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in-depth report
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OUR KIDS REPORT:

Upper Canada College

Grades JK — 12 — Toronto, ON (Map)
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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Upper Canada College
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

School overview

  • LOCATION
    Toronto, ON (View address)
Summer Operations

Upper Canada College operates summer camps and programs. Click here to learn about UCC Summer Camps.


The big picture on Upper Canada College

We wrote a book reviewing the school

The 50-page review of Upper Canada 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

We questioned the school administration

1. Who are you, as a school?

"Upper Canada College is where tradition, excellence and innovation meet. An IB World School, UCC delivers transformational learning experiences built upon a rigorous academic program and unparalleled co-curricular opportunities. Expert faculty, cutting-edge facilities and a best-in-class financial assistance program enable students to find their passions and realize their potential. Our graduates become leaders in a world that requires global-mindedness, critical thinking and commitment to service."

  • High-achieving, all-round students
  • Challenging but rewarding IB Programme
  • First rate academics, athletics and arts
  • 19 different sports and 80+ clubs
  • Boutique urban boarding program
  • Comprehensive wellbeing program
  • $6M financial assistance available
  • Entry levels: SK, 3, 5, 6, 7 & 9

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

UCC delivers transformational programs grounded in a liberal arts education through experiential learning in state-of-the-art facilities, such as our new design labs equipped with the latest technology; our hockey arena with two world-class ice pads; and our 535-acre outdoor campus at the Norval School that teaches students about ecosystems, math and environmental stewardship while engaging with the natural world. Combined with our rigorous IB program, graduates leave UCC prepared to succeed.

3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

Information not yet available.

4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

Information not yet available.

5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?

Information not yet available.

6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

Information not yet available.

7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

Families know that sending their students to UCC will give them the competitive advantage of the International Baccalaureate, while encouraging creativity and fuelling curiosity. UCC provides students with a well-rounded education that balances academics and a wide range of co-curricular offerings. Parents appreciate the focus on wellbeing — teaching students how to take care of their physical, mental and academic selves, with an emphasis on community and service.

8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

Information not yet available.

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

Founded in 1829, a UCC education supports a diverse and well-rounded student experience. Hosting more than 80 co-curricular activities and sports, UCC’s offerings include options not available at other institutions, including Model UN, cricket, softball, squash and rowing. Our students take advantage of six outdoor sports fields, a hockey arena with two ice pads — one NHL-sized and one Olympic — and a swimming pool for programming, practice and play.

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

With a strong commitment to representing socio-economic breadth, UCC offers the most generous financial assistance program in Canadian independent schools. One in five UCC students receives financial assistance each year, making an exceptional education more accessible. Families are also often surprised at the size of the campus. Located in the heart of Toronto, the College sits on 35 lush acres, creating a sanctuary in Canada’s largest city for students to learn and grow.

11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

Information not yet available.

12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?

Information not yet available.

We got insight from alumni, parents, and students

Upper Canada College: Parent Review from Christopher Allen

Gr. 3 to Gr. 11 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Christopher Allen to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Upper Canada College.
Upper Canada College, Parent Video Review from Christopher Allen

Upper Canada College: Alumni Review from Bill Sun

Gr. 5 to Gr. 12 — Watch our alum interview with Bill Sun to learn about the unique experience of attending Upper Canada College.
Upper Canada College, Alumnus Video Review from Bill Sun

Upper Canada College: Alumni Review from Darwin Jimal

Watch our alum interview with Darwin Jimal to learn about the unique experience of attending Upper Canada College.
Upper Canada College, Alumnus Video Review from Darwin Jimal

Upper Canada College: Alumni Review from Sevion DaCosta

Watch our alum interview with Sevion DaCosta to learn about the unique experience of attending Upper Canada College.
Upper Canada College, Alumnus Video Review from Sevion DaCosta

Upper Canada College: Alumni Review from Chris Birks

Watch our alum interview with Chris Birks to learn about the unique experience of attending Upper Canada College.
Upper Canada College, Alumnus Video Review from Chris Birks

Parent, Rabia Shafi (2025)

(4.9)

Gr. 5 (current),Gr. 6 (current) — We have two sons at Upper Canada College: our older son in Year 11, starting his sixth year, and our younger son in Year 8, entering his fourth. The best part about UCC is its people, the faculty, staff, and friends, and the endless opportunities it offers for growth and learning. Earlier this year, our older son travelled abroad with the Model United Nations (MUN) team to the North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN) conference, where UCC won the Best International Delegation award. He gained an incredible amount of experience from this trip. Over the summer, he participated in Horizons, a UCC program where boys tutor local elementary school students, and he also volunteered at the Tennis Canada tournament. He is currently enjoying the newly launched IB DP Systems Transformation Graduation Pathway: an innovative, project-based approach to learning in teams and solving complex global challenges. This program, pioneered by UCC in conjunction with the IB, is offered at only three other schools worldwide. Both of our sons are passionate about team sports and play on the school soccer team. While at the Preparatory School, our younger son served as a Student Ambassador, proudly giving tours to prospective families, a role he plans to continue in the Upper School. He also enjoyed learning ultimate frisbee with his friends and contributing to the community through the Community Service Club, organizing food and clothing drives as well as events like the Terry Fox Run. This year, he looks forward to following in his brother’s footsteps by joining MUN, Horizons, and the varsity soccer and cricket teams. UCC’s second campus, Norval Outdoor School, is another favourite for our sons. Visits to Norval with friends and faculty provide a unique opportunity to bond while learning about nature and the environment, a vital focus in today’s world.

Parent, Sabrina Lalji (2025)

(4.3)

Gr. 7 (current) — Our son joined the prep school in grade 7 and has thoroughly enjoyed his experience to date. He has truly become a member of the community and has been accepted with open arms. He appreciates the opportunities the school provides, the brotherhood it creates and the academic challenges. He works hard and is constantly striving to improve. He has been disappointed a few times when it comes to the level of competitiveness in the sports teams, where he has been humbled often, as he is no longer the best and sometimes does not make it onto the competitive sports teams he wants, but he puts his head back up and tries again. The opportunities are endless, and there are always intramural options available to the boys.

Parent, David Matheson (2025)

(4.7)

,SK (current) — My son absolutely loves Upper Canada College. The teachers are compassionate and focused on his education, development, and, most importantly, fostering a love of learning. Their approach to learning is multi-disciplinary, focused on ensuring that each child feels and is treated as an individual, yet forms part of a cohesive community that is the College, their house, and their classroom. The physical education, arts, languages (French), and outdoor activities are outstanding, as are the after-school activities. The friends that he has made, not just within his own class, have set the school apart, as my son has flourished in his school environment and looks forward to going to school each day, coming home happy to tell me all about the new facts he learned—many of which I am learning for the first time as well. A fantastic experience.

Parent, Pierre Pong (2019)

(5)

I feel my child likes the teachers the best, they care, they are energetic, fully engaged, responsible, and resourceful. My child appreciates the learning experience and result the most: teacher took SK class out to sit on roadside to count car colors in tally marks, teacher gave mindful class every other day last year. One day, my son came back and said "Mom, I think patience is a virtue". And the end of SK, we were so surprised to found that our son were able to read lots of level 1 & 2 books. When I drop off my son in the morning, he immediately recognizes the boy in front him at a distance, calls him by name and they went to the class together. So kids have been advancing well not only in academic but also physical mental and social perspectives.

Parent, Julia Pantalone (2018)

(4.8)

My boys have had an amazing experience at Upper Canada College since Day 1. They engage the boys right from the start and as a result, they feel a part of the school very early on. The school spirit and school community is like no other. One of the boys favourite aspects of school is the Norval Outdoor School. While closely aligned with their current unit of inquiry, the boys visits to Norval are always filed with incredible experiences and memories they won't forget, always a highlight of the school year. The boys also enjoy the athletics at the school, from Soccer Fest as an SK boy to playing for school teams and cheering on other teams is another highlight of their experience. The wide variety of experiences both inside and outside of the classroom, and the opportunities provided by the school for engaged learning truly make the boys love school.

Student, Will Huang (2018)

(4.9)

My time so far at Upper Canada has been absolutely amazing. I truly love every time I come to school and see the towering clocktower above you. I first came to UCC in grade 3 and I looked up at the clocktower and felt nervous and excited at the same time. I am so grateful that I still feel the same way. As a student at UCC I have had the privilege to express myself to the fullest within the many arts and sports programs along with many clubs. I have always had many classmates around me who are not just a friend group but more of a brotherhood.. We have a saying at the College called 'Never Walk Alone'. This motto is a great summary of the type of culture we have at the school and I can relate to the saying more and more each year. I think that UCC should be seen as a home away from home as I have occasionally had the feeling that I was attending Hogwarts.
See all reviews (11 total)

We reported on the school in articles

Profile of Sam McKinney, Principal, Upper Canada College

"This is a human profession, and I believe that’s what education is … relationships matter to me most."

Insider community voices

 

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