Below are curated lists ranking Toronto's top private schools using various criteria. These are offered as one reference point for families evaluating school options. However, OUR KIDS and leading education experts strongly caution against relying solely on rankings or “best of” lists. The most important goal is finding the right school for your child. Read our critique of private school rankings
Explore the complete list of Toronto private schools on OUR KIDS, the guide families trust to make the right choice.
Rankings can serve as a secondary reference in your decision but should never be the sole factor. Focus on what best meets your child's needs. Making a confident school choice takes time and research. OUR KIDS provides tools and guidance to support that journey:
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Below, we rank Toronto schools on university placement. University placement is important to many families, but it’s only one part of a school’s profile. This ranking shows the number of students who have attended one of the following top universities in the last five years: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford, or Cambridge (UK). Be sure to consider the whole school experience in your search.
| School | Location | Grades | Grads in Top US/UK Schools (5 yrs) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Havergal College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 100 |
| 2 | University of Toronto Schools | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 60 |
| 3 | Upper Canada College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 45 |
| 4 | St. Clement's School | Toronto, ON | 1 to 12 | 25 |
| 5 | Ontario Virtual School | Toronto, ON | 6 to 12 | 25 |
| 6 | Bishop Strachan School ✝ | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 20 |
| 7 | Branksome Hall | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 16 |
| 8 | Metropolitan Preparatory Academy | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 15 |
| 9 | Abelard School | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 15 |
| 10 | J. Addison School | Markham, ON | K to 12 | 14 |
Below, you'll find the top ten private schools in Toronto that claim the lowest acceptance rates. Schools with low acceptance rates can indicate high demand or selectivity, but factors like marketing and location also play roles. Consider this list carefully, but focus primarily on how well a school meets your child’s needs.
| School | Location | Grades | Acceptance rate |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Head Start Montessori School | North York, ON | NS to 6 | 7% |
| 2 | University of Toronto Schools | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 20% |
| 3 | York School | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 20% |
| 4 | Crescent School | Toronto, ON | 1 to 12 | 25% |
| 5 | Globe Cambridge School | North York, ON | 1 to 12 | 25% |
| 6 | Metropolitan Preparatory Academy | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 30% |
| 7 | Branksome Hall | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 30% |
| 8 | Crestwood Preparatory College | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 30% |
| 9 | Havergal College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 30% |
| 10 | TFS - Canada's International School | Toronto, ON | NS to 12 | 30% |
Class size is a concern for many caring parents. Large class sizes in some schools can hamper a child's ability to focus on learning, get the attention he or she requires, or thrive academically. Many of the best private schools in Toronto have small student-to-teacher ratios; even among those schools, some promise smaller average class sizes than others. Below are the top ten Toronto schools with the lowest average class sizes.
| School | Location | Grades | Avg. class size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Clement's Early Learning School | Toronto, ON | PS to 2 | 1 to 8 |
| 2 | North York Academy | North York, ON | 9 to 12 | 1 to 8 |
| 3 | Globe Cambridge School | North York, ON | 1 to 12 | 1 to 15 |
| 4 | Toronto STEM School | Toronto, ON | 9 to 12 | 2 to 10 |
| 5 | Monarch Academy by Monarch House | Toronto, ON | K to 10 | 3 to 8 |
| 6 | TAIE International Institute | Thornhill, ON | 7 to 12 | 3 to 15 |
| 7 | Bright Start Academy | North York, ON | PS to 12 | 4 to 6 |
| 8 | Quantum Academy | Richmond Hill, ON | 7 to 12 | 5 to 6 |
| 9 | Dunblaine School | Toronto, ON | 1 to 8 | 5 to 7 |
| 10 | AVRO Academy | North York, ON | 9 to 12 | 5 to 7 |
Lower tuition or strong financial aid can make quality education more accessible. This list highlights affordability, but balance cost with other factors to find the best fit for your family.
| School | Location | Grades | Tuition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto Waldorf School | Thornhill, ON | NS to 12 | $5,742 to $25,450 |
| 2 | Passages Centre for Self-Directed Learning | Toronto, ON | 5 to 12 | $7,455 to $15,000 |
| 3 | École Montessori | Pickering, ON | NS to 6 | $8,400 to $17,000 |
| 4 | Nile Academy | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | $9,000 to $10,000 |
| 5 | Crawford Adventist Academy ✝ | North York, ON | JK to 12 | $10,000 to $11,500 |
| 6 | Junior Academy | Toronto, ON | NS to 8 | $10,000 to $29,400 |
| 7 | Aurora Alternative Micro School | Toronto, ON | JK to 8 | $11,000 |
| 8 | Trinity Montessori School | Markham, ON | NS to 8 | $11,000 to $13,000 |
| 9 | Wesley Christian Academy ✝ | Markham, ON | NS to 8 | $11,300 to $13,760 |
| 10 | North Toronto Christian School ✝ | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | $11,472 |
Below, find Toronto private schools ranked by tuition costs. Higher tuition often supports enhanced facilities and programs, but cost alone doesn’t guarantee the best education. Use this list as a reference while focusing on what suits your child’s needs. (Please note that this list may include boarding fees, which are excluded in the table above.)
| 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 | Upper Canada College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | $40,750 to $81,100 |
| 4 | Bishop Strachan School ✝ | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | $39,800 to $78,200 |
| 5 | J. Addison School | Markham, ON | K to 12 | $21,775 to $55,275 |
| 6 | Greenwood College School | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | $49,530 |
| 7 | Globe Cambridge School | North York, ON | 1 to 12 | $13,500 to $47,300 |
| 8 | Crescent School | Toronto, ON | 1 to 12 | $46,270 |
| 9 | York School | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | $45,065 |
| 10 | Montcrest School | Toronto, ON | JK to 8 | $36,600 to $42,650 |
Here is a look at Toronto's oldest private schools. Some may feel that it is important to get into the most established school, but many other factors should be part of your school decision.
| School | Location | Grades | Founded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Upper Canada College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 1829 |
| 2 | De La Salle College ✝ | Toronto, ON | 5 to 12 | 1851 |
| 3 | St. Michael's College School ✝ | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 1852 |
| 4 | Bishop Strachan School ✝ | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 1867 |
| 5 | Olivet School ✝ | Etobicoke, ON | JK to 5 | 1893 |
| 6 | Havergal College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 1894 |
| 7 | St. Clement's School | Toronto, ON | 1 to 12 | 1901 |
| 8 | Branksome Hall | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 1903 |
| 9 | University of Toronto Schools | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 1910 |
| 10 | Crescent School | Toronto, ON | 1 to 12 | 1913 |
This list offers parents a top five list of Toronto private schools ranked by most notable alumni produced. Notable alumni include all graduates who have a Wikipedia page dedicated to them, which we view as a credible contemporary indicator of influence or achievement.
| School | Location | Grades | Notable alumni |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Upper Canada College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 97 |
| 2 | St. Michael's College School ✝ | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 47 |
| 3 | University of Toronto Schools | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 22 |
| 4 | Royal St. George's College | Toronto, ON | 3 to 12 | 18 |
| 5 | Bishop Strachan School ✝ | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 15 |
| 6 | Havergal College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 12 |
| 7 | Crescent School | Toronto, ON | 1 to 12 | 9 |
| 8 | Branksome Hall | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 7 |
| 9 | TFS - Canada's International School | Toronto, ON | NS to 12 | 4 |
| 10 | St. Clement's School | Toronto, ON | 1 to 12 | 3 |
Below is a list of Toronto private schools with the largest financial endowments. Strong financial backing can support top-tier facilities, advanced technology, stable tuition, and competitive staff salaries. Still, many schools not on this list offer outstanding education with excellent resources. A school’s wealth doesn’t guarantee it’s the right fit—use this ranking as one piece of a broader school search focused on your child’s unique needs.
| School | Location | Grades | Endowment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Upper Canada College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | $150,000,000 |
| 2 | Crescent School | Toronto, ON | 1 to 12 | $30,000,000 |
| 3 | Havergal College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | $2,637,233 |
Below is a list of Toronto private schools with the most financial aid, based on the percentage of students receiving assistance. This list shows schools providing the highest percentage of financial aid, making them more accessible. Financial aid is important, but your primary focus should be on finding the school that best fits the needs of your child(ren).
| School | Location | Grades | Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Future Hope Academy Christian School ✝ | Scarborough, ON | 7 to 12 | 60% |
| 2 | Hawthorn School ✝ | Toronto, ON | NS to 12 | 35% |
| 3 | Aurora Alternative Micro School | Toronto, ON | JK to 8 | 30% |
| 4 | Passages Centre for Self-Directed Learning | Toronto, ON | 5 to 12 | 30% |
| 5 | YMCA Academy | Toronto, ON | 6 to 12 | 25% |
| 6 | St. Michael's College School ✝ | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 20% |
| 7 | Abelard School | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 20% |
| 8 | University of Toronto Schools | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 20% |
| 9 | Waldorf Academy | Toronto, ON | NS to 8 | 20% |
| 10 | J. Addison School | Markham, ON | K to 12 | 20% |
Below, find a list of Toronto private schools, ranked by largest enrollment. Larger schools can mean more course options, extracurriculars, and social diversity, while smaller schools offer closer communities. Rankings like these show size differences, but remember: the best choice depends on your child’s fit beyond just enrollment numbers.
| School | Location | Grades | Enrollment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ontario Virtual School | Toronto, ON | 6 to 12 | 20000 |
| 2 | TFS - Canada's International School | Toronto, ON | NS to 12 | 1500 |
| 3 | Upper Canada College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 1277 |
| 4 | Bayview Glen | Toronto, ON | PS to 12 | 1130 |
| 5 | Central Montessori Schools | Toronto, ON | NS to 8 | 1075 |
| 6 | Havergal College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 1050 |
| 7 | Unionville College | Unionville, ON | PS to 12 | 1000 |
| 8 | Town Centre Private Schools | Markham, ON | NS to 12 | 1000 |
| 9 | Bishop Strachan School ✝ | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 970 |
| 10 | Branksome Hall | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 915 |
Below, find a list of Toronto private schools ranked by lowest average enrollment per grade. Smaller grade cohorts may ease social anxiety and improve class management, with a closer-knit environment. This list highlights enrollment size per grade, but many factors matter most in choosing the right school for your child. (Note that we mean schools with multiple classes per grade level, so this is not the same as smaller class sizes, although there is overlap.)
| School | Location | Grades | Day enrollment avg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aurora Alternative Micro School | Toronto, ON | JK to 8 | 1 |
| 2 | Bright Start Academy | North York, ON | PS to 12 | 2 |
| 3 | Monarch Academy by Monarch House | Toronto, ON | K to 10 | 2 |
| 4 | Dunblaine School | Toronto, ON | 1 to 8 | 2 |
| 5 | Passages Centre for Self-Directed Learning | Toronto, ON | 5 to 12 | 3 |
| 6 | Summit Micro School | Toronto, ON | JK to 8 | 3 |
| 7 | Magnificent Minds | North York, ON | JK to 8 | 4 |
| 8 | The New School ✝ | Etobicoke, ON | JK to 8 | 4 |
| 9 | Olivet School ✝ | Etobicoke, ON | JK to 5 | 4 |
| 10 | Globe Cambridge School | North York, ON | 1 to 12 | 4 |
Below is a list of Toronto private schools, ranked by the highest average enrollment per grade. Schools with larger grade sizes often provide broader academic choices and competitive environments, but smaller schools offer intimacy and personalized attention. Use this ranking as one of many tools in your decision.
| School | Location | Grades | Enrollment avg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ontario Virtual School | Toronto, ON | 6 to 12 | 2,857 |
| 2 | St. Michael's College School ✝ | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 125 |
| 3 | University of Toronto Schools | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 112 |
| 4 | Crestwood Preparatory College | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 92 |
| 5 | De La Salle College ✝ | Toronto, ON | 5 to 12 | 88 |
| 6 | TFS - Canada's International School | Toronto, ON | NS to 12 | 88 |
| 7 | Greenwood College School | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 85 |
| 8 | Upper Canada College | Toronto, ON | JK to 12 | 85 |
| 9 | Central Montessori Schools | Toronto, ON | NS to 8 | 83 |
| 10 | Toronto Prep School | Toronto, ON | 7 to 12 | 72 |
Are Toronto private schools good?
We interviewed both parents and students. You can read reviews about Toronto private schools on this page.
What is the most expensive Toronto 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 Toronto private school has the lowest acceptance rates?
The Toronto private school with the lowest acceptance rate is Head Start Montessori School. The school has an overall accepance rate of 7%.
What is the oldest Toronto private school?
Upper Canada College is the oldest Toronto private school. The school was founded in 1829.
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