The relationship between gender, sexuality, and boarding school has always been an uneasy one. At one time, parents looked to boarding school to enforce what they would have considered to be normative behaviour. Ted Rogers, founder of Rogers Communications, recalled that “my pediatrician advised my mother that I should go to a boys’ environment because if I stayed home with my mother and a nanny, I’d become a sissy.” He was seven.
It is true that boys’ boarding schools, at that time, weren’t for "sissies," at least in the sense of the term as Rogers would have understood it. (To some extent it was used to refer, indirectly, to a cultural unease with gender and homosexuality, though that's likely something we're only able to perceive in retrospect.) Rather, schools enforced a very singular, narrow vision of masculinity. For some parents (and apparently some pediatricians as well) that provided the motivation to send their children to boarding school. It wasn't a place for finding yourself, or refining your interests, or growing into who you were or wanted to be. Rather, it was a place to become part of the whole, to become like other people.
Rogers certainly wasn't a “sissy” in his adult life, again in the sense of that term as he would have adopted it. We’ll never know if that's a result of his boarding school education. For others, the experience was more fractured. Michael Ignatieff, like Rogers, was a student at UCC. Looking back, he says that “the logic of boarding [at the time] was basically to get puberty out of the house, to get boys away from their parents so they can become sexual animals alone.”
“The single-sex environment produced a certain homophobia, which I now very much regret. I have very strong emotional feelings toward men, some of which were cultivated by that environment … Yet there was a tremendous anxiety about crossing the line into homosexual experience. I think it is very right and appropriate for men to love each other … . That was damn difficult in that school, and made more difficult than it needed to be.”
There was a tension in Ignatieff’s day that perhaps is less with us today, if only because sexuality is less cloistered. In its place, though, are new tensions, many which derive from an understanding of the benefits of authority as well as potential abuses. “I think it’s important for a boy, for a young man,” says Ignatieff, “to see male authority that he can believe in.”
Increasingly schools are giving a very welcome attention to how they can address their students' emerging academic, social, and gender identities, and to provide the kind of authority, both from men and women, that Ignatieff describes.
Two former students, who now identify as men, appeared on the cover of Branksome Hall’s alumni magazine, The Read, in 2016.
In 2003, Chris Studer was in grade 7 at UCC, and was admittedly a bully. “I definitely had a mean streak,” he said, reflecting years later, admitting that it came from his insecurity and the desire to find a place within the social life of the school. His insecurity lead to the use of slurs toward those who were different, or were perceived to be different from himself, particularly around sexual orientation. At a forum hosted at the school in 2013, Studer invited Calum Mew to join him on stage, one of the people he had bullied all those years before. They both told their stories, and Studer voiced his regrets.
Of course that past can’t be changed, but Studer and Mew's participation in the forum was significant of an ongoing dedication to a program of mentorship around gender, sex, and the full range of relationships that students share during their time at school. It was emblematic of a more open discussion, one that had been validated by school administration with the launch in 2001 of the Gay-Straight Alliance in order to create an opportunity to acknowledge the sexual and personal diversity at the school. The project was created to look forward, and to encourage an open, supportive setting. Interestingly, it also provides opportunities to look back—as it did for Studer—to acknowledge and address the past.
A Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) began at Trinity College School in 2002 when a teacher brought together a group of students who were tired of the use of derogatory terms and the harassment that was going on at the school. It is still running today, and the membership continues to grow. There, as at other schools with similar programs, membership levels perhaps aren’t as important as the presence of the initiatives.
Schools, understandably, have always reflected the culture that they are within. Cultural ideals are implicit within the school’s language, curriculum, and traditions, something that has of course been true throughout the ages. For much of our history, schools were a means of establishing and maintaining a status quo, with the needs of society as the principal driver.
Today, more than ever before, the opposite is true: boarding schools aren’t about maintaining the status quo, but about striving for something better, and working to provide a model for how we could, and should, live as a nation. “It is critical that we interrupt dominant cultures,” says Nicols, “by questioning norms and injecting new, more inclusive traditions into school life and curriculum.”
New programs and initiatives, such as UCC’s Character Project, are designed to affect exactly that kind of interruption. In 2015, Jim Power, principal at UCC, described the Character Project as a means of getting at something that he feels is essential to a complete education. In an address to the student body, he said that while “we can see how you’re doing in math, French, and English ... we can’t accurately determine the more important questions: how do you deal with adversity? Do you demonstrate courage in the clutch? And most importantly, What kind of guy are you becoming?”
The goal of education, Power believes, isn’t restricted to academics. The goal, as he said in that same address, is also “to help you all find and become your best selves,” a process that includes social-emotional development, maturity, decision-making, and an explicit attention to mental health. True to that goal, the school created a new role, that of Character Integrator, in 2014. In addition to teaching English and Drama, Laurie Fraser became the first member of the faculty to take on the post. “It’s important for [students] to have a sense of autonomy,” says Fraser, “and feel like they have influence in their school, because that engagement and ownership of their school life deepens their connection to their school culture.”
The Character Project and initiatives like it in boarding schools across the country is emblematic of an ongoing commitment to allowing students to have that kind of connection, and to providing opportunities for them to exercise it in ways that are meaningful and tangible. It’s about instilling authority and leadership, but it's also about character and the development of positive self concept. “It’s really hard to act in the world with kindness and generosity when you don’t feel good on the inside,” says Fraser.
And while the initiatives at many schools began with gay-straight alliances, ultimately the goal is to address the needs of all students no matter how they may or may not identify themselves. Says Fraser, “[w]e have conversations in a series of workshops about character strengths and the pillars of well-being, including positive emotions, engagement, relationships, finding meaning and having a sense of accomplishment in life.” That program and others like it recognize that it's a process, and one that we all share equally.
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–Glen Herbert
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Access school reviews, insights, and comparisons through our comprehensive reports below.
These are the leading schools that Our Kids editors have covered most extensively so far, providing detailed insights and thorough analysis of their programs, student life, and more.
"Niagara Christian Collegiate offers Grades 6–12 with day and boarding options in a safe, diverse community along the Niagara River. Our graduates earn top university placements in competitive programs worldwide.
—From the school
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"St. George's School in Vancouver offers university-preparatory program to Canadian and International boarding students from Grade 8 to 12. The School's mission: Building Fine Young Men. One Boy at a Time.
—From the school
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"At Upper Canada College tradition, excellence and innovation meet. UCC inspires boys to lead lives of leadership, service and impact through transformative learning experiences that develop head, heart and humanity.
—From the school
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"At TCS, we believe that healthy habits and universal values developed now go a long way in developing curious, capable, and compassionate individuals ready for what's next.
—From the school
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"The Bishop Strachan School is a leading independent JK-Grade 12 day & Boarding school for girls. Students build academic skills to thrive at university and beyond. Over $2 million available in financial assistance.
—From the school
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"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
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"This traditional private school in Ottawa offers Grades 4-12 with 100 boarding and 650 day students. Tuition ranges from $38,970 to $84,700. Ashbury excels in academics, co-curriculars, and experiential learning.
—From the school
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"LCS combines rigorous academics, immersive outdoor learning, and a caring global community on Canada’s largest waterfront campus, giving teens the confidence, curiosity, and skills to thrive and succeed anywhere.
—From the school
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"Appleby College in Oakville is recognized globally as one of Canada's leading independent schools. Breadth, excellence, innovation and caring are the characteristics that define the essence of the Appleby experience.
—From the school
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"Havergal’s supportive environment drives academic excellence and cultivates confident leaders through unparalleled programs, empowering students to pursue their passions, take initiative and thrive.
—From the school
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"At Ridley College, an IB World School and one of the largest boarding schools in Canada, our mission is to teach students a foundation of skills and habits to pursue their dreams and build fulfilling careers.
—From the school
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 Winnipeg, Manitoba Langside St./Westminster Ave. "Recognizing each student's potential in their pursuit of excellence, we encourage progress, we develop opportunities, and we advocate belonging as they create paths that take them into uncharted territories." —From the school
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 Stratford / VR Campus, Ontario Ontario Street/Waterloo Street South "Private intermediate and secondary micro-school in Stratford, Ontario dedicated to providing a holistic education that values academic excellence, moral leadership, emotional well-being and social responsibility." —From the school
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 Shawingan Lake, British Columbia "A close-knit IB school blending flexible pathways with outdoor and hands-on learning. We nurture curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking in a supportive community focused on developing balanced, capable humans." —From the school
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 Caledon, Ontario Hwy 10/Old School Road "The Hill Academy is Canada's premier independent school for students in K-12/PG. Students are challenged in a supportive environment to explore the boundaries of their academic, athletic and leadership potential." —From the school
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 Waterloo Region (Breslau), Ontario "SJK offers an enriched environment of exploration in a caring and inclusive community. Through its IB curriculum and rich co-curricular programming, SJK guides students to discover their unique talents and passions." —From the school
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 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
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 Fort Erie, Ontario Central Avenue/Wintemute Street "FEIA's environment fosters global awareness and advances our student body into responsible and globally aware citizens who are well-equipped for life beyond academics." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario "MIA is proud to foster a family environment through our small class sizes and close knit academic community. Our support for students goes far beyond the classroom to best prepare them for life after graduation." —From the school
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 Mississauga, Ontario Dundas St W./Mississauga Rd. "The Erindale Academy is a JK-Grade 12 school located next to the University of Toronto Mississauga. We offer small classes, inquiry-based learning, and strong AI and Leadership programs to prepare students for success." —From the school
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 Markham, Ontario Woodbine Av./Hwy 7 "Character at the core sets apart J. Addison School. Our goal is to build successful well-rounded individuals guided by our core values—Respect, Kindness, and Manner." —From the school
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 Montreal, Quebec De Maisonneuve West/Park Row West "At Kells, flexibility is 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
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 North Vancouver, British Columbia Harbourside Drive/ "A globally oriented university-preparatory day and boarding school combining BC academics, diverse perspectives, and structured pathways that evolve with students from Grades 8–12." —From the school
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 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
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 Summerland, British Columbia "UNISUS blends an IB education with personalized learning, Scholar-Athlete Academie, Enrichment Programs & weekend boarding adventures within a supportive, close-knit community; inspiring growth beyond the classroom." —From the school
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 Burlington, Ontario Hwy 6/Dundas Street "Laureate’s whole‑brain, cross‑curricular and collaborative project‑based culture, enriched by gifted arts and co‑op programs, offers a forward learning pathway backed by 100% university acceptance rate to date." —From the school
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 Mill Bay, British Columbia "Brentwood is a leading university prep school that brings to life student choice through its bold tripartite program. We are a true boarding school, not merely a school with boarding, and the ocean is our playground." —From the school
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 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
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 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
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 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
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 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
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 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
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 Rothesay, New Brunswick Rothesay Rd/College Hill Rd "Our unique, daily Advisor Program ensures every student is surrounded by a strong network of highly qualified, dedicated faculty and staff whose mission is to provide academic, emotional, and social guidance and support." —From the school
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 Bradenton, Florida(USA) "IMG Academy is the world's leading sports education brand, providing access and opportunity for student-athletes with an innovative suite of on-campus and online programming." —From the school
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 Rosseau, Ontario Hwy. 141/Bright Street "Through extraordinary learning opportunities rooted in meaningful outdoor education experiences in our unique natural environment, RLC graduates develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to take on any challenge." —From the school
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 Markham, Ontario McCowan Road/Denison Road "Markham, Ontario; IB School; OSSD; OSSD online credit course; NOIC ACADEMY’s annual university enrolment rate is 100% and we have 95.74% of graduates admitted by University of Toronto in 2024." —From the school
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 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
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 Regina, Saskatchewan "Luther College prepares students to be compassionate, creative, and critical thinkers who go on to create a more grace-filled, just, and joyful world. Luther College is the only IB World School in southern Saskatchewan." —From the school
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 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
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 Wilcox, Saskatchewan Railway Ave/Rouleau St "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
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 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
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 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
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 Laval, Quebec Notre-Dame/ "Laval’s only private English high school—no certificate of eligibility required. A launchpad for future leaders, lifelong learners, and thoughtful citizens through strong academics and real-world learning. Grades 7-12." —From the school
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 Belleville, Ontario "Discover an exceptional education. Albert College is an independent boarding and day school for students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Belleville, Ontario. AP offered as well as ESL summer school (OSSD credit)." —From the school
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 North York / Port Hope, Ontario York Mills Rd/Don Mills Rd "We inspire global learners through a rigorous IB & AP programs, nurturing curiosity, confidence, and character. In a small-class setting, each student receives individual attention to excel and lead globally." —From the school
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 Newmarket, Ontario Mulock Drive/Bayview Avenue "Pickering College's fully-integrated Global Leadership Program (JK to Grade 12) inspires students to become agents of courageous, ethical and positive change with the confidence, knowledge and skills to shape the future." —From the school
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 Rigaud, Quebec Rue Saint-Pierre/Rue Bourget "Collège Bourget is a day and 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
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 Rosthern, Saskatchewan "RJC is a Grades 9-12 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
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 Merrickville, Ontario "Our small class sizes, dynamic club programs, and house-based community activities ensure that every student feels a sense of belonging at Fulford Academy. Whether they are boarding or day students, all individuals know" —From the school
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 Lanciano, Other • Richmond Hill, Ontario "Canadian College Italy blends Ontario academics with Italian culture, offering small classes, personalized support, and immersive travel that helps students grow in confidence, independence, and global perspective." —From the school
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 South Wales, New York(USA) "With 100 years of expertise, The Gow School is the leader in educating and empowering students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and other language-based learning differences." —From the school
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 Thornhill, Ontario Bathurst Street/Steeles Avenue West "TAIE International is a prestigious international school in Canada, dedicated to academic excellence and university preparation for students in Grades 7–12." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario Finch Avenue/Islington Avenue "Nile Academy offers small class sizes and a low student-to-teacher ratio, while also following the Ontario Curriculum, ensuring our students are well prepared for the rest of their educational pursuits here in Canada." —From the school
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 Scarborough, Ontario Brimley Avenue/Finch Avenue East "RCS’s purpose is to unleash the potential in each student and set them on the path for a successful life. We provide rigorous academics with individual attention in a diverse, energizing, and caring environment." —From the school
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Aurora Montessori schools
Find Montessori schools in Aurora listed below. (May 1, 2026)
Montessori schools in Burlington-Hamilton
Find the top Montessori schools in Burlington-Hamilton (May 1, 2026)
Designing education around the student
What does “individualized education” actually look like? (April 28, 2026)
Why long-term academic planning matters before high school
Building a strategic academic pathway from the early years. (April 14, 2026)
Developing strong, confident thinkers through the power of writing
At Hudson College, learning to write is a developmental journey that shapes how students think, communicate, understand, and interact with the world around them. (March 11, 2026)
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