If you decided on moving to Toronto and you have children, their education is probably on your priority list of things to sort out. Toronto offers parents a wide choice of school options. As well as both secular and faith-based, anglophone and francophone, public and private schools there are many international schools and a strong alternative school movement.

Toronto Public School Boards

There are four public school boards in Toronto:

  • Toronto District School Board – the English language public secular school board is the largest. It governs 451 elementary schools and 110 secondary schools;
  • Toronto Catholic District School Board – the largest English language publicly funded Catholic school board in the world governs 168 elementary schools and 30 secondary schools;
  • Conseil scolaire Viamonde – the French language secular public school board covers large parts of Ontario and has several schools in Toronto;
  • Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud – the French language Catholic publicly funded school board also covers Southern Ontario with at least 6 schools in Toronto.

There are also two religious non-public school boards: the Board of Jewish Education of Toronto (around 100 schools) and the Toronto Adventist District School Board.

Enrolling in Public School

To enrol your child in elementary school you simply apply in person to your chosen school. The websites of each of the above school boards contain tools for locating your nearest/favoured schools.

For secondary school age students you’ll need to contact the school board directly or, in the case of the Toronto District School Board, apply in person to one of three Newcomer Reception Centres in the city.

Private Schools in Toronto

Toronto also provides a wide variety of private schooling options – around 100 altogether. Here are a few of the better known options:

  • Upper Canada College – an all-boys school covering grades K to 12 which is located in midtown. Offers boarding. Tuition fees of up to CAD 32,000 per year.
  • Branksome Hall – an all-girls school covering grades JK to 12 located in Rosedale. Offers boarding. Tuition fees of up to CAD 29,620 per year.
  • University of Toronto Schools – co-ed secondary day school located near the university. Admission by exam only. Tuition fees of CAD 21,915 per year.
  • The Bishop Strachan School – an all-girls Anglican school located in Forest Hill South and covering grades JK to 12. Offers boarding from grade 7. Tuition fees of CAD 28,400 per year.
  • The Crescent School – an all-boys day school covering grades 3 to 12 based in midtown. Tuition fees of CAD 29,150 in 2013/14.
  • De La Salle College Oaklands – a co-ed Catholic day school covering grades 5 to 12 and located in Deer Park. Tuition fees of CAD 9,900 per year.

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International Schools in Toronto

Toronto has international schools representing many different languages and nationalities. The York School, a non-denominational co-ed covering grades JK to 12, was the first in Canada to offer the International Baccalaureate.

Tuition fees at the York School, TFS – Canada’s International School, the German International School Toronto and Collège International de Toronto are comparable with those at other private schools.