The 50-page review of Havergal College is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.
Read our in-depth review"Havergal College is a leading independent school for girls (JK to 12) in Toronto dedicated to excellence in education, character development and community engagement. With a focus on empowering students to lead lives of purpose and impact, the school combines tradition with innovation to prepare its students to make a positive difference in a rapidly changing world. Situated on a beautiful 22-acre campus, Havergal offers a distinctive educational journey shaped by innovation, wellbeing and community."
Campus: Havergal has the largest girls’ independent school campus in the city. This allows students to explore and learn outdoors on our 22 acre sprawling campus in the heart of midtown Toronto (including 3 athletic fields, a woodland trail with brook, 2 outdoor classrooms, tennis courts and other green spaces).
Technology: HC-X is the innovation hub of Havergal for the development and delivery of future-ready education. Out of HC-X comes future-ready programming for students and educators.
Havergal College has made several strategic trade-offs to better serve families, focusing on personalized education while balancing resource allocation. The school emphasizes a strong academic foundation alongside a comprehensive co-curricular program. This dual focus requires significant investment in both state-of-the-art facilities and specialized staff, potentially limiting the scale of enrollment to maintain quality.
Havergal College established many of its defining traditions in the early 20th century, including the introduction of the school uniform in 1912, the first yearbook in 1898, and the Old Girl/Alum publication, Chronicle, in 1914. The latter half of the century saw significant expansions, including a new Junior School in 1999 and the Athletic Centre in 2006. The 2021 Limitless Campaign further enhanced facilities, including the Art, Design and Technology wing. Recently, Havergal has integrated modern educational practices and global perspectives, exemplified by its participation in the Round Square network for global learning and leadership and HC-X innovative learning experiences.
An ideal Havergal student is eager to engage in a challenging Liberal Arts educational environment. Ideal candidates are academically motivated, curious and willing to participate in a variety of co-curricular activities. Havergal recognizes students who demonstrate leadership potential, resilience and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. The school also prioritizes inclusivity, so a student and family who respects and embraces diversity and believes in living our values will thrive as members of the Havergal College community.
Families might be advised against choosing Havergal College if their child is not suited to a highly structured and academically rigorous environment. Additionally, if the family's values do not align with Havergal's strong emphasis on leadership, inclusivity and community involvement, they might find the school less suitable. Families looking for a less intense educational experience or those who prioritize a different educational philosophy might prefer other institutions.
When people think about Havergal College, attributes such as tradition, academic excellence, leadership and a nurturing community come to mind. The school has a reputation for producing graduates who are well-prepared for university and who often go on to become influential leaders in various fields. Havergal's commitment to innovation while maintaining its rich traditions is also a key part of its identity, creating a balanced and forward-thinking educational experience.
When people think about Havergal College, attributes such as tradition, academic excellence, leadership and a nurturing community come to mind. The school has a reputation for producing graduates who are well-prepared for university and who often go on to become influential leaders in various fields. Havergal's commitment to innovation while maintaining its rich traditions is also a key part of its identity, creating a balanced and forward-thinking educational experience.
Families are often surprised by how connected their daughters feel with the school community. Our students are mentored and guided in many decisions through the school's Guidance, Wellness and Teacher Advisor programs. They make lasting connections not only with their peers across different grades, but also with the school's faculty and staff. The end goal is to ensure that students have direction for their future outside of Havergal's ivy walls.
Havergal supports students in and out of the classroom by offering mentoring opportunities, providing cross-grade community building opportunities on a weekly basis and taking a genuine interest in the wellbeing and development of each student. Our families are often surprised by how our faculty go above and beyond what's expected of them in the classroom through mentorship. Our Wellness Team and other staff members are available to help students who need additional support.
With the launch of our Strategic Plan, Empowering Excellence, Havergal continues to build on our programming and support in the areas of Wellbeing and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB). With the introduction of a Vice Principal Wellbeing and an Executive Director of EDIB whose portfolios span Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, our focus is on full school programs in place to ensure student wellbeing and our community's commitment to equity, diversity and belonging remains at the forefront, complimenting our strong academic program. Our newly developed Wellbeing and Inclusive Excellence Frameworks guides our programs in and out of the classroom, allowing our students to find their purpose, understand themselves as learners, leaders and humans,in an environment that allows them to be authentic and feel valued for who they are.
Havergal College has a clear vision for the future that revolves around strengthening its core mission while expanding its educational offerings to prepare students for an evolving world. Over the next five years, the school plans to continue integrating modern educational practices with a focus on global learning, digital wisdom and leadership development.
A key aspect of Havergal's future strategy is the expansion of programs that emphasize global perspectives. The school is committed to fostering a supportive environment that prepares students to be confident and resilient global citizens. This includes deepening its involvement with the Round Square network and enhancing programs that encourage students to engage in social innovation and global experiences.
The infrastructure at Havergal will also see improvements, with ongoing upgrades to facilities that support the arts, technology and physical education.
Hear directly from Havergal College community as they share insights.