Join roundtable discussions over Zoom and hear from current parents and alumni of the schools you’re considering.
Panelists are answering questions and sharing their insights—about their school’s culture, strengths, and weaknesses.
Looking for an IB boarding school? Consider Brookes Westshore, one of Canada's leading boarding schools offering the International Baccalaureate curriculum.
On this page we cover boarding schools that offer the IB program. For a complete guide to boarding, including information about admissions, please see our introductory guide.
Our mission is to prepare young men and women to become global citizens who have a passion for service and leadership."
| School Name | Pace | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
St. John's-Kilmarnock School (est. 1972)
Waterloo Region (Breslau), Ontario St. John's-Kilmarnock School offers enriched educational programming for students from Junior Kindergarten – Grade 12 through its accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. Discover the possibilities. View profile |
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$18,094 to $68,275
View profile |
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Upper Canada College (est. 1829)
Toronto, Ontario Located in the heart of Toronto, Upper Canada College is the oldest independent boys' school in Ontario. Our IB graduates are highly regarded by top universities and post-secondary institutions worldwide. View profile |
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$34,135 to $66,835
View profile |
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Branksome Hall (est. 1903)
Toronto, Ontario Branksome Hall is Toronto’s only all-girls, all-years International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. View profile |
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$34,650 to $69,850
View profile |
 |
Gordonstoun Nova Scotia (est. 2020)
Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia The Gordonstoun’s broad curriculum dedicates itself to delivering to each student a world class education and personal development experiences in a caring and safe environment that instills in each student the knowledge that there is “More in you than you think.” View profile |
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$68,900
View profile |
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Brookes Westshore (est. 2009)
Victoria, British Columbia Brookes School Canada, an IB World School on beautiful Vancouver Island, offers grades 4 to 12 for both day and boarding students with an average class size of 12 students. View profile |
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$9,500 to $52,550
View profile |
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Bishop's College School (est. 1836)
Sherbrooke, Quebec Bishop's College School is an English boarding and day school for students in grades 7 through 12. Small in size and culturally diverse, BCS is an IB World School offering the IB DP and course certificates. View profile |
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$26,500 to $69,000
View profile |
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Bronte College (est. 1991)
Mississauga, Ontario Bronte College is a private International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering Grades 9 to 12 for day and boarding students. Our academic programming has attracted students from over 30 countries. View profile |
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$18,000 to $21,000
View profile |
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Rothesay Netherwood School (est. 1877)
Rothesay, New Brunswick Rothesay Netherwood School offers programs for grades 6 to 12 in Rothesay, New Brunswick. Its average class size is 16 students and it is an outstanding engaged and supportive community -'It's our Nature to Nurture'. View profile |
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$23,340 to $64,200
View profile |
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Unisus School (est. 2016)
Summerland, British Columbia UNISUS was founded by the leaders of the top Private Schools in BC. Based on IB Education/Innovation/Technology, Entrepreneurship/ Outdoor Education. Boarding, Sports Academies and Global Partnerships/Opportunities. View profile |
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$12,500 to $51,500
View profile |
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Ridley College (est. 1889)
St. Catharines, Ontario Ridley College is an acclaimed co-educational boarding and day school that prepares meaningful and flourishing lives by teaching the habits of mind, body, and spirit, and the values needed to lead in a global society. View profile |
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$18,870 to $72,165
View profile |
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London International Academy (est. 2002)
London, Ontario A Canadian Private Secondary Boarding school, located in the heart of London, Ontario. LIA is authorized to grant the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. View profile |
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$21,200 to $26,000
View profile |
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King's-Edgehill School (est. 1788)
Windsor, Nova Scotia Benefitting from it's safe and beautiful Nova Scotia location, King's-Edgehill facilitates the opportunity for every student to be more - in the classroom, on the sports fields, on stage, in the community and beyond. View profile |
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$19,346 to $60,700
View profile |
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Luther College High School (est. 1913)
Regina, Saskatchewan Luther students, from many different social and cultural backgrounds, have the opportunity to be part of a tightly woven community of students, parents, teachers, staff, and alumni. View profile |
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$8,560 to $40,710
View profile |
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NOIC Academy (est. 2004)
Markham, Ontario Markham, Ontario; IB School; OSSD; OSSD online credit course; NOIC ACADEMY’s annual university enrolment rate is 100% and more than 85% of graduates are admitted by University of Toronto. View profile |
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$5,000 to $18,000 /semester
View profile |
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UWC Canada (est. 1974)
Victoria, British Columbia The UWC National Committee of Canada and Pearson College UWC represent the United World Colleges in Canada. We are seeking daring young Canadians who aspire to make the world a better place. View profile |
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Varies
View profile |
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Ashbury College (est. 1891)
Ottawa, Ontario This traditional private school in Ottawa, Ontario offers Grades 4 to 12 with 100 boarding and 600 day school students. Tuition is from $29,130 to $69,290. View profile |
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$29,130 to $69,290
View profile |
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St. Stephen's School, Rome (est. 1964)
Rome, RM SSS Rome provides students with a culturally diverse and rigorous academic education. Graduates obtain the International Baccalaureate Diploma and American High School Diploma to enter renowned universities worldwide. View profile |
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EUR €25,145 to EUR €39,095
View profile |
Our boarding school guide has advice specific to finding boarding schools in Canada. For insights that are more general (on how to evaluate school options) we recommend you review our hub on choosing a school. You can also read our guides to questions to ask private schools and questions students get asked at school interviews.
Private school expos are ideal launching pads for your school-finding journey. All expos are held in the fall at a number of centres across Canada. There are three expos hosted in Ontario, one in Toronto, one in Halton-Peel, and one in Ottawa. Expos are also held each fall in Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary. All are opportunities to speak with administrators from leading boarding schools within the regions in which the expos are held.
Word-of-mouth is another powerful tool in your school-finding arsenal. The Our Kids private school discussion forum allows you to discuss your options and debate topics around gifted education. You can use our community of parents, educational experts, alumni, and schools to help answer your questions and stimulate your thinking.
Attending open houses is obviously a great way to learn more about a school and get a feel for the environment. For some advice on open house visits, go here. For questions to ask that are specific to boarding programs, refer to our main boarding school hub.
| School name | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
Rothesay Netherwood School | December 04, 2020 10:00 am |
Broadly speaking, the cost of boarding reflects the cost private school tuition in general, though with premiums added to cover housing and meals.
Many schools offer financial aid, including scholarships and bursaries. Financial aid is needs-based, and financial aid programs are created as a means of broadening the student base and attracting students, independent of means, who will contribute most to the culture of the school. Generally speaking, the larger and more expensive schools provide the most aid.
You can read more about financial aid and scholarships in our dedicated guide.
Below you'll find the range of costs at IB boarding schools:
| Tuition (boarding school) | Students receiving financial aid | Grade eligibility for financial aid | Avg. aid package size (annual) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
St. John's-Kilmarnock School | $64,750 | JK - 12 | ||
Upper Canada College | $55,060 to $61,560 | 18% | 5 - 12 | $15,000 |
Branksome Hall | 5% | 7 - 12 | ||
Brookes Westshore | $39,550 to $52,550 | 10% | 7 - 12 | $5,000 |
Bishop's College School | $57,300 to $66,100 | 40% | 7 - 12 | $23,800 |
Rothesay Netherwood School | $40,860 to $64,200 | 28% | 6 - 12 | $15,500 |
Unisus School | $43,950 to $51,500 | 30% | 1 - 11 | $3,000 |
Ridley College | $63,495 to $72,165 | 16% | 5 - 12 | $16,000 |
King's-Edgehill School | $58,800 | 33% | 6 - 12 | $15,000 |
Luther College High School | $40,760 | 9 - 12 | $2,500 | |
UWC Canada | 75% | 12 | $25,000 | |
Ashbury College | 8% | 4 - 12 | $6,700 | |
St. Stephen's School, Rome | 13% | 9 - 12 | $16,000 |
| Founding date | Endowment | Admissions rate | Enrollment | Enrollment per grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. John's-Kilmarnock School | 1972 | 95% | 400 | ||
Upper Canada College | 1829 | $40,000,000 | 33% | 1170 | 84 |
Branksome Hall | 1903 | 964 | 64 | ||
Gordonstoun Nova Scotia | 2020 | 888 | 222 | ||
Brookes Westshore | 2009 | 95% | 300 | 43 | |
Bishop's College School | 1836 | $25,000 | 100% | 260 | |
Bronte College | 1991 | $0 | 100% | 400 | |
Rothesay Netherwood School | 1877 | $7,000,000 | 85% | 300 | 43 |
Unisus School | 2016 | 70% | 240 | 17 | |
Ridley College | 1889 | 61% | 690 | 49 | |
London International Academy | 2002 | 90% | 345 | ||
King's-Edgehill School | 1788 | 80% | 350 | 50 | |
Luther College High School | 1913 | 90% | 430 | 108 | |
NOIC Academy | 2004 | 90% | 289 | 72 | |
UWC Canada | 1974 | $0 | 25% | 200 | 200 |
Ashbury College | 1891 | 70% | 700 | 78 | |
St. Stephen's School, Rome | 1964 | $9,036,180 | 50% | 297 | 74 |
Primary curriculum | Secondary curriculum | Curriculum pace | Academic culture | Average class size | Language immersion | Special needs support | Tech integration |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. John's-Kilmarnock School | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 10 to 16 | No support | Medium integration | |
Upper Canada College | Liberal Arts | International Baccalaureate | Accelerated | Rigorous | 20 to 25 | Withdrawal Assistance | Heavy integration | |
Branksome Hall | Liberal Arts | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 12 to 22 | No support | Heavy integration | |
Gordonstoun Nova Scotia | Liberal Arts | International Baccalaureate | Accelerated | Rigorous | 15 to 20 | Indirect Support | ||
Brookes Westshore | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 12 to 18 | No support | Light integration | |
Bishop's College School | Traditional | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 12 to 15 | Withdrawal Assistance | Heavy integration | |
Bronte College | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 18 | No support | Medium integration | |
Rothesay Netherwood School | Liberal Arts | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 14 to 16 | No support | Heavy integration | |
Unisus School | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | Heavy integration | ||
Ridley College | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Accelerated | Rigorous | 17 | Withdrawal Assistance | Heavy integration | |
London International Academy | Traditional | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 5 to 15 | No support | Medium integration | |
King's-Edgehill School | Traditional | International Baccalaureate | Accelerated | Rigorous | 15 | Withdrawal Assistance | Medium integration | |
Luther College High School | Liberal Arts | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 23 | No support | Light integration | |
NOIC Academy | Traditional | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 6 to 15 | No support | Medium integration | |
UWC Canada | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 6 to 16 | Indirect Support | ||
Ashbury College | Traditional | International Baccalaureate | Accelerated | Rigorous | 17 | No support | Medium integration | |
St. Stephen's School, Rome | Liberal Arts | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 12 to 16 | Indirect Support | Medium integration |
Legend:
St. John's-Kilmarnock School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Upper Canada College | ||||||||||||||||||||
Branksome Hall | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gordonstoun Nova Scotia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brookes Westshore | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bishop's College School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bronte College | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rothesay Netherwood School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unisus School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ridley College | ||||||||||||||||||||
London International Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
King's-Edgehill School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Luther College High School | ||||||||||||||||||||
NOIC Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
UWC Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ashbury College | ||||||||||||||||||||
St. Stephen's School, Rome |
| Admission deadline | SSAT required | Interview required | Acceptance rate | Next open house | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. John's-Kilmarnock School | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling | JK - 12 | 95% | ||
Upper Canada College | Day: Dec 2, 2016 Boarding: rolling | 7 - 11 | SK - 11 | 33% | |
Branksome Hall | Day: Dec 1, 2020 Boarding: rolling | 9 - 11 | JK - 12 | ||
Gordonstoun Nova Scotia | |||||
Brookes Westshore | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling | 6 - 12 | 95% | ||
Bishop's College School | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling | 7 - 12 | 100% | ||
Bronte College | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling Homestay: rolling | 100% | |||
Rothesay Netherwood School | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling Homestay: rolling | 6 - 12 | 85% | Dec 4, 2020 | |
Unisus School | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling Homestay: rolling | Preschool - 11 | 70% | ||
Ridley College | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling | 5 - 12 | JK - 12 | 61% | |
London International Academy | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling Homestay: rolling | 9 - 12 | 90% | ||
King's-Edgehill School | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling Homestay: rolling | 6 - 12 | 80% | ||
Luther College High School | Day: Mar 1, 2020 Boarding: Mar 1, 2020 Homestay: Mar 1, 2017 | 90% | |||
NOIC Academy | Day: rolling Boarding: rolling | 90% | |||
UWC Canada | Boarding: Nov 15, 2017 | 12 | 25% | ||
Ashbury College | Day: Mar 9, 2018 Boarding: rolling Homestay: rolling | 4 - 11 | 70% | ||
St. Stephen's School, Rome | Day: Jan 31, 2019 Boarding: rolling | 50% |
Nursery/Toddler | Preschool | JK | SK | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. John's-Kilmarnock School | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | ||||
Upper Canada College | 40% | 33% | 33% | 33% | 33% | 20% | |||||||||||
Branksome Hall | 100% | ||||||||||||||||
Brookes Westshore | |||||||||||||||||
Bishop's College School | |||||||||||||||||
Bronte College | |||||||||||||||||
Rothesay Netherwood School | |||||||||||||||||
Unisus School | 90% | 95% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 70% | 70% | 60% | 25% | ||||
Ridley College | |||||||||||||||||
London International Academy | |||||||||||||||||
King's-Edgehill School | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | ||||||||||
Luther College High School | 95% | 95% | 95% | 95% | |||||||||||||
Ashbury College | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | ||||||||
St. Stephen's School, Rome |
Nursery/Toddler | Preschool | JK | SK | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. John's-Kilmarnock School | 100% | 100% | 100% | ||||||||||||||
Upper Canada College | 33% | 33% | 33% | ||||||||||||||
Branksome Hall | |||||||||||||||||
Brookes Westshore | |||||||||||||||||
Bishop's College School | |||||||||||||||||
Bronte College | |||||||||||||||||
Rothesay Netherwood School | |||||||||||||||||
Unisus School | 80% | 70% | 70% | 60% | 25% | ||||||||||||
Ridley College | |||||||||||||||||
London International Academy | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | |||||||||||||
King's-Edgehill School | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | ||||||||||
Luther College High School | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | |||||||||||||
NOIC Academy | |||||||||||||||||
UWC Canada | 25% | ||||||||||||||||
Ashbury College | 70% | 70% | 70% | 70% | |||||||||||||
St. Stephen's School, Rome |
| Math | Science | Literature | Humanities Social Sciences | Foreign Languages | Fine Arts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. John's-Kilmarnock School | Communicative | Equal Balance | ||||
Upper Canada College | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance |
Branksome Hall | Traditional Math | Equal Balance | ||||
Gordonstoun Nova Scotia | Traditional Math | Inquiry | ||||
Brookes Westshore | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Perennialism | Communicative | Creative |
Bishop's College School | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance |
Bronte College | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance |
Rothesay Netherwood School | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Creative |
Unisus School | Equal Balance | Inquiry | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Creative |
Ridley College | Equal Balance | Inquiry | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance |
London International Academy | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Traditional | Equal Balance | Communicative | Equal Balance |
King's-Edgehill School | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance |
Luther College High School | Traditional Math | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance |
NOIC Academy | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Creative |
UWC Canada | ||||||
Ashbury College | Traditional Math | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance |
St. Stephen's School, Rome | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance | Equal Balance |
Student council | School newspaper | Yearbook | Radio club | Photograph club | Art club |
Choir | Band | Dance club | Yoga club | Drama club | Debate club |
Chess club | Math club | Science club | Robotics club | Computer club | Environmental club | Outdoor club | Community service |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. John's-Kilmarnock School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Upper Canada College | ||||||||||||||||||||
Branksome Hall | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gordonstoun Nova Scotia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brookes Westshore | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bishop's College School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bronte College | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rothesay Netherwood School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unisus School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ridley College | ||||||||||||||||||||
London International Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
King's-Edgehill School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Luther College High School | ||||||||||||||||||||
NOIC Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
UWC Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ashbury College | ||||||||||||||||||||
St. Stephen's School, Rome |
Badminton | Baseball | Basketball | Cricket | Equestrian | Football | Golf | Gymnastics | Ice Hockey | Lacrosse | Rowing | Rugby | Soccer | Softball | Squash | Swimming | Tennis | Track and Field | Volleyball | Wrestling |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. John's-Kilmarnock School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Upper Canada College | ||||||||||||||||||||
Branksome Hall | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gordonstoun Nova Scotia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brookes Westshore | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bishop's College School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bronte College | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rothesay Netherwood School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unisus School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ridley College | ||||||||||||||||||||
London International Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
King's-Edgehill School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Luther College High School | ||||||||||||||||||||
NOIC Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
UWC Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ashbury College | ||||||||||||||||||||
St. Stephen's School, Rome |
Sending your child to a boarding school will offer the academic environment that he or she will need in the International Baccalaureate program. With minimal distraction, students have the opportunity to focus on their studies.
The International Baccalaurete Diploma Programme is one of the most popular university entrance programs recognized throughout the world. Of schools offering the program about half are publicly funded and half are private.
If you have a child enrolled in an International Baccalaureate program in Canada, some courses are recognized as equivalent to university courses. Universities in Canada and the US may award first year credit for courses in the program.
The IB program curriculum consists of study in six subject areas, an essay of up to 4,000 words and at least 50 hours in each area of Creative, Action and Service requirements. Theory of Knowledge is one other important component of the IB curriculum.
Boarding schools may offer International Baccalaureate diplomas or specific programs including the middle years or primary years programs. Consult with each school to learn what depth of programs they offer concerning IB.
The International Baccalaureate is a two-year advanced secondary school curriculum that was founded in 1968 and is now taught in schools in more than 140 countries, including many alternative institutions in Canada.
The IB curriculum was created for students aged 16 to 19. It is intended to provide a well-rounded, high quality, advanced course of study that delivers the basics of high school education while challenging students to apply their knowledge and skills through collaboration, discussion, and communication.
In order to earn an IB diploma students complete a course of study in six core subject areas (language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts) an essay of up to 4000 words, and sit standard, externally assessed exams. In addition to course work, students are also required to complete two formal projects and a minimum of 50 hours of community service.
