School can be hard enough, without being immersed in a second language. However, language schools can offer a challenging learning environment and mastering a second language, such as French, German, Polish, or Mandarin, can open up job opportunities later in life. 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
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.
|
Meet them at the Expos: Oct 26, Oct 27
"Since 1962, TFS offers an exceptional English and French education from age 2 to Grade 12, on two campuses. TFS teaches the curricula of France and Ontario within the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) framework. Co-ed.
—From the school
|
|
Montreal, Quebec Rue Sherbrooke/Ave Connaught "College Prep International, a traditional private school in Montreal, offers English instruction with partial French immersion, for grades five to twelve. Its average class size range from 12 to 18 Students." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Oakville, Ontario Trafalgar Road/Dundas "TRMS uniquely provides enriched French as a second language (FSL) instruction for all levels from Preschool to Elementary. We give students a head start in their educational journey, instilling a "Love of Learning!"" —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Toronto, Ontario Yonge St/Sheppard Ave "Ontario Virtual School is an Ontario Ministry-inspected credit-granting institution offering Grades 6-12 courses in an interactive online format. Students can start anytime with 24/7 access." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Toronto, Ontario Spadina Ave/College Street "Authentic, CCMA accredited Montessori Schools located in downtown Toronto, offering programs for Toddlers, Casa, Elementary and Adolescent children in beautiful settings with large and expansive natural playgrounds." —From the school
|
|
Scarborough, Ontario Kennedy Road/Progress Avenue "Enquiring Minds Montessori is a one-of-a-kind Montessori Art School. We have created a unique learning experience that fosters academic and artistic excellence in a nurturing environment while challenging young minds." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Calgary, Alberta "Calgary French & International School's immersive language learning environment and enriched curriculum inspires a deep curiosity, respect and exploration of the world for children aged 19 months to 18 years." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Ottawa, Ontario Iris St/Woodroffe Ave "Empowering girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 through bilingual education." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Toronto, Ontario "At Central Montessori School (CMS), young minds are inspired to be creative, innovative, and inquisitive. We cultivate bright, young leaders and strong communicators ready for the 21st century." —From the school
|
|
Montreal, Quebec "Our community inspires students to discover joy and passion in their learning, purpose in their lives, and the confidence to express their unique selves in a nurturing, inclusive, and collaborative environment." —From the school
|
|
Toronto, Ontario Bayview Ave/Broadway Ave "A daily goal is for our children to arrive at school excited for the day ahead. Aside from our excellent academic programs, we plan many fun events for the children to enjoy throughout the school year." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Toronto, Ontario Dufferin/Eglinton "Infusing the French Ministry of Education's excellence with Toronto's cultural richness, our school cultivates trilingual proficiency, propelling students toward admission to top universities worldwide" —From the school
|
|
Whitchurch-stouffville, Ontario Ninth Line/Main Street "Toronto French Montessori offers French and English programs from pre-school to grade 8 in North York, and Toddler programs in Stouffville. Its average class size is 15 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
|
|
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
|
|
Richmond Hill, Ontario Leslie/Elgin Mills "In addition to providing high-quality Montessori education, YMS offers French and Music, on-site after-school classes, off-site field trips, theme-based summer camp, parent education workshops, and family social events." —From the school
|
|
Pickering, Ontario Kingston/Altona "École Montessori is Durham Region's premier French private school dedicated to transforming your child into a bilingual critical thinker with our enriched curriculum that fosters the genius within each student." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Mississauga, Ontario Glen Erin/Dundas "Kaban Montessori School is a CCMA accredited school in the west area of Mississauga . Our environments foster each child's interests and abilities while supporting them to achieve their full potential." —From the school
|
|
North York, Ontario Leslie Street/401 "Webtree Academy offers a rich learning experience in STEM, ARTS, AP and bilingual study in a highly individualized curriculum fully customized to each students needs." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Ottawa, Ontario Place Lycée Pl./Ruelle Hinks Lane "Our goal is to nurture curious spirits, which is why we value a multilingual pedagogy that encourages both French immersion and a wide selection of langage courses. French and excellence are our priorities." —From the school
|
|
Brantford, Ontario Charlotte St/Chatham St "Located in Brantford, Ontario, Montessori House of Children provides excellent programs for grades Nursery to 3 and helps young children reach their learning potential with both independent and self-directed learning." —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
|
|
Newmarket, Ontario "LMMH was established in 2003, the school offers a unique French Immersion Program as well as an English Program for children from 2 ½ to 13 years of age. Our students also learn to ski, golf, play tennis and more." —From the school
|
|
Toronto, Ontario Yonge/Eglington "The Dalton School offers a dual-language English-Mandarin program where children from JK to Grade 8 can thrive in a warm, enriched, multicultural environment." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Mississauga, Ontario Erin Mills Pkwy/Millcreek Drive "Western Heights offers an enriched Montessori program that fosters a love of learning. The school actively engages its close-knit parent community to offer an enriched curriculum that adapts to each student's needs." —From the school
|
|
Markham, Ontario Woodbine Ave/Major Mackenzie Dr E "Royal Cachet has authentic Montessori programs for infants to grade 6 in our healthy and safe environments. We focus on the Language & Math areas of the Montessori Curriculum & encourage our students to grow and succeed." —From the school
|
|
Whitby, Ontario Brock Street South/Dundas Streer West "The Hatch House Montessori School is a very child centered school where each student is respected for their uniqueness and is guided through learning accordingly. Ask about our unique, fully bilingual elementary program." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Calgary, Alberta Blackfoot Trail S.E/Glenmore Trail "With 100% post-secondary acceptance, WIC empowers students to follow their passions, be creative and embrace challenges. A rigorous curriculum along with hands-on learning ensures a well-rounded experience for students." —From the school
|
|
Montreal (DDO), Quebec "West Island College offers French and French Immersion programs from grades 7 to 11 in Montreal. It is a leader in innovative teaching methods. The average class size of 24 students." —From the school
|
|
Toronto, Ontario Leslie Street/York Mills Road "The Giles School has small class sizes, leadership programs and intensive STEAM learning that support both immersion and introductory language programming in English, French and Mandarin." —From the school
|
|
Westmount, Quebec Mount Pleasant Avenue/Cedar Avenue "Located in Montreal, QC, Miss Edgar’s & Miss Cramp’s School offers a bilingual education for girls from K-11. From entrepreneurship to STEM, our unique learning environment empowers girls to lead the way." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Ottawa, Ontario St. Laurent Blvd./Montreal Rd. "Our mission is personalized student academic success in a friendly and caring school community, in which all students are emotionally supported and socially welcome." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expos
Mississauga, Ontario Cawthra/Lakeshore "TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus) offers the Ontario, France and IB programs from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 7 in Mississauga. We are bilingual, coed, non-denominational and and IB World School." —From the school
|
|
Markham, Ontario Denison/Warden "Our curriculum are designed to build essential skills and concepts that help with the cognitive, social, creative, emotional, and physical development of your child with the aim to be a successful learner for life!" —From the school
|
|
Mississauga, Ontario "Guiding Light Academy is a Catholic private elementary school in Streetsville, Mississauga. We offer an enriched curriculum for JK, SK and Grades 1 to 8. We are located just minutes away from the Streetsville Go Station." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Toronto, Ontario "GIST is the only full-time German school in Toronto offering high-quality education that empowers students to excel as global citizens. Our Charakter framework strengthens and promotes the best in every student." —From the school
|
|
Calgary, Alberta Garrison Blvd SW/33 Ave SW "Experience exceptional bilingual education in Calgary with dual French Ministry & Alberta Education curricula. A unique bilingual journey from preschool to high school! Join us now!" —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
|
|
Kirkland, Quebec Rue Edmond/Ch Ste-Marie "Kuper Academy offers programs from pre-school to grade eleven in Kirkland. Its average class size is 22 students." —From the school
|
|
Meet them at the Expo
Kanata, Ontario Eagleson Road/Stonehaven Drive "For 50 years, Kanata Montessori has offered excellent learning environments for students to grow emotionally, socially and academically into a positive global citizen." —From the school
|
“It’s like value-added education,” says Fred Genesee, a professor at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec who has studied secondary language education for more than 30 years. “Students acquire the same levels of academic competencies, as well as picking up a second language. I don’t see any real drawbacks to attending a language school.”
Both of Val Hougen’s children, Sarah in Grade 7 and Alex in Grade 3, attend Calgary French International School in Calgary, Alberta. Hougen enrolled Sarah at the French immersion school in Kindergarten. “Sometimes people have strong feelings about language schools. They’re worried that English skills will suffer,” Hougen says. “I haven’t found that. I don’t see their English skills weak or lacking.” Hougen was so impressed that four years later, she enrolled Alex at the school too. Genesee says his research supports Hougen’s observation. “There is no evidence that a student’s English skills suffer at a French immersion school,” he says. “A lot of the literacy skills they learn transfer to English.”
Jean-Marc Wilkie, a Grade 10 student at the Calgary school, has spoken French all of his life since his mom is a Francophone from Montreal. “For me, it’s really important to keep my French,” says Jean-Marc, who recently began taking the mandatory Spanish classes too. “Learning Spanish wasn’t hard at all because I’ve had English and French my whole life,” he says. “I think it definitely gives us something positive to build on later.”
French immersion isn’t the only language school option. Fulford Academy in Brockville, Ontario offers international students a gap year program to master their English skills before moving on to a North American boarding school or university. Students work on mastering English through English fundamentals and credit support classes. Fulford Academy also prepares its students for life in Canada with frequent evening and weekend excursions. “It’s not just an ESL curriculum; they focus on the cultural integration, too,” says Anna Galanta, admissions director at Appleby College, a boarding school in Oakville, Ontario. “The Fulford grads are well-prepared when they get here.”
Haymund Fung arrived at Fulford from Hong Kong in 2008. He and his parents thought attending Fulford would better prepare him to attend a Canadian boarding school. At Fulford, Haymund had roommates from Germany, Korea and Russia. Fulford places students with kids of different backgrounds so they’re forced to speak English. “My favourite part about Fulford is the friendships I developed there,” says Haymund, who is now finishing up at Appleby College and has received early acceptance into commerce programs at Ryerson and York universities.
Galanta wishes more international students would take advantage of Fulford’s curriculum. “Culturally, there’s such an apprehension about sending kids to an ESL school. These are bright kids, so parents think ‘my kid’s perfect. He doesn’t need an ESL school,’” she says. “But, no matter how bright the child is, there’s still going to be a big culture shock when they get here. Fulford can help them adapt.”
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
The benefits of a bilingual education
The main advantages of going to a bilingual school (October 22, 2020)
Bilingual Polish-English schools in Canada
Private schools that teach Polish and English (September 14, 2020)
Language boarding schools
Find the top private boarding language schools (August 29, 2019)
Language day schools
(August 29, 2019)
