Number of Schools:
The Canadian Association of Independent Schools lists 79 member schools with a population of over 39,000 students.
From west to east you can find schools here:
* British Columbia
* Western Provinces
* Ontario
* Quebec
* Maritime Provinces
The Oldest School:
The oldest Canadian private school is Upper Canada College which was founded in 1829. UCC moved from its original location in old Toronto to a 40 acre site in the country in 1891. The 'country' is now part of downtown Toronto with UCC as one of its most famous landmarks.
The Best Schools:
The Fraser Institute periodically issues Report Cards on public and private schools. My selections for best Canadian schools can be found here.
Financial Aid:
Most private schools offer financial aid which typically ranges from small scholarships and grants to full tuition. Always ask about financial aid. How Can I Pay for a Private School Education? offers other options.
Curriculum:
Private schools set their own admission and graduation requirements which generally meet or exceed provincial requirements. Emphasis in most college prep schools is on the IB and AP programs. Successful completion of these rigorous studies pretty much guarantees admission to colleges and universities worldwide.
Elitism:
I am asked regularly whether or not private schools are elitist. It seems to be more of an issue in socialist Canada than it does in America.
Having said that, it is indeed true that private schools had a reputation for being elitist decades ago. That's pretty much changed. Most schools pride themselves on being diverse communities. Most schools offer substantial financial aid to make those diversity goals a reality.
What does 'college' mean?:
Many Canadian private schools still use the English term 'college' as part of their institutional name. This can be confusing for most of us as we associate 'college' with a post secondary institution of learning. Examples of this naming convention include Greenwood College School and Stanstead College
Accreditation:
Accreditation of Canadian private schools works a little differently than accreditation of American schools. The education ministry or department in each province inspects all private schools on a regular basis. Canadian private schools need to pass inspection in order to retain their license to operate as a school.
