doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
T

Trillium School

Canada, Markham

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 1 - 18 years
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1991
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages English, French, Spanish, Mandarin
Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Trillium School is a private, Montessori-inspired day school in Markham, Ontario, serving children from 1 to 18. Founded in 1991, it blends Montessori practice in the early years with an Ontario Curriculum path through elementary and high school. The Kindergarten Casa program combines Montessori methods with a structured curriculum; language instruction includes phonics-based learning and early French; math follows concrete Montessori materials; science and social studies emphasize hands-on learning. The Elementary Program covers all Ontario subjects with experiential learning and leadership opportunities. High School delivers Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with 30 credits (18 compulsory, 12 elective) and offers AP courses; a STEM focus emphasizes science and computing with field trips. The 32,000-square-foot campus, built in 1996 and expanded later, houses a gym, science labs, a library, and three acres of outdoor space adjacent to Milliken Mills Park. Extracurriculars include STEM, Arts and Creative activities, and Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

4277 14th Avenue, Markham, ON L3R 0J2

The Essentials

Trillium School has instruction in English.

Location
Markham, Ontario, Canada (4277 14th Avenue, Markham, ON L3R 0J2).

Stages
18 months - Grade 12; Pre School & Toddlers (18 months – 3 years); Kindergarten (4–6); Elementary (Grade 1–8); High School (Grade 9–12).

Type
Private Montessori School.

Additional learning support
ESL / IELTS Preparation / Language Remediation; Tutoring Program (after school); Math and computing contest preparation.

Country affiliation
Canada
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is available for students in Grades 7–12. The residence is located in a safe neighbourhood about a 10–15 minute drive from the school and provides 24/7 supervision and on-site staff. Residence features include three meals for 10 months (September–June), transportation between the residence and school, Wi‑Fi, central heating and air conditioning, laundry, furnished rooms, and complimentary airport pickup for initial arrival. The residence remains open during the two-week Winter Break and one-week March Break at no extra charge.

Food Options
Three meals for 10 months (September to June) are provided in the residence.

House System
The school has a house system with four houses: Banting, McClung, Peterson, and Tecumseh. Houses participate in house activities and competitions, and a House Cup is awarded.

Governance and Ownership
Trillium School is an independent, non-denominational school registered with the Ontario Ministry of Education and is a member of the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools.
Fees
Application fee

- Application fee: CAD 100.00 payable with the application form.

Acceptance deposit / Retainer

- At acceptance a non-refundable retainer equal to one month's tuition is required. This retainer is applied to the June tuition fee and is non‑refundable on withdrawal.

Tuition fees by year / per term

- Detailed tuition amounts by program, by year group, and by term are not published publicly. The school provides a full fee schedule on request; specific per-term and per-year figures must be obtained from the school's published fee schedule.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The retainer collected at acceptance is applied to the June tuition. Withdrawals require one month's written notice. There is no refund or credit for a student's absence regardless of duration or reason. Specific billing dates, term-by-term invoicing and other payment deadlines are provided within the full fee schedule (not publicly posted).

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- No public boarding-fee schedule is published on the school's program or fee pages. The school's program listings do not provide a public boarding tariff or a boarding-fee table; where boarding is relevant, boarding fees would be listed in the full fee schedule provided by the school. (No published boarding-fee amounts are available.)

Other costs and incidental fees

- Items commonly billed separately (and not publicly priced on the fee pages) include uniforms, textbooks and instructional materials, activity or extracurricular fees, exam or assessment fees, field trips, and optional program charges. Specific amounts for these items are not published and are included in the school's fee schedule where applicable. Entrance examinations are required for certain grades (no separate published fee amount shown).

Refund information

- There is no refund or credit for absence regardless of duration or reason. The June retainer fee is non‑refundable on withdrawal. Withdrawals require one month's written notice; the June retainer remains non‑refundable. Other refund rules (for deposits, program cancellations, or visa-related cases) are specified only in the full fee schedule or enrollment agreements.

Fee payment options

- No specific, public list of accepted payment methods (for example, credit card, bank transfer, e‑transfer, cheque) is posted on the public fee pages. Payment methods and accepted channels are provided in the school's fee schedule or billing instructions. For administrative contact details (phone and email) to arrange billing or ask about payment methods, use the school's published contact information.

Summary note for database use

- The school publishes an application fee (CAD 100) and requires a non‑refundable retainer equal to one month's tuition (applied to June tuition) and specifies the refund/withdrawal rules above. Full, itemized tuition amounts by year group and per-term breakdown, plus detailed charges (uniforms, boarding, payment methods and billing calendar), are not published publicly and are supplied only in the school's full fee schedule. The school requests that the full fee schedule be obtained from its admissions/fee schedule channel.
Academics

Trillium School teaches Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum
Montessori-inspired early years (Toddlers/Preschool and Kindergarten) with a progression into an Ontario Curriculum framework for elementary and high school. The Kindergarten Casa program blends Montessori methods with a structured curriculum; language includes phonics-based instruction and early French; math uses a concrete Montessori approach; science and social studies are taught through hands-on learning and field trips. The Elementary Program offers all subjects recognized in the Ontario Curriculum: Language, Mathematics, French, Science, Social Studies, Music, Health, Physical Education, Tech Studies, and Art, with experiential learning and leadership opportunities. The High School delivers a rigorous, flexible Ontario Curriculum to earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with 30 credits (18 compulsory, 12 elective); AP courses are available; a STEM program emphasizes science and computing, with field trips and experiential learning.

Student Teacher Ratio
null

Exam Results
The school has a 100% university acceptance rate. The 2026 graduate cohort was admitted to top universities across Canada, the USA, the UK, and around the world, with destinations including the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia; total university entrance scholarships for 2026 were $1,696,500.

Higher Education Progression
University counselling begins when students enroll, with a dedicated guidance counsellor to assist in course planning, university applications, and post-secondary pathways. The school reports a 100% university acceptance rate with graduates admitted to leading universities in Canada, the USA, the UK, and beyond (e.g., University of Toronto, Waterloo, McGill, UBC) and substantial scholarship support for the Class of 2026.

Gifted and Talented
AP courses are available to create advanced coursework opportunities. Contests are encouraged through weekly contest-preparation courses for mathematics and computing; students participate in national and international contests (e.g., University of Waterloo contests, Canadian contests) and related coaching. The program also supports participation in business competitions (FBLA Canada CNLC, Ivey High School Case Competitions, DECA) and provides ESL/IELTS preparation and tutoring for advanced learners.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school emphasizes social/emotional development through the Casa (Kindergarten) program, where socialization skills and a strong sense of self-worth are developed; character development is promoted with manners, respect, and everyday etiquette; teamwork, leadership, and public speaking are cultivated through student programs and activities.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The academic support program provides tutoring for students needing extra help and ESL/IELTS Preparation and Language Remediation for English language learners.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
ESL/IELTS Preparation/Language Remediation is offered to English language learners in small-group classes to strengthen reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Mental Wellbeing
Positive school culture and a home-like environment support student wellbeing; social/emotional skills and character development are integrated into daily school life.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1991, Trillium School is an established, co-educational independent school serving students from toddlers to Grade 12s. The school is located in Markham, Ontario. The school is independent, non-denominational and registered with the Ontario Ministry of Education. The school is a member of the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools. The school is committed to developing the whole child through a balanced approach to education, with strong academics complemented by a comprehensive extracurricular program.

Community
The school has a warm, family-like atmosphere where students feel at ease and truly enjoy the whole-school experience. Following graduation, alumni return to the school regularly to help out in a variety of volunteer roles, attesting to the bonds forged over the years. The 32,000-square-foot facility features a full-sized gymnasium, an up-to-date technology lab, a fully-equipped science lab, a music room, a library, and a fully-contained schoolyard equipped with permanent play structures.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Trillium School is located at 4277 14th Avenue, Markham, Ontario. The 32,000-square-foot facility was custom-built in 1996 and expanded in the early 2000s. Indoor facilities include a full-sized gymnasium, a technology lab, a science lab, and a library. Students have specially-designed cubbies and lockers for personal belongings and mudrooms to store outdoor gear. The schoolyard spans three acres and is enclosed by a six-foot-high steel-link fence, with direct access to Milliken Mills Park for additional outdoor spaces and activities.

Sports Facilities
There is a full-sized gymnasium for indoor sports and activities. Outdoor facilities sit on three acres, with a large level playing field, a tarmac area, and permanent play structures. The adjacent Milliken Mills Park offers baseball diamonds, soccer fields, playgrounds, and a mini water park for student use during outings and events. Elementary students use the Milliken Mills Community Centre for swimming and skating lessons as part of extracurricular programs.

Academic Facilities
Indoor facilities include a technology lab, a science lab, and a library. The building is 32,000 square feet and was custom-built in 1996, with an expansion in the early 2000s. The spaces are bright and spacious. Students have cubbies and lockers for personal belongings and mudrooms to store outdoor gear.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Milliken Mills Park provides baseball diamonds, soccer fields, playgrounds, and a mini water park for use in outings and events. Students regularly access the park for sports, play days, tobogganing, and other special events. Elementary students participate in extracurricular programs at Milliken Mills Community Centre, including swimming and skating lessons.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school provides an enriched, challenging academic program in a nurturing learning environment. The STEM program is designed to cultivate critical thinkers through an enriched curriculum in Science, Math, and Computer Technology with experiences beyond the class. Students are encouraged to show initiative and leadership and to challenge themselves to reach their full potential. The high school program requires completion of 30 credits to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, including 18 compulsory credits and 12 elective credits.

Arts & Creative
Extracurricular activities include Arts, Animation, Photography, Film Critics, and Public Speaking. Students develop creativity through animation and photography projects, film criticism, and stage or spoken presentations. Field experiences and competitions complement creative pursuits, including participation in events like the Science Fair. Extracurricular Programs showcase arts and creative opportunities throughout the school.

Cultural & Language
The Language program builds a solid foundation of spelling, phonics, writing, grammar, reading comprehension, and vocabulary, with a literature-rich environment. French language instruction is introduced at Casa (Kindergarten) and expanded in elementary, with vocabulary and grammar development and opportunities to explore French culture through literature, videos, projects, presentations, and field trips. In Science and Social Studies, learning is reinforced through field trips, projects, and competitions, and experiential learning extends beyond the classroom with visits and learning experiences.

Social & Hobbies
A broad range of sports and recreational activities is offered, including skiing, soccer, skating, bowling, swimming, basketball, and badminton. Clubs and creative pursuits include Arts, Animation, Robotics, Photography, Film Critics, Public Speaking, and the Science Fair. Leadership and service-oriented activities are highlighted through programs like the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and charity initiatives. Field trips and competitions enrich social and hobby experiences.

Community & Service
Community Involvement is a formal component of the program, with a minimum of 40 hours of community service required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Local partnerships provide opportunities to earn service hours and foster social and global awareness. Students participate in fundraising, volunteer drives, and community projects as part of the school's program.

Leadership & Professional
Senior elementary students participate in formalized leadership training with in-class instruction, role modelling, leadership opportunities, assignments, evaluation, and feedback. The school encourages initiative and leadership throughout its programs, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award is among extracurricular offerings. Leadership development is integrated into both classroom activities and clubs to prepare students for future leadership roles.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Starting in Grade 1, students participate in weekly swimming lessons, with skating in winter and an alpine ski program as part of Skills Development. Outdoor education trips and year-end overnight trips provide experiential learning beyond the classroom. The school emphasizes physical activity and wellness through sport, fitness, and outdoor programs.
Languages

Language Provision
French is taught at Trillium School as part of the Casa (Kindergarten) program. French begins in the Casa year, and by Casa 3 students have a substantial French vocabulary and can engage in simple conversation. In the elementary years, vocabulary is expanded and formal French grammar is taught, with listening, speaking, reading and writing practice in French.
Reputation

Accreditations
The Ontario Ministry of Education registers Trillium School. The school is a member of the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submission Of Application Forms And Documents. Submit a completed application form along with a copy of the student's birth certificate, a recent wallet-sized photograph, copies of the last two report cards, documents proving legal guardianship, and the non-refundable $100 application fee. Application forms are available at the school or may be downloaded and printed on white paper.
2. Entrance Test And Interview. The school will contact parents to schedule the entrance test and interview. Entrance examinations are required for students entering Grades 1 and beyond. Students entering Casa (Kindergarten) do not require an entrance examination.
3. Acceptance And Completion Of Enrollment. On successful completion of the entrance examination (if necessary), a letter of confirmation of enrollment will be issued. A non-refundable retainer fee equal to one month's tuition is required and will apply to the June tuition. Withdrawals require one month's written notification. The June retainer fee is non-refundable.

Scholarships
The school offers merit-based awards and scholarships recognizing student achievement in academics, leadership, creativity, and community involvement. Scholarships and awards include: Trillium School Outstanding Graduate Scholarship; Trillium School Excellence Scholarship; Trillium School Recognition Award; Governor General's Academic Medal and Certificate; Lieutenant Governor's Community Volunteer Award; Minister's Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement; Ontario Scholar Award; Ontario Recognition Scroll; Duke of Edinburgh International Award; Team Honour Roll in University of Waterloo Mathematics Contests; Honour Roll, Certificate of Distinction, and School Champion Medal in University of Waterloo Mathematics and Computing Contests; Certificate of Distinction and Certificate of Honours in Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge; Certificate of Distinction in national and international mathematics contests; National Student Poetry Contest Certificate of Achievement; National Student Short Story Contest Certificate of Achievement; Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra Award.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in Canada View all schools in Markham View all schools in Canada American curriculum schools in Canada Open days & tours in Markham What is the American curriculum? View all schools Search all schools