The objective of this article is to give you a brief overview of boarding schools in Canada. Explore them. Contact them and ask questions. You will find all of the admissions staff at these schools most eager to assist you as you search for the right boarding school for your child. While Canada is a foreign country, most of these boarding schools are a short flight from most major American cities. Obviously, flight times from Asia or Europe are much longer. Canada enjoys a reputation as a progressive, welcoming nation. The educational standards are high in all of the schools listed below. The curricula vary from school to school, as is the case with all private schools. Research in depth what each school teaches as that can have a major impact on the college application process in the future.
Immigration matters
Lakefield College School spells out clearly what international students need to do in order to study in Cana. "When international students are planning to attend a school in Canada, there are Canadian governmental documents that must be completed during the application process. The student must apply for a Study Permit before enrolling in a Canadian school. International high school students studying in Canada are also required to have an adult legal guardian living in Canada. In addition, students will also need to arrange for health and dental coverage while attending a Canadian school." The immigration process takes a great deal of time. Do not leave this important step to the last minute.
Here are profiles of 20 Canadian boarding schools.
Ashbury College
Ottawa, Ontario
Location: Urban
Nearest major airport: YOW - Ottawa International Airport
Grades 9-12, Co-ed
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Setting: Urban
Alumni Comments: "Ashbury college offers a wide variety of beneficial teaching methods that differs from class to class, and always encourages students to pursue an international baccalaureate degree. They provide the right resources that the students need to prosper both on their academics, and as a person."
Bishop's College School
Sherbrooke, Quebec
Location: Eastern Townships, about an hour south of Montreal
Nearest major airport: YUL - Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
Grades 7-12, Co-ed
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Curriculum: IB, SAT prep, Bridge Program
From the Admissions Department: "BCS is proud to be home for students from over 30 different countries around the world, including Canada, USA, Mexico, Hong Kong, Bahamas, Colombia, Germany, People’s Republic of China and Saudi Arabia."
Bodwell High School
North Vancouver, British Columbia
Location: Urban area on West Coast
Nearest major airport: YVR - Vancouver International Airport
Grades 8-12, Co-ed
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Curriculum: College Prep and AEP, a specialized English as a Second Language program.
From the School: "Since 1991, Bodwell has offered an engaging Grade 8 to 12 curriculum for boys and girls, at a beautiful waterfront campus in the city of North Vancouver. Our student body is comprised of students from over 40 countries. This diverse mix gives students an opportunity to learn from each other and become well-rounded, thoughtful, responsible, members of a global community."
Branksome Hall
Toronto, Ontario
Location: In the heart of Canada's largest city
Nearest major airport: YYZ - Toronto Pearson International Airport
Grades 7-12, Girls
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
From the School: "Our curriculum is globally focused. Our faculty, international. And our technology and facilities, state-of-the-art. We believe that intellectual curiosity and advanced problem-solving are key to thriving in a complex, changing world. From our campus in downtown Toronto, and our sister school in South Korea, our students go on to be welcomed at the world’s most prestigious universities, usually with scholarships."
Brentwood College School
Location: Urban area on West Coast
Nearest major airport: YVR - Vancouver International Airport
Grades 9-12, Co-ed
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Curriculum: College preparatory with Advanced Placement preparation
From the School: "Brentwood stands as a model of progressive, West Coast boarding. Our school is a remarkable place to make lifelong friends while gaining a world-class education. We welcome visitors and invite you to share in the Brentwood experience."
Bronte College
Mississauga, Ontario
Location: About 20 minutes west of downtown Toronto
Nearest major airport: YYZ - Toronto Pearson International Airport
Grades 9-12, Co-ed
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
From the School: "Bronte College strives to provide students with the highest quality education, and a boarding program that supports high academic achievement and independence. Students engage in extra-curricular activities that support active lifestyles and build leadership attributes. Working together with parents and students, our staff instills integrity, trust, tolerance and respect, building a unified community for all."
Fulford Academy
Brockville, Ontario
Location: Midway between Toronto and Ottawa
Nearest major airport: YOW - Ottawa International Airport
Grades 6-12, Co-ed
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Curriculum: College preparatory
From the School: "Whether your student is from near or far, we ensure our boarding students experience our wonderful country whether it is through academic delivery or supervised outings and cultural experiences outside of the school."
J. Addison School
Markham, Ontario
Location: On the North side of Toronto, about 20 minutes from downtown
Nearest major airport: YYZ - Toronto Pearson International Airport
Grades 7-12, Co-ed
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Curriculum: College preparatory
From the School: "Our challenge is to embrace the future of the 21st century and assure that our students are properly prepared to become leaders in this exciting new world. In order to accomplish this monumental task we must provide the following: a high level of personalization in every aspect of a student’s high school experience, a proud recognition for individual and group accomplishments as well as for diligence and hard work, and, an unwavering commitment to the development of character and civic responsibility in our young people."
Lakefield College School
Lakefield, Ontario
Location: Eastern-central Ontario, north of Peterborough
Nearest major airport: YYZ - Toronto Pearson International Airport
Grades 9-12, Co-ed
Religious Affiliation: Anglican
Curriculum: College preparatory with Advanced Placement preparation
From the School: Our families say the best thing about Lakefield College School is our people and the spirit of LCS — we excel at providing a strong, caring community and a warm, supportive, well-rounded student experience. You can't help but notice how happy our students are."
Merrick Preparatory School
Merrickville, Ontario
Grades 9-12, Co-ed
Location: Eastern Ontario, south of Ottawa
Nearest major airport: YOW - Ottawa International Airport
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Curriculum: College preparatory
From the School: "Merrick Preparatory School ensures our students are prepared to enter world-ranked universities. Since our founding in 2012, we have maintained a 100% post-secondary placement rate, with over 93% of our graduates gaining entrance into their first-choice university."
Pickering College
Newmarket, Ontario
Location: About 30 minutes east of Toronto
Nearest major airport: YYZ - Toronto Pearson International Airport
Religious Affiliation: Quaker
Grades 9-12, Co-ed
Curriculum: College preparatory with a Capstone Project
From an Alumnus: "The time I spent at Pickering College, provided me with life long experiences that to this day I still look back upon. The unique thing about Pickering College was that we had an astounding Residence. Now both dormitories Firth House (Girls residence) and New House (Boys Residence) have students from all across the world. The diversity among boarders made residence life a lot more interesting then it would be if we where living in a residence with just Canadians."
Ridley College
Location: About an hour southwest of Toronto
Nearest major airport: YYZ - Toronto Pearson International Airport
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Grades 9-12, Co-ed
Curriculum: College preparatory
From the School: "The Ridley College experience empowers students to embrace their individuality, develop who they are, strive for who they will be, and define the lives they will lead. Our boarding houses provide boarding and day students a key element for that journey."
Robert Land Academy
Wellandport, Ontario
Location: About 90 minutes southwest of Toronto
Nearest major airport: YYZ - Toronto Pearson International Airport
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Grades: 5-12, Boys
Curriculum: College preparatory, military
From the School: "The military theme of the Robert Land Academy military school for boys is the foundation of its structured and disciplined learning and living community. Value-based expectations for proper conduct, with clearly defined rules and roles, has as their objective the accepting of responsibility for personal choice and the development of rational thought."
Rothesay Netherwood School
Rothesay, New Brunswick
Location: About 30 minutes north of Saint John, New Brunswick
Nearest airport: YSJ - Saint John, New Brunswick
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Grades: 9-12, Co-ed
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
From the School: "What it all comes down to is that RNS is an outstanding school which focuses on the student within a caring and supportive Atlantic Canadian community. The faculty is not only highly qualified and skilled, but they have a true passion for education. They go above and beyond daily as this is not just a job, but a way of life."
St. George's School
Vancouver, British Columbia
Location: Urban area
Nearest major airport: YVR - Vancouver International Airport
Grades 8-12; Boys
Curriculum: College preparatory
From the school: "St. George’s Senior School is committed to providing an exciting range of learning opportunities. Teachers embrace a pedagogical approach that deepens students’ engagement and creates a culture of inquiry in the classroom. Through varied instructional and assessment strategies including learning cohorts, Harkness discussions, guided inquiry, blended learning, visible thinking routines, and experiential, interdisciplinary, and project-based learning, students are encouraged to find a love of learning and their own voice, while simultaneously developing their independence, connectedness to the world, and sense of agency within it."
St. John's Ravenscourt
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Location: Urban area
Nearest major airport: YWG - Winnipeg International Airport
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Grades 8-12, Co-ed
Curriculum: College preparatory
From the School: "Established in 1820, SJR has a long tradition of academic and co-curricular excellence. Students find themselves engaged in a challenging and diverse environment aimed at developing their communication skills, immersing them in a wealth of co-curricular, community service and leadership activities and preparing them for university and beyond."
St. Michaels University School
Victoria, British Columbia
Location: Urban area
Nearest major airport: YVR - Vancouver International Airport
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Grades 8-12, Co-ed
Curriculum: College preparatory
From an Alumna: "The school is so much more than I ever imagined. The teachers know you and are flexible, everyone in boarding really cares about one another and the staff are really invested in the school."
Shawnigan Lake School
Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia
Location: Urban area on West Coast
Nearest major airport: YVR - Vancouver International Airport
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Grades 8-12, Co-ed
Curriculum: College preparatory, AP Capstone
Stanstead College
Stanstead, Quebec
Location: Eastern Townships, about an hour south of Montreal
Nearest major airport: YUL - Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Grades 7-12, Co-ed
Curriculum: College preparatory
From the School: "Students at Stanstead College enjoy the unforgettable experience of being part of a Canadian boarding school with an international student body. In addition to making lifelong friends, Stanstead students have endless opportunities to express themselves creatively and socially through clubs, weekend activities, school events as well as academic and service trips."
Trinity College School
Port Hope, Ontario
Location: About an hour east of Toronto
Nearest major airport: YYZ - Toronto Pearson International Airport
Religious Affiliation: Anglican
Grades 7-12, Co-ed
Curriculum: College preparatory
From the School: "Class sizes at TCS are small, ranging from 12 to 20 students. This ensures that each student receives personal attention and the opportunity to develop positive relationships with their teachers. The student-teacher ratio is 8:1."
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