in Christian teaching, values, and ministry expectations. A dedication to expeditionary learning augments a hands-on approach, rooting the academic delivery in authentic experiences. The current facilities are relatively new, the school having moved to the site a few years ago. Spaces are sparkling and up to date, including movable classroom furniture to accommodate everything from large group to small group to tutorial styles of instruction. Also notable is the sympathetic integration of technology. The campus includes ample indoor and outdoor space for play and physical education, with a well-appointed gym central within the building. Parents regularly report a high satisfaction with the student experience, particularly an attention to community, character education, and high levels of student engagement in all areas of school life. A robust before and after school program, S.H.A.R.E., is also appreciated.
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The Maples Academy (est. 1989) Amaranth, Ontario The Maples was founded in 1989 in order to provide a strong core program in the junior and elementary grades, and that remains the draw for parents today. The school is small, with an annual enrollment of 100 students, allowing for a very personal, individual approach to instruction. It was purchased in 2014 by the owner of St. Jude’s and Oakwood, and benefits through the association, including becoming an IB candidate school. Parents are drawn by the strength of the academic program as well as that of the arts offerings, including a robust instrumental music program. Parents are welcome to be involved in the life of the school, and communication between parents and faculty is direct and frequent. The school was founded to provide a welcome alternative to the public offerings in the area, and it’s been happily living up to that mandate for nearly three decades.
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Windsor, Ontario A21 extends far beyond the Ontario Curriculum with relevant, entrepreneurial, integrated assignments that provide deeply purposeful learning. Individualized academic plans ensure NCAA eligibility and a breadth of human determinant skills necessary to thrive. Our students take ownership of their academic, athletic and life goals and reverse engineer a fully actualized life. Natural strengths are leveraged to spark innate drive and confidence. Athletics Include: Jr Golf Travel Team, U18 & U16 National Prep Hockey
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Lakefield College School (est. 1879) Lakefield, Ontario The first thing that people typically know about Lakefield is that the King of Spain studied here. And, truth be known, he did. That said, the reality of the school isn't perhaps of the sort that we might feel would attract a royal gaze. Lakefield is set in a rural setting, and while academics are strong, there is also a focus on physical activity and outdoor education as a vehicle for the development of interpersonal and leadership skills. As a result, students are more likely to be found on the ropes course or at the hockey rink than in quiet contemplation at tea time. Academics are rigorous, though lifestyle is, too, often creating a heightened level of engagement. Alumni, including royalty, conspicuously retain a very personal connection to the ongoing life of the school.
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Virtual High School (est. 2001) Bayfield, Ontario There are many things that online instruction can offer that other schools simply can’t, including distance learning and remediation. Stephen Baker began developing the concept of the Virtual High School in 1995 with that in mind, and VHS gained accreditation—with it the ability to confer the OSSGD—in 2002. Courses can be started at any point, and students are able to work through the material at their own pace. There are many opportunities for interaction and collaboration with other students and instructors. At the end of the day, it’s a unique approach, and it has proven itself with a range of learners with a range of academic purposes.
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Barrie Area, Ontario Venture Academy was founded in 2000 by Gordon Hay in order to provide support for students who, for a range of reasons, weren’t thriving within traditional academic settings. Hay had worked with teens in outpatient and resident treatment settings, as well as within corrections programs. He is the first to say that so many of the stories he has heard over the years are heartbreaking, and the impact of so many of those stories has been profound. That said, while he perhaps doesn’t use the term, he created Venture as an atmosphere of hope—a place of understanding, including the understanding that positive change can be made. It’s about working with the individual, but it’s also about working with families—communication is open, and support is provided. It’s an impressive model, evident in the success that Venture has had over the years. There are now locations in Kelowna, BC, Red Deer, Alberta, and Barrie, Ontario, though Venture extends well beyond the bricks and mortar, and operates today as an umbrella organization, bringing together expertise, parents, and teens. The goal isn’t to silo teens, but rather to provide the kind of care, support, and understanding needed to help overcome the challenges they face.
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Fulford Academy (est. 2002) Brockville, Ontario International education can mean different things in different contexts. Some educate students to adopt a global view. Others, as with Fulford Academy, it’s the student population that brings the international flavor, arriving from around the world, often with the intention of staying in Canada to complete their high school and post-secondary careers. The school communicates with families in 11 languages, something which is very key, and very welcome, for many of them. Cultural literacy is a focus, as is proficiency in English. For some, Fulford is a stepping stone other schools, though students are of course welcome to stay through the completion of their high school degrees, as indeed many do. The ideal student is a one intending to pursue post-secondary education in Canada, and who is also looking for a smaller, more personalized setting in which to get up to speed with the various fluencies they will need in order to achieve success.
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Chamberlain International School (est. 1976) Middleboro, Massachusetts(USA) Chamberlain offers a lot, to be sure, though it’s perhaps easy to understate the value of an understanding, inclusive environment. Educator Mary MacCracken wrote that “children can’t begin to learn until they feel safe, and they can’t feel safe until they are honestly and completely accepted.” For many if not all of the students that enroll at Chamberlain, that’s huge. The school supports, diagnostically and academically, learners with a wide range of academic and emotional challenges. What they all share, however, is a lived experience of exceptionality—the world can be a hard place, and these children, whether they articulate it or not, know that better than most. At Chamberlain they find a place which addresses their capabilities, is cognizant of their potentials, and where instruction is based in a very close understanding of their specific needs. Many will go on to post-secondary education, though the principle aim is to allow students to grow into a better understanding of themselves, their place in the world, and to build on their personal strengths.
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Merrick Preparatory School (est. 2012) Merrickville, Ontario Merrick Preparatory School is one of those hidden gems of the academic world. Housed in an historical inn, nestled within a smaller Ontario town, it has all the benefits of being small as well all the benefits of being proximate to some of nation’s most prominent urban centres and a wealth of notable post-secondary institutions. The school is positioned to support the needs specific to students arriving from overseas, including ESL support and university placement services. The academic program is firmly focused on preparing students for success at university in North America. So, it checks all of the important academic boxes and then some. There’s also a sense that learning isn’t only about what we take away from the experience, but also who we are while we’re here; how we spend our days is how we spend our lives, and students at Merrick spend their days in a spotless, beautiful setting alongside mentors and peers who share the experience with them. It’s one of those schools that is so charming, inviting, and personal, that you just want to sit and stay. As such, it’s a particular draw for students arriving in Canada looking for an authentic experience of the life and culture of the country. It’s a school designed for students to feel known within, and to feel rooted and at home. It succeeds in all of that.
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Dewey Institute (est. 2016) Bracebridge, Ontario At Dewey, we focus on the success of each individual student; offering "Special Education", "Youth Scientists" and "Arts" programs to help best accommodate each students needs. Dewey aims to foster a diverse, multicultural learning environment, with staff from various backgrounds, that enables students to interact with individuals from all walks of life. Dewey students develop their independent problem-solving and collaboration skills to strike a perfect balance between independent work and teamwork.
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Thetford Academy (est. 1819) Thetford, Vermont(USA) Thetford Academy is delightful in so many ways it’s hard to know quite where to start. Founded in 1819, it’s the oldest secondary school in Vermont, and has been coed since it first opened its doors. The location, charmingly, was chosen in order to allow students a chance to study in a location described at the time as “remarkably healthy, and free from business, excitement, and every temptation.” While finding a place apart from the real world is certainly no longer a goal—the school is very much an international one in light of its curricular gaze and student population—many of the founding values remain. That includes a dedication to the liberal arts, a rigorous delivery, and a commitment to diversity of thought, perspective, and experience. Instruction today reflects the best practices or our time, with experiential learning, cross-curricular investigation, and a focus on relationships (peer to peer; instructor to student) as the basis of instruction. The campus is extensive, and with a recent purchase of an additional parcel of land adjacent to the main property, has direct access to State Forest. Much, rightly, is made of those outdoor resources, including recreation, physical education, and outdoor instruction. There’s also a maple sugar shack. Again, it’s a stellar setting that hosts a world-class program, just as it’s been doing for more than two centuries.
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Ottawa Christian School (est. 1966) Ottawa, Ontario The academic program is proven and strong, though the families that enrol are drawn particularly by the values that underwrite the delivery of the curriculum. The school has a much longer history in the region that the building itself suggests. While the current location was completed in 2010, the school was founded in 1958, receiving provincial charter in 1966. The school has grown over the years, adapting to new forms of instruction as any school of similar pedigree would, while remaining true to the initial mandate to recognize and encourage the diversity of talents and abilities within the student body. The student population is on the smaller side, which the students appreciate, allowing a heightened sense of place within the school community. Students arrive from a wide catchment area, joining others of similar academic aspirations while growing their understanding of Christ’s purpose.
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Kanata Montessori (est. 1974) Kanata, Ontario Kanata Montessori School is a relatively new school, but was created to extend and build upon the success of the primary and elementary program at Kanata Montessori School over the past four decades. The program has been designed to support learners seeking university acceptance, and to be successful once they arrive there. The environment is small and close-knit, though very much a part of the larger community that includes Kanata Montessori. On enrollment students enter an environment of true peers, namely those who which to excel academically, and who thrive within a creative, cooperative, and challenging learning environment. A hallmark of the Kanata Montessori School is the intention to develop students’ facility with the core material, as well as confidence in an ability to communicate it and work effectively with others, encouraging them to take leadership roles within the school and beyond.
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Rosseau Lake College (est. 1967) Rosseau, Ontario Rosseau Lake is a small school—the student body, including both boarding and day students, sits at just shy of 100 students. Located on a lake in Muskoka, for many students, there is a lot to get excited about. It’s intimate, active, and the physical plan is stunning. The school is using this, its 50th anniversary year, to renew its commitment to providing a very personalized, forward looking educational experience. The ideal student is an active one, as the setting is used to great advantage to promote, in addition to academics, an active, outdoor lifestyle.
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Académie de la Capitale (est. 1998) Ottawa, Ontario It’s a big world out there and for the students who enroll here, AcadeCap is a window onto all of it. The attention to global education is underscored by the adoption of the IB PYP and MYP programs, and things continue from there. Collaborative learning, among peers as well as intergenerational, is an important aspect of the delivery of the curriculum, as is the provision of authentic learning experiences. There is of course a vast array of resources available within the capital region, and AcadeCap rightly makes the most of them. Class sizes are small, and instructional support is personal and individualized. The school casts a very wide net, and models an approach to learning based in curiosity, empathy, and active engagement. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a diverse, challenging, vibrant and social learning environment.
Open Houses
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March Academy (est. 2003)Kanata, Ontario |
