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The Great Lakes College Of Toronto

Canada, Toronto

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Unlisted
Ages 14 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1080
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1978
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum
Taught languages English, French
Strengths STEM, Academic Enrichment, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Middle School, High School
Introduction

Established in 1978, The Great Lakes College of Toronto is a certified private high school in downtown Toronto, serving international students aged 14 to 18. The campus at 323 Keele Street sits in the North High Park area, within a short walk of subway lines and local amenities such as a community library, supermarkets, banks, and shops. The school offers five intake periods each year and a University Preparation Program for Grades 9–12, combining Ontario high school courses (including ENG4U, MCV4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and SPH4U) with tailored study plans. The ESL program is delivered in five levels by certified teachers, and Language Study plus Summer Camp Tours provide language immersion and global-learning opportunities. On-site facilities include a science lab, drama room, art studio, gym, laundry rooms, and a three-meal-per-day cafeteria on school days. Residential options include an on-campus dormitory with live-in teachers, a homestay program, and nearby off-campus houses. More than 10,000 graduates have been admitted to universities, with 90%+ recent acceptance rate, reflecting strong university preparation and counseling support.

323 Keele St, Toronto, ON M6P 2K6, Canada

The Essentials

The Great Lakes College Of Toronto has 1,080 pupils, instruction in English.

Location

323 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M6P 2K6, Canada. The campus is in the North High Park area near downtown Toronto. It is within walking distance to subway lines and TTC buses and is close to High Park.

Stages

Grade 9–12 and University Preparation Program; Pre-University Program is also offered.

Type

Private high school. It offers residential options including on-campus dormitory, Homestay, and Off-Campus Houses.

Pupil Nationality Mix

Students come from 40 countries.

Additional learning support

Personalized Education Program to meet the diverse needs of students. ESL program with five levels follows the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum.

Country affiliation

Canada

Fees
Application Fee

- One-time application fee: CAD $200.

Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts and single-course option)

- Grade 9–11 (one academic year):
- International student tuition (up to 10 courses, includes digital textbook fee): CAD $23,000 per year.
- Domestic student tuition (up to 10 courses, includes digital textbook fee): CAD $18,400 per year.

- Grade 12 (one academic year):
- International student tuition (up to 7 courses, includes digital textbook fee): CAD $17,000 per year.
- Domestic student tuition (up to 7 courses, includes digital textbook fee): CAD $13,600 per year.

- Single course charge:
- International student: CAD $2,450 per course.
- Domestic student: CAD $2,080 per course.

- Note on course upgrades/additional courses: the college's tuition policy states the fee for one additional course/upgrade is CAD $2,500 (payable in advance).

Mandatory and recurring additional fees (annual or one-time)

- Student Service Fee (annual): CAD $300.
- Ancillary Fee (annual; covers activity fee, visa & study permit renewal consultation, and uniform): CAD $550.
- Health insurance options (annual): Standard Option CAD $850; Enhanced Option CAD $1,000. Domestic students do not need to purchase health insurance.
- Custodianship (one-time, required for students under 18 if provided by the college): CAD $850.

Boarding, meal plan and accommodation charges

- On-campus or approved off-campus residence (minimum 6 months stay): CAD $9,600 per year (CAD $800 per month). Furnished room; includes basic amenities.
- Residence deposit and service fee (one-time): CAD $750; refundable up to CAD $400.
- Meal plan (Monday–Friday, three meals per day; minimum 6 months): CAD $7,200 per year (CAD $600 per month).

Total cost examples (annual, shown by the college)

- Example total for International student, Grade 9–11 with residence and meal plan (illustrative total provided by the college): CAD $42,750 per year.
- Example total for International student, Grade 12 with residence and meal plan (illustrative total provided by the college): CAD $32,850 per year.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- An offer letter is issued and specifies the tuition deposit amount required to proceed with acceptance; the school issues an official acceptance and a tuition receipt after payment. Students are advised to apply 2–5 months before the semester start date.
- Residence and meal-plan payments require a minimum of six months' payment before the commencement of the semester.
- The college's course drop rules: if a student drops a course with principal approval before 6 school days from the date the course started, the tuition for that course will be credited to the next semester; if a course is dropped after 5 school days from the course start date, the full tuition for the course will be charged.
- Students with landed immigrant status pay 80% of the tuition charged to overseas/visa students; other fees remain the same for all students.

Refund information

- If a student is unable to obtain a valid Canadian student visa, fees paid will be refunded except for the application fee (CAD $200) and CAD $150 for notarized custodian documentation. A formal refund request and the original government rejection letter plus original school documents are required prior to the commencement of the semester stated on the Letter of Acceptance.
- If a student withdraws while their visa is being processed, or after obtaining a student visa, the college states no fees will be refunded.
- There is no refund of any fees on or after the commencement of the semester.
- When a student is asked to withdraw for disciplinary reasons, no refund will be granted.

Other costs and potential charges

- Additional course or upgrade fees (see note above): CAD $2,500 per additional course/upgrade as per tuition policy.
- Ancillary items (activities, uniform, visa consultation) are covered by the annual ancillary fee, but additional optional services (airport pickup, special accommodation requests, homestay) may incur separate charges. Residence placement (on-site, off-site, single/double/triple) may be assigned by the college.

Fee payment options and how payments are accepted

- Payments within Canada: cash, credit card (where available), bank draft or money order payable to The Great Lakes College of Toronto.
- Payments from outside Canada: PayMyTuition (international payment platform), Convera (online international payment platform), or tele-transfer to the college's Bank of Montreal CAD account (tele-transfer/Swift for international bank transfers). Convera and PayMyTuition enable payments by bank transfer, credit/debit card or other methods in multiple currencies.

Summary statement on timing for the 2026/27 academic year

- The fee schedule published for the 2026–2027 academic year (effective September 2026) lists the amounts above and the payment/refund rules stated here.
Academics

The Great Lakes College Of Toronto teaches Canadian Curriculum for students aged 14 to 18.

Curriculum

Five intake periods are offered each school year. Grade 9–12 includes a University Preparation Program with a tailored combination of academic courses to build knowledge and skills and to identify suitable university or college programs. University/college preparation courses cover content relevant to study in both university and college programs. Ontario high school courses such as ENG4U, MCV4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and SPH4U are part of the program. The Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum guides the ESL program, which has five levels, delivered by certified teachers. Language Study and Summer Camp Tours provide additional language immersion and global-learning opportunities.

Exam Results

99% of graduates attend post-secondary institutions; 88% receive offers from top universities in Canada; 84% receive scholarships from universities.

Higher Education Progression

GLCT supports higher education progression through a University Preparation Program and guidance services that help students identify suitable post-secondary programs and prepare for admission to their chosen institutions.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Guidance Counselling is provided by GLCT's Guidance Department, which supports students' personal growth and academic development. The department offers course descriptions, admission requirements, calendars and university/college videos from Canada and the United States. Guidance counsellors, teachers and admission officers are available to help with any difficulties students may experience. When students arrive, individual study plans are developed to guide their progress. Students are encouraged to participate in supervised school activities, including field trips, clubs, recreational sports, university visits and organized travel, supporting social and emotional development.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The ESL program is a comprehensive five-level English as a Second Language program that follows the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum and is taught by experienced, certified teachers dedicated to helping students succeed.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is supported by the Guidance Department, which focuses on students' personal growth and intellectual development. Guidance counsellors, teachers and admission officers are available to help with any difficulties students may experience. The department provides course descriptions, admission requirements, calendars and videos from universities and colleges to inform planning. When students arrive, individual study plans are developed to support their wellbeing and academic trajectory. Students are encouraged to participate in supervised activities such as field trips, clubs, and university visits, which promote social connections and wellbeing.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is guided by Ontario Ministry of Education policies listed on the school's policies page, including Promoting a Positive School Climate, Ontario's Safe School Strategy, Shaping a Culture of Respect in Our Schools, Ontario's Code of Conduct, Progressive Discipline and Caring and Safe Schools [PDF].

Admissions

Admissions

1. Apply for a program. The school accepts new students for January, April, June, September, or November. Applicants must apply 2–5 months before each semester to allow time for the Canadian Embassy to process the student visa. Submit the application form along with the latest school transcript and all required fees; provide transcripts from Grade 9 onward with certified translations if necessary, and submit external exam results (IGCSE, SSCE, O level, A level, IB) if applicable.

2. Receive offer and pay deposit. After the application is approved, the school issues an offer letter and requires a tuition deposit to proceed. The deposit secures enrollment for the next step of the process. The offer will specify the deposit amount and any conditions.

3. Official acceptance and tuition. The school issues an official acceptance letter along with the tuition receipt. This confirms enrollment and acknowledges payment of tuition. The documentation enables progression to visa processing.

4. Visa and Permits. Verify that you have all the required documents (visa and permit) to study in Canada. Maintain valid documents throughout the process. This step precedes arrival.

5. Arrival and transportation. Notify the school of your flight information and pay the remaining balance. Optional airport pickup is available. The school coordinates arrival logistics with students as needed.

6. Orientation and placement test. You become officially enrolled after orientation and the placement test. Attend orientation to learn school procedures and resources. The placement test determines course placement and readiness.

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