| Homeowners

As parents we totally get that although the GTA has tons of highly rated public schools, you might find yourself considering one of Toronto’s private schools instead. Smaller class sizes, focused curriculums, and considerations for things such as spiritual guidance are just some of the reasons parents choose to take the private school route.

Because the GTA and Ontario offers so many private school options from hidden gems on side streets to massive campuses complete with parkland and athletic facilities, we thought we’d provide an overview to help you not only find the top private schools in Toronto but the top private school that is the right fit for your child.

Let’s dive in.

Consider Your Child’s Strengths and Personality

Considering your child’s strengths and personality can help determine the type of curriculum and learning environment they’ll find the most engaging. For example:

  • Are they artistic, musical, or dramatic?
  • Do they love technical things like computers, science, and math?
  • Are they highly athletic?
  • Do they work better independently and at their own pace or do they need discipline and structure?
  • Should they be in a co-ed school or gender specific setting?
  • Will they need special attention due to learning differences, are they a high-achiever, or maybe both?
  • Are there any cultural considerations such as religious/spiritual instruction and guidance, first language preferences, etc.?

Finding the right school environment will nurture your child’s natural instincts to learn and encourage them to reach their full potential.

Looking for more insights on Toronto schools? Read these posts next:

Curriculum Focus: Does Your Child Have Aspirations?

Although all Ontario schools must adhere to requirements set by the Education Act, private schools can offer variances and improvements in their curriculum and programs you won’t find in the public system. This provides an opportunity to help nurture certain skills, or create a more direct path to success in a chosen area, such as:

The Arts

If your child is highly creative, many private schools help ignite their creative spark with a focus on visual arts, music, design, drama, dance, writing, etc. Attending local art programs and theatrical productions being held at private schools can give you a better feel for what your child might experience.

Athletics

Athletic skills are sometimes overlooked in academically driven environments. However, schools offering high quality athletic programs take athletic abilities just as seriously as high achieving academic skills. The Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario Athletic Association (CISAA) has a selection of 36 private schools offering impressive athletic programs. These schools help accomplished athletes with more intense training and additional competitive opportunities in hand with a superior education.

STEM/STEAM

Although all schools must teach STEM to students, some private schools offer enhanced programs and fun extracurricular activities that can help your child develop their inner scientist.

Montessori

Montessori schools have child-led curriculums that focus on independent learning as opposed to teacher-led lecturing and classroom work. These schools also use a nontraditional grading system considering the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of the student. They offer levels for Lower Elementary Grades 1-3 and Upper Elementary Grades 4-6, so if you choose Montessori school, you’ll have to find an alternate school for grades 7 through high school.

Curious about being a homeowner in Toronto? Read these posts next:

Tours

All private schools offer tours to help parents learn more about the school and experience the campus and facilities firsthand. Many also offer open houses in the fall and are happy to invite parents to attend events such as school plays, sports events, art shows, etc.

The Admission Process

Keep in mind that top private schools in Toronto are in high demand and therefore time is of the essence. The sooner you decide to pursue a private education for your child, the sooner you can start the application process. Typically, this is between February and March, the year of the intended enrollment. Be sure to read the enrollment process carefully so you follow the steps perfectly and avoid missed deadlines! Better yet, speak to the school administrator to discuss their admission process as each school has a slightly different approach. For example, if the school’s earliest year is Grade 3, they might have a wait list a year or two in advance. Although some openings might occur in later years due to students leaving, many students remain through to their graduation, making it harder to secure a place for a transfer.

Also, private schools usually administer assessment tests and interviews as part of the admissions process. They want to explore your child’s academic abilities, character, and interests, and review their extracurriculars to make sure they are a good fit. A private school’s reputation is important for success, which means they want students who will be most likely to excel in their environment. This can be quite stressful for your child, especially if they’re transitioning from the public to the private system.

And parents, you don’t get off so easily. Many private schools have parent interviews as well!

Are you planning a home purchase or sale during the school year? Read our survival guide for buying and selling during the school year right here.

Cost of Tuition

Of course, private schools come at a cost. Tuition ranges from about $7,500 to upwards of $22,000 for day students and can reach well above $50,000 a year for boarding schools. The good news is that all private schools offer scholarships or financing to allow equal opportunities for kids from all walks. Speak to the admissions department to understand what options are available.

Location

We figure you have two ways of approaching location for private schools:

  1. Finding a home in the ideal neighbourhood and choosing a private school that is easy to get to from there, or
  2. Finding the ideal private school and choosing a home close to the school

It’s like a chicken and the egg kind of question, and both approaches have their pros and cons. The first option tends to work best as it allows you to choose a home that suits your lifestyle and budget. If you go with the second option, you’ll likely find the homes in the area are quite expensive and not always close to the conveniences you desire. We can help you find the right home in the right neighbourhood based on the private schools you are considering.

Call The Christine Cowern Team at 416.291.7372 or email us at hello@christinecowern.com with any questions or to set up a call. We’d love to work with you!