Do you have a child with autism or what’s sometimes called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? If so, you’ll need to find a school with the right educational environment. Read more
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
|
Belleville, Ontario "We are a therapeutic boarding school for Gr. 3-12 students requiring individualized academic, clinical, and behaviour-management solutions in small class sizes and professional home stay or boarding environments" —From the school
|
|
Wellandport, Ontario "Robert Land Academy, established in 1978, is a private military-inspired boarding school (Grades 5-12) that helps boys build self-confidence, achieve academic success, develop values, and realize their potential." —From the school
|
|
South Wales, New York(USA) "The Gow School is a college-prep boarding and day school for students, grades 6-12, with dyslexia and similar language-based learning disabilities." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo: Oct 26
"Focussed on Community First, Outdoors Every Day, and Authentic Learning, LCS offers a world-class, individualized, day/boarding program (Grades 9 -12) designed for teenager to be leaders who care, connect and contribute.
—From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo: Oct 26
"We believe that healthy habits and universal values developed now go a long way in developing confident and caring global citizens who are ready to make a positive impact wherever their journey takes them.
—From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo: Oct 26
"Havergal has been preparing young women to make a difference since 1894 through its innovative curriculum and future-ready programming with a focus on wellbeing and student agency.
—From the school
|
"No other high school in the world has developed more Elite, Junior, Collegiate, USPORT, NCAA, National, Olympic or Pro athletes with over 215 in the NHL alone. ND graduates attend the top ranked universities worldwide.
—From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo: Oct 26
"Branksome Hall is Toronto’s only leading International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls in JK-Grade 12, developing the leaders of tomorrow through the nurturing of curiosity and critical thinking at every age.
—From the school
|
|
Winnipeg, Manitoba Langside St./Westminster Ave. "Parents trust us to personalize the educational experience of each girl, to care for each girl, to challenge her to grow, to build a supportive community around her, and, most importantly, to prepare her for the future." —From the school
|
|
Fort Erie, Ontario Townline Rd./Niagara Parkway "Niagara Christian Collegiate offers both middle school and secondary school programs from Grades 6-12. Graduating students achieve top university placements around the world. We accept both day and boarding students." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expos
Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia "Beginning in Grade 8, our unique Shawnigan journey purposefully guides students through a distinct, unparalleled and bold educational experience on our stunning waterfront campus on Canada’s beautiful West Coast." —From the school
|
|
Laval, Quebec "NSAL is the only private English high school on Montreal's North Shore. We offer small classroom sizes and an enriched curriculum. We teach not only for school but for life. Certificate of eligibility not required." —From the school
|
|
London, Ontario Richmond Street/King Street "A Canadian Private Secondary Boarding school, located in the heart of London, Ontario. LIA is authorized to grant the Ontario Secondary School and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme." —From the school
|
|
Rosthern, Saskatchewan "RJC is a Grades 10-12 boarding school accredited by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. RJC is student and community-focused all while offering excellent academics and exceptional athletic and fine arts programs." —From the school
|
|
Bracebridge, Ontario "Dewey Institute adheres to John Dewey's 'student centered' & 'learning by doing' and the cultivation of harmonious character, sportsmanship, and aesthetic abilities, for a holistic preparing individuals for success." —From the school
|
|
Stanstead, Quebec Dufferin Street/Willow Lane "An English school in a French milieu, Stanstead College is located on the Quebec-Vermont border, offering rigorous university-prep, Grades 7 to 12 (including AP options), in a secure, family-focused learning environment." —From the school
|
|
Gretna, Manitoba "Faith is at the center of all we do at MCI- from the court, to the stage, to the classroom. We work to provide a safe space for students to ask questions, dig deeper, grow into who God is calling them to be." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Belleville, Ontario "Discover an exceptional education. Albert College is an independent boarding and day school for students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12." —From the school
|
|
Markham, Ontario 14th Ave/Kennedy "Trillium School is a private school that offers programs from pre-school to grade twelve in Markham with Montessori-based kindergarten." —From the school
|
|
Victoria, British Columbia "Brookes Westshore is an IB World School on Vancouver Island, BC, offering small class sizes, engaging teachers and a caring community to boarding and day students from grades 4 to 12." —From the school
|
|
Montreal, Quebec De Maisonneuve West/Park Row West "At Kells, flexibility is the key. We develop programs allowing students to work within their comfort zone, which may be above, below or at grade level. The result is students who outperform even their own expectations." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Whitby, Ontario Garden Street/Hwy. 2 "Whether exploring science and technology, creating art, or competing in athletics, there is nothing a Trafalgar girl can't handle." —From the school
|
|
Rigaud, Quebec Rue Saint-Pierre/Rue Bourget "Collège Bourget is a day & boarding school located between Montreal and Ottawa. French and English high school programs are offered. Bourget aims to foster personal autonomy, academic development, and perseverance." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Aurora, Ontario St. John's Sideroad/Yonge Street "With a tradition dating back to 1899, St. Andrew's remains the single largest all-boys boarding school in Canada. Our 126-acre campus provides our students with an ideal setting for learning and growth." —From the school
|
|
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 Diploma Programme and Canadian curricula." —From the school
|
|
Windsor, Nova Scotia College Rd/King St "Benefitting from its 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." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Victoria, British Columbia "SMS has been leading the way in girls' education since 1908. Our 22-acre Victoria campus attracts leaders from around the world. We are the sole girl-centred school on Vancouver Island." —From the school
|
|
Montreal, Quebec Atwater/Docteur-Penfield "Since 1861, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal, the city’s only all-girls English Catholic high school, has been preparing girls to change the world. We offer grades 7 to 12, day school and boarding." —From the school
|
|
Mississauga, Ontario Hurontario/Bronte College Ct "Bronte College integrates rigorous academics, holistic development, and global awareness through STEM education, leadership development, a diverse cultural environment, and inquiry based, hands-on teaching." —From the school
|
|
St Catharines, Ontario Ontario St./Welland Ave. "Heuristic & autodidactic, inspired by Sudbury & democratic models. Students are self-directed, and holistically empowered. Voluntary attendance, year-round calendar, agency, & consent inspire free learning. Also Forest" —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
St. Catharines, Ontario Ridley Road/Henrietta Street "Ridley College is an acclaimed co-educational IB 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." —From the school
|
|
Rome, Italy Ponte Sublicio/Lungotevere Aventino "An IB World School located in the heart of Rome. A connected community driven by our 5 core values of Scholarship, Integrity, Creativity, Independence, and Care; culturally inspiring students since 1964." —From the school
|
Any private school you consider should understand the main traits, symptoms, and causes of autism. Most importantly, though, they should have a strong autism program, one that meets your child’s most crucial needs.
Many schools in Canada support children with autism or ASD. This includes schools in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, and Mississauga.
Boarding school is often a nice option for children with autism. It often provides the right environment to support their educational, social, and emotional needs, administered by teachers with focused training in special education.
Some boarding schools are completely dedicated to educating and supporting kids with autism and those who are on the autism spectrum. These schools exclusively focus on autism and only accept children with this condition.
Other boarding schools support autism but also support students with other special needs. For instance, some boarding schools that support children with autism support other developmental disabilities, such as Asperger’s syndrome, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and Williams syndrome. They may also support kids with learning disabilities as well.
Read our advice guide on choosing a school for a child with special needs (such as autism) 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. |
Benefits of autism boarding schools
Whether you’re looking at a boarding school dedicated to autism or one that supports other special needs as well, these schools can be highly effective. They offer a kind of therapeutic environment that’s just what many kids need.
This often includes:
Many of these same features can be found in day schools that are dedicated to supporting special needs students, such as those with autism. But often boarding schools can provide an intensive therapeutic environment that’s difficult to find in day programs.
Your child will be supported round-the-clock with a wide array of specialized programs that target her unique learning and social needs. She’ll also have the opportunity to become more independent, mature, and responsible, with new support systems that depend less on her family.
On this page, we list boarding schools that support children with autism. Click on a school profile to learn more about it, such as its location, cost, specialized programs, and registration details.
Read our advice guide on choosing a school for a child with special needs (such as autism) 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. |
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
Special needs schools for boys
For boys with special needs, a specialized education environment is even more beneficial. (August 19, 2019)
Special needs day schools
Private special needs day schools are a tremendous chance for your child to receive an excellent education (June 11, 2019)
Maritimes special needs schools
Find special needs schools in the Maritimes provinces listed below. (June 11, 2019)
Coed Special Needs Schools
An environment most like real work or post-secondary education will help prepare them for the future. (May 15, 2019)
