Home and away
Boarding teaches a lot about academics and a little something about life
Find a list of schoolsAhlya Fountain is saying goodbye.
Ahlya Fountain is saying goodbye.
After four years as a boarder at The Bishop Strachan School in central Toronto, Ontario, she is leaving the Gothic building centric campus and going on to university. "I am going to miss this so much," she says, looking at the other two girls at the table, one from Bowmanville, Ontario, one from Hong Kong. "I'm going to miss you so much. We're sisters. It's true."
Five years ago while at home in the Bahamas, Fountain thought boarding schools only existed in children's stories by Enid Blyton. Her parents helped plant the seed for boarding school, and after touring a few campuses while visiting her grandparents in Montreal, she and her parents chose The Bishop Strachan School (BSS), where 85 of the 860 girls board.
Although Canadian boarding schools are based on the British model, they set their own style. Rupert Lane, head of school at Ridley College in St. Catharines, Ontario, after teaching in British schools. "There's a cultural difference," he says. "In the Canadian context, there's more consultation, less autocracy."
In the hallway outside his office, students from around the world have discarded their uniforms for the day to attend class in their own national costumes, from Texas cowboy hats to Japanese kimonos.
Philip Gaertner is in his final year at Ridley College and says he attended boarding school back home in Germany. But Ridley "really changed me. I am more open-minded. I even learned a whole song from my roommate from Taiwan."
It's unfortunate, then, that at a time when smaller families and absent parents make boarding schools more relevant than ever, parents seem more reluctant to let go of their children. It may be a lingering symptom of 9/11, BSS head Kim Gordon suggests. "I think we have to market to those people who want a family away from family," she says.
Emily Bradley of Toronto attended public school, an independent day school and, after Grade 9, Ridley College as a boarder. She knows what Gordon means. "I find a sense of community I have not seen before," says Bradley. But that doesn't mean losing her family.
Although she wanted to board, the day she left home "was really bittersweet," she recalls. "My parents were excited for me, but it was hard to say goodbye. And it was really hard to leave my friends and my sister."
Once at school, there was little time to mope. "The first two months you are so busy you don't have time to think," she says. Now going home is different, she adds. "You have a different appreciation for being back with your family." When she goes home for weekends - and many of her spring weekends were taken up with rowing training - she's just as happy going out to dinner with her parents as she is being with friends.
Bradley, who thinks about a career in international relations or politics, believes in the boarding school edge, especially in Grades 11 and 12.
"I think the jump from home to university is huge. This is a transition. I have the opportunity to be independent," she says. "There's more opportunity to succeed here. There are so many people behind you. Class doesn't end at 3:30. It's a 24-hour community."
In fact, that kind of academic and social backup seems to work for kids at all levels of ability. Fountain, at BSS, says she and her friends had real trouble understanding science in Grade 7. But after working together in a boarders' pre-exam study group, "I finally understood the water cycle."
"Academically," says her friend Karen Wiltshire from Bowmanville, "I have to work 10 times as hard (as the other girls) to get 75 or 80. But study groups really help me."
Some students might never make it to university if they were not boarders, Gordon says.
"I used to go home, do half my homework, then watch TV," says another BSS boarder Jennifer Chong, whose parents are in Hong Kong. "I can't follow that stuff anymore." With two hours of mandatory study every night, "I have watched maybe 45 minutes of TV this year."
Parties are no problem, either. "You can't say 'Please let me stay out a bit later?' " Wiltshire says. "The rules are there. You suck it up." Besides, adds Fountain, who needs parties if your best friend is just down the hall?
It's not all easy. Chong, with her parents so far away, says there have been times she feels she lost the opportunity to grow closer to her parents. "People say, 'Oh your parents don't love you.' But I think they really love me because they are willing to sacrifice by having me at this distance from them."
And then she admits: "I miss my friends here more when I am in Hong Kong than I miss my parents when I am here."
At St. Margaret's School in Victoria, British Columbia, 90 percent of the boarders are international. The school, says director of residence Beth Quinn, mixes it up by making sure everyone's roommate is of another background. "Often the girls become best friends and correspond for years and years," she says.
Staying in touch is part of being an ex-boarder: "We have little old ladies in their 80s come back," says Gordon at BSS. "They say boarding was the happiest memory of their lives."
Every boarding school offers a slightly different experience. Small-town Stanstead College in Quebec is very much part of the local community, says Joanne Carruthers in admissions. Students here engage in social service, tutoring at two local schools and helping at a seniors' residence.
And then there are schools where only boarding will work. Saint John's School of Alberta has just 120 students and is proud of its outdoor challenge program. Keith McKay, president of the society that operates the school, says it experimented with admitting day students.
"We thought the boarders would be resentful of the day students being able to go home every night," he says. As it turned out, it was the other way around. The day students were jealous arriving at school every morning and hearing about the fun and adventures the boarders had had the night before. After three years, McKay says, all the day students had become boarders.
Academics are important, he adds, but when students and former students of the school get together, it's not the great history class they remember, but their time in the wilderness (canoe trips can last up to three weeks) or the dorm life. It's a bond, he says, that binds men and boys of different ages and cultures.
"The fact that they have to get along together is a great step towards independence." And that, says McKay, is one reason boarders have an edge in life.
"At TCS, an excellent education means students remain open to learning throughout life and doing something positive with what they have learned.
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"Focussed on Community First, Outdoors Every Day, and Authentic Learning, LCS offers a world-class, individualized, day/boarding program (Grades 9 -12) designed for students to be leaders who care, connect and contribute.
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"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.
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"SJK offers an enriched environment of exploration and experiential learning. Through its IB curriculum, SJK provides exciting experiences and guides students to discover their talents and passions. Go beyond at SJK.
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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.
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"Located in the heart of Toronto, UCC provides transformational learning experiences in a supportive, caring environment. Our highly sought-after graduates are awarded International Baccalaureate and OSSD diplomas.
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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.
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"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.
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"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 top ranked universities worldwide.
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"Confident Learners. Inspiring Leaders. Creating a thriving world.
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Toronto, Ontario Spadina/St Clair Ave W "The Bishop Strachan School is a leading independent JK-Grade 12 day & boarding school for girls. Students build the academic skills to thrive at university and beyond. Over $2 million available in financial assistance." —From the school
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Burlington, Ontario Hwy 6/Dundas Street "Our belief is “Forward Learning. Transforming People.” We focus on STEAM collaborative project learning, 21st-century skills, and inquiry-based thinking to prepare students with global competencies." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "Located in the heart of Toronto, McDonald International Academy offers programs for grades 9 to 12 . Our average class size is 10 to 20 students." —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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Stratford, Ontario Ontario Street/Waterloo Street South "Private Secondary School in Stratford, Ontario dedicated to providing a holistic education that values happiness, academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility." —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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Victoria, British Columbia Richmond Rd/McRae Ave "Independent Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 boarding and day school in Victoria, BC, Canada focusing on outstanding preparation for life. Find out how a SMUS education can benefit your family." —From the school
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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
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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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Victoria, British Columbia "GNS is an independent JK-12 International Baccalaureate boarding and day school in Victoria, BC, that empowers and supports each of our students to do their best through truth and courage in learning and in life." —From the school
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Wellandport, Ontario "Robert Land Academy, established in 1978, is a private military-inspired boarding school (Gr 5-12) helping boys to experience validation, realize their potential and gain admission to post-secondary programs." —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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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
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Victoria, British Columbia "Brookes Westshore is an IB World School on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC, offering grades 4 to 12 in both day and boarding programmes (from grade 8 for boarding). We have an average class size of 15 students." —From the school
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North Vancouver, British Columbia Harbourside Drive/ "Bodwell High School emphasizes a well-rounded education with strong student support. The school's motto, "Strength in Diversity," pays homage to the 40+ countries students come from. Bodwell offers AP and IB courses." —From the school
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Whitby, Ontario Garden Street/Hwy. 2 "Trafalgar Castle offers AP programming and an academically challenging environment rooted in future-ready competencies that prepare students for a world yet to be imagined." —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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Belleville, Ontario "At Albert College, every student is an 'A' student. From Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12, our students experience all 5 of the Albert 'A’ s: Academics, Arts, Athletics, Active citizenship and Adventure programming." —From the school
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Bracebridge, Ontario "Dewey’s educational goals follow the philosophies of John Dewey, preparing students through “student-centred learning" and "learning by doing", while emphasizing the cultivation of the "three New Liberal Arts"." —From the school
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Kimberley, British Columbia "Grateful. Mindful. Purposeful. Successful. At Purcell Collegiate School, we will prep you--for university and for life. Learn more about the u.prep@pcs suite of extra-curricular programs on our website." —From the school
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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
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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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Winnipeg, Manitoba South Dr/North Dr "SJR is the world’s leading school in Debating and Public Speaking. It has produced 18 Rhodes scholars and 3 math olympiads. 98% of SJR graduates are accepted to their first choice university program." —From the school
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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
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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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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
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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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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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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
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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
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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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Hamilton, Ontario Main St. W./Longwood Rd. S. "Columbia International College is Canada’s largest private boarding school, offering Grade 9 to 12 programs. #1 in scholarships awarded by universities. The University of Toronto's official Global Partner School." —From the school
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Summerland, British Columbia "Looking for an education that's out of the ordinary? Unisus School is a Pre - K to Grade 12 day and boarding school in Canada's Okanagan, offering the International Baccalaureate program + the B.C. Diploma (Dogwood)." —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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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
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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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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
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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
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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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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
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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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Markham, Ontario Woodbine Av./Hwy 7 "Since 2002, J. Addison has provided a stimulating education for students. Located at the corner of Woodbine and Valleywood Drive in Markham, ON, Canada, you will find our state-of-the-art 58,000 sq. ft. facility." —From the school
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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
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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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Lanciano, Italy "Canadian College Italy provides a nurturing environment on our beautiful historic campus so that students may experience an intellectual awakening — a passion for the pursuit of reason, human connection, and curiosity." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario "Markham, Ontario; IB School; OSSD; OSSD online credit course; NOIC ACADEMY’s annual university enrolment rate is 100% and more than 85% of graduates are admitted by University of Toronto." —From the school
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Brantford, Ontario Colborne/Clarence "At Haven, we equip our students with critical thinking skills, a global perspective, and a respect for core values of honesty, loyalty, perseverance, and compassion." —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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Ottawa, Ontario Mariposa Avenue/Springfield "This traditional private school in Ottawa, Ontario offers Grades 4 to 12 with 100 boarding and 600 day school students. Tuition is from $33,720 to $76,830." —From the school
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Duncan, British Columbia Brownsey Avenue/Government Street "Queen Margaret's School is a gender inclusive independent day/boarding university preparatory school in Duncan, BC that focuses on preparing young trailblazers...no two journeys are the same." —From the school
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Merrickville, Ontario St. Lawrence Street/Elgin Street "Whether your child is excelling or not reaching their potential, our inclusive, safe, diverse and caring community, with individualized academic attention will improve academic standing, confidence and self-esteem." —From the school
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