Boarding Life at Pickering College

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Pickering College Boarding Life

Boarding students at Pickering College, making up a notable proportion of the student body, enjoy a program that begins from Grade 7 to Grade 12. Offering boarding earlier than many institutions, Pickering College stands out with its comprehensive middle to high school residential life experience.

Facts and analysis

Boarding Population

Pickering College has 120 boarding students, which is 20% of its total enrollment.

The proportion of boarding students at Pickering College is larger than 33% of other boarding schools we cover.

Breakdown by grade

Grade	Boarding students as a percentage of total enrollment per grade
Grade	Pickering College	Median of all other boarding schools
Gr. 7	5%	25%
Gr. 8	17%	19%
Gr. 9	28%	43%
Gr. 10	42%	50%
Gr. 11	41%	56%
Gr. 12	40%	64%

Why it matters

The size of a school’s boarding population and its ratio to total enrollment shape the character of campus life. A larger boarding community can create a more immersive residential environment and a more consistent daily rhythm that often includes day students as well. A smaller boarding population typically strikes a balance between two styles of campus life, juxtaposing the intensity of boarding with the flexibility of the day student experience.

Boarding grades

Pickering College offers boarding for students in Grades 7 to 12.

Across all Canadian schools, boarding can begin in the middle school years (Grades 6–7) and continue through Grade 12, though most boarding programs focus on the high school grades.

Breakdown by grade

Grade	Boarding enrollment
Grade	Pickering College	Median of all other boarding schools
Gr. 7	2	5
Gr. 8	7	5
Gr. 9	20	8
Gr. 10	30	20
Gr. 11	30	66
Gr. 12	31	85

Why it matters

The grades in which boarding is offered shape the overall experience of residential and school life. They determine not only when students can first join the boarding community, but also how their daily routines, peer groups, and developmental experiences unfold over time. Comparing a school’s boarding grade range with national patterns provides valuable context, revealing how early boarding can begin, how long it can continue, and how a school’s approach aligns with or differs from other Canadian schools.

ENTRY GRADES FOR BOARDING

Pickering College admits the largest number of new boarding students in Grade(s) 9, 10 and 11.

Across all other boarding schools we cover, popular entry grades are Grade(s) 9, 10 and 11.

Breakdown by grade

Entry grade	Number of openings available: Boarding
Entry grade	Pickering College	Median of all other boarding schools
Gr. 7	2 - 4	3
Gr. 8	2 - 4	4
Gr. 9	10 - 12	9
Gr. 10	10 - 12	9
Gr. 11	10 - 12	12
Gr. 12	0 - 2	8

Why it matters

Popular entry grades often provide more openings for new boarding students, along with structured supports to help them adjust. Entering at these grades can increase the chances of admission and offer greater opportunities for social and academic integration.

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

Boarding at Pickering College fosters independence and a strong sense of community.

According to parents, students, and alumni, the boarding experience at Pickering College not only encourages independence but also nurtures a supportive and inclusive community where diverse perspectives are valued.

The small school feel of Pickering college allows the students to have a sense of belonging and get to know other students in other grades as well as teachers and staff throughout the entire school. Teacher advisors provide students the additional support and sense that there is always someone that they can go to whether they are having academic or social challenges. Boarding students from other countries provide day students with the opportunity to gain a global perspective. Prior to the pandemic, field trips were always a highlight of our children’s experience. Once circumstances have normalized, Pickering College could add more class field trips for students to develop their independence and as part of their overall experience. They may also consider offering grade 12 students the opportunity to prepare for university by allowing them to spend a week or two in boarding to give them the experience of living on campus and experience developing skills to be disciplined and organized.

—Sonya Bonerath, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

The school definitely feels like home. One of the core values of Pickering College is the foundation and importance of community. Everyone is extremely inclusive and welcoming towards one another. The school echoes a sense of familiarity and comfort, this is done through the morning meetings all students attend as well as the family-style lunches found in our advisor groups, which are incorporated to help foster good friendships across grades. Furthermore, the classrooms have very small sizes which allow for close-knit development through group projects. The school very nicely blends the lifestyle of the day and boarding students through extracurriculars which allows for students to participate in active learning. Pickering College offers the students a sense of agency through the independence provided. The recognition given to students for their achievements allows them to feel apart of a community.

—Shyam Subramanyam, student (beginning 2019) (see full review)

The clearest memories are the easy ones. Late study nights that turned into talking, laughing in the common room and feeling like people genuinely cared if you were doing alright that day.

—Heather Golding, alum (2011-2024), Camp counsellor (see full review)

The ability for students to go off-campus during the lunch break is given during the 11th and 12th year, however, even with this privilege, many students tend to remain on campus. The location of the school is near many local food establishments and the mall is nearby as well for any afterschool trips. The school is a boarding/day school and prior to COVID-19, day and boarding students could visit each other in the main room where students can play video games and hang out after school.

—Shyam Subramanyam, student (beginning 2019) (see full review)

A wide range of extracurricular activities engages students.

Feedback from parents and students indicates that Pickering College offers a diverse selection of extracurricular activities, from sports to the arts, which captivates students' interests and promotes an active and inclusive school life.

My sons love to go to school every day. They have good relationships with their classmates and teachers. They have a busy but interesting time in school. Pickering College designed different kinds of activities for students including music, arts, sports and debating etc. Every year they have dance banquet, bookers run, track & field, ski trip and international trips. Global leadership Program is definitely an important program. My older son has participated in several trips and music Festival competitions in the past two years. He will go to UK as an exchange student. Boarders have their special events as well.

—Amy Wang, parent (beginning 2016) (see full review)

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Pickering College Boarding Life

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