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Oakville private school rankings

Find the best Oakville school for your family

Our Oakville school rankings are a useful first step in comparing independent schools based on meaningful factors like class size, tuition, acceptance rates, and more. We’ve worked with schools across the region for years, helping them define the areas where they excel. These rankings can highlight hidden gems, but they’re not the full picture. No list can tell you what’s truly right for your child. Rankings alone can lead to misplaced choices.

Rankings on this page

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


See the Full List  

Think of these rankings as just one tool in a careful and informed decision-making process—a process that weighs many schools and fully investigates what each Oakville private school provides. Focusing on a single metric can overlook a school’s full value. Along with rankings, we urge families to look closely at admissions fit, academic focus, learning methods, enrichment programs, learning supports, and advanced learning pathways.
 

Making a fully confident school choice takes commitment and diligent research. OUR KIDS provides many more tools and guidance to support that journey. Those include:

Learn more at GTA Private School Expos
Meet top Oakville schools in person at the Halton-Peel Expo as well as the Toronto Expo, which attracts schools from throughout the GTA and beyond. Each event lets you participate in:

All in one afternoon.

Click here for details and to RSVP.

PLEASE NOTE: tables below use a radius from a central point in Oakville. Schools outside the margins of Oakville may be included

Best university placement

Below, we list Oakville private schools ranked by university placement. Though it’s natural to care about post-secondary outcomes, this is only one piece of the puzzle. The list shows how many students advanced to top universities worldwide over the past five years. Schools we ask about are: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford, or Cambridge (UK). Consider this data as part of a much bigger decision.
School Location Grades Grads in Top US/UK
Schools (5 yrs)
1 Appleby College Oakville, ON 7 to 12 30
2 Chisholm Academy Oakville, ON 6 to 12 0

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Lowest admissions rate

Oakville private schools below are ranked by the lowest reported acceptance rates. While selectivity may suggest prestige or demand, it doesn’t automatically mean a better fit for your child. Consider admissions data carefully—alongside many other factors.
School Location Grades Acceptance
rate
1 Appleby College Oakville, ON 7 to 12 32%
2 Chisholm Academy Oakville, ON 6 to 12 65%
3 St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School Oakville, ON JK to 12 74%
4 Wildwood Academy Oakville, ON 2 to 8 85%
5 Oakville Christian School (OCS) ✝ Oakville, ON JK to 8 90%
6 Walden International School Oakville, ON JK to 8 90%
7 Dearcroft Montessori Trafalgar Crossing Oakville, ON NS to 8 90%
8 Rotherglen School - Oakville Oakville, ON JK to 8 95%

Smallest class sizes

Oakville private schools below are ranked by the smallest average class size. While small classes may allow for more individualized learning, parents should also weigh other key factors in a school’s atmosphere. Smaller classes are a common feature of private education, highlighted in this list.
School Location Grades Avg. class size
1 Linbrook School Oakville, ON JK to 8 1 to 18
2 Wildwood Academy Oakville, ON 2 to 8 4 to 8
3 Chisholm Academy Oakville, ON 6 to 12 8 to 10
4 Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School Oakville, ON PS to 3 8 to 16
5 Mater Boni Consilii Academy ✝ Oakville, ON JK to 8 10 to 15
6 Dearcroft Montessori School Oakville, ON NS to 8 10 to 20
7 Appleby College Oakville, ON 7 to 12 12 to 16
8 Walden International School Oakville, ON JK to 8 15 to 18
9 MacLachlan College Oakville, ON PS to 12 15 to 18
10 Rotherglen School - Oakville Oakville, ON JK to 8 18

Most affordable schools

Below are Oakville private schools ranked on the basis of the affordability of their tuition. While cost is important, it’s just one factor—be sure the school aligns with your child’s learning goals and values.
School Location Grades Tuition
1 Mater Boni Consilii Academy ✝ Oakville, ON JK to 8 $8,500
2 La Villa Montessori School Oakville, ON NS to 6 $12,727 to $15,608
3 Oakville Christian School (OCS) ✝ Oakville, ON JK to 8 $16,398
4 Clanmore Montessori School Oakville, ON NS to 8 $16,500 to $17,500
5 Dearcroft Montessori School Oakville, ON NS to 8 $17,000 to $20,500
6 Rotherglen School - Oakville Oakville, ON JK to 8 $18,200 to $29,600
7 Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School Oakville, ON PS to 3 $19,575 to $19,800
8 Walden International School Oakville, ON JK to 8 $21,000 to $22,000
9 Dearcroft Montessori Trafalgar Crossing Oakville, ON NS to 8 $24,520 to $29,500
10 MacLachlan College Oakville, ON PS to 12 $25,250 to $31,920

Most expensive schools

Below, we rank Oakville private schools by the highest tuition rates. Expensive schools may offer top-notch resources, but tuition alone doesn’t define quality. Look beyond cost to find the school that best meets your child’s needs.
School Location Grades Tuition
1 Appleby College Oakville, ON 7 to 12 $43,090 to $85,970
2 MacLachlan College Oakville, ON PS to 12 $25,250 to $40,745
3 St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School Oakville, ON JK to 12 $26,300 to $35,600
4 Wildwood Academy Oakville, ON 2 to 8 $35,000
5 Rotherglen School - Oakville Oakville, ON JK to 8 $18,200 to $29,600
6 Dearcroft Montessori Trafalgar Crossing Oakville, ON NS to 8 $12,360 to $29,500
7 Fern Hill School - Oakville Oakville, ON PS to 8 $13,080 to $27,348
8 Walden International School Oakville, ON JK to 8 $21,000 to $22,000
9 Dearcroft Montessori School Oakville, ON NS to 8 $8,500 to $20,500
10 Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School Oakville, ON PS to 3 $19,575 to $19,800

Oldest private schools

These Oakville private schools are ranked by age, from oldest to newest. While a long-established school may carry a sense of heritage or prestige, it’s just one aspect to consider. Focus on how well a school meets your family’s priorities.
School Location Grades Founded
1 St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School Oakville, ON JK to 12 1891
2 Appleby College Oakville, ON 7 to 12 1911
3 Dearcroft Montessori School Oakville, ON NS to 8 1968
4 Chisholm Academy Oakville, ON 6 to 12 1970
5 MacLachlan College Oakville, ON PS to 12 1978
6 Rotherglen School - Oakville Oakville, ON JK to 8 1979
7 Fern Hill School - Oakville Oakville, ON PS to 8 1982
8 Oakville Christian School (OCS) ✝ Oakville, ON JK to 8 1982
9 Clanmore Montessori School Oakville, ON NS to 8 1997
10 Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School Oakville, ON PS to 3 1997

Schools with the most notable alumni

These Oakville private schools are ranked by the number of influential graduates, as indicated by how many have a Wikipedia entry. Notable alumni can signal a school’s impact, but your decision should also reflect academic fit, culture, and your child’s needs.
School Location Grades Notable
alumni
1 Appleby College Oakville, ON 7 to 12 13
2 Fern Hill School - Oakville Oakville, ON PS to 8 1

Schools with the most financial aid

Oakville private schools are ranked by the percentage of students receiving financial aid, below. While generous aid can make private education more attainable, your main focus should always be on selecting a school that matches your child’s goals and personality.
School Location Grades Students
1 Appleby College Oakville, ON 7 to 12 20%
2 Chisholm Academy Oakville, ON 6 to 12 10%
3 St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School Oakville, ON JK to 12 9%

Largest private schools

These Oakville private schools are ranked by largest student population. Bigger schools often provide a wider range of programs and a diverse student body. However, a good fit goes beyond numbers—consider what truly matters for your child’s growth.
School Location Grades Enrollment
1 CEFA Early Learning Oakville, ON NS to SK 4300
2 Appleby College Oakville, ON 7 to 12 813
3 Rotherglen School - Oakville Oakville, ON JK to 8 700
4 St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School Oakville, ON JK to 12 540
5 MacLachlan College Oakville, ON PS to 12 450
6 Fern Hill School - Oakville Oakville, ON PS to 8 400
7 Oakville Christian School (OCS) ✝ Oakville, ON JK to 8 305
8 Walden International School Oakville, ON JK to 8 220
9 Clanmore Montessori School Oakville, ON NS to 8 185
10 Linbrook School Oakville, ON JK to 8 180

Smallest average enrollment per grade

Oakville private schools listed below are ranked by lowest average enrollment per grade. This can mean a more personal atmosphere and closer student relationships. However, consider all factors—academic fit, culture, and your child’s needs—when making a choice.
School Location Grades Day enrollment avg
1 Mater Boni Consilii Academy ✝ Oakville, ON JK to 8 2
2 La Villa Montessori School Oakville, ON NS to 6 8
3 Wildwood Academy Oakville, ON 2 to 8 9
4 Dearcroft Montessori Trafalgar Crossing Oakville, ON NS to 8 10
5 Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School Oakville, ON PS to 3 12
6 Chisholm Academy Oakville, ON 6 to 12 13
7 Dearcroft Montessori School Oakville, ON NS to 8 13
8 Clanmore Montessori School Oakville, ON NS to 8 14
9 Linbrook School Oakville, ON JK to 8 16
10 Walden International School Oakville, ON JK to 8 20

Largest average enrollment per grade

These Oakville private schools rank highest for average enrollment per grade. Larger grade cohorts can mean a wider variety of programs and peer groups. Still, balance this with your child’s learning style and preferences.
School Location Grades Enrollment avg
1 CEFA Early Learning Oakville, ON NS to SK 1,075
2 Appleby College Oakville, ON 7 to 12 136
3 Rotherglen School - Oakville Oakville, ON JK to 8 64
4 St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School Oakville, ON JK to 12 36
5 Fern Hill School - Oakville Oakville, ON PS to 8 33

Frequently Asked Questions

Are good?
We interviewed both parents and students. You can read reviews about on this page.

What is the most expensive ?
Appleby College has the highest tuition fees from $43,090 to $85,970 per year with an average tuition of $64,530 per year.

Which has the lowest acceptance rates?
The with the lowest acceptance rate is Appleby College. The school has an overall accepance rate of 32%.

What is the oldest ?
St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School is the oldest . The school was founded in 1891.

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