The Bishop Strachan School vs The York School

	T The Bishop Strachan School Toronto, Canada	T The York School Toronto, Canada
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CA$500 - 86,000	Fees / year CA$45,065
Age range	Age range 5 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Girls School, Girls School (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Canadian Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 950	Pupils 750
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1867	Opened 1965
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location 298 Lonsdale Road, Toronto, Ontario M4V 1X2, Canada	Location The York School has two campuses in midtown Toronto, located on Yonge Street near St. Clair Avenue. The Junior School (JK–Grade 5) is at 1639 Yonge Street. The Middle & Senior School (Grades 6–12) is at 1320 Yonge Street.
Stages	Stages JK–Grade 12	Stages JK–Grade 12
School type	School type Private all-girls day and boarding school	School type Independent, co-educational day school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix The York School has families from all over the world, reflecting a diverse international community.
Additional learning support	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.	Additional learning support Student Learning Plans (SLP) outline individualized supports; English language learners (ELL) support is not offered.
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 service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	Fee details Application and Admissions Fees - Late application fee: CAD 300, payable online at the time of submission and non‑refundable. - Online entrance/assessment fee (for applicants required to write an assessment, e.g., Grades 7–11): CAD 125. - Registration (one‑time) fee on acceptance of an offer for new students: CAD 10,000, non‑refundable. Tuition (annual and instalment structure) - Annual tuition for Grades JK–12: CAD 45,065 (annual rate). - Instalment / timing details: - A first, non‑refundable tuition instalment of CAD 7,500 is required to hold a student's place. - The remaining balance of tuition may be paid in two instalments due at the end of April and at the end of August, or by monthly instalments (monthly instalment plan available by direct debit). - The school treats an enrolled place as reserved for the full academic year and parents/guardians are contractually responsible for all fees for that year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Statements of account are posted and additional incidental charges (for items such as cafeteria, supplies, co‑curricular activities, trips, and York Parents' Association membership) appear on statements and are due on receipt. Interest is charged on unpaid statement balances at 1.25% per month (15% per annum) where applicable. Students with unpaid fees at the end of a term will not be permitted to return unless payment arrangements are made. - Sample instalment approach (school practice): the school offers multi‑installment schedules and a monthly direct‑debit instalment plan for the larger instalments; a nominal fee for the monthly plan may apply. Boarding / Residence - The York School is a day school only and does not provide boarding facilities or homestay arrangements. No boarding fees apply. Other costs and typical additional fees - Junior School lunch service is provided and included in tuition for Junior School students; Middle and Senior School students may incur cafeteria charges for purchased meals. Additional incidental charges can include supplies, field trips and outdoor education fees, co‑curricular activity or team costs, instrument or music program fees (where applicable), and York Parents' Association membership. These charges are billed as incurred. - Uniform / spirit wear: the school operates a uniform/spirit‑wear program; costs for required uniform pieces and optional spirit wear are additional and are paid by families. (Uniform items and purchasing details are provided through the school's uniform guidance and parent communications.) Refunds and withdrawal policy - The school's withdrawal and tuition refund policy includes non‑refundability of the initial deposit/first instalment and staged refunds for later withdrawals; for example, under the published schedule for the prior academic year: the first instalment was non‑refundable after the first instalment due date; a partial refund (one‑half of the second instalment) was possible for withdrawals within a specified spring window; and after the final instalment date there was no refund of tuition. Fees may be prorated at the school's discretion in cases where enrolment is terminated by the school. Interest and outstanding incidental balances remain the family's responsibility. Accepted payment methods and payment processing - Standard bank bill‑pay: families may set up The York School as a payee through most major banks using the student account identifier. - Wire transfer: available by contacting the Finance Office; families are responsible for any bank transfer charges. - Monthly instalment plan: available via direct electronic bank debit (nominal service fee may apply). - Credit card payments: accepted through a third‑party processor (Plastiq) for most major cards; a service fee (e.g., 2.9%) applies to credit card transactions processed this way. - Cheque: accepted in limited circumstances (drop off or mail) though electronic payments are preferred. Notes on responsibility and collections - The school reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student for reasons the Head of School deems appropriate; parents/guardians remain responsible for fee obligations in cases of suspension, dismissal, withdrawal, or absence unless otherwise determined by the school. Interest on overdue balances and restrictions on re‑enrolment for unpaid accounts are enforced.
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 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.	Curriculum details The York School offers the International Baccalaureate program from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and a Personalized Pathway Program. The Diploma Program is part of Senior School, and graduates can earn both the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and the IB Diploma. Languages include Core French from JK through Grade 9 (AIM used through Grade 5), with Mandarin available as an elective from Grade 7 and Language B options in the IB for French, Mandarin, and Spanish. The Middle School curriculum covers nine core subjects (English, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, French, Physical Education, Instrumental Music, Visual Arts, Technology) with electives such as Mandarin, Coding, Drama, and Learning Strategies in Grades 7–8. The Integrated Canadian Experience is a Grade 9 interdisciplinary course in Senior School. The York School is the first English‑speaking school in Canada to offer the full IB program, and the continuum supports a pathway toward the IB Diploma and OS diploma together.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Class sizes vary from 16–18 in JK/SK to 18–22 in Grade 4 and above, with an average class size of 18 students. Instruction is delivered by Core Teachers, with support from Specialist Teachers, Learning Resource Teachers, and Associate Teachers.
Exam results	Exam results strong results in AP courses	Exam results 100% of graduates have graduated and received offers to attend university, with graduates accepted to more than 145 national and international post‑secondary institutions. The IB Diploma Program culminates in external exams marked by outside examiners.
Higher education progression	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.	Higher education progression The York School has a dedicated University Counselling team. Each student is matched with a university counsellor in Senior School, who provides one‑on‑one guidance, helps with course selections for Grades 11–12, identifies suitable universities, offers feedback on essays, tracks deadlines, and assists with applications and offers.
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.	Gifted and talented There is no Gifted program; extension opportunities exist within the IB program.
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. 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.	Admissions 1. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are being accepted; the deadline to apply is December 1, 2025. This ensures families have adequate time to prepare materials and complete the admissions process. 2. To begin, submit an inquiry using the 'Register to Learn More or to Book a Tour' form or click 'Apply Now' to create a YorkNet family portal account, which is used to receive admissions updates and deadlines. 3. For Grades 7–11, entrance assessments are online (fee $125) and are delivered through a collaboration with Crescent School and Royal St. George's College; a single assessment covers applications to any of the three schools, and you can take it at The York School, Crescent School, or Royal St. George's College. 4. The admission process includes an interview, assessment, a teacher reference, and supporting documents such as report cards; Letters of Recommendation are not required. 5. Assessment dates by grade include: Grade 7 on November 15, 2025 or December 13, 2025 at The York School; Grade 8 on January 13, 2026 at The York School; Grade 9 on November 15, 2025 or November 29, 2025 at The York School; Grades 10–11 on January 13, 2026 at The York School. Out-of-province/international applicants for Grades 7–11 will write the assessment virtually from their location, with the date and time provided later. 6. International applicants follow the same application process as domestic applicants; application fees and tuition fees are the same; international families may need to arrange a Study Permit depending on status. 7. The main entry years are Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 7, and Grade 9; grade placement is determined by the calendar year. 8. Language and English proficiency: The language of instruction is English; The York School does not provide ELL support; JK–SK–Grade 1 may be admitted with limited English, but Grades 2–6 require strong English; Grades 7–11 must demonstrate English proficiency, with language assessments (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo) if needed. 9. If you have questions, or need additional information about the admissions timeline or requirements, the admissions team can be contacted through the YorkNet process.
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.	Scholarships Financial Aid is available for qualified students in Grades 9–12 based on demonstrated financial need; families must submit an Apple Financial Services application in addition to The York School application by the deadline of December 1, 2025; any Financial Aid awards are communicated along with admission offers. Tuition costs cover the majority of attendance; uniforms, textbooks, laptops, lunches, and activities/trips are extra and vary by grade and level of involvement; for a detailed breakdown of fees, refer to the Tuition information.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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