Overview
Co-ed/Gender
Co-ed
Total Boarding
375+
Day Grades
JK-12
Boarding Grades
6-12
Boys Boarding Students
210+
Girls Boarding Students
150+
Boys Day Students
225+
Girls Day Students
205+
Average Class Size
18
Students Who Attend Post-secondary
100%
Average Students per Dorm
40
Number of Dorms
10
Student/Teacher Ratio
8:1
Student Body
790+
Year Founded
1889
Campus Size
90 Acres
Religious Affiliation:
Anglican
ESL Offered
Dress Code
School Profile
Canada's leader in positive education, Ridley College is focused on educating the whole child and provides students with the tools that will help them lead flourishing lives. The coeducational boarding school was established in 1889 and is one of Canada's oldest and most prestigious, located on a beautiful 90-acre campus in St. Catharines, Ontario.
The campus is an hour's drive from Toronto, ten minutes from Niagara Falls, and easily accessible from the Toronto Pearson and Buffalo Niagara International Airports. With over 375 boarders, we house the largest boarding programme in Ontario and the third largest in Canada. Students range from JK through Grade 12 and come from more than 59countries worldwide.
"World Prep"is what you'll find here: a forward-looking, rigorous programme that prepares students for university and a promising future. Ridley is one of only four International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum boarding schools in North America, offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. In addition to the IB Programme, Ridley offers the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and a wide range of summer programmes, including the EAL credit course. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills for success, going on to study at some of the top colleges and universities in Canada, the U.S. and beyond.
In addition to its impressive academics, students experience a diverse co-curricular programme comprised of arts, athletics, leadership development, and community service. For more than 134years, Ridley College has held true to its motto, Terar Dum Prosim, which translates to "May I be consumed in service."Students have plenty of opportunities year-round to give back to their communities and explore new interests, cultivate passions, and reach their potential in a challenging and supportive environment.
One of the school's defining features is its traditional House system, which integrates both boarding and day students into 10 boarding Houses on campus, each of which has its own distinctive identity and sense of community. By incorporating local day students into its boarding programme, Ridley provides each member with the opportunity to learn more about global cultures — all while enjoying a uniquely Canadian experience.
Mission & Values
Our Mission
We prepare meaningful and flourishing lives by teaching the habits of mind, body, and spirit, and the values needed to lead in a global society.
Our Values
- Student-centred
- Service
- Action
- Grit &Flow
- Integrity
- Meaning
- Global
- Community
Applications & Fees
Application Deadline:
Rolling
Application Fee
Yes
Domestic 7-Day Boarding Tuition:
$74,745.00 CND
International 7-Day Boarding Tuition:
$84,635.00 CND
Day Tuition:
$29,455.00 - $43,835.00 CND
Semester or Term:
Term
Need-Based Aid:
Offered
Merit Scholarships:
Offered
Payment Plans:
Offered
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Admission & Entrance Test Requirements
Admission Requirements
- Online application
- Interview with Admissions Office
- Character Skills Snapshot Survey
- Year-end academic reports for three years, including the current school year
- Confidential Recommendation Form
- English as an Additional Language (EAL) Assessment Form, if English is not applicant's first language
Entrance Test Requirements
- SSAT
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School Differentiators
The Ridley College educational experience is transformative. Ridley students are empowered to embrace their individuality, develop who they are, strive for who they will be, and define the lives they will lead. They develop the intellectual, physical, emotional, and social skills needed to succeed.
As a leader in positive education and wellbeing education, we teach students the habits needed to lead flourishing lives by deliberately and consciously applying the science behind positive education. All Ridleians belong to one of our ten Houses, where they are supported by our unrivalled circle of care and engaged with vibrant, challenging, modern programmes to nurture and mentor them on their journeys.
Programs
International Baccalaureate:
Offered
Program Details:
Ridley is one of only three International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum boarding schools in North America, offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. In addition to the IB Programme, Ridley offers the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and a wide range of summer programmes, including the EAL credit course. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills for success, going on to study at some of the top colleges and universities in Canada, the U.S. and beyond.
Top Post-secondary Destinations
University of Toronto
Queen's University
Western University
McMaster University
University of British Columbia
University of California, Santa Barbara
Berklee Collegeof Music
Carnegie Mellon University
Johns Hopkins University
McGill University
Accreditiations
- Canadian Accredited Independent Schools
- Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario
- International Baccalaureate
- Moral Courage Project
- National Association of Independent Schools
- The Association of Boarding Schools
- Visible Wellbeing Foundational School
Community Service & Trips
Summer Programs
For more than 134years, Ridley College has held true to its motto, Terar Dum Prosim, which translates to "May I be consumed in service".Students have plenty of opportunities year-round to give back to their communities and to explore new interests, cultivate passions and reach their potential in a challenging and supportive environment. Ridleians cultivate altruism and developtrue care for others. Students mature their sense of social responsibility and understand the importance of giving back tolocal and global communities.
Locally, we support organizations such as:
- United Way
- Community Care
- Start Me Up Niagara
- CIBC Run for the Cure
- Terry Fox Run
On and off campus, Ridley promotes the role of service in a flourishing life. The idea is embodied in our motto — Terar Dum Prosim— and it is infused into our culture. Students are encouraged to participate in service to others in their immediate community and the world in which they live.
Internationally, Ridley service trips take place in:
- Malawi
- Guatemala
- Thailand
Learning doesn’t end on the weekend at Ridley. Saturday programming, arts and athletics activities and weekend excursions are all part of the immersive Ridley experience. School-wide outings and activities are regularly planned to engage students on and off campus.
Learn more: https://www.ridleycollege.com/student-experience/trips-activities/weekend-trips-activities
Academics
- 3D Design
- Acting
- Animation
- Band
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Business
- Cadets
- Calculus
- Canadian History
- Chemistry
- Chinese - Mandarin
- Choral Music
- Classical History
- Classics
- College Counselling
- Community Service
- Computer Applications
- Computer Programming
- Computer Science
- Creative Writing
- Dance
- Debate
- Design
- Directing
- Drama Club
- Drawing
- Duke of Edinburgh
- Economics
- Electronic Music
- English
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Science
- European History
- Evening Study Assistance
- Exchange Programs
- Exercise Science
- Film and Video
- Finance
- French
- Functions
- Geography
- German
- Health
- IB Business and Management
- IB Primary Years Program
- Integrated Science and Technology
- International Baccalaureate
- Laptop Program (Gr. 7-12)
- Leadership
- Learning Centre
- Literature
- Multimedia
- Musical Theatre
- Music Appreciation
- Music for Beginners
- Orchestra
- Orchestral String
- Painting
- Photography
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Piano
- Poetry
- Post Graduate Year
- Principles of Mathematics
- Public Speaking
- Robotics
- Sculpture
- Social Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Strings
- Studio Art
- Teacher Advisor
- Theory of Knowledge
- Trigonometry
- Visual Arts
- Vocal Music
- Voice
- World History
- World Issues
Co-Curriculars
- Aerobics
- Amnesty International Club
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Cadet Band
- Choral Music
- Cross-country
- Chess Club
- Community Service
- Dance
- Drama Club
- Drill Team
- Debate Club
- Diversity Club
- Duke of Edinburgh
- Environmental Club
- Field Hockey
- Future Business Leaders
- Food Council
- Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Leadership Program
- Literacy Magazine
- Math Club
- Model UN
- Rowing
- Rugby
- Robotics
- Robotics/Tech Girls
- Skiing
- Squash
- String Ensemble
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Yoga
- Weightlifting
- Weekday and Weekend Planned Activities
Campus
- Basketball Court(s)
- Dance Studio
- Fitness Centre
- Fitness Facilities
- Health Centre
- Hockey Rink
- Ice Hockey Training Facility
- Indoor Basketball Court(s)
- Indoor Rowing Tank
- Kitchen
- Kitchenette
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Rowing Facility
- Soccer and Sports Fields
- Squash Courts
- Tennis Courts
- Varsity Strength & Conditioning Centre
- Volleyball Court(s)
- Weight Room
- Wireless Internet
