It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your child. Let our experts and school insiders guide you through your best options, red flags to watch out for, and tips to a successful application.
Private School Expo - Fall 2024 Yes, I want to attend
When the Grade 8 class produced and performed in a production of Fiddler On The Roof, they were doing much more than entertaining a crowd—they were learning.
Even the backdrop for the play, designed and painted by the students in the style of the late artist Marc Chagall—with help from their visual arts teacher Anna Gruda—was incorporated into an overall lesson.
"By studying the biography of Chagall in art class, we were able to learn more about the period in Russia when the play took place," says Simon, a 14-year-old student. "We all helped paint this huge canvas with colours and images Chagall used in his work."
The result was quite spectacular and the project helped the students relate to the characters they were playing on stage.
At Toronto Waldorf School, in Thornhill, Ontario, students spend three-week intervals focusing on one main lesson, while a number of their other classes, including art, support the subject they're learning.
"It allows the students to really immerse themselves in something specific," says Gruda.
Read our advice guide on choosing a school for an arts-oriented child and kids with other traits. To get school-choice advice customized to your child's unique traits, create a child profile through your user account. |
When Grade 8 student Jimena, travelled to Marseilles, France earlier this year to compete in an international gymnastic competition, it changed her opinion about learning French.
"It was my first time in Europe so it was a great experience to see how different things are," she says.
Jimena was grateful for the opportunity to practice what she had been learning in the classroom at St. Jude's Academy, in Mississauga, Ontario, since almost everyone she encountered on her trip spoke French. This experience made her decide to take her learning of the language to the next level.
"When I came back to Canada, I was inspired to learn French so that I can speak fluently," she says. "I finally realized that there was a point to learning another language."
Justin, 15, is learning about William Shakespeare by participating in a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream in which he's playing the role of Demetrius.
"My character is really snobby and stuck-up," he says. "It's fun playing different personalities."
Each year, the Grade 9 and 10 students from Venta Preparatory School, in Ottawa, Ontario team up with the Grade 2 class to bring Shakespeare's plays to life.
"You literally want to become your character on stage," says Justin. "You have to speak and think like him."
The school is also involving students in the younger grades. Justin notes that the children in Grade 2 will play the fairies.
"They don't have many lines, but they love to dance around in their costumes, he says.
The art of providing holistic learning environments for teens
TCS’s service learning program provides the hands-on experience of giving back
What language education at Alexander von Humboldt German International School Montreal provides
How HTS is building a state-of-the-art online education platform that focuses on student relationships
How The Linden School paves the way for global change through their STEM programs
How a new on-site theatre will support Villanova College’s rich arts programming
Access school reviews, insights, and comparisons through our comprehensive reports below.
|
Scarborough, Ontario Kennedy Road/Progress Avenue "Enquiring Minds Montessori is a one-of-a-kind Montessori Art School. We have created a unique learning experience that fosters academic and artistic excellence in a nurturing environment while challenging young minds." —From the school
|
|
North Vancouver, British Columbia Lynn Valley Rd./St. Christophers Rd. "Vancouver Waldorf School is where students grow to meet the world with creativity, resilience, and critical thinking. We emphasize a developmental approach to learning that equips them to thrive in this complex world." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expos
Burlington, Ontario Hwy 6/Dundas Street "Our belief is “Forward Learning. Transforming People.” We focus on S.T.E.A.M. collaborative project learning, Gifted Arts, 21st-century skills, and inquiry-based thinking to prepare students with global competencies." —From the school
|
|
Toronto, Ontario "Aurora Alternative Micro School has created a curriculum that combines academic and creative experiences , engaging a child's head, heart and hands in an environment that is supportive, nurturing and rich in growth." —From the school
|
|
Toronto, Ontario Queen/Silver Birch "The Cole Academy welcomes students of all genders and orientations and their families. Using stories of under-represented communities, TCA prepares students socially, emotionally, and academically for future schooling." —From the school
|
|
Whitby, Ontario Brock Street South/Dundas Streer West "The Hatch House Montessori School is a very child centered school where each student is respected for their uniqueness and is guided through learning accordingly. Ask about our unique, fully bilingual elementary program." —From the school
|
|
Concord, Ontario "Rotman Arts and Science is proudly one of the only two schools across the York region to provide professional ballet and arts training along with academic programs from Grade 1 to Grade 12 towards OSSD." —From the school
|
Private golf schools
Schools with golf programs (July 18, 2019)
Basketball schools
Private schools with basketball programs (July 16, 2019)
Visual Arts Schools
Find a list of the top visual arts schools in Canada (June 26, 2019)
Rugby Schools
(June 5, 2019)
