Girls' school rankings

OUR KIDS ranks girls only schools to help you find the best for your family

Along with schools themselves, OUR KIDS resists over-emphasis of school rankings. Ranking lists should ultimately play a minor role (if any) in any family's school decision. No matter our objections, though, parents still seek rankings lists, and find them provided by sources that dubiously present "best schools rankings" without disclaimer or even caution.

Thanks to our long history of working with girls' private schools, OUR KIDS has detailed, exclusive data on these schools. With that in mind, we provide lists below, ranking schools on discrete criteria.

Explore the complete list of girls only schools on OUR KIDS, the guide families trust to make the right choice.

See the Full List

These tools should be used wisely and judiciously. Focus your research on our wealth of more pertinent information, resources, and tools. See, for example, expert advice on girls' schools, our overview of girls' preschools, and our comprehensive advice guide on private education.

Some things to bear in mind as you review the lists below:

Use these tactically in your search process. For example, you may find schools you underestimated or didn't know well that rank in terms you care about.
Ranking lists should only be a small part of a wiser, richer research process that considers schools' academics, pedagogy, facilities, environment, discipline policies, tuition costs, and a host of other factors. Make a fully informed decision focused on making the best, most holistic choice for your daughter(s) and your family.
We offer resources that provide far more insight than what you'll find below. Our school expos, school comparison, rich advice guides and the thorough information in school profiles will help families much more, to make a properly considered decision.
Data is submitted by the schools themselves. We cannot confirm the figures submitted or warrant the accuracy of the information provided by schools. Contact schools to ensure the veracity of the data below.

Lowest admission rates

Some girls' schools are harder to get into due to low acceptance rates, which some parents may see as a sign of quality. However, factors like marketing, location, and school history also influence demand and don’t necessarily reflect overall school quality.

Many excellent girls' schools have acceptance rates as high as 100%.
The list below does not account for how many students are enrolled per year.

The list below may be of interest to some families as an overview of your chances of getting into some top girls' schools in Canada.

	School	Location	Grades	Acceptance rate
1	Branksome Hall	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	30%
2	Havergal College	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	30%
3	Clear Water Academy ✝	Calgary, AB	JK to 12	31%
4	Bishop Strachan School ✝	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	40%
5	Study	Westmount, QC	K to 11	50%
6	St. Clement's School	Toronto, ON	1 to 12	50%
7	Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School	Westmount, QC	K to 11	60%
8	Elmwood School	Ottawa, ON	PS to 12	70%
9	St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School	Oakville, ON	JK to 12	74%
10	North Point School	Calgary, AB	K to 12	75%

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Best university placement

Below, we rank girls' schools by university placement, based on the number of graduates attending top universities over the last five years—including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Penn, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford, or Cambridge (UK). Use this as one of many factors in your decision-making.

	School	Location	Grades	Grads in Top US/UK Schools (5 yrs)
1	Havergal College	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	100
2	St. Clement's School	Toronto, ON	1 to 12	25
3	Bishop Strachan School ✝	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	20
4	Branksome Hall	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	16
5	Elmwood School	Ottawa, ON	PS to 12	16
6	Trafalgar Castle School	Whitby, ON	4 to 12	5
7	Holy Name of Mary College School ✝	Mississauga, ON	5 to 12	3
8	Agate Private School	St. Catharines, ON	NS to 12	2
9	Sacred Heart School of Halifax ✝	Halifax, NS	JK to 12	1
10	Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School	Westmount, QC	K to 11	1

Most notable alumni

We hesitantly present a list of girls’ schools below, ranked by the most graduates and with a Wikipedia entry. Producing notable alumni is one measure of a school’s excellence, but it’s a limited way of judging whether a school is best for your daughter. We urge you to focus on many other factors in finding a girls’ school that will help your daughter succeed.

	School	Location	Grades	Notable alumni
1	Bishop Strachan School ✝	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	15
2	Havergal College	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	12
3	Study	Westmount, QC	K to 11	8
4	Branksome Hall	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	7
5	St. Clement's School	Toronto, ON	1 to 12	3
6	Elmwood School	Ottawa, ON	PS to 12	2
7	Linden School	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	1

Smallest class sizes

Smaller class sizes are a common reason families choose private education, but they shouldn't be the only consideration. Many other factors influence a student's success. The list below ranks girls' schools by their reported averages.

	School	Location	Grades	Avg. class size
1	Trafalgar Castle School	Whitby, ON	4 to 12	6 to 14
2	Hawthorn School ✝	Toronto, ON	NS to 12	10 to 15
3	Trafalgar School For Girls	Montreal, QC	7 to 11	10 to 20
4	Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School	Westmount, QC	K to 11	12 to 20
5	North Point School	Calgary, AB	K to 12	13 to 18
6	Study	Westmount, QC	K to 11	14 to 20
7	St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School	Oakville, ON	JK to 12	15
8	Elmwood School	Ottawa, ON	PS to 12	15 to 18
9	Sacred Heart School of Halifax ✝	Halifax, NS	JK to 12	15 to 20
10	Clear Water Academy ✝	Calgary, AB	JK to 12	15 to 20

Oldest schools

Older schools may appear to have stronger reputations, and there’s some truth to that. However, many newer girls' schools also offer excellent education. For interest, the list below ranks girls' schools by founding date.

	School	Location	Grades	Founded
1	Sacred Heart School of Halifax ✝	Halifax, NS	JK to 12	1849
2	Bishop Strachan School ✝	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	1867
3	Trafalgar Castle School	Whitby, ON	4 to 12	1874
4	Trafalgar School For Girls	Montreal, QC	7 to 11	1887
5	St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School	Oakville, ON	JK to 12	1891
6	Havergal College	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	1894
7	St. Clement's School	Toronto, ON	1 to 12	1901
8	Balmoral Hall School	Winnipeg, MB	PS to 12	1901
9	Branksome Hall	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	1903
10	Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School	Westmount, QC	K to 11	1909

Wealthiest schools

Find girls' schools ranked by their endowment listed below.

	School	Location	Grades	Endowment
1	Study	Westmount, QC	K to 11	$10,000,000
2	St. Anne's School	Aurora, ON	5 to 12	$7,500,000
3	Balmoral Hall School	Winnipeg, MB	PS to 12	$3,750,000
4	Havergal College	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	$2,637,233

Top high schools for sports

Below, we rank girls’ schools by the variety of competitive sports offered. While athletics are important for some families, make sure to consider academics, community, and school culture when deciding what’s right for your daughter. Start with our step-by-step guide to choosing the best school for your children.

	School	Location	Grades	Total sports programs
1	Study	Westmount, QC	K to 11	36
2	Elmwood School	Ottawa, ON	PS to 12	33
3	Hawthorn School ✝	Toronto, ON	NS to 12	28
4	Havergal College	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	26
5	Trafalgar School For Girls	Montreal, QC	7 to 11	25
6	St. Clement's School	Toronto, ON	1 to 12	24
7	St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School	Oakville, ON	JK to 12	22
8	Holy Name of Mary College School ✝	Mississauga, ON	5 to 12	21
9	Bishop Strachan School ✝	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	21
10	Clear Water Academy ✝	Calgary, AB	JK to 12	20

Most affordable schools

The girls’ schools below are ranked by the lowest tuition. Affordability matters, but it’s just one factor. Look also at academics, values, and school culture to find the best match for your daughter.

	School	Location	Grades	Tuition
1	Agate Private School	St. Catharines, ON	NS to 12	$350
2	North Point School	Calgary, AB	K to 12	$14,500 to $16,500
3	Sacred Heart School of Halifax ✝	Halifax, NS	JK to 12	$15,990 to $22,410
4	Clear Water Academy ✝	Calgary, AB	JK to 12	$16,060 to $19,100
5	Hawthorn School ✝	Toronto, ON	NS to 12	$18,500 to $23,600
6	Balmoral Hall School	Winnipeg, MB	PS to 12	$18,750 to $23,050
7	Elmwood School	Ottawa, ON	PS to 12	$18,800 to $37,650
8	Joan of Arc Academy \| L'Academie Jeanne d'Arc	Ottawa, ON	JK to 8	$19,800
9	Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School	Westmount, QC	K to 11	$25,200 to $30,765
10	Holy Name of Mary College School ✝	Mississauga, ON	5 to 12	$25,300 to $26,200

Most financial aid

Below are girls' schools ranked by the percentage of students receiving financial aid. Financial support can broaden access, but your primary goal should be finding the girls' school that best fits your daughter’s personality and needs.

	School	Location	Grades	Students
1	Hawthorn School ✝	Toronto, ON	NS to 12	35%
2	St. Anne's School	Aurora, ON	5 to 12	26%
3	Elmwood School	Ottawa, ON	PS to 12	24%
4	Clear Water Academy ✝	Calgary, AB	JK to 12	20%
5	North Point School	Calgary, AB	K to 12	20%
6	Trafalgar School For Girls	Montreal, QC	7 to 11	20%
7	Linden School	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	20%
8	Holy Name of Mary College School ✝	Mississauga, ON	5 to 12	15%
9	Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School	Westmount, QC	K to 11	15%
10	Balmoral Hall School	Winnipeg, MB	PS to 12	15%

Most expensive schools

Some parents feel that more expensive girls' schools must necessarily be the best. Indeed, more costly schools can offer more impressive facilities, hire highly qualified instructors, and afford a selection of other advantageous features. Many schools for girls with very reasonable tuition rates offer a superior education that will help your daughter(s) succeed.

	School	Location	Grades	Tuition
1	Branksome Hall	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	$45,140 to $90,710
2	Havergal College	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	$45,670 to $87,485
3	Trafalgar Castle School	Whitby, ON	4 to 12	$32,000 to $83,000
4	Bishop Strachan School ✝	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	$39,800 to $78,200
5	Balmoral Hall School	Winnipeg, MB	PS to 12	$18,750 to $72,450
6	St. Anne's School	Aurora, ON	5 to 12	$46,395
7	Elmwood School	Ottawa, ON	PS to 12	$18,800 to $37,650
8	Linden School	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	$29,646 to $37,010
9	St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School	Oakville, ON	JK to 12	$26,300 to $35,600
10	St. Clement's School	Toronto, ON	1 to 12	$34,500

Largest schools

These girls' schools are ranked by the largest total enrollment. Bigger schools may offer a broader range of academics, activities, and social experiences—but size alone shouldn’t drive your choice. Consider the whole school experience for your daughter.

	School	Location	Grades	Enrollment
1	Havergal College	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	1050
2	Bishop Strachan School ✝	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	970
3	Branksome Hall	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	915
4	St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School	Oakville, ON	JK to 12	540
5	Sacred Heart School of Halifax ✝	Halifax, NS	JK to 12	510
6	Balmoral Hall School	Winnipeg, MB	PS to 12	500
7	Clear Water Academy ✝	Calgary, AB	JK to 12	493
8	St. Clement's School	Toronto, ON	1 to 12	480
9	Study	Westmount, QC	K to 11	390
10	Elmwood School	Ottawa, ON	PS to 12	385

Smallest average enrollment per grade

Here, girls’ schools are ranked by the smallest average enrollment per grade. Smaller groups may foster stronger peer connections and support students needing a close-knit setting, but this is just one factor to weigh when choosing a school for your daughter.

	School	Location	Grades	Day enrollment avg
1	Linden School	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	7
2	Hawthorn School ✝	Toronto, ON	NS to 12	8
3	Joan of Arc Academy \| L'Academie Jeanne d'Arc	Ottawa, ON	JK to 8	10
4	North Point School	Calgary, AB	K to 12	16
5	Trafalgar School For Girls	Montreal, QC	7 to 11	16
6	Agate Private School	St. Catharines, ON	NS to 12	18
7	Holy Name of Mary College School ✝	Mississauga, ON	5 to 12	21
8	Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School	Westmount, QC	K to 11	23
9	Elmwood School	Ottawa, ON	PS to 12	24
10	Trafalgar Castle School	Whitby, ON	4 to 12	27

Largest average enrollment per grade

Below are girls’ schools ranked by largest average enrollment per grade. Larger grade sizes may offer more courses, clubs, and social variety, but the right choice comes down to where your child will thrive.

	School	Location	Grades	Enrollment avg
1	Havergal College	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	70
2	Bishop Strachan School ✝	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	65
3	Branksome Hall	Toronto, ON	JK to 12	61
4	St. Clement's School	Toronto, ON	1 to 12	40
5	St. Anne's School	Aurora, ON	5 to 12	38
6	St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School	Oakville, ON	JK to 12	36
7	Sacred Heart School of Halifax ✝	Halifax, NS	JK to 12	34
8	Clear Water Academy ✝	Calgary, AB	JK to 12	33
9	Study	Westmount, QC	K to 11	32
10	Balmoral Hall School	Winnipeg, MB	PS to 12	31

Frequently Asked Questions

Are All-Girls private schools good?
We interviewed both parents and students. You can read reviews about All-Girls private schools on this page.

What is the most expensive All-Girls private school?
Branksome Hall has the highest tuition fees from $45,140 to $90,710 per year with an average tuition of $67,925 per year.

Which All-Girls private school has the lowest acceptance rates?
The All-Girls private school with the lowest acceptance rate is Branksome Hall. The school has an overall accepance rate of 30%.

What is the oldest All-Girls private school?
Sacred Heart School of Halifax is the oldest All-Girls private school. The school was founded in 1849.

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Girls' school rankings

OUR KIDS ranks girls only schools to help you find the best for your family

Rankings on this page

Lowest admission rates

Attend School Expos

Compare Schools

School Reviews

Best university placement

Most notable alumni

Smallest class sizes

Oldest schools

Wealthiest schools

Top high schools for sports

Most affordable schools

Most financial aid

Most expensive schools

Largest schools

Smallest average enrollment per grade

Largest average enrollment per grade

Frequently Asked Questions

Find Private Schools:

Rankings by location

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Girls' school rankings

OUR KIDS ranks girls only schools to help you find the best for your family

Rankings on this page

Lowest admission rates

Attend School Expos

Compare Schools

School Reviews

Best university placement

Most notable alumni

Smallest class sizes

Oldest schools

Wealthiest schools

Top high schools for sports

Most affordable schools

Most financial aid

Most expensive schools

Largest schools

Smallest average enrollment per grade

Largest average enrollment per grade

Frequently Asked Questions

Find Private Schools:

Rankings by location

Rankings by type

Overall rankings

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