Looking for a gifted school in Calgary, Alberta? Check out Banbury Crossroads School.
Find the right school for your gifted child. We list the top gifted schools and programs in Canada. This includes dedicated gifted schools, and schools with dedicated gifted classes, in-class accommodations, and accelerated curricula. Click on a school profile to learn all about it and decide whether it’s the right fit for your child.
We also provide an introductory discussion of gifted education in Canada. We cover different kinds of gifted programs and support, the pros and cons of public vs. private programs, and how to choose the right option for your child.
1 | List of schools with gifted programs |
These are self-contained gifted schools, where 100% of the students are gifted. Teachers and staff can focus on tailoring the environment to gifted students, without compromise.
"As a Cambridge School, we teach a curriculum that sets the global standard for education designed to help students develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning.
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"Oakville's SMLS continues to be a premier independent school for girls Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 since 1891. "Millie" graduates take on the world with confidence and the knowledge that they can do anything.
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"Balanced Academics, Arts, Athletics & Student Wellness. We value best practices & evidence-based approaches. University preparatory & 21st Century Tech-Rich & Future Proof school. Enriched and rigorous curriculum.
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"Whytecliff is a safe, empathetic & supportive place for teens with a diverse range of learning needs / personal challenges. Our positive community & high-growth environment pulls each child up to be their very best!
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"Choose to Succeed, at Banbury Crossroads School. We offer a truly unique learning experience, with self-directed, collaborative, tutorial-style classrooms that average 10:1 students per teacher.
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"Prestige School offers programs from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Toronto. Its average class size is 10 to 18 students.
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"Prestige School offers individualized programs from pre-school to grade twelve in Richmond Hill with an average class size of twelve students.
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Mississauga, Ontario Mississauga Road/Eglinton Avenue "Kendellhurst offers students an enriched curriculum blending project-based, traditional and arts-infused curriculum within a seamless technology program. Our school team supports a positive and safe school experience." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario Yonge Street/King Road "Academy for Gifted Children - P.A.C.E. is a private school for intellectually gifted students in Richmond Hill, Ontario, from grades 1 through 8." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Highway 417/Greenbank "Acadecap International School (Académie de la Capitale), an IB World School, offers bilingual and/or English programmes from JK to Grade 12. Students thrive in a growth mindset environment and a culture of excellence." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Lakeshore Road/Southdown "Peel Montessori and Carrington College div. students learn above grade level for subjects of strength. Individualized curriculum, advanced academic strategies, and character development give students a personal edge." —From the school
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Calgary, Alberta "Our Academy (in-person) and Studio (online) personalized programs are designed for students with a diagnosed learning disability to achieve their potential through outstanding support within and outside the classroom." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Iris St/Woodroffe Ave "Empowering girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 through bilingual education." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge/Eglinton "We go beyond curriculum expectations to provide opportunities for students to earn admission into their choice of university using our AP accreditation, staff expertise and individual goal setting in small classes." —From the school
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Caledon, Ontario The Gore Road/Old Church "The King's College experience develops in students responsibility, accountability, and ownership of their own learning and a passion for making a difference. Students can attend in person or synchronously online." —From the school
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Etobicoke, Ontario "Oak Learners inspires meaningful learning every day for students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight. Passionate teachers nurture children’s natural curiosity about their world with hands-on experiences." —From the school
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North York, Ontario Avenue Road/Lawrence Avenue "Through our dynamic individual education plans, mentorship, and therapeutic counselling we ensure all students feel comfortable, respected and cared for, so they stay actively engaged in their educational journey." —From the school
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London, Ontario Richmond Street/King Street "A Canadian Private Secondary Boarding school, located in the heart of London, Ontario. LIA is authorized to grant the Ontario Secondary School and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme." —From the school
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Bracebridge, Ontario "Dewey’s educational goals follow the philosophies of John Dewey, preparing students through “student-centred learning" and "learning by doing", while emphasizing the cultivation of the "three New Liberal Arts"." —From the school
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Unionville, Ontario Kennedy Road/16th Avenue "UC offers year-ahead advanced programs from pre-school to Grade 10. We blend high standards for academic success with the social and emotional development of the individual child." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Church/Bloor "Founded in 1997, the Abelard School is a small independent school for grades 7 through 12, located in downtown Toronto. It offers small class sizes and an enriched, integrated curriculum to bright, motivated students." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Kirkwood/Laperriere "Revel Academy is a learner-driven micro-school that utilizes adaptive and mastery-based technology, Socratic discussions, hands-on projects, and real-world apprenticeships in an innovative, character-forging community." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario "Guiding Light Academy is a Catholic private elementary school in Streetsville, Mississauga. We offer an enriched curriculum for JK, SK and Grades 1 to 8. We are located just minutes away from the Streetsville Go Station." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge St/Davisville Ave "2E Learners, differentiated profiles AP, Reach Ahead classes, and enrichment Academic focus on inquiry and critical analysis Collaborative and feedback-rich environment Unique and robust clubs/extra curriculars" —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Bloor St. W/Spadina Ave. "UTS is a hub where the boldest and brightest young minds come together. Rigorous academics are complemented by vibrant co-curriculars including clubs, committees, publications, athletics, and performance groups." —From the school
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Sherbrooke, Quebec "Bishop's College School is an English boarding and day school for students in grades 7 through 12. Small in size and culturally diverse, BCS is an IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme and Canadian curricula." —From the school
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Aurora, Ontario St. John Sideroad/Yonge St. "Aurora Montessori offers an enriched Montessori program for students, Toddler to Grade 8, with an option of an OSSD credit in Grade 9 Math. A unique Mindfulness and Technology program develops key 21st-century skills!" —From the school
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Markham, Ontario Woodbine/HWY 7 "Wishing Well Schools offers a comprehensive academic program catering to a wide age range, spanning from 18 months to Grade 8. Our curriculum includes a Montessori program designed for children aged 18 months to 6 years." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Conroy Rd/Walkey Rd "Astolot Educational Centre is a day school with grades 1 to 12 in Ottawa, Ontario. Classroom teacher-student ratios are 1 to 10. Students have the ability to reach their full potential with Astolot programming." —From the school
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Edmonton, Alberta Groat Road/107 Avenue "Progressive Academy's programs inspire students from preschool to grade 12 in Edmonton, Alberta. Wonderful faculty, wide range of experiential opportunities and high expectations ignite a desire to learn." —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario Lakeshore Road East/Bel Air Drive "Offering Montessori programs from Toddler to Grade 8, Dearcroft is accredited by CCMA and staffed by dedicated teachers. We have three campuses in Oakville, delivering exceptional Montessori Programs." —From the school
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St. Catharines, Ontario Edinburgh Dr/Scott Street "We provide students with opportunities to explore real-world concepts and issues, broadening their sense of responsibility, develop their critical thinking skills, and empower them to take action in a global community." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Eglinton Ave W/Ninth Line "Sherwood Heights School offers Enriched Academic Programmes from Kindergarten to Grade 12, in Mississauga. The Programmes are Enriched and Comprehensive, delivered with Extra Attention and Care." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Don Mills Rd/York Mills Rd "Building on internationally acclaimed preschool reading success, SLI has grown into a hub for ground-breaking student achievement in literary, STEM, and artistic achievement across Pre-K - Gr 6 (offered on site/ online)" —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Avenue Road/St. Clair Ave. "De La Salle College is a Catholic, co-educational, university preparatory school in Toronto from Grade 5 to 12, with an average class size of 20 students and tuition at $16,300 - $16,900." —From the school
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Pickering, Ontario Kingston/Altona "École Montessori is Durham Region's premier French private school dedicated to transforming your child into a bilingual critical thinker with our enriched curriculum that fosters the genius within each student." —From the school
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North York, Ontario Yonge/Sheppard "Wise Owl fosters a safe, enriching environment, celebrating uniqueness, inspiring resilience, emotional well-being, and responsibility, nurturing students into respectful global citizens." —From the school
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These schools have a separate, dedicated class (or classes) where 100% of the students are gifted. These gifted classes can be either full-time or part-time, and exist in parallel to regular, non-gifted classes.
"Kingsway College School's (KCS) goal is to provide environments where a student’s wellness is supported as they become lifelong learners who are good people. Spend an hour at KCS to see how we do this every day.
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Toronto, Ontario York Mills Road/Don Mills Road "We value partnership with parents, creating a genuinely warm and friendly community. We raise the academic bar on academic excellence, and expectations of character, helping the boys become the best that they can be." —From the school
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Delta, British Columbia 56th/19 Ave "Southpointe Academy is the only secular International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School south of the Fraser River authorized to deliver the entire range of IB programs from K-12." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario St. Laurent Blvd./Montreal Rd. "Our mission is personalized student academic success in a friendly and caring school community, in which all students are emotionally supported and socially welcome." —From the school
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Stratford, Ontario Ontario Street/Waterloo Street South "Private Secondary School in Stratford, Ontario dedicated to providing a holistic education that values happiness, academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Spadina Ave/College Street "Authentic, CCMA accredited Montessori Schools located in downtown Toronto, offering programs for Toddlers, Casa, Elementary and Adolescent children in beautiful settings with large and expansive natural playgrounds." —From the school
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Burlington, Ontario Walkers Line/Fairveiw Street "Ashwood Glen offers a Montessori program for children aged 18months - 6 yrs. The Grades 1 - 8 Learning Program applies the IB framework to extend the learning outcomes of the Ontario curriculum." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario York Mills Road/Bayview Avenue "Junior Academy offers programs for students from Toddler to Grade Eight, in midtown Toronto. The average class size is 10 to 14 students and it caters to many types of students with different learning profiles." —From the school
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Montreal, Quebec Rue Sherbrooke/Ave Connaught "College Prep International, a traditional private school in Montreal, offers English instruction with partial French immersion, for grades five to twelve. Its average class size range from 12 to 18 Students." —From the school
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Victoria, British Columbia Richmond Rd/McRae Ave "Independent Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 boarding and day school in Victoria, BC, Canada focusing on outstanding preparation for life. Find out how a SMUS education can benefit your family." —From the school
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Winnipeg, Manitoba Langside St./Westminster Ave. "Parents trust us to personalize the educational experience of each girl, to care for each girl, to challenge her to grow, to build a supportive community around her, and, most importantly, to prepare her for the future." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario York Mills/DVP "Crestwood Preparatory College offers a university preparatory program for students in grades 7 to 12. Crestwood always strive to Inspire Excellence and to Nurture the Individual." —From the school
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Calgary, Alberta "Calgary French & International School's immersive French language learning environment and enriched curriculum for children aged 19 to grade 12 inspires a deep curiosity, respect and exploration of the world around them." —From the school
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Windsor, Nova Scotia College Rd/King St "Benefitting from its safe and beautiful Nova Scotia location, King's-Edgehill facilitates the opportunity for every student to Be More – in the classroom, on the sports fields, on stage, in the community and beyond." —From the school
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Amaranth, Ontario "The Maples is an established private IB World School in Orangeville, Ontario providing exemplary education for students (Pre-School to Grade 8). Daily French instruction in PS and Kindergarten with an academic focus." —From the school
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Calgary, Alberta Bowness Rd NW/Bow Crescent NW "River Valley is a Pre-K to Gr. 6 school bolsters the natural curiosities and wonder of childhood to ensure that every student will flourish academically and socially." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Wilson Avenue/Avenue Road "Glen Briar Academy provides hands on programs and student centered teaching strategies that shape life long learners." —From the school
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Rosthern, Saskatchewan "RJC is a Grades 10-12 boarding school accredited by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. RJC is student and community-focused all while offering excellent academics and exceptional athletic and fine arts programs." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario Woodbine/16th Avenue "Trinity Montessori School offers programs from toddler to grade six in Markham, Ontario. Its average class size is nine students." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Queen/Silver Birch "The Cole Academy welcomes students of all genders and orientations and their families. Using stories of under-represented communities, TCA prepares students socially, emotionally, and academically for future schooling." —From the school
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Montreal (DDO), Quebec "West Island College offers French and French Immersion programs from grades 7 to 11 in Montreal. It is a leader in innovative teaching methods. Average class size 24 students." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Queen Street East/Glen Manor Drive "Our objective is to guide children with respect and understanding, developing in them a love of learning. Our aim is to create a nurturing environment full of intellectual, social and moral learning and development." —From the school
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Kitchener, Ontario "Scholars' Hall is a family-focused school that uses traditional teaching methods combined with a fully integrated Leadership program to raise strong, capable, independent, and intelligent young adults." —From the school
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Westmount, Quebec The Boulevard/Place Braeside "The Study, founded in 1915, is one of Canada's premier all-girls' schools. Dedicated teachers offer a warm and stimulating bilingual mother-tongue environment from Kindergarten to Grade 11. The World Needs Great Women." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario University Ave./Dundas street "Cornerstone students love to shape the future. They INSPIRE learning, DISCOVER their potential, EMPOWER themselves to be innovative citizens. Our boundless learning strategies open doors for successful learning." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario Leslie/16th Ave "Morningside/ABA based curriculum and individualized approach targets not only academic success but also emotional, social, vocational and life skills that are the core skills of life-long success of each student." —From the school
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Breslau, Ontario "Students receive an excellent education which prepares them well for university, college and a wide variety of workplaces." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge/St. Clair "The Linden School's transformative teaching and socially-progressive values inspire academic excellence, wellness, and civic engagement, empowering students to become changemakers ready to take on complex global issues." —From the school
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North York, Ontario Bathurst/Wilson "Magnificent Minds Inc. caters to students whose needs are not being met in traditional school environments, pursuing personal best through a balanced approach to education." —From the school
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Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia "Beginning in Grade 8, our unique Shawnigan journey purposefully guides students through a distinct, unparalleled and bold educational experience on our stunning waterfront campus on Canada’s beautiful West Coast." —From the school
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Kirkland, Quebec Rue Edmond/Ch Ste-Marie "Kuper Academy offers programs from pre-school to grade eleven in Kirkland. Its average class size is 22 students." —From the school
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Burlington, Ontario North Service Road/King Road "Fern Hill School provides an enriched, engaging & academic program for children in Preschool to Grade 8. Our traditional and structured approach focuses on developing intellectual curiosity, creativity & confidence." —From the school
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Kanata, Ontario Eagleson Road/Stonehaven Drive "For 50 years, Kanata Montessori has offered excellent learning environments for students to grow emotionally, socially and academically into a positive global citizen." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Finch Avenue/Islington Avenue "Nile Academy offers small class sizes and a low student-to-teacher ratio, while also following the Ontario Curriculum, ensuring our students are well prepared for the rest of their educational pursuits here in Canada." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario "Heritage Academy provides a multisensory learning environment and supports students with Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, and Anxiety in Grades 1 -12." —From the school
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Hamilton, Ontario Garth Street/Fennell Avenue West "Established in 1901, Hillfield Strathallan College is one of Canada’s leading co-educational independent schools, offering academic programs from Montessori Toddler and Pre-K to Grade 12, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Bank/Heron "Westboro Academy is a proud leader in bilingual education for young learners from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Give your child a lifetime of excellence with Ottawa's most personalized, truly bilingual education." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Dixie Road/South Service Road "The close-knit community at Star delivers on Learn to Love to Learn™ with project-based, cross-curricular and experiential learning. Our Five Pillars of Child Development guide learning experiences for students in K-8." —From the school
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St. Catharines, Ontario Ontario St./Welland Ave. "Heuristic & autodidactic, inspired by Sudbury & democratic models. Students are self-directed, and holistically empowered. Voluntary attendance, year-round calendar, agency, & consent inspire free learning. Also Forest" —From the school
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Montreal, Quebec De Maisonneuve West/Park Row West "At Kells, flexibility is the key. We develop programs allowing students to work within their comfort zone, which may be above, below or at grade level. The result is students who outperform even their own expectations." —From the school
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Vaughan, Ontario "At Vaughan College instructions are embedded with strategies appropriate to the students' unique needs. We develop students' confidence and their urge to do better, which results in a high university acceptance rate." —From the school
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These schools offer support for gifted students within the regular classroom. Gifted students stay with regular learners, while receiving special, individualized programming.
"Crescent School is a Toronto independent day school for boys in Grades 3 to 12. Our relational learning environment develops students' characters through academics, arts, athletics, business, outreach and robotics.
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"Toronto Prep School starts later in order to maximize teen learning. The optimal time for teenagers to learn is late in the morning through to late afternoon. Our classes start at 10:00 am.
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"Confident Learners. Inspiring Leaders. Creating a thriving world.
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"At Hudson College, we encourage all students to do one thing above everything else: be yourself. We value and celebrate individuality, and embolden students to be intellectually curious and fully express who they are.
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"Our vision: Encourage life-long Georgians ready to use their scholarship, compassion, conscience and courage to make a difference. Our mission: To challenge and inspire each boy to become the best version of himself.
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"No other high school in the world has developed more Elite, Junior, Collegiate, USPORT, NCAA, National, Olympic or Pro athletes with over 215 in the NHL alone. ND graduates attend top ranked universities worldwide.
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"Montcrest is a welcoming community that specializes in cultivating incredible young people. With small class sizes and unparalleled student-teacher relationships, Montcrest helps children become who they’re meant to be.
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"Our Beyond the Books approach provides opportunities for success in class & beyond; nurturing the growth of students' confidence & self-esteem, to take risks when learning, to reach their personal & academic potential.
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"We strive to take the best aspects of Catholic teaching & interpret it in a modern context for the confident young woman of today. They are imbued with a strong work ethic, sense of purpose & a desire to change the world
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"Cambridge International Academy offers an enriched curriculum from grades 1 to 12 in Ajax. Central to the school’s philosophy is the belief that students learn best both inside and outside the classroom.
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"La Citadelle's Excellence in Bilingual Education and academically advanced curriculum develop successful global citizens through IB & AP programs and a holistic approach where students achieve their highest potential.
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"RCS’s purpose is to unleash the potential in each student and set them on the path for a successful life. We provide rigorous academics with individual attention in a diverse, energizing, and caring environment.
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"The Country Day School offers a challenging post-secondary preparatory program for students in JK-12 where all are welcome. Our 100-acre campus is located north of Toronto in King.
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge St/Sheppard Ave "Ontario Virtual School is an Ontario Ministry-inspected credit-granting institution offering Grades 7-12 courses in an interactive online format. Students can start anytime with 24/7 access." —From the school
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Victoria, British Columbia "We identify the experiences that facilitate education that empowers the individual and fosters a community of collaborative contributors through interdisciplinary, integrated integrated projects." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario "At Blyth Academy Mississauga, we know each of our students and through our individualized approach, we can meet their needs and make school a great place to be. We're one of eight Blyth Academy campuses in Ontario." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Davenport Rd/Spadina Rd "Smaller class sizes and our unique curriculum - infused with arts, movement, outdoor education - allow deeper connections across subjects, at all developmental stages. Waldorf education is “schooling with heart"." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario "Lynn-Rose's philosophy is to create an environment that is challenging and rewarding; focusing on social, intellectual and emotional aspects of the students development through IB and AP programme offerings." —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario Winston Churchill/Lakeshore Road East "Clanmore is one of the few schools offering authentic Montessori programming from Toddler - Middle School. Our culture is warm and inviting and our philosophy empowers us to support each child as a unique individual." —From the school
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Victoria, British Columbia "GNS is an independent JK-12 International Baccalaureate boarding and day school in Victoria, BC, that empowers and supports each of our students to do their best through truth and courage in learning and in life." —From the school
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Burlington, Ontario Hwy 6/Dundas Street "Our belief is “Forward Learning. Transforming People.” We focus on STEAM collaborative project learning, 21st-century skills, and inquiry-based thinking to prepare students with global competencies." —From the school
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Belleville, Ontario "We are a therapeutic boarding school for Gr. 3-12 students requiring individualized academic, clinical, and behaviour-management solutions in small class sizes and professional home stay or boarding environments" —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Bayview/Lawrence "TFS - Canada's International School offers an exceptional bilingual education from age 2 to Grade 12. Average class size is 12 to 22 students. Entrance Scholarship to Grade 7 is available." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario York Mills/Leslie "Learning is not one to many. It's many to one. From the teachers to the principal to the coaches and beyond, learning at WillowWood is a team approach." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Erin Mills Parkway/Argentia Rd "We are different! As a leading IB World School and university preparatory school with a focus on student life, SJA students are inspired to confidently make their mark in the world." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario York Mills/Leslie "Hawthorn School is located in Toronto. We offer a co-ed toddler-SK program and an all girls program for grade 1- grade 12. Our unique mentoring program is tailored to help students reach their full potential." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Avenue Rd/Bloor St W "RDS is a downtown co-ed school that fosters future-ready leaders by honouring the unique character and potential of each child. We offer small class sizes and access to top-tier facilities like UoT, the ROM and the AGO." —From the school
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Fort Erie, Ontario Townline Rd./Niagara Parkway "Niagara Christian Collegiate offers both middle school and secondary school programs from Grades 6-12. Graduating students achieve top university placements around the world. We accept both day and boarding students." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario "Richland Academy is a progressive, innovative Reggio-inspired and International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP Authorized and MYP Candidate School for children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Mt Pleasant Rd/Davisville Ave "Greenwood’s high-challenge, high-support model encourages academic engagement and growth for every student. Students and teachers build strong relationships within our warm and inclusive community." —From the school
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Victoria, British Columbia "Brookes Westshore is an IB World School on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC, offering grades 4 to 12 in both day and boarding programmes (from grade 8 for boarding). We have an average class size of 15 students." —From the school
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Scarborough, Ontario Kennedy Road/Progress Avenue "Enquiring Minds Montessori is a one-of-a-kind Montessori Art School. We have created a unique learning experience that fosters academic and artistic excellence in a nurturing environment while challenging young minds." —From the school
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London, Ontario Wellington Street/Central Avenue "Sycamore School offers grades 8-12 personalized education in an alternative programs that address the needs of secondary school students who may thrive in a small community of learners working toward graduation." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge/Sheppard "A STEM-oriented private high school in North York, catering to local and international students both in-person and virtual classes. We take pride in our students' impressive university placement achievements." —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario Lakeshore/Third Line "Oakville Christian School is committed to instilling confidence in young lives during their formative years, and cultivating in its students solid Christian character traits and values." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario "Markham, Ontario; IB School; OSSD; OSSD online credit course; NOIC ACADEMY’s annual university enrolment rate is 100% and more than 85% of graduates are admitted by University of Toronto." —From the school
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Caledon, Ontario "Brampton Christian School in Caledon, Ontario, offers an academic-based, JK to Grade 12 program, with average class sizes from 18 to 24 students and a one-student tuition cost of $11, 780." —From the school
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Rothesay, New Brunswick Rothesay Rd/College Hill Rd "Our unique, daily Advisor Program ensures every student is surrounded by a strong network of highly qualified, dedicated faculty and staff whose mission is to provide academic, emotional, and social guidance and support." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge/Eglington "The Dalton School offers a dual-language English-Mandarin program where children from JK to Grade 8 can thrive in a warm, enriched, multicultural environment." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Lawrence Ave./Bathurst St. "The Clover School's innovative curriculum combines Montessori essentials with heart-centred learning practices designed to nurture the mind, heart, health, and soul of each child." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge St./Lawrence Ave. "The Dunblaine School empowers students with learning disabilities to reach their full potential. It offers programs for students from grade one to eight, with an average class size of 5-7 students." —From the school
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Hamilton, Ontario Rymal Road West/Glancaster Road "HDCH, founded in 1956, is imaginative, innovative learning environment. Our programs are designed to challenge a wide range of learners. We welcome local and international students into our Christ-Centred community!" —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario Dundas Streeet/Ninth Line "Fern Hill School is a private school for Preschool through Grade 8 providing enriched learning that is delivered by passionate teachers. Our school is regarded as one of the pre-eminent elementary schools in Canada." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario "A place where every learner is seen, heard and empowered to make an impact in their communities. An unparalleled online learning experience, providing academic excellence, experiential learning and personalized support." —From the school
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Oshawa, Ontario Wilson Road/Adelaide Ave "At G.B.MS, D.E.P.S and Durham Academy Secondary school focus is on each individual student and helping them meet their unique potential and goals. We believe in excellent customer service and families have a voice. Throughout the year we enhance our programs through program enhancement and enrichment." —From the school
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North Vancouver, British Columbia "Brockton is a coeducational IB World School where every student matters, every family matters, community matters, and learning for life matters." —From the school
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North Vancouver, British Columbia "Our rigorous, personalized programme and strong teacher-student relationships enable us to cultivate each student's talents, helping them build on strengths and discover the joy of learning." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Bathurst St./St. Clair West "Canada’s only independent, Catholic school for boys in Grades 7-12, taught in the Basilian tradition of forming the mind, body, and soul. Since 1852, we have educated students in goodness, discipline, and knowledge." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "Aurora Alternative Micro School has created a curriculum that combines academic and creative experiences , engaging a child's head, heart and hands in an environment that is supportive, nurturing and rich in growth." —From the school
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Montreal, Quebec Sherbrooke/Atwater "Students thrive in an inclusive, structured learning environment that provides academic accommodations for all learners. We help students become autonomous, resilient lifelong learners!" —From the school
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Summerland, British Columbia "Looking for an education that's out of the ordinary? Unisus School is a Pre - K to Grade 12 day and boarding school in Canada's Okanagan, offering the International Baccalaureate program + the B.C. Diploma (Dogwood)." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "Howlett Academy is a private, co-educational school for JK to Grade 8. Accountability, Integrity, Teamwork, Innovation, Creativity and Energy are our core values." —From the school
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Rigaud, Quebec Rue Saint-Pierre/Rue Bourget "Collège Bourget is a day & boarding school located between Montreal and Ottawa. French and English high school programs are offered. Bourget aims to foster personal autonomy, academic development, and perseverance." —From the school
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Surrey, British Columbia 152 Street/Highway 10 "We understand the importance of developing a well-rounded individual. Our Art and Sports Expert Streams are integrated with the Academic curriculum to amplify our students’ growth into capable and confident adults." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Duplex Ave/St Clements Ave "At SCELS we believe giving children an early education will build a solid foundation to prepare them for their next school setting." —From the school
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Etobicoke, Ontario Burnhamthorpe Road/Kipling Avenue "At Olivet School, we focus on building the "whole child". We create a warm, caring environment for our students through small class sizes and integrating Christian values and character development into all that we do." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Leslie Street/York Mills Road "The Giles School has small class sizes, leadership programs and intensive STEAM learning that support both immersion and introductory language programming in English, French and Mandarin." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Baseline Rd./Woodroffe Ave. "Bishop Hamilton Montessori School, a not-for-profit independent school in Ottawa, provides an authentic Christian Montessori approach for children 3 months to 14 years." —From the school
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West Vancouver, British Columbia Upper Levels Highway/Cypress Bowl exit "By inspiring excellence – the continuous pursuit of personal best - in education and life, Mulgrave strives to equip lifelong learners to thrive in a diverse and interdependent world." —From the school
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Etobicoke, Ontario Bloor St./Jane St. "Blyth Academy Etobicoke, located in Toronto's west end, focuses on personalized education, small class sizes, and experiential learning." —From the school
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Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario QEW/Erin Mills Parkway "GlenOak Academy offers an educational experience as EXTRAORDINARY as your child! Our innovative, engaging approach to teaching and learning focuses on positive relationships, character development and academic success." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario Denison/Warden "Our curriculum are designed to build essential skills and concepts that help with the cognitive, social, creative, emotional, and physical development of your child with the aim to be a successful learner for life!" —From the school
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Montreal, Quebec "Our community inspires students to discover joy and passion in their learning, purpose in their lives, and the confidence to express their unique selves in a nurturing, inclusive, and collaborative environment." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge St/Lawrence Ave "Blyth Academy Lawrence Park is one of nine Blyth Academy campuses in Ontario. Our campus located in midtown Toronto provides the warmth and community of a neighbourhood school." —From the school
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Fredericton, New Brunswick "The main objective of FMA is to provide your child with a planned and stimulating environment in order for them to be able to reach their own individual and highest learning potential while honouring the whole child." —From the school
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Unionville, Ontario Brimley Road/14th Ave "Founded in 1990, Yip's Montessori Program cater to children from 1.5 to 6 years old. Yip's campuses are located in Markham and Unionville." —From the school
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Montreal, Quebec Atwater/Docteur-Penfield "Since 1861, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal, the city’s only all-girls English Catholic high school, has been preparing girls to change the world. We offer grades 7 to 12, day school and boarding." —From the school
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Bayfield, Ontario "After 22 years of teaching courses online, VHS is unrivaled in experience, credibility, and expertise. Our student-centred model provides a world-class educational experience for thousands of Ontario students each year." —From the school
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Woodbridge, Ontario Kipling/Highway 7 "Each student is unique. Why be just a number when you can be valued for who you are? We enfold, engage and empower every student in a safe, friendly, and supportive learning community. You belong here!" —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario "HTS offers a remarkable opportunity for students from JK-12 to shape their own experience through our comprehensive academic and co-curricular programming, led by our incredible faculty and staff." —From the school
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Belleville, Ontario "At Albert College, every student is an 'A' student. From Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12, our students experience all 5 of the Albert 'A’ s: Academics, Arts, Athletics, Active citizenship and Adventure programming." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Bank St./Wilton Cres. "Blyth Academy The Glebe focuses on personalized education, small class sizes, and strong student support for Grades 7-12. Big experience in a small school! Part of community of eight Blyth Academy campuses in Ontario." —From the school
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Scarborough - Toronto, Ontario Ellesmere Rd/Warden Ave "The Sathya Sai School promotes human excellence through a value-based curriculum. The integration of academic excellence and character development lays the foundation for socially responsible future leaders." —From the school
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Westmount, Quebec Mount Pleasant Avenue/Cedar Avenue "Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School offers a bilingual education for girls from K-11, located in Westmount, Qc. We develop bold leaders and creative thinkers — equipping each girl to be the entrepreneur of her own future." —From the school
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Rosseau, Ontario Hwy. 141/Bright Street "Through extraordinary learning opportunities rooted in meaningful outdoor education experiences in our unique natural environment, RLC graduates develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to take on any challenge." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Tomken Rd./Eglinton Ave. E "Northstar Montessori offers an accredited Montessori curriculum from Toddler age to Grade 8. Our goal is to develop strong character and contributing citizens who understand that their involvement makes a difference." —From the school
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Brantford, Ontario Fairview Drive/North Park Street "Braemar House School is a not-for-profit elementary school that proves each day that children thrive in a nurturing environment." —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario Burnhamthorpe Rd. W/Neyagawa Blvd. "King’s Christian Collegiate is an independent Christian high school providing superb instruction in a safe, stimulating academic environment. Caring staff set the tone for a positive, up-beat culture." —From the school
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Hamilton, Ontario Main St. W./Longwood Rd. S. "Columbia International College is Canada’s largest private boarding school, offering Grade 9 to 12 programs. #1 in scholarships awarded by universities. The University of Toronto's official Global Partner School." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario "Rotherglen School - MISSISSAUGA is a montessori school that offers programs from JK to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students." —From the school
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Montreal, Quebec Av de Monkland/Boul Cavendish "Lower Canada College is a gender-inclusive, K-12 university preparatory school, committed to excellence in teaching and learning. It is the only high school in Quebec offering both the IB MYP and DP." —From the school
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West Vancouver- Bowen Island, British Columbia "Our four year program is developed to equip and inspire students to cultivate their humanity. We are distinctly different: a small (IB) middle school that fosters intellectual engagement, citizenship and leadership." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario Brimley Road/14th Ave South "Established in 1974, Somerset Academy is an independent, not-for-profit private school that provides education to students in JK Grades 8. Somerset Academy has an average class size of 13 to 18 students." —From the school
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Okotoks, Alberta Range Road 12/306 Ave W "Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School is an independent, private coeducational, continuum IB (primary, middle, and diploma programme) day school for Kindergarten - Grade 12, located just outside of Calgary, AB." —From the school
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Vancouver, British Columbia Broadway/Granville "Vancouver's only dedicated STEM high school, VISST offers the full BC curriculum with accelerated & enriched STEM. Students will learn from domain experts and PhDs in small classes." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Bathurst St./Eglinton Ave. West "NOW WITH LICENSED DAYCARE! Bring your child for a free trial to let him or her experience the difference. Don't be surprised if he or she doesn't want to go home at the end of the day! SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS AVAILABLE!" —From the school
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Whitby, Ontario Garden Street/Hwy. 2 "Trafalgar Castle offers AP programming and an academically challenging environment rooted in future-ready competencies that prepare students for a world yet to be imagined." —From the school
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Milton, Ontario "At Oxford Learning Academy, our teachers will use the proven scientific approach of Cognitive Development to teach our students new ways of thinking and understanding what they are learning and how they are learning." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Davenport/Dupont "The Mabin School offers programs from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 in Toronto. Its average class size is 20 students." —From the school
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Vancouver, British Columbia West Broadway/Stephens Street "At Pear Tree School, we guide our students in discovering their true calling and developing a deep sense of purpose, empowering them to leave a meaningful legacy that positively impacts the lives of others." —From the school
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Whitby, Ontario Brock Street South/Dundas Streer West "The Hatch House Montessori School is a very child centered school where each student is respected for their uniqueness and is guided through learning accordingly. Ask about our unique, fully bilingual elementary program." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Bank Street/Marché Way "The Element nurtures focused, engaged and internally motivated students who strive to do their best. The Element High School provides conditions that will put youth ‘in their element,’ in school and beyond." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario Major Mackenzie/Bayview Avenue "Richmond Hill Montessori Private School offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. Its average class size is 20 students." —From the school
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Etobicoke, Ontario "Quo Vadis, through a Polish-English bilingual program, aims to assist in the formation of well-rounded, responsible individuals, promotes academic excellence and encourages self-esteem within a Catholic environment." —From the school
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Aurora, Ontario Wellington Street/Yonge "Aurora Preparatory Academy is small by design, a supportive JK-8 community in which students thrive. Affordable tuition and an advanced programme, including all-grade French, music and art, and inclusive sports teams." —From the school
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Winnipeg, Manitoba South Dr/North Dr "SJR is the world’s leading school in Debating and Public Speaking. It has produced 18 Rhodes scholars and 3 math olympiads. 98% of SJR graduates are accepted to their first choice university program." —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario "Rotherglen School - OAKVILLE offers programs for students age 4 to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students." —From the school
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Rome, Italy Ponte Sublicio/Lungotevere Aventino "An IB World School located in the heart of Rome. A connected community driven by our 5 core values of Scholarship, Integrity, Creativity, Independence, and Care; culturally inspiring students since 1964." —From the school
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North York, Ontario Leslie Street/401 "Webtree Academy offers individualized education programs which fully support students' academic needs, and helps them achieve educational and personal goals. Small class sizes are designed to inspire and engage students." —From the school
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Sudbury, Ontario Attlee Street/Dublin Street "Total student growth -- academically, athletically, spiritually, and with a heart for community." —From the school
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Calgary, Alberta 17th Ave SW/Richmond Road SW "In addition to academics, our focus on mentorship, hands-on learning in and outside the classroom, and character development, will allow our students to thrive academically and personally as they discover who they are." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Bayview/Eglinton "Diverse, warm community. Exceptional phonics program to build early literacy. Collaborative, multi-strategy approach to math. Public speaking, the arts, outdoor ed, mindfulness, community engagement." —From the school
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Milton-Campbellville, Ontario Highway 401/Guelph Line "At Hitherfield we believe that every child is unique, and has their own strengths and interests. With individualized programming, Hitherfield continues to nurture growth, success and confidence in all of our students. " —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Queen St E/Woodbine Ave "ATI is a school for ambitious teens who want to develop into independent, curious, self-motivated individuals. Gain the skills, knowledge and agency to build the future that you want. Located in The Beaches." —From the school
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These schools offer no formal program for gifted students, but have an accelerated baseline curriculum. This means all students—gifted or not—do the work of older peers at other schools. For highly gifted learners (those in the 99th percentile), this alone is likely not enough to support their needs.
"Located in the heart of Toronto, UCC provides transformational learning experiences in a supportive, caring environment. Our highly sought-after graduates are awarded International Baccalaureate and OSSD diplomas.
—From the school
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"Bayview Glen is co-ed, multi-denominational and diverse. Our student, faculty and staff community mirror the diversity of Toronto. Our culture is one of balance and openness, and embraces different perspectives.
—From the school |
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King City, Ontario Keele St./King Rd. "Villanova College is York Region's only independent Catholic school offering Grades 4 to 12 in King City, Ontario. Average class size is 18 students. Specialty programs include STEM, AP and Domestic ESL." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Buena Vista Road/Springfield Road "Elmwood School is Ottawa's pre-eminent school for girls from PreK to Gr. 12. Our high academic standards, small class sizes and safe, supportive environment ensure that each girl is inspired to reach her full potential." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "Located in the heart of Toronto, McDonald International Academy offers programs for grades 9 to 12 . Our average class size is 10 to 20 students." —From the school
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Maple Ridge, British Columbia 240th Street/Dewdney Trunk Road "Our practices in teaching and learning are exemplified by our outstanding academic results and are achieved through the active engagement of the head, heart, and hands." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario 14th Ave/Kennedy "Trillium School is a private school that offers programs from pre-school to grade twelve in Markham with Montessori-based kindergarten." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario McCowan Road/Highway 7 "Wesley Christian Academy offers programs from Toddler to Grade 8 in Markham. As we are a Christian school, we share our beliefs with all our students but we warmly welcome families from ALL faiths and backgrounds!" —From the school
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Richmond, British Columbia "We emphasize critical thinking, as well as innovation, joy, and curiosity." —From the school
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St. Catharines, Ontario Ridley Road/Henrietta Street "Ridley College is an acclaimed co-educational IB boarding and day school that prepares meaningful and flourishing lives by teaching the habits of mind, body and spirit, and the values needed to lead in a global society." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario Bayview Avenue/Weldrick Road "Christ is the center of Richmond Hill Christian Academy. To know Him and to make Him known is our mission while at the same time, preparing the next generation for academic excellence in His service is our goal!" —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Prince Edward Dr N/Bloor Street West "Prince Edward Montessori School offers programs for various grades in Toronto. Its average class size is ten to 16 students. " —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario "Meadow Green Academy provides a strong Christian education in a nurturing environment. Strong academics combined with sports, enriched music, visual arts, and dramatic arts programs provide a well-rounded experience" —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "Bannockburn School leads in Montessori education by offering an exceptional, enriched Montessori curriculum in a nurturing environment carefully prepared to meet the needs of children in the formative years of childhood." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Mariposa Avenue/Springfield "This traditional private school in Ottawa, Ontario offers Grades 4 to 12 with 100 boarding and 600 day school students. Tuition is from $33,720 to $76,830." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Cawthra/Lakeshore "TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus) offers the Ontario, France and IB programs from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 7 in Mississauga. We are bilingual, coed, non-denominational and and IB World School." —From the school
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Contents:
1 | Quick Summary |
Giftedness can be hard to detect. In fact, gifted children often do poorly in school before their need for more stimulating work is spotted. Abilities can also change over time, so parents need to stay on top of their child’s performance. Psychoeducational testing is the gold standard for identifying gifted learners.
Gifted children can’t “make it on their own.” They can’t be treated like just any other student. If they aren’t properly challenged or stimulated, they often disengage from school.
There are two main ways to support gifted students in the classroom. (1) Dedicated gifted programs are self-contained classes or schools where students learn alongside other gifted ones. (2) In-class adaptations, on the other hand, enrich or accelerate studies in one or more subjects for an individual student. The adaptations can be offered in a regular class—alongside regular learners—or in a dedicated gifted program.
The right kind of support will depend on a student’s learning abilities, social needs, and other factors. Often, students who are either highly or profoundly gifted, gifted in only one subject, or gifted in some subjects and weak in others will need some kind of in-class adaptation.
Public school boards are required by provincial law to support gifted students, although the boards can choose who qualifies for that support and what the support looks like. Private schools, on the other hand, are under no obligation to offer gifted programs. It’s up to parents to determine whether a school is capable of, or willing to, support gifted students. Many private schools don’t. But private schools that do have gifted programs can be ideal choices.
We list private schools with gifted programs on this site, and provide tools for comparing those schools. Moreover, our parent discussion forum allows you to discuss options and get answers to your questions.
2 | Detecting giftedness |
Gifted children have learning abilities which are deemed “exceptional”—they are so far ahead of the norm that their needs cannot be met in a regular classroom. Often, this is classified as being in the 98th percentile or above in terms of learning ability.
This does not mean, though, that gifted children have advanced learning abilities across the board. They often have areas of weakness as well. For example, a child may be advanced in math and science, but struggle with English and literature. Joanne Foster and Dona Matthews, two of Canada’s leading authorities on gifted education and authors of Being Smart about Gifted Education (2009), put it this way: “gifted learners have exceptionally advanced subject-specific ability at a given point in time.” [emphasis ours]
“At any given point in time” is significant. Giftedness—and the needs of gifted students—is more fluid than you might think. This is especially true for developing children. Students can be doing fine with regular programming one year and then, after a developmental spurt, race past their peers the next year. Students can also be weak in certain subjects and later become strong in them, and vice versa.
When a student’s abilities far exceed what’s asked of them in the classroom, even if only in one subject or for a limited period of time, they can easily become disillusioned and underachieve at school.
Sometimes it will be obvious that your child is gifted and should be given bigger challenges. Often, however, it’s not obvious. This is partly because gifted kids often struggle in school, which can be surprising. After all, if someone is a talented learner, shouldn’t they love school and do well in it? And if they really want more challenge, shouldn’t they show off their abilities by impressing everyone? This thinking underestimates the depth of a child’s boredom when placed in an unstimulating classroom, and just how far ahead of their peers gifted students really are. It also projects onto kids a level of maturity and sophistication they often lack.
The fact is, sometimes misbehaving and underachieving in school can be a symptom of a lack of challenge (just as it can be a symptom of too much challenge, or a fear of testing oneself and coming up short).
Although it can be difficult to detect, giftedness often comes with certain characteristics. The Young Gifted Child: A Guide for Families (2010) outlines some of these. You should be on the lookout for them in your child. Note that a child doesn’t need to exhibit all, or even most, of these characteristics to be gifted:
It can be especially hard to detect giftedness in preschool kids. Again, The Young Gifted Child guide outlines some of the signs you should be on the lookout for in your young child:
A gifted test or assessment can remove some guesswork from the equation. It should provide detailed information about your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses. It also can provide important data about their social and emotional makeup. Thus, gifted tests can play a crucial role in your decisions about schooling options for your child (whether they’re a gifted learner or not).
There are two main options for assessing your child for giftedness: a condensed gifted test or a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment. Either assessment must be administered by registered educational psychologists.
As Toronto-based educational psychologists Valentin and Blackstock point out, a condensed gifted test usually involves:
A psychoeducational assessment, meanwhile, is much more comprehensive. It includes each part of the gifted test, but also assesses your child’s academic and reasoning skills, problem-solving abilities, memory, attention, and other cognitive measures. Assessments can take a full day or more.
Further below, we list credible psychoeducational assessment centres in Canada.
3 | Learning needs of gifted children |
As discussed above, keeping a gifted child in a regular classroom, without adaptations, typically leads to a mismatch between the curriculum and the child’s learning needs. The child will feel bored and frustrated as a result—not to mention the frustration created for parents, teachers, and school staff. This can give rise to social problems, such as conflicts with teachers and parents, and being excluded from peer groups.
Moreover, research suggests these problems can emerge at a young age. The well-known Marland Report on gifted children in 1972, the first of its kind, reports that
“Because the majority of gifted children’s school adjustment problems occur between kindergarten and fourth grade, about half of gifted children became ‘mental dropouts’ at around 10 years of age.”
It adds that
“Gifted and talented children are, in fact, deprived [if they remain in unsuitable learning environments] and can suffer psychological damage and permanent impairment of their abilities to function well which is equal to or greater than the similar deprivation suffered by any other population with special needs.”
For these reasons, gifted children usually shouldn’t remain in a classroom without significant modifications. Programs should be put in place to tailor the curriculum to their strengths and weaknesses. And, these programs should be administered by teachers with the right training (ideally, specialized training in gifted education).
4 | Types of gifted programs |
Here we begin our review of the different types of programs for gifted kids. We first outline the options, along with their strengths and weaknesses. Further down the page, we synthesize this into a comparison table and look at what types of students might fit what type of program. Much further down, we offer advice on choosing a specific program, including questions to ask yourself about your child. Further down still, we provide tools for comparing those schools in terms of the specific accommodations they offer.
| (i) Dedicated gifted programs | (ii) In-class adaptations | (iii) Other options |
|---|---|---|
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One common form of gifted education is a dedicated program for gifted kids. Dedicated gifted programs are self-contained gifted schools or classes. In this environment, students work exclusively with other gifted learners. All the students in a dedicated gifted learning environment will have their curriculum enhanced, accelerated, or both.
Dedicated gifted learning programs typically provide a standardized curriculum: each student will work at the same (likely accelerated) pace and have their curriculum enriched in the same ways. Moreover, the curriculum will usually be accelerated and/or enriched in all subjects. That said, in some cases, it may be possible for teachers to make special curricular adaptations for individual students in this setting.
If your child’s a gifted learner, one option is to place your child in a school for gifted kids only. In these schools, all the children will be advanced learners. The curriculum is accelerated or enriched in various ways, to suit the needs of the students as a whole.
Dedicated gifted schools can provide gifted kids with the right kind of challenge, as well as the chance to meet and interact with students of like abilities and interests. Also, they can give students the chance to work with teachers who have some kind of focused training in gifted education.
On the other hand, if the curriculum is highly standardized, the learning needs of each child may not be taken into proper account—and often, gifted children have very different needs from one another. For some gifted students, then, being in an environment with other gifted children may not be enough: they may need individually tailored support, such as in-class adaptations (which we will outline further below). This is especially true for students who are highly gifted (who are above the 98th percentile), or who aren’t gifted in all core subjects. If you think your child might need tailored support, it’s important to make sure the school provides it.
Also, there are some social concerns with dedicated gifted schools. For starters, being in a segregated environment can reinforce a child’s self-image as “gifted” (and “different”), potentially in a negative way. These children might also experience social exclusion.
There’s also a concern that schools where all kids are gifted may lead to a kind of “hothouse” or “sheltering” effect. The worry is that there may not be enough opportunities to interact with a broad range of people, something that’s crucial to future success within and outside of school.
School breakdown:
Gifted support
Dedicated programs (12%)
In-class adaptations (24%)
No specialized support (64%)
Another option for gifted kids is a full-time, self-contained gifted classroom which exists parallel to non-gifted classes in the school. As with schools for gifted children, in this setting, your child learns exclusively with other gifted kids. This enables your child to interact with peers with similar abilities and interests. And your child will be instructed by teachers with focused training in gifted education.
There is a lot of support for this approach in Canada and the United States. Nancy Robinson (2003) describes these kinds of classes as “singularly inexpensive and ... probably constituting the easiest and most effective way to meet the needs of many (certainly not all) gifted children.”
The potential educational concerns for gifted classes are similar to those for gifted schools. Dedicated gifted classes—if their curriculum is highly standardized—may still not meet the needs of each student. Again, gifted students often have quite different learning needs from one to another. The teacher must have the right training to distinguish between the learning needs of different students and make the necessary adjustments.
Also, gifted classes can present the same social concerns as gifted schools. Children labelled as “gifted” and segregated from other students can be subject to social exclusion from the broader school population. And there’s the same concern that gifted classes don’t provide enough chances for kids to interact with a broad range of people—people they’re likely to encounter in different stages of their lives.
A different approach to gifted education involves making certain kinds of in-class adaptations for individual children. Provided the teacher has the right training and resources, these adjustments can be made within a regular classroom, alongside regular students. Instead of a full-time gifted class or school, then, you might choose a regular school or class that can support the needs of your child. (Not all schools provide this support, so it’s important to find a school that does).
In-class adaptations can also be used in dedicated gifted environments—that is, in full-time gifted classes and schools. Some gifted students need custom programming, even when in a class with other gifted students.
There’s a wide range of in-class adaptations that can be made for your gifted child. They include the following (see Being Smart about Gifted Education by Dona Matthews and Joanne Foster for a thorough discussion of these):
| Adaptation | Frequency (% of schools) |
|---|---|
| Curriculum compacting | 11% |
| Subject enrichment | 21% |
| Guided independent study | 16% |
| Cyber-learning | 14% |
Gifted children can often learn with far less instruction and practice than other students. In curriculum compacting, studies are condensed for those who need to work less on the basics.
Using less time to study some subjects frees up time and energy for other learning opportunities. As Matthews and Foster point out, it also gives some students the chance to explore areas of interest in deeper ways and to master material they otherwise wouldn’t have the time for.
This has the added benefit that it can reduce the boredom that stems from having to relearn material that’s already been mastered. It can also lead to improvements in behaviour, social skills, and emotional outlook.
It’s rare for an advanced learner to require adaptations in all subject areas. As Matthews and Foster point out, focusing on just one subject area can be a good way to encourage a love of learning and a powerful engagement with school for many students.
Single-subject acceleration involves increasing the pace of studies for a student who excels in a subject. For example, a student gifted in science might be given an accelerated science curriculum tailored to the student’s strengths.
This could mean “skipping a grade” in a single subject. If the child is exceptionally gifted in that subject, it could mean skipping many grades.
In middle and high school, a student might pursue learning at a faster pace through Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate programs, and other high-level options.
In this case, studies in a single subject are enriched rather than accelerated. This means gifted students are allowed to explore similar topics as their peers, and at a similar pace, but with far more depth and breadth.
Single-subject enrichment can be done within the classroom or on a pull-out basis. It may be managed by a teacher, a librarian, or another member of the school staff who’s willing and able.
In independent study, students pursue interests beyond the classroom with the help of teachers or parents. Examples include learning about a period in history, the effects of carbon emissions on the environment, to the side effects of certain kinds of drugs. Because it’s independent, gifted students can pursue high-level, rigorous study of a subject they have a special interest in.
Project-based learning can be used in almost any subject and can be a great way to teach different subjects in an engaging way to advanced learners. Project-based learning involves learning by doing: students are challenged with real-world problems and asked to provide solutions that matter. It works with gifted students because of its inherent flexibility: there isn’t a ceiling to how sophisticated the student’s solution can be (provided that the original problem is interesting enough). Project-based learning can be done individually or in groups.
One effective in-class approach to gifted teaching involves using resources available to students in higher grade levels. For example, a student advanced in the area of languages might meet twice a week with a Spanish teacher and older students to speak Spanish and discuss Spanish books. The student might find that the discussion and debate in the regular meetings are enough to sustain their interest in Spanish.
If done well, cyber learning can supplement work done in class, enabling students to deepen and broaden their knowledge via computers and the internet. Of course, as Matthews and Foster say, there’s nothing wrong with some of a student’s learning taking place through websites, discussion forums, blogs, or any other online resource. What would be problematic, though, is if all of a student’s learning took place online.
Peer coaching involves working with other students of mixed strengths, with the help of teachers when needed. Gifted students can deepen their knowledge of topics by teaching them to others. However, for it to work, peer coaching must be tailored to the individual learning needs of the student being coached and to the learning objectives of the task.
Advanced students might be given the chance to explore career options of special interest. This might involve meeting with adults to discuss their careers, doing thorough research on a career, or being in a co-op program where one spends part of the day or week working as an intern. Career exploration can enhance the interest in and relevance of school for gifted learners.
Dedicated programs for gifted kids and in-class adaptations are the two main approaches to gifted education. There are other options as well, though. One of these options is whole-grade acceleration or “grade skipping.” Another is withdrawal or “pull-out” gifted classes. In addition to these two options, there are several other less common approaches to gifted education. These less common approaches offer either full-time gifted programming or are intended to supplement a gifted student’s ordinary curriculum.
Sometimes children who are gifted students have their studies accelerated by skipping one or more grades. On the other hand, a child might skip a grade or more in just one subject, enter a program early, or be put in a split-grade classroom where the child progresses at approximately the same level as the older grade(s).
Acceleration of any type enables gifted students to move through school more quickly than usual. It can help to resolve the lack of stimulation felt by many gifted learners, as well as the social problems this can give rise to.
On the other hand, acceleration can impede a child’s social progress by preventing the child from being with children of the same age. Acceleration can also lead to gaps in knowledge, given the fast pace of learning and the practice of skipping over subjects other students look at more closely.
Keep in mind that many of the private schools listed on this site, even those not labelled “gifted,” have an accelerated curriculum for all their students. In these schools, students of the same age, whether they’ve been formally classified as gifted or not, do the work of older peers. This approach may be enough on its own for some gifted students, specifically those who are well-rounded and already well-adjusted. However, learners who are either highly gifted or whose strengths aren’t balanced across all core subjects will need a more tailored approach, such as in-class adaptations.
| Adaptation | Frequency (% of schools) |
|---|---|
| Accelerated curriculum (school-wide) | 10% |
Sometimes parents place their gifted child in a withdrawal gifted class or program. In withdrawal gifted classes, students are taken out of their regular class on a part-time basis to receive some kind of advanced instruction.
There’s been lots of skepticism about part-time gifted programs. Many, including Matthews and Foster, claim that the gifted learning needs of children are too important to be restricted to the day(s) on which their gifted class is scheduled.
Furthermore, as they also point out, children can be penalized for missing their regular class (for example, by missing a class field trip), and sometimes teachers resent the pull-out teacher taking the strongest students out of their class. Perhaps most worrisome, the work in withdrawal gifted classes is often not differentiated for learning needs or properly integrated into children’s other studies.
There are also some less common teaching strategies that go beyond basic in-class adaptations. They include the following (for further discussion, see Matthews and Foster):
5 | Comparing program options |
The two main kinds of gifted programs are dedicated gifted environments and in-class adaptations. Each option has its benefits and potential drawbacks. To help your search for the right program, we summarize some common arguments used in support of each option. These arguments are generic, in that they aren’t tailored to your child. Moreover, it’s often just as important to look at the specific school or program as it is to look at the type of program.
| Arguments for dedicated gifted programs | Arguments for in-class adaptations | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedagogical |
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| Social |
|
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Ultimately, neither approach— dedicated environments nor in-class adaptations—is “better” than the other. What matters is the fit between the approach and your child. Below, we outline which students might be suitable for which approach. Remember: there is a lot more to picking a school than just the points below. This table is meant to stimulate your thinking, not replace it. Note that your child might display signs from both columns.
| Dedicated gifted environments may be suitable for students who: | In-class adaptations may be suitable for students who: |
|---|---|
|
|
To discuss which option might be best for your child, go to our parent discussion forum, frequented by other parents, schools, and education experts.
To start looking at schools, see our list. You can also compare schools by the specific programs they offer (including what kind of in-class accommodations they offer).
While our focus thus far has been on distinguishing between dedicated gifted programs and in-class adaptations, there’s another distinction that cuts across these approaches. Janyce Lastman, a Canadian education consultant and case manager, draws an important distinction between acceleration and enrichment. Some programs, whether dedicated or in-class, emphasize acceleration; others emphasize enrichment.
In acceleration, the student completes studies in less time. This approach increases the pace of learning, as students move quickly to topics normally reserved for older students. It includes options such as whole-grade acceleration, single-subject acceleration, curriculum compacting, early entrance to school, Advanced Placement courses, and International Baccalaureate programs.
In enrichment, on the other hand, students cover topics at more or less the same pace as their age-peers. However, they cover these topics in both a broader and deeper manner than regular students. This approach includes options such as independent studies, project-based learning, mentorships, career exploration, cross-grade resources, dual-track programs, and specialty subjects.
Some approaches to gifted education can involve either acceleration or enrichment, or both. These include cyber learning, peer coaching, and extracurricular activities.
| Acceleration approach | Enrichment approach | Both approaches | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated gifted environments |
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| In-class adaptations |
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| Other |
|
6 | Public versus private gifted schools |
What’s a better bet for your gifted child: a private school or a public one? Well, it depends on the private school you’re looking at, along with what’s available in your public school district.
Public school boards are mandated by provincial law to provide some kind of gifted programming for kids who need it. School boards vary, however, in who they deem gifted and in need of programming, and in what that programming looks like. Sometimes, gifted programming takes the form of a dedicated gifted class. Students enrolled at a school without separate gifted classes might be asked to switch to a school which does have those classes. Sometimes gifted programming involves in-class adaptations, assuming the teacher is qualified in gifted education. Some school boards in Canada also have dedicated gifted schools, though this is less common in the public system.
Some public schools offer the GATE program, which stands for Gifted and Talented Education. The GATE program is designed to address the learning styles of students identified as talented and gifted. In Canada, there is a GATE program offered in Calgary, Alberta, by the Calgary Board of Education (CBE).
In Toronto, there are also schools and programs for gifted students. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has 38 schools with a gifted program. A TDSB gifted program is a great option for many students.
Private schools, unlike public schools, are under no such obligation to support gifted students. It’s up to parents to find out if a private school will make special accommodations for their child. Many schools don’t. Remember, public schools are expected, at least in theory, to try to accommodate everyone.
Private schools, on the other hand, can be more narrowly focused. They can choose their “type” of student, and don’t have to compromise when designing education programs specifically for that type. (It can be inefficient to try to be all things to all people). This, in fact, is one of the virtues of private schools: they offer a wide array of niche choices.
What that means, however, is not all private schools will be the right choice for your child. Gifted children are by definition “exceptional”—they don’t fit the norm. It’s up to you, then, to find a private school that’s able and eager to be flexible in supporting a gifted student. Luckily, in most areas of Canada, there are private schools that do support gifted students, whether they offer dedicated gifted programs or in-class adaptations.
Of course, the benefits of private schools—assuming they support gifted children—are numerous. The right one can be an excellent way to get individualized support for your gifted child. In particular, you should look for a private school that’s attentive and responsive to the learning needs of your gifted child.
Whether you’re looking at private or public schools, though, the quality of gifted programming will have a lot to do with the teachers. Look for schools with teachers who are trained in educating gifted children. Unfortunately, in Canada, the federal and provincial governments provide little funding for teacher training in gifted education (or for gifted education itself).
For more general information on private schools, see our private school basics guide. You can also visit the parent discussion forum.
7 | Subject-specific giftedness |
As we’ve discussed, gifted students tend to have advanced learning abilities that are subject-specific. Often, they are gifted in some subjects, while possessing average to below-average abilities in other subjects. It’s less common that a student is equally advanced across the board. This makes it important to find the right gifted program for your child, one tailored to their unique learning strengths and weaknesses.
As a rule, students with very subject-specific giftedness are better off in a classroom that makes tailored adaptations for them. In this setting, students can have their studies accelerated, curriculum compacted, or studies enriched in a single subject.
Dedicated schools or programs for gifted kids, on the other hand, are not usually devoted to one subject. They’re generally more suitable for students who are gifted in many subjects. Having said that, if a student is gifted in a “core” subject—such as math, science, or the language arts—dedicated gifted programs can still be a good fit. This is especially true if the student’s learning abilities are at least average in most other core subjects.
Below, we look more closely at some of the options available for students with common forms of subject-specific giftedness.
Some students have gifted learning abilities in only math or science. These students might be given subject-specific accelerations in which they skip a grade in math or science, or in which their math or science studies are condensed. They might also be offered different kinds of enrichment: they might study with a high-level math or science teacher, or participate in a math or science study group with other advanced students.
There are also extracurricular opportunities for these students. For instance, there are after-school math enrichment programs or camps, such as Math Spirit, located in many cities in Canada.
There are also plenty of enrichment programs for advanced science students. In Toronto alone, for instance, there are part-time science programs provided by the Ontario Science Centre Science School and the University of Toronto Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program (DEEP). They offer lectures and classes in physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science.
When choosing a school, make sure to look into their approach to teaching math for gifted students. Some students do well with traditional math instruction, while others prefer the discovery approach. We identify the math approach of each school we profile on this site.
The same can be said of science instruction: some students do well with expository instruction, while others thrive with the inquiry approach. We also identify the science approach of each school we profile on this site.
Some students have advanced learning abilities in only the language arts. These students might have their studies accelerated or curriculum condensed in English or a second language, such as Spanish or French. The teacher might also offer some kind of out-of-class enrichment to help these students improve their language abilities. For instance, they might be given the chance to attend a Spanish discussion group or a reading group focusing on Spanish novels.
There are also extracurricular opportunities for students with advanced learning abilities in the language arts. For instance, they might attend an after-school second-language class in Spanish or French, or join a summer camp for language acquisition.
Some students are advanced learners in a subject not considered part of the “core curriculum.” For instance, some students are advanced in one of the fine arts, such as painting or sculpting. Other students are advanced in some area of music, such as composition or playing the piano. Yet other students are advanced in a sport, such as soccer.
These students would not be considered gifted based on provincial ministry standards, and likely wouldn’t be eligible for a dedicated gifted program. And given how specific their advanced learning abilities are, they likely wouldn’t be a good fit. These kinds of students are often better off obtaining in-class adaptations of the kind we’ve discussed: subject-specific acceleration, curriculum compacting, independent studies, mentorships, and the like.
Some of these students may also benefit the most from extracurricular opportunities. A student who’s a talented pianist may be better off, in some cases, taking after-school piano lessons, rather than obtaining in-class adaptations. A student who’s a talented painter might be better off taking after-school art classes or doing an apprenticeship, instead of receiving in-class adaptations. A student who’s a great soccer player might be best off playing on the school soccer team (if there is one), attending soccer camps, or both.
Students with very subject-specific giftedness are better off in a classroom that makes tailored adaptations for them.
8 | Gifted education at different ages |
It’s extremely difficult to identify giftedness in preschool-age children, and indeed it often goes undetected in the early years. This is partly because these kids haven’t been in school for long (if at all), so there is a short history from which to spot patterns. Moreover, young kids are less able to communicate their thoughts and needs, and signs your child might be gifted can be confusing at the preschool age.
Yet, just like older children, these kids often end up feeling unchallenged and develop social and emotional problems. It’s important, then, to identify your child’s needs as early as possible, and offer various enrichment opportunities, if those are called for.
As the parent of a gifted toddler or preschool child, you’re faced with a few main options:
If you decide to place your gifted child in a preschool, you’ll have to consider the type of preschool you want. There are no full-time, dedicated gifted programs or schools for preschoolers, but there are other options to consider. There are academic, play-based, Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia preschools. We compare preschool and daycare approaches one-to-one in three separate articles: Montessori vs. Waldorf, Montessori vs. Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf vs. Reggio Emilia.
Each type of preschool has its own underlying philosophy and way of addressing the needs of gifted children. It’s important not to get too consumed with picking the “best” preschool approach, and instead focus on the following:
The Young Gifted Child guide outlines the following best practices for any preschool for gifted learners:
You play a crucial role in fostering the learning abilities of your young gifted child. Again, The Young Gifted Child guide outlines some best practices:
If you have a young gifted or precocious child, check out the excellent book Beyond Intelligence: Secrets for Raising Happily Productive Kids (2014). It provides a treasure trove of parenting insights by two Canadian experts in child development, Dona Matthews and Joanne Foster.
If you’re ready, you can look at our list of gifted programs and filter it for preschools.
At the elementary or primary school level, there are more reliable ways to identify gifted children. Since kids are in school at this age, there are more chances to identify their learning needs and, in particular, whether they have advanced needs in any specific areas.
It becomes increasingly important to identify the learning needs of kids at this level, since at this age they tend to be more engaged in the learning process. For parents who suspect their school-age child has advanced learning needs, a formal gifted test or assessment is often recommended. Usually, a formal test can determine whether there’s a mismatch between the learning needs of a child and the instruction provided. The mismatch can then be corrected by tailoring the curriculum to the child’s learning needs.
As already discussed, there is a wide variety of schooling options for gifted children at this level. These include dedicated gifted programs, such as self-contained gifted classes and schools. They also include adaptations made in a regular classroom, such as condensing the curriculum, accelerating the pace of study, and providing out-of-class enrichment opportunities.
When searching for an elementary school for your gifted child, you should choose a school that’s the right fit. This means choosing a school that can meet your child’s specific learning needs and gives them the best chance to thrive both academically and socially.
You’ll need to be diligent in trying to understand your child’s unique learning profile so that you can select the right school or program. Typically, though, the search for the right school or program for a gifted student is an ongoing process. Adjustments to curriculum and teaching methods often need to be made. In some cases, you may make the decision to move your child to a new school or program in order to adapt to their evolving learning needs.
If you’re ready, you can look at our list of gifted programs and filter it for elementary schools.
At the middle school or junior high level, it’s recommended that children thought to be advanced learners be given a formal gifted test or assessment. Ideally, this assessment will determine whether there’s a mismatch between the child’s learning needs and their current instruction, and show how this mismatch might be fixed.
Unfortunately, if a gifted child hasn’t been given a formal gifted test by this time, there’s a good chance their learning needs are not being met and that they’re feeling unchallenged in school. These children may already have experienced a lot of frustration, which can lead to social and behavioural problems.
There’s a wide range of schooling options for gifted students at the upper levels.
There are lots of schooling options for gifted students at this level. These include dedicated gifted programs, such as self-contained gifted classes and schools. They also include in-class adaptations, such as condensing the curriculum, accelerating the pace of study, and providing out-of-class enrichment opportunities. Also, there are some enrichment opportunities at this level which are not always available at elementary school. These include project-based learning, independent studies, and peer coaching.
To select the right school or program for your child, you’ll need a strong understanding of their learning needs. Depending on your child’s age and maturity, it’s often a good idea to involve them in decisions about schooling at this level. But it may be necessary to frequently adjust programming for your child in response to evolving learning and social needs, just as it may be at the elementary school level.
If you’re ready, you can look at our list of gifted programs and filter it for middle schools.
By the time high school begins, many advanced learners will already have been given a formal gifted test. If not, it’s imperative to do so, since any mismatch between your child’s learning abilities and their current instruction needs to be addressed right away. The assessment is all the more important for children with social or emotional problems, which may be due, at least in part, to unmet learning needs.
There’s an even wider variety of schooling options for gifted students at this level. There’s dedicated gifted programming, such as self-contained gifted classes and schools. There are also in-class adaptations, such as condensing the curriculum and accelerating studies. Also, there are even more out-of-class enrichment opportunities for high school students. These include project-based learning, independent studies, mentorships, and career exploration. There are also Advanced Placement courses and International Baccalaureate programs available at the high school level for gifted students (and students who aren’t deemed “gifted”), which we’ve already discussed.
To select the right high school program for your gifted child, you’ll need a strong understanding of their learning needs. At this level, it’s important to involve your child in the decision, given their ability to know their own learning needs. You should collaborate with your child to choose a school or program that gives them the best chance to thrive both academically and socially.
Gifted programs often provide good preparation for university, and many universities think highly of gifted programs. This means graduating from a high school gifted program can improve your child’s chances of both being accepted to a good university and excelling once they get there.
If you’re ready, you can look at our list of gifted programs and filter it for high schools.
9 | Choosing and applying to gifted schools and programs |
In your search for the right gifted program, it’s important to consult with teachers, education specialists, and (in some cases) your child.
Begin researching gifted programs early, as much as a year before applying. You can research private schools with gifted programs here on this site (starting with our list of schools), on individual school websites, at open houses, during on-site visits, at our annual school expos, and other venues.
You’ll need to reflect on several questions during this process.
Consider exactly what you’re looking for in a school or program, and why. Your focus should not be on the school, but on the fit between the school and your child. Your first step, then, is to develop a clear picture of your child’s personality, learning style, and academic abilities. This means being clear on both their academic strengths and weaknesses.
Here are some questions to get you started:
Then you need to start thinking about the following:
You want to have an idea of the kind of environment your child will thrive in academically, socially, physically, and emotionally. Your idea can be tentative—but you should have it clear in your mind.
There are some standard questions to ask schools when investigating them.
Beyond those, there are also questions to ask schools about their gifted program. They include:
| In-class adaptations | Dedicated gifted programs |
|---|---|
Print this list |
Print this list |
It’s best to first discuss these questions with the admissions officer. You can then speak to school directors or principals, as well as teachers. It’s also a good idea to attend one or more classes to get a sense of how they’re run, teaching philosophies, school culture, and the like.
If you want to ask these questions of many schools in one place, look into attending one of our private school expos.
If you’re seeking specific in-class adaptations for your child at their current school, no formal application process is usually involved. In some cases, you can simply make the request to the teacher. If the teacher is willing and able to make the necessary adaptations, they will do so (with your consent).
On the other hand, if your child is trying to get into a new school, there will be a formal application process. The application materials required will be similar to those required for any private school. These may include:
In some cases, though, they may also include:
The application process for different gifted schools and programs varies widely. Generally, when applying to gifted programs of any kind, the school will try to understand your child’s full cognitive, academic, and social/emotional profile. This helps in deciding how, or whether, a school can adapt its instruction to meet your child’s special learning needs—their strengths and weaknesses.
The right mindset to have is that the school is working with you, not against you. For more general advice on applying to private schools, see our “getting in” guide.
10 | Scholarships for gifted students |
Some private schools offer needs-based financial aid or bursaries. This means that, if you can demonstrate a need for it, the school will cover either a part or all of tuition for your gifted child.
A school’s decision to grant needs-based aid is not tied to academic performance or giftedness. Nor does asking for aid affect your child’s chances of admission. In most cases, a school will first decide who they want to admit, and only then turn to the question of aid. Also, most schools will have a third party assess a family’s financial aid application. The third party will then recommend to the school how much aid, if any, they should offer.
Remember that schools offer aid because they want a diverse and talented student body. This is especially true for schools for gifted students.
If you are unsure if you would be eligible for aid, you should ask. Schools that offer aid often tell us parents underestimate the availability of aid. Paying for private school can strain even the most comfortable middle-class family, and schools know this.
Financial aid applications are typically very thorough, and you’ll need an organized record of your finances to apply. They often ask for information about family income, real estate assets, mortgages, vehicles, investments (including RRSPs), liabilities, expenses, and even information about child support received. Once again, typically this information is reviewed, confidentially, by a third-party company, who then makes recommendations to the school.
You should begin researching financial aid early by visiting private school websites and calling schools.
Some students receive scholarships for attending a private school, which is a merit-based form of financial support. Based on specific criteria, such as past academic performance, extracurricular activities, and potential to contribute to the school’s values, your gifted child may receive a scholarship to help finance their education.
That said, most schools don’t offer scholarships, and the scholarships that are offered often only provide partial coverage of private school costs (such as a reduction in tuition fees). We list some of the available scholarships here.
For general advice on affording private school, refer to our paying guide.
11 | Comparing schools with gifted programs |
Legend:
| DS | DC | SE | CC | IS | CL | AC | LI | AP | IB | SN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crescent School | |||||||||||
Fieldstone School | |||||||||||
Toronto Prep School | |||||||||||
St. Margaret's School | |||||||||||
St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School | |||||||||||
Hudson College | |||||||||||
Delano Academy & Delano High | |||||||||||
Royal St. George's College | |||||||||||
Athol Murray College of Notre Dame | |||||||||||
Upper Canada College | |||||||||||
Kingsway College School | |||||||||||
Whytecliff Agile Learning Centres | |||||||||||
Montcrest School | |||||||||||
Bond Academy | |||||||||||
Banbury Crossroads School | |||||||||||
Holy Name of Mary College School | |||||||||||
Cambridge International Academy | |||||||||||
Bayview Glen | |||||||||||
Prestige School - Toronto Campus | |||||||||||
La Citadelle International Academy of Arts & Science | |||||||||||
Royal Crown School | |||||||||||
Prestige School - Richmond Hill Campus | |||||||||||
The Country Day School | |||||||||||
Northmount School | |||||||||||
Ontario Virtual School | |||||||||||
Westmont Montessori School | |||||||||||
Southpointe Academy | |||||||||||
Blyth Academy Mississauga | |||||||||||
Waldorf Academy | |||||||||||
Lynn-Rose School | |||||||||||
Académie St-Laurent Academy | |||||||||||
Nancy Campbell Academy | |||||||||||
Clanmore Montessori School | |||||||||||
Westside Montessori School | |||||||||||
Villanova College | |||||||||||
Elmwood School | |||||||||||
McDonald International Academy | |||||||||||
Ashwood Glen | |||||||||||
Kendellhurst Academy | |||||||||||
Junior Academy | |||||||||||
Glenlyon Norfolk School | |||||||||||
College Prep International | |||||||||||
Laureate College | |||||||||||
Academy for Gifted Children - P.A.C.E. | |||||||||||
Applewood Academy for Progressive Learning | |||||||||||
TFS - Canada's International School | |||||||||||
WillowWood School | |||||||||||
St. Michaels University School | |||||||||||
St. Jude's Academy | |||||||||||
Balmoral Hall School | |||||||||||
Hawthorn School | |||||||||||
Crestwood Preparatory College | |||||||||||
Académie de la Capitale | |||||||||||
Peel Montessori School | |||||||||||
The Rosedale Day School | |||||||||||
Niagara Christian Collegiate | |||||||||||
Richland Academy | |||||||||||
Calgary French & International School | |||||||||||
Rundle Academy & Rundle Studio | |||||||||||
Greenwood College School | |||||||||||
Brookes Westshore | |||||||||||
Academie Jeanne d'Arc | |||||||||||
Toronto STEM School | |||||||||||
Enquiring Minds Montessori | |||||||||||
The Sycamore School | |||||||||||
King's College School for Bright and Gifted Children | |||||||||||
King's-Edgehill School | |||||||||||
Rutherford Private School | |||||||||||
The Maples Academy | |||||||||||
Oak Learners | |||||||||||
Oakville Christian School (OCS) | |||||||||||
NOIC Academy | |||||||||||
AVRO Academy | |||||||||||
Brampton Christian School | |||||||||||
River Valley School | |||||||||||
Meadowridge School | |||||||||||
Rothesay Netherwood School | |||||||||||
The Dalton School | |||||||||||
London International Academy | |||||||||||
The Clover School | |||||||||||
Dewey Institute | |||||||||||
The Dunblaine School | |||||||||||
Hamilton District Christian High | |||||||||||
Glen Briar Academy | |||||||||||
Fern Hill School - Oakville | |||||||||||
Trillium School | |||||||||||
Wesley Christian Academy | |||||||||||
Unionville College | |||||||||||
HTS Online | |||||||||||
Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. | |||||||||||
Rosthern Junior College High School | |||||||||||
Brockton School | |||||||||||
Trinity Montessori School | |||||||||||
The Cole Academy | |||||||||||
The Abelard School | |||||||||||
West Island College (Montreal) | |||||||||||
Alcuin College | |||||||||||
Avalon Children's Montessori School | |||||||||||
St. Michael's College School | |||||||||||
Aurora Alternative Micro School | |||||||||||
Centennial Academy | |||||||||||
Revel Academy | |||||||||||
Unisus School | |||||||||||
Howlett Academy | |||||||||||
College Bourget | |||||||||||
Glarea Elevated Learning | |||||||||||
Scholars’ Hall | |||||||||||
Pythagoras Academy | |||||||||||
St. Clement's Early Learning School | |||||||||||
Olivet School | |||||||||||
The Giles School | |||||||||||
Bishop Hamilton Montessori School | |||||||||||
Mulgrave School | |||||||||||
Ridley College | |||||||||||
Blyth Academy Etobicoke | |||||||||||
GlenOak Academy | |||||||||||
The Study | |||||||||||
Guiding Light Academy | |||||||||||
The Study Academy | |||||||||||
Sunrise Montessori School | |||||||||||
St. George's School of Montreal | |||||||||||
Cornerstone Montessori Prep School | |||||||||||
Blyth Academy Lawrence Park | |||||||||||
Fredericton Montessori Academy | |||||||||||
AIM Without Limits | |||||||||||
Yip’s Music & Montessori School | |||||||||||
The Sacred Heart School of Montreal | |||||||||||
Woodland Christian High School | |||||||||||
The Linden School | |||||||||||
University of Toronto Schools | |||||||||||
Bishop's College School | |||||||||||
Virtual High School | |||||||||||
Toronto District Christian High School | |||||||||||
Aurora Montessori School | |||||||||||
Magnificent Minds | |||||||||||
Richmond Hill Christian Academy | |||||||||||
Holy Trinity School | |||||||||||
Wishing Well Schools | |||||||||||
Albert College | |||||||||||
Shawnigan Lake School | |||||||||||
Kuper Academy | |||||||||||
Blyth Academy The Glebe, Ottawa | |||||||||||
Fern Hill School - Burlington | |||||||||||
Sathya Sai School of Toronto | |||||||||||
Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School | |||||||||||
Kanata Montessori | |||||||||||
Nile Academy | |||||||||||
Rosseau Lake College | |||||||||||
Northstar Montessori Private School | |||||||||||
Braemar House School | |||||||||||
King's Christian Collegiate | |||||||||||
Columbia International College | |||||||||||
Rotherglen School - Mississauga | |||||||||||
Prince Edward Montessori School | |||||||||||
Lower Canada College | |||||||||||
Island Pacific School | |||||||||||
Somerset Academy | |||||||||||
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School | |||||||||||
Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology | |||||||||||
Astolot Educational Centre | |||||||||||
Alive Montessori & Private School | |||||||||||
Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence | |||||||||||
Meadow Green Academy | |||||||||||
Trafalgar Castle School | |||||||||||
Oxford Learning Academy (Private School) | |||||||||||
Hillfield Strathallan College | |||||||||||
Bannockburn | |||||||||||
The Mabin School | |||||||||||
Académie Westboro Academy | |||||||||||
Pear Tree School | |||||||||||
Hatch House Montessori School | |||||||||||
Progressive Academy | |||||||||||
Dearcroft Montessori School | |||||||||||
Star Academy | |||||||||||
Agate Private School | |||||||||||
The Element High School | |||||||||||
Richmond Hill Montessori Private School | |||||||||||
Wheatley School | |||||||||||
Sherwood Heights School | |||||||||||
Quo Vadis Elementary School | |||||||||||
Aurora Preparatory Academy | |||||||||||
Ashbury College | |||||||||||
TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus) | |||||||||||
Sidney Ledson Institute | |||||||||||
St. John's-Ravenscourt School | |||||||||||
Rotherglen School - Oakville | |||||||||||
St. Stephen's School, Rome | |||||||||||
De La Salle College | |||||||||||
Webtree Academy | |||||||||||
École Montessori | |||||||||||
Sudbury Christian Academy | |||||||||||
Kells Academy | |||||||||||
North Point School | |||||||||||
CGS (Children's Garden School) | |||||||||||
Wise Owl Private School | |||||||||||
Vaughan College Private School | |||||||||||
Hitherfield School | |||||||||||
Academy of Thought and Industry Toronto |
| Tuition (day school) | Students receiving financial aid | Grade eligibility for financial aid | Avg. aid package size (annual) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Crescent School | $39,590 | 5% | 5 - 12 | $27,000 |
Fieldstone School | $20,570 to $28,695 | 10% | JK - 12 | $5,000 |
St. Margaret's School | $17,200 to $32,200 | |||
St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School | $25,180 to $32,310 | 9% | ||
Hudson College | $19,000 to $21,500 | 8% | 7 - 12 | $5,600 |
Delano Academy & Delano High | $22,600 to $23,600 | 4% | 1 - 12 | |
Royal St. George's College | $35,320 | 5% | 7 - 12 | $16,000 |
Athol Murray College of Notre Dame | $3,400 to $11,550 | 30% | 8 - 12 | $10,000 |
Upper Canada College | $36,750 to $39,900 | 18% | 5 - 12 | $15,000 |
Whytecliff Agile Learning Centres | $8,900 to $19,500 | 25% | 8 - 12 | $5,000 |
Montcrest School | $28,150 to $35,185 | |||
Holy Name of Mary College School | $23,695 to $24,495 | 15% | 5 - 12 | $1 |
Bayview Glen | $20,950 to $31,050 | 6 - 12 | $5,000 | |
La Citadelle International Academy of Arts & Science | $20,700 to $26,150 | 3% | Nursery/Toddler - 12 | $3,000 |
Royal Crown School | $22,800 | 7 - 12 | ||
The Country Day School | $32,450 | |||
Northmount School | $19,000 to $36,000 | 5% | JK - 8 | $2,500 |
Westmont Montessori School | $10,600 to $32,000 | 1% | Preschool - 12 | $5,000 |
Blyth Academy Mississauga | $20,325 to $24,785 | 4% | 9 - 12 | $6,500 |
Waldorf Academy | $17,700 to $19,150 | 20% | JK - 8 | $9,000 |
Lynn-Rose School | $16,950 to $21,550 | 3% | JK - 8 | $800 |
Nancy Campbell Academy | $15,750 | 15% | 7 - 12 | $11,700 |
Villanova College | $22,400 | 4 - 12 | ||
Elmwood School | $15,540 to $29,700 | 24% | 6 - 12 | $6,800 |
Junior Academy | $10,000 to $32,000 | 10% | JK - 8 | $3,000 |
Glenlyon Norfolk School | $20,840 to $39,005 | 15% | SK - 12 | $2,000 |
TFS - Canada's International School | $23,070 to $39,020 | 7 - 12 | $35,000 | |
St. Michaels University School | $21,095 to $43,995 | 20% | K - 12 | $11,685 |
Balmoral Hall School | $15,450 to $19,210 | 15% | SK - 12 | $8,333 |
Hawthorn School | $14,100 to $25,250 | 35% | JK - 12 | $1,800 |
Crestwood Preparatory College | $29,500 to $31,000 | 5% | 7 - 12 | $10,000 |
Académie de la Capitale | $20,075 to $24,158 | 6% | 1 - 12 | $6,500 |
The Rosedale Day School | $29,190 | 10% | JK - 8 | $5,000 |
Rundle Academy & Rundle Studio | $19,200 to $21,400 | |||
Greenwood College School | $42,780 | 7 - 12 | ||
Brookes Westshore | $10,290 to $17,750 | 10% | 7 - 12 | $5,000 |
King's College School for Bright and Gifted Children | $19,500 to $22,000 | 10% | 2 - 12 | $2,000 |
King's-Edgehill School | $18,800 | 33% | 6 - 12 | $15,000 |
AVRO Academy | $18,875 | 10% | 9 - 12 | $2,000 |
Meadowridge School | $28,400 to $38,400 | 9 - 12 | ||
Rothesay Netherwood School | $25,130 to $27,650 | 28% | 6 - 12 | $15,500 |
The Dalton School | $23,950 | 4 - 8 | ||
The Dunblaine School | $25,600 | 10% | 1 - 8 | $6,000 |
Hamilton District Christian High | $19,350 | 10% | 9 - 12 | $5,000 |
HTS Online | 9 - 12 | $10,000 | ||
Rosthern Junior College High School | $4,500 to $20,000 | 30% | 10 - 12 | $2,500 |
Brockton School | $27,200 to $30,600 | SK - 12 | ||
The Abelard School | $20,000 to $22,000 | 20% | 9 - 12 | $10,000 |
West Island College (Montreal) | $15,400 | 7 - 11 | $5,000 | |
Avalon Children's Montessori School | $14,725 to $22,275 | 5% | 1 - 8 | $10,000 |
St. Michael's College School | $22,250 | 20% | 7 - 12 | |
Aurora Alternative Micro School | $11,000 | |||
Centennial Academy | $21,270 | 7 - 11 | $7,000 | |
Unisus School | $14,800 to $17,980 | 30% | 1 - 11 | $3,000 |
Howlett Academy | $19,500 to $23,500 | |||
College Bourget | $5,075 to $14,735 | |||
Glarea Elevated Learning | $17,000 to $18,250 | K - 7 | ||
Bishop Hamilton Montessori School | $6,183 to $18,375 | Nursery/Toddler - 8 | ||
Mulgrave School | $26,850 to $30,290 | 5% | 7 - 12 | $15,000 |
Ridley College | $29,455 to $43,835 | 21% | 5 - 12 | $15,892 |
The Study | $26,200 to $29,380 | 15% | 4 - 11 | $5,200 |
The Study Academy | $32,000 | 6% | 3 - 12 | $10,550 |
St. George's School of Montreal | $20,081 to $24,754 | |||
Blyth Academy Lawrence Park | $23,550 to $27,750 | 4% | 7 - 12 | $6,500 |
AIM Without Limits | $19,000 | |||
Yip’s Music & Montessori School | $15,420 to $15,840 | |||
The Sacred Heart School of Montreal | $18,411 to $39,419 | 22% | 7 - 11 | $8,350 |
Woodland Christian High School | $19,789 to $20,580 | 20% | 9 - 12 | $2,500 |
The Linden School | $26,050 to $33,350 | 20% | JK - 12 | $6,000 |
University of Toronto Schools | $31,000 | 20% | 7 - 12 | $17,250 |
Bishop's College School | $30,000 to $51,000 | 40% | 7 - 12 | $23,800 |
Virtual High School | 2% | 9 - 12 | $579 | |
Toronto District Christian High School | $19,340 | 9 - 12 | ||
Aurora Montessori School | $19,400 to $22,150 | 7% | Preschool - 8 | $1,000 |
Holy Trinity School | $32,214 | 2% | SK - 12 | $5,000 |
Albert College | $21,400 to $40,300 | 15% | JK - 12 | $7,746 |
Shawnigan Lake School | $35,500 | 30% | 8 - 12 | |
Blyth Academy The Glebe, Ottawa | $23,550 to $27,750 | 4% | 7 - 12 | $6,500 |
Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School | $21,800 to $26,380 | 15% | 6 - 11 | $5,000 |
Rosseau Lake College | $22,700 to $32,700 | 10% | 6 - 12 | $10,000 |
King's Christian Collegiate | $17,100 | 15% | 9 - 12 | |
Lower Canada College | $25,365 to $27,660 | 20% | 7 - 12 | $14,500 |
Island Pacific School | $20,925 to $26,507 | 15% | 6 - 9 | $5,000 |
Somerset Academy | $14,300 | 5% | 1 - 8 | |
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School | $20,508 to $26,170 | 11% | K - 12 | $5,700 |
Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology | $1 to $23,400 | 70% | 8 - 12 | $8,000 |
Meadow Green Academy | $15,990 | |||
Trafalgar Castle School | $29,348 to $33,151 | 14% | 4 - 12 | |
Hillfield Strathallan College | $19,349 to $32,052 | 10% | JK - 12 | $4,500 |
Bannockburn | $27,300 | |||
The Mabin School | $33,592 | 5% | JK - 6 | $5,000 |
The Element High School | $18,810 to $21,905 | |||
Ashbury College | $33,720 | 10% | 7 - 12 | $15,000 |
TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus) | $20,780 to $30,180 | 7 | $28,000 | |
St. John's-Ravenscourt School | $26,670 to $27,370 | 10% | 6 - 12 | $15,000 |
St. Stephen's School, Rome | $28,960 | 13% | 9 - 12 | $9,996 |
De La Salle College | $16,500 to $16,750 | 18% | 5 - 12 | $12,500 |
Sudbury Christian Academy | $55 to $7,950 | 10% | JK - 8 | $2,000 |
North Point School | $14,000 to $16,000 | 20% | K - 12 | $6,000 |
Academy of Thought and Industry Toronto | $18,000 | 7 - 8 |
12 | Important resources |
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