What are the types of private schools in Toronto?
Toronto private schools include a growing number of forest and nature school options alongside Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia approaches. You’ll find private schools in Toronto offering full-year forest programs, part-time outdoor education, and hybrid models that blend classroom learning with regular nature immersion. Among private schools Toronto families explore, many schools with outdoor learning emphasize environmental stewardship and community building.
What is a forest school?
Forest schools are full-year schools which provide outdoor education for kids of different ages, from preschool to high school. In these schools, kids spend lots of time studying and working in forests or woodlands. They also learn a wide range of practical and technical skills. If you’ve wondered “what is forest school?”, it’s a child-led, place-based model focused on exploration and inquiry.
Forest schools are sometimes called "nature schools" or "outdoor schools," given their focus on nature and environmental education. They focus a lot on outdoor activities and the wilderness, a hallmark increasingly seen in Toronto private schools and private schools in Toronto that run weekly forest days.
These schools also have a unique curricular approach. This approach is children-centred and emergent. In short, the curriculum and activities are mostly driven by the interests of the kids. This is similar to the Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia approaches to education. In fact, Waldorf schools (and preschools), in addition to being child-centred, focus a great deal on nature—an approach embraced by many Toronto private schools.
Forest schools encourage curiosity and exploration with all the senses. They also aim to promote spatial awareness and motor development. This is especially true of forest kindergartens, which some private schools in Toronto families choose for the early years.
At the elementary and secondary level, these schools promote social skills and creative learning. They also focus a lot on teamwork and problem-solving. And at the higher levels, kids learn abstract concepts, such as in math, science, and other subjects, often through inquiry projects offered by Toronto private schools and private schools in Toronto with nature-based programs.
What are the benefits of private education in Toronto?
Families considering Toronto private schools that follow a forest school model often cite stronger confidence, collaboration, and resilience. Private schools in Toronto that integrate weekly outdoor learning provide:
- Challenging academics: Programs meet and often exceed provincial standards while embedding environmental inquiry.
- Community: A close-knit culture of students, educators, and families engaged in outdoor learning.
- Extracurriculars: Clubs, outdoor leadership, and stewardship projects.
- Strong teaching: Educators trained in outdoor pedagogy and risk-aware learning.
- Small classes: Low ratios that support individualized, inquiry-driven experiences.
- Personalized instruction: Learning tailored to student interests in natural settings across private schools in Toronto.
- Parent involvement: Family participation in field days and community events.
- Great resources: Access to green spaces, gear libraries, and outdoor classrooms.
Who are forest schools for?
Forest schools are for learners of all ages, from primary to secondary school. Some are also geared to young adults. In many Toronto private schools, nature-based days support different learning styles and needs.
These schools can be a good fit for a wide range of children. In particular, kids who aren’t doing well or need a break from a traditional school often thrive in one of these schools. Because of their lower teacher-to-child ratios and the calming influence of the outdoors, they can also be a great option for children with special needs. This includes kids with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, and learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Several other types of students can benefit from a forest or nature school (or program). These include students who:
- Struggle in school
- Struggle socially
- Have an emotional issue, such as anxiety or depression
- Are a troubled teen
- Enjoy the outdoors
- Are interested in animals, plants, or forestry
- Are curious
- Like to explore
Sometimes, forest schools are used as an alternative to traditional schooling. Other times, they’re meant to support a child’s primary education or to provide a short transition back into it—approaches available across Toronto private schools and private schools in Toronto suburbs.
How much does private school cost in Toronto?
Costs vary by program length, frequency, and staffing. Forest programs within Toronto private schools may be included in tuition or offered as add-ons. Stand-alone nature programs typically range from CAD 8,000 to CAD 25,000 annually, similar to many private schools Toronto families review when comparing options.
How do I choose a private school in Toronto?
There are lots of forest schools in Canada. This includes schools in Toronto and Windsor, Ontario, and Vancouver, British Columbia. When comparing Toronto private schools, visit campuses, ask about weekly outdoor time, risk management policies, and how learning goals are assessed outside. Be sure to explore private schools in Toronto that run dedicated forest days as well as hybrid nature schools.
On this page, check out our list of forest schools. Some of these schools specialize in outdoor or nature education. Others offer part-time nature programs or courses. Choose a school that’s the right fit for your child and family—the diversity of Toronto private schools ensures there’s an option for every learner among private schools in Toronto.
