ADMISSIONS

The Bishop Strachan School has a highly competitive admissions process with a December deadline for Day entry. Popular entry grades include JK, 7, and 9. The process may involve an interview, an entrance exam, and an essay, depending on the entry grade.

Page Contents

Insider community voices
Facts and analysis
Qualitative insights

Insider community voices

Hear directly from The Bishop Strachan School families and alumni as they share insights into the Admissions.

Alum

Monika Steger

Gives three reasons to recommend the school to other families.

Parent

SONA SHAH

Recalls the process of choosing the school.

Parent

SONA SHAH

Talks about how their child has responded to the school.

Parent

SONA SHAH

Gives three reasons to recommend the school to other families.

Parent

SONA SHAH

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

The final deadline is December for Day entry at The Bishop Strachan School.

Entry is typically for the beginning of the next school year in September.

Application deadline by enrollment type(s)

Month	The Bishop Strachan School		Other schools
Month	Fixed deadline	Rolling admissions	Fixed deadline	Rolling admissions
September		Boarding admissions	0%	90% of all other schools have rolling admissions
October			Less than 1%
November			1%
December	Day deadline		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.

ENTRY GRADES

The highest number of new enrollment openings include Grade(s) JK, 7 and 9.

The highest number of openings across all other schools we cover include Grade(s) 9, 10 and 11 (for the same grades offered at The Bishop Strachan School).

Breakdown by grade

Entry grade	Number of openings available: Day
Entry grade	The Bishop Strachan School	Average of all other schools
JK	16 - 20	15
SK	1 - 2	9
Gr. 1	12 - 16	10
Gr. 2	1 - 2	8
Gr. 3	-	8
Gr. 4	6 - 8	8
Gr. 5	-	9
Gr. 6	16 - 20	9
Gr. 7	25 - 30	17
Gr. 8	-	9
Gr. 9	25 - 30	23
Gr. 10	2 - 6	12
Gr. 11	2 - 4	12
Gr. 12	-	13

Entry grade	Number of openings available: Boarding
Entry grade	The Bishop Strachan School	Average of all other schools
Gr. 8	3 - 6	8
Gr. 9	10 - 16	17
Gr. 10	4 - 6	17
Gr. 11	5 - 8	18
Gr. 12	-	13

Why it matters

Popular entry grades may offer more opportunities for peer integration and more extensive orientation programs at the school. Applying to these grades may increase the chances of admission and support a smoother social and academic transition for the student.

ACCEPTANCE RATE

40% of all applications are accepted.

Admissions at The Bishop Strachan School is more competitive than the majority of the schools we cover.

Breakdown by grade

Grade	Acceptance rate: Day
Grade	The Bishop Strachan School	Average of all other schools
JK	65%	41%
SK	50%	36%
Gr. 1	50%	39%
Gr. 2	40%	37%
Gr. 3	0%	37%
Gr. 4	45%	38%
Gr. 5	0%	38%
Gr. 6	50%	36%
Gr. 7	40%	39%
Gr. 8	0%	36%
Gr. 9	40%	42%
Gr. 10	0%	39%
Gr. 11	50%	38%
Gr. 12	0%	36%

Grade	Acceptance rate: Boarding
Grade	The Bishop Strachan School	Average of all other schools
Gr. 8	50%	36%
Gr. 9	50%	42%
Gr. 10	50%	39%
Gr. 11	50%	38%
Gr. 12	-	36%

What The Bishop Strachan School says it looks for in students

If you’re thinking about coming to BSS, you’re in good company. Every year we welcome more than a hundred girls who find themselves embraced by a warm, welcoming and lively community. Successful students at BSS thrive in a rigorous inquiry-based environment and enjoy strong verbal and conceptual learning styles.
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, an entrance exam and an entrance essay.

See grade-by-grade admissions requirements at The Bishop Strachan School and how they compare with other schools.

Breakdown by grade

Grade	Required by The Bishop Strachan School					% of schools requiring
Grade	Interview	SSAT	SSAT (out of province)	Entrance exam	Entrance essay	% of schools requiring
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: 41%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 15%, Essay: 10%

What The Bishop Strachan School says about the application process

Application fee: $250

Registration fee: $9,500

Deposit: $0

Description:
We welcome Day students for all entry grades (JK, Grade 1, 4, 6, 7 and 9) and Boarding students from Grades 8 to 11 into our creative and challenging environment. Grade 12 applications are considered on a case-to-case basis. The path to BSS is an exciting one! Take the first step now.

STEP ONE - Connect With Us

Join one of our Admission events or a personal campus tour. You can also visit our website to learn more about the enrolment process. Email [email protected] or call 416-483-4325, ext. 1220.

STEP TWO - Apply

Apply online. Applications are due by December 1, 2024.

STEP THREE - Submit Your Documentation

All supplementary documents will be uploaded through our online application system (myBSS). This way you’ll be able to track your progress through the application process. Check our website for specific requirements.

STEP FOUR - Book Your Interview and Assessment

This enables us to get to know you and your child, including her academic strengths and interests outside of school.

STEP FIVE - Offer

Independent schools in the Toronto area share a common offer date in February for Day applicants. This is the day you will hear from BSS with an enrolment decision. If your daughter is offered a place, you will have 5 days to accept. We encourage families to make the decision as quickly as possible, as we do keep an active waitlist and applicants may be considered for second-round offers.
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 smooth and accommodating for families.

Observations from parents and students highlight that the admissions process at this private school is notably organized and supportive, with various opportunities to engage with the school's community, making it accessible even for busy families.

The process for choosing this school was quite easy; I felt that right from the start, they were very organized with their list of dates, their drop-ins, and their ‘get to know you’ opportunities. I think they are very flexible for working parents, as I was at that time. I would recommend going to as many opportunities as you can to check out the school and see if it's the right fit, but I felt starting on the website and booking a tour was the way to begin and see if it was a fit for our family.

—Candice Braun, parent (beginning in Gr. 11) (see full interview)

The school has been very warm and welcoming from the beginning. We were able to come in for kindergarten. This was pre-COVID, so we were able to come in and tour the school. My daughter was able to have a half test day, spending half a day with her peers to get a sense of the school. We met with the principal and vice-principal and got a good feel for the school through the tour.

—SONA SHAH, parent (see full interview)

The teachers and administration at The Bishop Strachan School have been nothing short of amazing; I really feel like that is the heart of the school. Starting from the admission process, which was very smooth, I felt comfortable and like it was a fit for me. The teachers are very approachable, and everyone knows my daughter by name. It’s a casual and relaxed environment that’s also very focused on student growth, creating a great balance.

—Candice Braun, parent (beginning in Gr. 11) (see full interview)

We had a really positive experience applying to BSS for our daughter. I remember the admissions staff being really welcoming and doing a great job answering all of our questions and making our daughter feel very comfortable through the process. We attended admissions events and toured the school with a student ambassador. I remember being so impressed by the tour led by the student ambassador. I think hearing from a student who herself had gone through the Junior School and was now in her final year of high school really highlighted what a special place BSS could be for our daughter.

—Jeffrey Brown, parent (beginning 2017) (see full review)

Student-led tours offer a personal perspective on school life.

Accounts from prospective students and their parents emphasize how student-led tours during the admissions process provide insightful glimpses into the school culture and foster connections through genuine engagement and enthusiasm.

What impressed me most when my older daughter and I were looking for the senior school was how helpful booking a tour was, especially since the tour was led by a fellow student. This student, probably around 14 or 15 years old, showed us around the school with so much confidence and excitement. We were blown away by not just her interest in us, but her compassion for others, her excitement for the school, and just the way that she was able to communicate with us. I was impressed, and I think my daughter was too.

—Candice Braun, parent (beginning in Gr. 11) (see full interview)

The school values individuality and a diverse range of talents.

Insight from alumni and current students reveals that the school appreciates unique traits and supports a variety of strengths, whether in academics, athletics, or personal creativity, fostering an environment where students can thrive by being true to themselves.

I do remember enjoying my tour of BSS, enjoying meeting with an administrator, and choosing BSS because of its athletic strengths. At the time I was a competitive, nationally ranked swimmer, and BSS really recognized that and wanted to help me ensure I could continue to compete at an elite level while also succeeding academically. Lastly, the school is quite beautiful - especially the front entrance with the heritage panels, and the chapel, with its lovely stained glass windows, really spoke to the younger me who was already interested in history.

—Joanne A, alum (2004-2010), Historian (see full review)

I applied to BSS when I was three years old and started attending the school in JK. The only memory I have from my application process was playing with Clifford in a boardroom which seemed to help me get into the school but I doubt that playing with Clifford is good advice to help others get into the school. My advice would be to be yourself in your interview and share what makes you unique as the school embraces uniqueness and individuality.

—Allison D., alum (2006-2019), Fashion Designer (see full review)

I can say with confidence that BSS has truly figured it out. The online written supplementary, the in-person interview, and the exam, though selective, truly work incredibly well in order to curate a diverse class of extraordinary people. My advice for new applicants would be to make sure that they understand that BSS doesn't have a "cookie-cutter" type of student. Instead, BSS offers "The Signature of a BSS Girl," which is a model of the characteristics that a true BSS girl embodies. Definitely use this model to your advantage. Showing your passion, your curiosity, and your love for learning makes for a strong application. Though the process may be stressful, it does have a purpose; so my advice would be to think of it not as a daunting experience, but more as an opportunity to show off your best assets, your interests, and the things that excite you. Being yourself and being proud of it will never steer you wrong.

—Ava Comisarow, student (beginning 2019) (see full review)

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ADMISSIONS

Page Contents

Insider community voices

Monika Steger

SONA SHAH

SONA SHAH

SONA SHAH

SONA SHAH

Facts and analysis

VISITING THE SCHOOL

Why it matters

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Application deadline by enrollment type(s)

Why it matters

ENTRY GRADES

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

ACCEPTANCE RATE

Breakdown by grade

What The Bishop Strachan School says it looks for in students

Why it matters

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Breakdown by grade

What The Bishop Strachan School says about the application process

Why it matters

Qualitative insights

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My Shortlist

BUILD YOUR SHORTLIST

EVALUATE YOUR SCHOOLS

TRACK IMPORTANT DATES

ADMISSIONS

Page Contents

Insider community voices

Monika Steger

SONA SHAH

SONA SHAH

SONA SHAH

SONA SHAH

Facts and analysis

VISITING THE SCHOOL

Why it matters

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Application deadline by enrollment type(s)

Why it matters

ENTRY GRADES

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

ACCEPTANCE RATE

Breakdown by grade

What The Bishop Strachan School says it looks for in students

Why it matters

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Breakdown by grade

What The Bishop Strachan School says about the application process

Why it matters

Qualitative insights

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