Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
— Malcolm X
While education remains a global priority, the schooling debate between public and private education systems has gained prominence, including in Canada. Over the years, both systems have evolved, each offering distinct advantages and challenges — often sparking discussions among parents and students.
In this article, we will review the following components while diving deep into Canadian private schools:
- Differences between public and private schools in Canada
- Application to a top Canadian private school
- Costs and benefits of studying in a private school
- Types of scholarships and financial aids
- How to choose the right private school
Differences Between Canadian Public Schools and Private Schools
Both public schools and private schools have their pros and cons but they ultimately have the same purpose — to provide students with a quality education that prepares them for their future endeavours.
Here are some key differences and considerations to help you decide on the right school to enrol in Canada.
Firstly, both public and private schools have different curriculum standards and flexibility. Public schools in Canada follow a standardized, traditional academic syllabus according to each province while private schools can opt for more flexible and specialized learning programs. For instance, there are specialized Montessori private schools and Reggio Emilia private schools.
Secondly, private schools have smaller class sizes and student-teacher ratios compared to public schools where the average class size can go up to 30 students in bigger schools. Many private schools prefer smaller class sizes which is helpful to offer extra personalized support, especially for students with special needs.
In terms of admission, public schools have a more direct approach where students are assigned according to the proximity of the school based on their local addresses. On the other hand, students can choose to study in any private school in Canada, as long as they get through the admission application, entrance tests, and interviews — which can be quite competitive.
There are no tuition fees for public schools, whereas families need to consider their financial resources before applying to a private school. The tuition fees for private schools can vary according to these reasons:
- Locations (urban vs suburban areas)
- Types of schools (day school or boarding school)
- Age groups (from kindergarten to high school)
- Nationality (Local vs international students)
What To Know When You're Applying For A Top Private School in Canada
Many top private schools in Canada offer different learning curriculum and extra-curricular activities depending on their specialization — academics, sports, arts, and religious integration.
As parents, having a comprehensive review of the private school's overall specialization, location, and culture can help you narrow down your choices as you begin preparing for the admission process.
Here are some examples of top private schools:
Granted that there are so many top private schools to choose from, we highly recommend parents and students to visit school expos in your nearest city (like Vancouver, Toronto or Calgary) to see what different Canadian private schools offer.
You'll also get to meet the admission officers from these schools and learn about the required documentation for local and international students, key timelines and deadlines for application, overall tuition fees, and even various financial aid options.
Costs and Benefits of Enrolling in A Canadian Private School
When it comes to the overall costs of Canadian private schools, there are two things to keep in mind — the average tuition fees and the additional expenses.
Private schools located in urban areas such as Vancouver (British Columbia), and Toronto (Ontario) tend to have higher tuition fees due to the higher costs of living in these areas as compared to other areas.
| School Name | Location | Annual tuition Fees (As of 2024 for domestic students) |
|---|---|---|
| St George's School | Vancouver, British Columbia | Day: $34,300 (Senior School) |
| Collingwood School | Vancouver, British Columbia | Day: $44,000 (Grade 10 to 12) |
| Upper Canada College | Toronto, Ontario | Day: $44,100 (Year 11 to 12) |
| Branksome Hall | Toronto, Ontario | Day: $44,640 (Grade 11 to 12) |
| St. Michael's University School | Victoria, British Columbia | Day: $31,640 (Senior School) |
| Bishop's College School | Sherbrooke, Quebec | Day: $32,900 (for all students) |
It's important to note that Canadian boarding students typically pay higher tuition fees than Canadian day students, while international students face even higher tuition fees for both day and boarding options in private schools.
For instance, Bishop's College School, a private independent boarding and day school in Quebec offer different tuition fees for local and international students who live on campus (boarding) and those who do not (day school).
- Canadian Day Student: $32,900
- Canadian Boarding Student: $69,250
- International Day Student: $61,150
- International Boarding Student: $83,100
Apart from tuition fees, additional expenses include application fees, school uniforms, transportation (for school trips), amenities fees, student fund contributions, and security deposit (differs according to different private schools).
Despite the high tuition fees, many parents and students in Canada still view private schools as a worthwhile investment in their education journey.
As mentioned earlier, private and independent schools offer diverse and specialized academic curriculum. Globally recognized learning programs such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and Advancement Placement programs are widely offered — some private schools even offer all-year IB programmes from kindergarten to high school.
In Canada, private schools and independent schools are often used interchangeably. Independent schools are subsets of private schools and are usually run by independent boards and organizations rather than religious affiliations or large private bodies.
Parents and students are also free to choose from different types of schools based on their school culture. For instance, parents who prefer religious integration for their kids can consider enrolling them in faith-based schools like Holy Name of Mary College School, an independent all-girl school in Mississauga (Ontario) and Holy Trinity School, a private co-ed school in Richmond (Ontario).
On the other hand, those who prefer a military-inspired learning environment can apply to study at Robert Land Academy, a private military-style boarding school in West Lincoln (Ontario).
Additionally, private schools have a larger capacity and range for extracurricular activities, whether it's for sports, clubs, or societies.
At private schools, every student is free to explore their interests in different fields and develop their skills with the best facilities and resources — which will play a key role in their future university placement.
Scholarships and Financial Aid Options For Private Schools in Canada
Whether you choose to attend a day or boarding private school in Canada, scholarships and financial assistance play a crucial role in easing your financial burdens.
Many private schools offer students entrance scholarships and merits-based scholarships which centre around academic excellence, athletic performance, arts achievements, and leadership potential. So be sure to get all your necessary certificates and recommendation letters from teachers/coaches ready in advance.
Furthermore, there are also needs-based (depending on the family's financial needs) and specialized scholarships like diversity scholarships and alumni scholarships to enable students from different socioeconomic backgrounds to access top-tier education without the high financial costs typically associated with private schools.
Additionally, many private schools also provide a wide range of financial assistance through education bursaries to finally support students. Depending on the school's budget allocation and funds received from alumni foundations and donations, up to hundreds of students from each private school benefit from these education bursaries — which can range from 25% to 75% bursary.
Students can also apply for financial adis assistance from external organizations apart from the private schools that they are applying to. Some examples include the Children’s Scholarship Fund Canada, A Better Chance Canada, and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
Once you have identified the most suitable financial assistance option, you can start preparing the relevant documents and submit them early because many scholarships and education bursaries are awarded on a first come first serve basis.
How To Choose The Right Canadian Private School
We have finally reached the most crucial stage — choosing the right private school.
Through this article, you have learned about the major differences between public and private schools, some of the top private schools in Canada, the average costs and expenses of studying in a private school, the range of scholarships and financial aid available for Canadian private schools.
This information plays a significant role in determining what matters most to you as parents and students. From there, you can shortlist a few private schools in the country that align with your needs and wants in terms of school types, academic focus, range of extracurricular activities, location, costs, and financial assistance.
As parents, you can continue to delve deep into the shortlisted schools by reading reviews and advice guides posed by parents and former students on educational platforms like Our Kids or parents' forums of different private schools in Canada. This will give you an objective perspective as you compare different private schools about their overall reputation and learning environment.
As students, you can also take this opportunity to enhance your skills in language subjects like English, and French, mathematics, arts and even sports through private tutoring. That's because it will come in handy during your admission interviews and even scholarship application interviews later.
At Superprof, you can master any subject with the guidance of an experienced and reliable private tutor, through physical or online lessons. All you need to do is just indicate your desired subject (English) and current location (for example, Vancouver British Columbia) and you will be directed to a wide selection of English tutors' profiles from that location.
After reviewing the tutor's teaching experience, qualifications, and hourly rates, you can contact him or her directly via the messaging feature on their respective profile. Learning has never been so easy!
With a comprehensive view of private schools in Canada and a comprehensive mastery of various learning fields, you are set to have a wonderful private schooling experience!
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