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in-depth report
OUR KIDS Report:
Report on Ridley College
TOPICS
Grades JK — 12 — St. Catharines, ON (Map)
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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Ridley College
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

ADMISSIONS


Ridley College has rolling admissions and is more competitive than most schools, with popular entry grades including Day and Boarding options. The process may require an interview and essay. Families and alumni describe the admissions process as personal and welcoming, emphasizing the nurturing environment and sense of belonging at Ridley College.

Page Contents

Insider community voices

Hear directly from Ridley College community as they share insights into the Admissions.

Ed Kidd, Leadership, Ridley College - text snippet underneath video thumbnail - admissions
Leadership

Ed Kidd

Offers advice to parents currently searching for a school.

Facts and analysis

VISITING THE SCHOOL

Upcoming open houses will be announced here.

An open house includes a campus tour and meetings with teachers, staff, and students. Hosting open houses is a typical practice among schools.

  • Why it matters

    A school visit offers a firsthand look at the environment, culture, and daily life of the school. It provides an opportunity to ask questions, observe interactions, and verify your expectations directly. It's a vital part of an informed choice.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Ridley College has rolling admissions for Day and Boarding entry.

See the deadline distribution for all other schools we cover below.

  • Application deadline by enrollment type(s)
    Month Ridley College Other schools
    Rolling admissions Fixed deadline Rolling admissions
    September Day and Boarding admissions 0% 90% of all other schools have rolling admissions
    October Less than 1%
    November 1%
    December 7%
    January 2%
    February 1%
    March 2%
    April Less than 1%
    May Less than 1%
    June Less than 1%
    July 0%
    August Less than 1%

  • Why it matters

    The admissions timeline helps you plan and prepare for key milestones, including school visits, application submission, and acceptance notifications.

ACCEPTANCE RATE

57% of all applications are accepted.

Admissions at Ridley College is more competitive than the majority of the schools we cover.

  • What Ridley College says it looks for in students

    The Ridley Admissions Committee looks for students who are engaged and motivated individuals. The Committee looks for students who demonstrate potential to make a positive contribution to the Ridley community and who will take advantage of the many opportunities available at the school - in the classroom and boarding houses, as well as in the arts, athletics, leadership, and community service activities. Students who are well-rounded, open-minded, enthusiastic, and academically-focused are encouraged to apply.

  • Why it matters

    A school's acceptance rate gives you an indication of how competitive the admissions process is. Understanding this can help you set expectations and make strategic decisions about where to apply. Please note that the acceptance rates provided here are approximate.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The admissions process may require an interview and an entrance essay.

See grade-by-grade admissions requirements at Ridley College and how they compare with other schools.

  • Breakdown by grade

    Grade Required by Ridley College % of schools requiring
    Interview SSAT SSAT (out of province) Entrance exam Entrance essay
    JK - - - - Interview: 35%, Exam: 4%
    SK - - - - Interview: 36%, Exam: 5%
    Gr. 1 - - - - Interview: 51%, Exam: 15%, Essay: 2%
    Gr. 2 - - - - Interview: 52%, Exam: 18%, Essay: 2%
    Gr. 3 - - - - Interview: 52%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 20%, Essay: 3%
    Gr. 4 - - - Interview: 54%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 22%, Essay: 4%
    Gr. 5 - - - Interview: 55%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 24%, Essay: 5%
    Gr. 6 - - - Interview: 59%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 25%, Essay: 7%
    Gr. 7 - - - Interview: 61%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 27%, Essay: 10%
    Gr. 8 - - - Interview: 62%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 26%, Essay: 10%
    Gr. 9 - - - Interview: 48%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 23%, Essay: 11%
    Gr. 10 - - - Interview: 47%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 19%, Essay: 11%
    Gr. 11 - - - Interview: 47%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 19%, Essay: 12%
    Gr. 12 - - - Interview: 42%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 15%, Essay: 10%

  • Application fee: $100

    Registration fee: $3,000

    Deposit: N/A


    Description:

    Application Fees

    • Domestic: $100
    • International: $200

     

    Registration Fees

    Domestic Day

    • JK-Grade 4: $1,250
    • Grade 5-8: $1,850
    • Grade 9-12: $3,000

     

    Domestic Boarding

    • $3,500

     

    International Boarding

    • $4,000 (one-time registration fee) + $4,500 (estimated incidental fees) = $8,500 (total confirmation fee (non-refundable))

     

    Deadlines

    • Due to high demand and a competitive application process, Ridley can no longer offer rolling admissions for day applicants in our Upper School. The day student application deadline for all Upper School families is Friday, February 20th, 2026. Applications completed and submitted after this deadline will only be reviewed if space permits.
    • Decision letters for all families who submitted their application before the deadline will be sent on Friday, March 6th, 2026.
    • Families applying for Tuition Assistance must complete their Apple application by Wednesday, February 11th, 2026.

     

    Note: The SSAT is only a requirement for those students applying for a merit-based scholarship.

     

  • Why it matters

    Understanding admission requirements is crucial as you assess your fit with a school and the likelihood of acceptance. These requirements often reflect the school's educational priorities.

 

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.


The admissions process is personal and welcoming at Ridley College.

Insights from families and students highlight that Ridley College’s admissions process fosters a welcoming and personalized experience by focusing on genuine conversations and embracing applicants' individual interests, reducing stress and promoting authenticity.

The admissions process at Ridley College was very seamless. The admissions team was warm, nurturing, and helpful, guiding us through the entire process. I had some familiarity with boarding schools, having attended one in Toronto years ago, so that background helped. The faculty and staff managed the process smoothly and made it feel welcoming. Coming from the Caribbean, I value warmth and multiculturalism, and Ridley’s culture embraced those qualities.
—Kiran Chandiramani-Perkins, parent (beginning in Gr. 9) (see full interview)

Visiting the campus is highly recommended for prospective families.

Feedback from students, parents, and alumni strongly suggests that visiting Ridley's campus and speaking with current community members offers invaluable insights into the school’s culture and helps families make informed decisions.

If you’re looking for the right school, we strongly recommend reaching out to Ridley and booking a tour. From our very first interview, we were immersed in Ridley’s culture. The admissions process was excellent, and all our questions were answered promptly. Touring the campus, seeing the facilities, and observing the classrooms—it was all such an amazing experience. We also recommend speaking with other parents. Our friends who had children at Ridley spoke very highly of the school, and after our visit, we knew we were making the right decision.
—Ryan & Nicki Serravalle and Nicki Serravalle, parents (beginning in Gr. 1) (see full interview)
For prospective families, my strongest advice is to visit the campus in person. You learn a great deal by observing how people interact and what the school feels like. Speak with current students and parents, or even recent graduates, to get an authentic view of school life. Finally, ask directly about the school’s mission and vision—what it is, and how it is lived daily. Those three steps will offer invaluable insight into whether a school is the right fit for your child.
—Ed Kidd, school leader (see full interview)

The environment at Ridley College is nurturing and fosters a strong sense of belonging.

Observations from students, parents, and alumni suggest that Ridley College's supportive administration and family-like atmosphere create a nurturing environment, ensuring comfort and a strong sense of belonging for students and their families.

The admissions process was great. We live in the GTA, so it meant that we had multiple options for schools our daughter could go to. She did apply and get accepted at other schools. It was when we went to Ridley that we really felt that the experience made us feel at home as a family. When my daughter made the decision that she was comfortable with the boarding aspect of school, it was a really easy choice to choose Ridley because it aligned with what we were looking for in a school. It has been an amazing experience for our daughter, and it has really allowed her to thrive. Our decision process in choosing a school was: how do we set our kids up to become the best version of themselves? Ridley has done a fantastic job of that for our daughter.
—Jennifer Alexander, parent (beginning in Gr. 9) (see full interview)
We toured five boarding schools, but Ridley was my top choice. When I met the principal and the admissions team, I felt instinctively that this was where my children should spend their teenage years. I always remember the principal saying, 'You leave your boy here, but when you pick him up at the end, he’ll be a young man.' That has proven true. My oldest has grown into a wonderful young man, and my younger son is maturing beautifully. The environment is nurturing, warm, and loving, and I couldn’t be happier with our choice.
—Kiran Chandiramani-Perkins, parent (beginning in Gr. 9) (see full interview)
The administration is phenomenal. They have a head of school, Mr. Kidd, who knows every student’s name and every parent. It feels like a real family atmosphere, and the teachers and administration make it feel that way. They welcome you and are hands-on, always looking for feedback. The support they have given to us as parents and to our daughter has been phenomenal. With the onboarding process, they were willing to have all the discussions before the decision was made, and now, as students, the access to them has been equally strong. We have never felt we were leaving our daughter at an institution. She is well cared for, and her house mom treats every girl in the house as she would her own children. We can text at any time and get information. We also have two other children, and one of them will be applying to Ridley as their first choice. It has been such a good experience that we want our other children to experience it too.
—Jennifer Alexander, parent (beginning in Gr. 9) (see full interview)
 

OUR KIDS REPORT: Ridley College

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