McDonald International Academy vs The Bishop Strachan School

	M McDonald International Academy Toronto, Canada	T The Bishop Strachan School Toronto, Canada
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CA$400 - 24,000	Fees / year CA$500 - 86,000
Age range	Age range 14 - 18 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type —	Type Girls School, Girls School (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils	Pupils 230	Pupils 950
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 18
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1994	Opened 1867
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Downtown Campus, 920 Yonge Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON M4W 3C7, Canada. Located in the heart of Toronto at the Yonge/Bloor intersection, near the Toronto Reference Library and the University of Toronto. Accessible by public transport, with a bus stop a 1-minute walk away and the subway about a 5-minute walk away.	Location 298 Lonsdale Road, Toronto, Ontario M4V 1X2, Canada
Stages	Stages Secondary (Grade 9–12) under the Ontario education system; University Preparation/High School Program included.	Stages JK–Grade 12
School type	School type Private international secondary school; fully registered and accredited by the Ontario Ministry of Education.	School type Private all-girls day and boarding school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support ESL Program; IELTS Prep; University Preparation/High School Program (Grade 9-12).	Additional learning support Learning Specialists provide individualized academic support; School Psychologist provides psychological and mental health support; Learning Resource Centre (LRC) offers accommodations for students with IEPs, assistive technology, language resources and skill-building support, plus drop-in tutoring.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Canada	Country affiliation Canada
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Bus access nearby; Downtown campus is a 1-minute walk from a bus stop and a 5-minute walk from the subway.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Application Fee: CAD 200 (one-time, non-refundable). Tuition fees (Grade 9–12) - International students: CAD 24,000 per academic year (covers 8 credits). Per-credit rate: CAD 3,000 per credit. - Canadian citizens / Permanent Residents: CAD 17,600 per academic year (covers 8 credits). Per-credit rate: CAD 2,200 per credit. - Each additional credit beyond the included 8 credits is charged at the per-credit rate indicated above. - Textbooks: approximately CAD 300 per semester (partially refundable). - To determine fees for any specific term, multiply the per-credit rate by the number of credits taken that term; the annual figure covers a full 8-credit academic year. Residence and homestay fees (where applicable) - Residence (10 months): Shared room (double occupancy) CAD 8,500. - Residence (10 months): Private single room CAD 10,000. - Meal plan (10 months, breakfast and dinner): CAD 6,000. - Residence security deposit: CAD 500. - Homestay: Private room (includes 2 meals) CAD 1,500–2,000. - Homestay: Shared room (includes 2 meals) CAD 1,000. - Homestay placement fee: CAD 100. Other program and optional fees - Activity Fee: CAD 400 (one year). - Health Insurance: CAD 600 (one year; mandatory for international students). - Airport pickup: CAD 100 (one trip). - IELTS training: CAD 3,000. - AP Courses: CAD 3,600 (per AP program as listed). - Textbooks noted above are approximately CAD 300 per semester and described as partially refundable. Billing schedule and payment terms - Overseas (international) students must pay fees in full to be eligible for acceptance; the Application Fee and Tuition Fee must accompany the submitted application. - Upon receipt and confirmation of full payment of the Application Fee and Tuition Fee, an official Letter of Acceptance will be issued. - Accepted payment methods include cash, cheque, Visa, Mastercard, money order, wire transfer, and email money transfer (EMT). Specific bank account details are provided for bank transfer and EMT payment instructions. - Payment receipts will be issued after payment is received and must be sent to the admissions office as instructed in the tuition request. Refund information - Refund for failed visa/passport issuance: If a new student is unable to obtain a valid study visa or passport to enter Canada, a full refund of tuition fees will be issued less the non-refundable registration/application fee of CAD 200, subject to submission of the required documentation. - Documentation required for refunds includes a written refund request signed by the student, proof of visa rejection from the relevant Canadian diplomatic mission or proof of passport application/extension rejection from local government, and all original documents and receipts issued by the school. - No refund if student is granted a visa and then decides not to attend. - If a student's visa application is refused, a refund will not be issued if a refund application is not made within 15 months after the student has been admitted to the program.	Fee details Application / Registration fees - Registration fee (one-time, non-refundable): CAD 10,000 for all students (day and boarding). - Continuing deposit (refundable): CAD 500. Tuition fees by student type — academic year 2026/27 - Day students (annual tuition): CAD 43,800. - Canadian boarders (annual tuition including boarding): CAD 82,200. - International boarders (annual tuition including boarding): CAD 86,000. - Health insurance for non-Canadian residents (annual): CAD 694 (applies to international boarders/residents where noted). Per-term amounts and year-group detail - The published fee schedule lists the annual tuition amounts above for the 2026/27 school year; the school's standard fee references are given as annual totals. - Junior School note: lunches and snacks for Junior School students are included in the Junior School tuition. Billing schedule and payment terms - The registration fee is charged once and is non-refundable; the continuing deposit is refundable as stated above. - Detailed billing schedules, payment deadlines, and the enrolment-related billing communications are provided to families through the school's enrolment and parent communications/portal during the acceptance and re-enrolment process. Boarding fees (where applicable) - Boarding tuition is presented above as a single annual figure for Canadian boarders (CAD 82,200) and international boarders (CAD 86,000); the listed boarding totals reflect the published annual charge for boarders for 2026/27. Health insurance for non-Canadian residents is CAD 694. Other costs and typical additional fees - School uniform: CAD 300–800 depending on grade and whether items are new or used; uniforms are purchased through the school's General Store. - Additional variable costs: field trips, textbooks, course-specific materials, technology-related items and certain extracurricular activity costs may be charged in addition to tuition and will vary by grade and program. - Summer and short-course programs have separate fees and stated refund terms specific to those programs (examples: some Summer Academy course fees are refundable prior to program-specific deadlines, subject to administrative fees). Refund information - Continuing deposit: refundable (CAD 500). - Program-specific refunds: Summer Academy and other short-course tuition refunds are handled under program-specific deadlines and administrative fee conditions (for example, some summer programs permit refunds prior to May 1 or June 1 with specified administrative deductions). Fee payment options - The school provides families with payment instructions and the available payment methods as part of the enrolment and billing communications through the school's parent/enrolment portal and finance communications. Payment arrangements and schedules are managed through those enrolment/billing channels. Notes relevant to budgeting - Annual tuition amounts shown above are the published totals for the 2026/27 academic year. Uniforms, field trips, textbooks, technology, and certain course or trip fees are additional and vary by grade and program; Junior School tuition includes lunches and snacks. Continuing deposit and registration-fee conditions are as stated above.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) program for grades 9–12, developed according to the Ontario Ministry of Education. Graduates receive the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Credits are recognized by American and Canadian universities and colleges. The program is a four-year course of study; the Ontario Student Transcript (OST) and Ontario School Record (OSR) document student achievement.	Curriculum details Junior School extends and enriches the Ontario Curriculum with a Reggio Emilia–inspired approach, enabling hands-on, inquiry-based learning where language, mathematics, science, social science, design technology, engineering, design thinking and research are integrated. Learning is supported by dedicated teachers for core subjects, with specialist instruction in French, music and physical education, plus access to the Junior School Learning Commons and Design Technology Lab. Grades 1–6 emphasize interdisciplinary connections, collaboration and real-world contexts to build foundational skills and confident learners. Grades 7 and 8 provide a broad preparation: humanities (English, history and geography), STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), French, physical education, visual arts and band/strings; accelerated math and French allow early Grade 9 credits, and a built-in Options program enriches the Ontario curriculum with additional experiences. Outdoor education is integrated, Chapel is held weekly, and social-emotional learning is emphasized through advisory structures and leadership opportunities. Grades 9 to 12 offer a comprehensive Ontario-based program with more than 100 credit courses, electives in business, technology and visual/media arts, and enrichment that elevates the Ontario curriculum; Advanced Placement is available (14 AP credits and AP Capstone Diploma), with university counselling guiding post-secondary planning; 100% of graduates are offered placement at top-tier universities.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results strong results in AP courses
Higher education progression	Higher education progression 85% of graduates are admitted to top 100 universities worldwide, and college admission is guaranteed. Since inception, over 20,000 graduates have entered universities and colleges in Canada and around the world.	Higher education progression All graduates are offered placement at top-tier universities. University Counselling uses a personalized approach beginning in Grades 7–8, with ongoing guidance as students tailor their post-secondary plans and prepare applications to Canada, the United States and beyond.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Advanced Placement offered with 14 AP credits and the AP Capstone Diploma; accelerated math and French programs in Grades 7–8.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Fill out the online registration form. The form collects student information and program interests. Email the most recent scanned report cards/transcripts starting from grade 9 and a copy of the passport to the admissions team. The admissions team reviews the submission and, if approved, issues the first Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and the Tuition Request Letter within 3–4 business days by e-mail. 2. Pay the tuition fees and the application fee according to the Tuition Request details. Email the payment receipt to the admissions office. Upon receipt of full payment, the office issues a receipt and the official Letter of Acceptance. The official LOA can be used to apply for a Canadian study permit. 3. For international students, apply for a Government of Canada study permit using McDonald International Academy's official Letter of Acceptance. Processing times vary by country. The LOA is required to support the permit application. Applicants should coordinate with the school to ensure all documents are in order. 4. Upon approval and receipt of the study permit, inform MIA to arrange airport pickup and accommodation. MIA coordinates housing arrangements, including residence or homestay placements. The arrival process is supported by the Admissions and International Support teams, with additional assistance from overseas offices in Beijing, China and Lagos, Nigeria.	Admissions 1. Apply online. The Bishop Strachan School uses an online application via MyBSS; create an account and complete the online application form, including the parent and student questionnaires; you can pause and resume your application before submitting. Early Bird and Day School deadlines apply: Early Bird Deadline November 1, 2025 ($250) and Day School Deadline December 1, 2025 ($300). 2. Assessments. Junior School applicants (JK/SK) participate in small-group activities; Grades 1–6 complete a math and English test, plus group activities and games. Middle and Senior School assessments evaluate numeracy, literacy and interpersonal skills with an age-appropriate math assessment and a written task based on a reading passage; there is no need to study or prepare in advance. Grade 7 and 9 applicants are hosted on campus in December 2025 and January 2026, with international students able to complete the assessment virtually on one of two available dates. 3. Admissions decisions and boarding options. Admissions decisions are communicated by email; the Admissions Decision Day for the 2026 cycle is February 20, 2026. Boarding applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, space permitting. 4. Financial assistance and scholarships. The deadline to apply for Financial Assistance and Scholarships is January 5, 2026.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Financial assistance and merit-based scholarships are available for students entering Grade 6–12. A completed scholarship application form is required. The deadline to apply for all scholarships for the 2026–27 school year is January 5, 2026.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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