APPLYING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS Ivy Global IVY GLOBAL APPLYING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS 2011 EDITION WHY PRIVATE SCHOOL? Over the past few decades, Canadian fami- MOST SELECTIVE PRIVATE INSIDE THIS GUIDE: lies have been increasingly exploring educa- SCHOOLS IN THE GREATER tion options outside of the public school TORONTO AREA PRIVATE SCHOOLS 4 system. In 1970, only 2.5% of Canadian students attended private school; in 1998, Appleby College HOW TO APPLY 8 that number had risen to 6%. Parents are Bishop Strachan School HOW TO PAY 10 increasingly interested in more individual- Branksome Hall ized, specialized curriculum options for their THE SSAT 12 children, and the options available to them Crescent School are becoming increasingly diverse. Havergal College AP AND IB 14 PROGRAMS Private schools come in a variety of shapes Upper Canada College and sizes— from traditional boarding and ARTS AND 15 University of Toronto Schools day schools to single-gender schools, Mon- ATHLETICS tessori programs, French Immersion are often required to write the Secondary OUR SERVICES 16 schools, schools with specific religious affili- School Admission Test (SSAT) and submit ations, and schools catering to Special Needs transcripts, reference letters, and personal GTA PRIVATE 18 students. These schools have the ability to questionnaires. Students are often asked to SCHOOL LISTINGS set their own independent curriculum and to come for an interview so the admissions limit enrolment. With smaller average class officers can evaluate personality as well as sizes than most public schools, private academic potential. Schools look for not schools often put a greater emphasis on indi- only strong grades and test scores, but also vidualized instruction and programming. passion, commitment, and enthusiasm for the private school program. Admissions to the most selective private schools can be quite competitive. Students ABOUT IVY GLOBAL Ivy Global is a pioneering education consult- With locations in Toronto and Vancouver, ing firm committed to helping our clients we are committed to maintaining a strong gain admissions to private schools and US team of instructors who are picked from universities. the best schools. Their high academic achievement and passion for learning enable Our team of consultants is uniquely qualified them to be academic role models for their to provide the highest level of expertise in students. admissions process. Ivy Global PAGE 4 APPLYING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS PRIVATE SCHOOLS INTRODUCTION Recent studies estimate that there are about campus environment. Families may want to 1,700 private schools in Canada and close to consider single-gender vs. co-ed schools and “THERE ARE 200 private schools in the Greater Toronto the possibility of boarding programs. There are ABOUT 1,700 Area alone. For parents trying to find the best many different types of private schools, from PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN fit for their children, the sheer number and traditional boarding and day schools to French CANADA, AND variety of options present can be daunting. Immersion schools, Montessori schools, Spe- CLOSE TO 200 cial Needs schools, and schools with specific IN THE GTA Families searching for the best match should religious affiliations. This booklet will intro- ALONE” take into account not only the school’s academ- duce families to the various types of private ic reputation, but also its type or affiliation, schools available. size, tuition, extra-curricular programs, and PRIVATE VS. INDEPENDENT? The term “private school” is an umbrella term dependent schools that combines the for- for any school that charges tuition fees and is mer Canadian Association of Independent operated by individuals and groups outside of Schools and the Canadian Educational “THE TERM Standards Institute „INDEPENDENT‟ the public education system. Many private CLASSIFIES A schools are for-profit organizations. The Round Square, a worldwide associa- NON-PROFIT PRIVATE The term “independent” classifies a private tion of more than 70 schools in Canada SCHOOL” school that is run as a non-profit organization and abroad with a curriculum emphasis on and is often overseen by a board of trustees. In community service and exchange pro- many provinces, independent schools receive a grams certain amount of public funding and are ac- credited either by a government body or an The Canadian Council of Montessori Ad- affiliated organization. Accreditation provides a ministrators (CCMA), an organization of third-party reference that the school meets Montessori schools across Canada certain standards. The Association of Christian Schools Inter- Some accreditation organizations for independ- national (ACSI), an accrediting organiza- ent and private schools include: tion for Christian schools in Canada, the US, and abroad The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), an organization serving boarding The Conference of Independent Schools of schools in the US, Canada, and abroad Ontario (CIS) and the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools (OFIS), two or- Standards in Excellence and Learning Can- ganizations serving independent schools in ada (SEAL), a national organization of in- Ontario Ivy Global 2011 PAGE 5 SINGLE-GENDER SCHOOLS Many private schools offer the opportunity for ship roles. Some all-girls schools in the Greater TOP ALL-GIRLS students to learn in a single-gender environ- Toronto Area include Bishop Strachan School, SCHOOLS IN THE ment. All-girls and all-boys schools design their Branksome Hall, Havergal College, St. Clem- GTA curricula to meet the specific learning needs ent’s School, and St. Mildred’s Lightbourn Bishop Strachan School and different learning styles of growing girls School. and boys. Students are able to learn in an en- Branksome Hall The International Boys’ School Coalition couraging environment without the distraction Havergal College of the opposite sex. (IBSC) is an international organization of all- boys schools. IBSC advocates programs that St. Clement’s School The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools cater to the specific developmental needs of (NCGS) is an organization of all-girls schools in boys, who may mature later when compared to TOP ALL-BOYS Canada, the US, and abroad. NCGS holds its their female peers. All-boys schools offer aca- SCHOOLS IN THE member schools to a high standard in develop- demic curricula tailored to boys’ learning GTA ing curricula that address the specific learning styles, often with strong extracurricular, ath- styles of girls— which, the organization ar- letic, and leadership opportunities. Some all- Crescent School gues, may not be well-suited to a traditionally boys schools in the Greater Toronto Area in- St. Andrew’s College male-based education model. All-girls schools clude Crescent School, Royal St. George’s cite their ability to not only boost girls’ interest College, St. Andrew’s College, St. Michael’s Upper Canada College in subjects such as math and science, but also College School, and Upper Canada College. build confidence in public speaking and leader- BOARDING SCHOOLS Boarding schools are institutions that provide The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) TOP BOARDING an on-campus residence for faculty and stu- oversees and advocates for nearly 300 boarding SCHOOLS IN THE GTA dents. Often referred to as “prep schools,” schools internationally. According to a 2004 these were once exclusive, elite college prepar- survey of more than 2,700 boarding school Appleby College atory schools for wealthy families. Today, students, many old myths about boarding there are many very affordable options and a schools no longer hold true. Boarding schools Bishop Strachan School wide variety of boarding school types— from are no longer homogenous; many have thriving Branksome Hall traditional college preparatory schools to Mili- international student populations. Boarding Havergal College tary, Special Needs, and International schools. schools are not for “troubled teens” only; 60% of students enrolled because of the promise of Lakefield College School Boarding schools function as educational insti- a better education. Pickering College tutions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and thus offer a vibrant array of extra-curricular and Some schools offering boarding programs in Ridley College campus activities. Students learn to live away the Greater Toronto Area include Appleby St. Andrew’s College from home and gain the skills and responsibility College, Bishop Strachan School, Branksome Upper Canada College to assert their own independence. With many Hall, Havergal College, Lakefield College teachers also in residence, after-school tutoring School, Pickering College, Ridley College, St. is easily accessible. Most schools have on- Andrew’s College, Trafalgar Castle School, campus counsellors to help with personal and Trinity College School, and Upper Canada academic guidance. College. Ivy Global PAGE 6 APPLYING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS FRENCH IMMERSION SCHOOLS SOME FRENCH French language schools offer complete or par- studied from a young age. French immersion IMMERSION SCHOOLS tial French immersion, allowing students to programs additionally broaden students’ cul- IN THE GTA acquire an understanding of and faculty in the tural perspectives by exposing them to French French language from an early age. In full literature, art, and history. La Citadelle International Academy of Arts and Sci- French immersion programs, all courses are ences taught in French and students interact in French immersion programs in the Greater Toronto Area are offered