Boarding schools in Canada are highly regarded for their top-quality education. They offer a wide range of academic programs, as well as sports and extracurricular activities, making them attractive to students worldwide. These schools cater to students with different learning styles and provide options for both day and boarding students. In addition to academic classes, Canadian boarding schools prioritize the development of essential life skills and values. They offer a supportive and nurturing environment where students can thrive.
- List of the best boarding schools in Canada
- Why Choose to Study at a Boarding School in Canada?
- Benefits of Studying at a Canadian Boarding School
Best Boarding Schools in Canada
Founded in 1842, Pickering College is an independent boarding (Grades 7 to 12) and day (Kindergarten to Grade 12) school for boy and girls in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, just 40 minutes north of Toronto. Our programs offer unique opportunities in academics, arts, athletics, global leadership development and community service.
- 100% university placement at top universities in Canada and around the world
- Dedicated and caring teachers who are specialists in their field
- Fully integrated Global Leadership Program
- Challenging and engaging academic curriculum
- Full recreational and competitive co-curricular program
- Safe and supportive nurturing environment
- Dynamic boarding program
- Small class sizes and personalized attention at every grade
- ESL classes
- 430 students of which 130 are international students from more than 25 countries
Pickering College is educating future global leaders by providing a values-based education that helps students to develop the confidence, knowledge, skills and social conscience to prepare them for university and for life.Pickering College also offers an exciting ESL summer camp for students aged 12-18 who want to learn English and experience the wonders of Canada. Students enjoy the excellent residential, dining, academic, athletic and social facilities as well as premium escorted evening/weekend activities. Students benefit from small classes, 12-15 students per teacher.
Located in the city of Markham, a suburb just north of Toronto, J. Addison School is a day and boarding school that provides students from kindergarten to Grade 12 with an inclusive environment to foster cooperative learning, intelligence, creativity, and innovation. Our mission is to encourage students to continually and conscientiously challenge and motivate themselves to their full potential.
At J. Addison School, we cultivate a multidimensional educational environment that goes beyond academic accomplishments and personal achievements. We motivate our students to aim high and to push boundaries but also never to lose sight of respecting and embracing the uniqueness and talents of one another. We arm them with skills and values which are vital to becoming a responsible global citizen, so they will be ready to face the future with confidence, integrity, compassion, independence, and leadership.
At J. Addison School, from the Board of Directors, Administration team to the teachers and staff, we all have a shared vision of fostering educational philosophy. The 7 Pillars of the Addison Advantage® are the foundation that we build on, the standards that we abide by and the expectations that we thrive to exceed everyday. They are the key reasons of why we are different and why we are a leading K-12 private school in Canada. Our 7 Pillars of the Addison Advantage® are as follows:
Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment
We also embrace cultural and ethnic diversity to foster a harmonious and respectful learning atmosphere.
Effective “Focus For Success®” Adaptive Program
Our specially designed program provides students with opportunities and also the flexibility to develop new knowledge and explore ideas according to their interests and strengths. Most importantly, it allows them to realize and grow into their own potential.
Personalized Guidance and Care
We strive to connect with each and every one of our students. We dedicate the time to truly understand their individual needs; empowering them to set meaningful goals and guiding them through important developmental milestones.
Technology-integrated Methodologies
To supplement the traditional curriculum, our students learn with 21st century technology which enables better engagement, encourages interaction; thus, strengthening both teaching and learning processes.
Modern Resources and Facilities
Our school building is equipped with abundant resources and amenities, including a multi-sport gymnasium, science lab, art room, music room, dance studio, outdoor playground, year-round residence and more.
Transparent Parent-School Communications
We also embrace cultural and ethnic diversity to foster a productive and positive relationships with parents and guardians, we maintain regular contact through multiple means of communication and by increasing our reporting frequency throughout the school year.
Gateway to Higher Education
We assist and prepare our students from day one in working towards successful achievement of their post-secondary objectives. Our commitment to our students is one of the main reasons why J. Addison’s graduates have a 100% acceptance rate.
Branksome Hall is a school where remarkable things happen every day! We welcome you to learn about our community, our programs, our facilities and the many opportunities that inspire our students.
Each day, Branksome Hall challenges and inspires girls to love learning and to shape a better world. Established in 1903, Branksome Hall is Toronto’s all-girls, all-years International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Located on a picturesque 13-acre campus, Branksome Hall offers the unique combination of a wellness mindset, outstanding academics and global engagement opportunities. Our new state-of-the-art Athletics and Wellness Centre features a gymnasium, a fitness centre, a dryland rowing centre, two saltwater pools, yoga and dance studios, and a dining hall with outdoor terraces. Through our exciting exchange program, students can visit several countries and immerse themselves in new cultures.
Our graduates are welcomed by the leading universities in Canada and around the world, most with scholarships. Discover Branksome Hall’s remarkable programs and campus.
TCS attracts motivated students locally, nationally, and internationally because we respect each person as we do their cultures. Day and boarding families alike realize that our campus is 100 acres of home, where our students quickly become a close-knit, extended family. Our faculty work with each student, using the right amount of challenge and encouragement to help each student realize what’s possible because at TCS students achieve great things when they feel supported.
Established in 1991, Bronte College is a private IB World School offering Grades 9 to 12 for day and boarding students. We pride ourselves on offering a progressive, rigorous education utilizing the latest technology, a wide course selection and small class sizes. Enrichment programs include the IB Diploma Programme, Pre-IB and Advanced Placement (AP). With 400 local and international students from more than 30 countries, we offer a truly global education, preparing students for post-secondary success.
Trafalgar Castle School is an all-girls day and boarding school inspiring students in Grades 4-12. Educating girls since 1874, Trafalgar is a place like no other. By challenging her mind, strengthening her voice and nurturing her heart, we prepare girls for life through innovative programming and authentic learning experiences amidst a community of care and support.
Diverse perspectives in our classrooms, programs and student experiences reflect the many voices within our community, across our country and around the world. Capable and confident, our students are equipped with the mindset to define their own future and contribute and thrive in a world of accelerating change.
Our small-school advantage means we are agile enough to provide the most up-to-date learning environment and intimate enough to cultivate a strong sense of belonging. With 100% of our graduates accepted to the university of their choice, we provide exceptional academics within a warm and welcoming community, while helping to build women of strength and character. Our academic program challenges each student to know her mind, contribute ideas and question assumptions, while enriching the Ontario curriculum with internationally- acclaimed programs that draw on the best from around the world in math, science, English, music and languages.
Located in Whitby, Ontario, just 45 minutes east of Canada’s largest city, in a safe and small community, our boarding program attracts 75 Canadian and international students in Grades 7-12. Boarding life plays an important role in our unique learning environment, broadening the cultural and national diversity on campus and guiding each boarder toward both independence and shared responsibility.
UNISUS IB World School is a leading co-ed IB school with boarding, located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. With a fully accredited International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP), UNISUS offers inquiry-based programs for students from Canada and around the World.
Our mission is to inspire our students to be globally-minded citizens and critical thinkers ready to make a positive impact in the world. Our program combines experiential learning opportunities in outdoor education, technology and innovation, and entrepreneurship with the IB program to foster critical skills to prepare our students for the future.
The small class sizes creates an intimate personalized learning environment that places the student at the centre of the learning experience. UNISUS offers multiple pathways to graduation from an enriched BC High School Diploma (Dogwood) to a full IB Diploma Programme (IBDP)
Merrick Preparatory School (MPS) is a small boutique boarding school located in the village of Merrickville, Ontario on the shores of the historic Rideau Waterway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just 45 minutes from Ottawa, the nation’s capital, Merrickville has been twice voted the prettiest town in Canada and MPS has access to all the nation’s capital resources for our students. Our village offers a quiet safe place for students to remain focused on their academics where many of the villagers know our students by name. With an average class size of ten students and a maximum capacity of 60 boarding students, 20 local day students and 30 live-online synchronous learners, our students receive individualized attention and support from highly trained, certified and dedicate teachers in a nurturing family-like environment. Students from over 20 countries make MPS a distinctly Canadian and uniquely international school. Since our founding in 2012 we have maintained a 100% university acceptance rate for our graduates to world ranked universities, with many students on scholarships.
MPS offers grades 9 – 12, a University Qualification Year and an English As a Second Language Foundations Program. Each grade and program has distinct advantages, including our Advisor Program that focuses on life skills, our co-curricular program that focuses on mind, body and community development, our community involvement program that focuses on compassion and empathy. Each student has one-hour of tutorial support daily from their teachers and boarding students have two hours of dedicated evening study with guided support from our residential life supervisors. For grade 12 and University Qualification Year students we focus on “life after MPS” and provide one-on-one university guidance, support scholarship applications and provide three hours of IELTS preparation per week. Our graduates earn the #1 world ranked Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) which is recognized by universities around the world. Over 80% of our graduates receive offers from the University of Toronto (#1 university in Canada).
If you ask anyone on Moulton Hill to condense the BCS experience into a single word, you will invariably hear one resounding answer: family. Parents take comfort in the complete care provided to their children by a faculty that participates fully in school life. Teachers and Houseparents provide personal and academic support, daily structure, and ensure a vibrant experience where our students’ life skills blossom within a safe, positive, and nurturing community.
As a student at BCS, you will live, learn, work, and play alongside internationally-minded peers from nearby Canadian towns and faraway continents. Students from over 40 different countries add tremendous richness to the boarding experience, and each house is a well-balanced reflection of our diverse school community. The resulting friendships often lead to students hosting each other at their respective homes and to lifelong friendships. International students make up nearly 40 percent of our student body, and this cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
Our teachers don’t just teach–they inspire. Our students don’t just study– they challenge themselves, expanding their horizons and excelling in ways they never imagined before arriving here. And our entire global community of parents and alumni thrives on the energy that exudes from our beautiful sprawling 250-acre campus.
A lot of people say BCS is like Hogwarts, and while we might not teach magic, there is definitely something magical happening on Moulton Hill. You need to see it to believe it.
Are you ready to experience the magic of BCS?
Niagara Christian Collegiate (NCC) was established in 1932 and is situated on the shores of the Niagara River. Located just fifteen minutes south of Niagara Falls, we offer students more than 120 acres of safe, nurturing, rural beauty.
NCC offers full dormitory boarding and homestay options during the academic school year, summer programs and camps, as well as traditional day-student programs for middle and secondary school (grades 6-12).
NCC features small classroom size, individualized attention from caring, Christian teachers, and a focus on holistic development in addition to academic achievement.
Since 1969, NCC has been blessed to have an international component to its enrollment, and we currently host students from 12 countries. This leads to an incredible diversity achieved on few secondary school campuses, and priceless opportunities for our students to understand cultures from all over the world.
Why Choose to Study at a Boarding School in Canada?
Canada’s high-quality education system
Canada is known for its high-quality education system, which extends to its boarding schools. These institutions offer rigorous academic programs that prepare students well for university and future careers.
Canada’s diverse landscapes and natural beauty
Canada’s diverse landscapes and natural beauty provide an excellent backdrop for outdoor educational activities and sports. From coast to coast, students can explore and learn in unique environments, whether skiing in the Rocky Mountains or kayaking in the Atlantic Ocean.
Safety is a top priority in Canada
Teenagers who study in a boarding school in Canada will benefit from its multicultural society, which promotes diversity and inclusivity. This environment can provide a rich learning experience for students, exposing them to different cultures and perspectives.
Bilingualism
As a country with two official languages, French and English, Canada offers a unique opportunity for students to become fluent in both and even go on to learn other languages.
Multicultural society and bilingualism
Canadian boarding schools are pathways to higher education and employment opportunities in North America, preparing students for admission to the world’s most prestigious colleges and universities. The country’s high levels of development, modern infrastructure, clean environment, changing seasons, and proximity to major world cities combine to make Canada a unique and attractive option for international families.
Relatively affordable Cost
Finally, Cost is an essential factor when choosing a boarding school. Canada’s affordable education system, relative to many other countries, makes its boarding schools competitive globally. Boarding schools in Canada will be generally more affordable than other schools in North America, especially if you hold a Canadian passport. Also, a student decides to pursue higher education in Canada after completing their boarding school education. In that case, Canada’s immigration policies are relatively student-friendly.
Benefits of Studying at a Canadian Boarding School
Studying at a Canadian boarding school comes with several benefits.
Rigorous academic programs
The rigorous academic programs ensure that students receive a top-quality education that prepares them for their future. I
Development of essential life skills and values
In addition to academic excellence, boarding schools also focus on developing essential life skills and values, such as leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and time management. These skills are critical for success in all aspects of life and are honed through daily interactions with teachers, staff, and peers.
Supportive and nurturing environment
Boarding schools also provide a supportive and nurturing environment conducive to learning and growth. Students receive individualized attention and care from experienced and dedicated faculty members committed to their success. Moreover, the close-knit community of boarding schools creates a sense of belonging and camaraderie, which helps students develop strong social and interpersonal skills.
Exposure to different cultures and perspectives
Studying at a Canadian boarding school exposes students to different cultures and perspectives, broadening their horizons and helping them become global citizens. By living and learning with students from diverse backgrounds, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures and become more open-minded and tolerant.
Conclusion
Studying at a Canadian boarding school can be a unique and enriching experience for students. These schools offer a challenging academic curriculum, a diverse student body, and exceptional extracurricular activities that can help students reach their full potential. Additionally, students have access to world-class facilities and resources that can aid them in their academic, personal, and professional lives.
Choosing the right boarding school for your child requires careful consideration of several factors, such as the school’s location, size, academic programs, student life, and culture. Finding a school that aligns with your child’s interests, strengths, and goals is crucial. We recommend contacting all schools that match your criteria and requesting a virtual campus tour, an open house, or a virtual information session to help you make an informed decision. This will give you a better idea of which school will make your child happy and prepare them for a brighter future.