To start, I’m trying to narrow down a list of “boarding/day” schools in the GTA area here in Toronto - We’re actually in Asia but with Canadian citizenship and we are planning to send our son, currently in Gr 8, into “boarding/day/prep” school in Toronto.
While I do find extensive information on the US Schools, our circumstances: citizenship/location (HK/Toronto resident) would make it “easier” (at least logistically) to apply (and enter, if accepted) into Canadian/Toronto schools. Not sure how the system works but we do want to see our child more often (Even if they are in boarding, or, as some boarding schools have it in Toronto, the “day” option). If he enters the day option, one of the parents will move back to Canada to stay with our son.
Which nets us a few questions: it seems like the schools that offer boarding/day options include Upper Canada, Crescent, Appleby, Ridley (I’ve been reading “hockeymum’s” thread). I’m just wondering if that’s all what we have in terms of the Toronto/GTA area? Seems like it’s extremely competitive too - with acceptance rates at below 10% based on what HK parents here have been talking (I could be wrong as the UCC website, for example, indicate a 1/4 chance per applicant?)
Either way, just wanting to see if this is a “realistic” question or it’s just a tad too “far out”, literally and figuratively, in terms of chance? My son is not really athletically “gifted” so no way he can participate in varsity sports - and that seems to be the impression we have of these Canadian boarding schools - that if you’re not athletically gifted (and of course, strong in academics), don’t bother. FWIW, my son is more the “nerdy” type, you guys know this, the ones in IMO’s (math contests) and the like - yes, we know, there’s a “dime a dozen” of these in boarding school hence the question in the board ︎
Our data is slightly older. It used to be that as long as you could pay the full tuition, you were “in” in Canada. The influx of HK/China applicants has changed things a bit, but acceptance rates are almost certainly not 10% at most of these schools. UCC and St. George’s could be exceptions. Both are different as they are competitive with significant day student enrolment.
We know Brentwood College School in BC very well and would recommend looking at it if you are willing to look outside the GTA. Also, Lakefield and Stanstead are well established and have relatively high acceptance rates.
I will add an excellent option. Trinity College School. It is about an hour east of Toronto in the town of Port Hope, Ontario. It is a terrific school and well-respected. Most of the students are “borders” so unlike UCC, there are lots of kids who are around on weekends. They don’t cater to athletics and it is academics first. It is fairly competitive but because it is 60 minutes outside of Toronto, so you get less locals. One caveat with Stanstead is that it is very pricey and a bit isolated geographically. It is high standard academically as well.
Thank you very much. I will consider all these that have been mentioned but given we have relatives living in Toronto (and none in Vancouver), so it might be easier to focus on that front initially?
I’ve also read through their websites that Crescent and Royal St George seem to be using the same “Admissions” tests? While there seems to be no boarding at Royal St George (which is different from the St George in Vancouver), is it worth considering too and have my child stay with his uncle/aunt/grandparents?
A bit surprised / confused with this Day/Boarding “dichotomy” that seems unique in the Canadian BS landscape. I guess enrollment for boarding isn’t as “in demand” hence the shift to more “day” students? Seems like boarding is more “convenient” for us in exchange for $ but the “Day” Option gives us more “schools” to choose from?
After reading through most of the school’s websites, it seems like the “10% acceptance” probably applied to “day” option that the HK mums here have used as anecdotal numbers. Most of them that I know have houses in Vancouver and Toronto and their kids apparently do go home (they mention about agents and guardians, however - and I don’t have either LOL)
As well, it would seem like boarding will give you a higher acceptance rate? - (as compared to “Day” school acceptance rates?) - purely from a $ point of view for the school?
I went through all the websites that was mentioned here, if you don’t mind a couple of quick ?:
Stanstead - the one in Quebec? It does not seem “pricey” compared to the other schools here - unless, of course, I am looking at the wrong school.
Lakefield looks interesting though I think Trinity might be more “workable”? I am not sure how these things go but I guess no other way but to visit them in-site?
Certainly it’s harder to envision BC, but if considering BC, would it just be St George and Brentwood?
Finally, it’s quite a bit hard to gauge “fit” on websites and hearsay (but at least it’s worth a start). At the same time, ALL THESE SCHOOLS mention about “fit” as part of the admissions process, so rather than trying to waste their time if there is NO FIT, I am unsure how to approach this “fit” that they all mention about? I mean, I read through these forums etc that there’s definitely a need for your child to be athletic AND academically inclined. Some of the schools mentioned looked good and does not seem to focus on the “Athlete” side of things, but what we’re trying to avoid is that we are not of the “stereotypical” applicant and then waste our time applying if truly, we don’t get to “fit” their “fit”? (gets? LOL)
International boarding at Stanstead is $80k canadian vs.$75k for upper canada college. Stanstead is in the country. UCC is downtown Toronto in Toronto’s most prestigious areas.
I will DM you. But regarding Stanstead: it truly is in the middle of nowhere. Seriously. And small: 260 kids Gr. 7-12. Could get very lonely there, it is incredibly isolated, especially if you live in the GTA and need to visit. It is a 2.5 hour drive from the Montreal airport. Not sure about flights from Toronto to Sherbrooke, the nearest city to SC.
Thanks @Sportyprep and @Canuckdad. I guess I will have to “Reconsider” country type schools - my child will definitely NOT be “happy” on a small school and will probably find it too “suffocating” to be “isolated” with nowhere to go - I mean, picture HK where we are at the mid-levels and find it to be “less hustle and bustle”.
Either way, thank you for the DM too. Seems like a lot of legwork to be done but at least I have eliminated non-“city” type schools just through the internet (eg I didn’t have to waste time planning a trip to the boonies!)
︎