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Pickering College logo
in-depth report
OUR KIDS Report:
Report on Pickering College
Grades JK — 12 — Newmarket, ON (Map)
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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Pickering College
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

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York region (Oct 17)

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Pickering College Student Body


Pickering College is larger than most Canadian private schools and serves both girls and boys. It offers boarding and enrolls some international students, though its boarding share is smaller than at many boarding schools.

Facts and analysis

Compare this school with  

Total enrollment

600 students attend Pickering College.

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Pickering College has a larger student body than 87% of all schools we cover.

  • Breakdown by grade

    Grade Enrollment
    Pickering College Median of all other schools
    JK1616
    SK1816
    Gr. 13617
    Gr. 22616
    Gr. 32016
    Gr. 43616
    Gr. 53618
    Gr. 63218
    Gr. 74219
    Gr. 84220
    Gr. 97233
    Gr. 107235
    Gr. 117440
    Gr. 127840
  • Why it matters

    While some researchers have looked to uncover the "ideal" school size, these studies often generalize student preferences and behaviours. Your real goal is to find what best suits your child’s needs. Smaller schools can offer a school-wide sense of connection, while larger schools often provide broader programming and opportunities. Also, note that per-grade enrollment often tells a more meaningful story than total enrollment alone (read topic guide).


Gender

Both girls and boys attend.

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This makes Pickering College like 90% of other schools we cover.

  • Why it matters

    A school’s gender composition influences its social, academic, and extracurricular experiences. Coed schools often encourage collaboration across genders, while single-gender schools (all-boys or all-girls) may focus on specialized learning approaches (read topic guide).


Boarding Population

Pickering College offers boarding from Grade 7 to 12. Only 20% of the total student body boards.

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Pickering College has a larger proportion of boarding students than 33% of its peer boarding schools.

  • Breakdown by grade

    Grade Boarding students as a percentage of total enrollment per grade
    Pickering College Median of all other boarding schools
    Gr. 75%25%
    Gr. 817%19%
    Gr. 928%43%
    Gr. 1042%50%
    Gr. 1141%56%
    Gr. 1240%64%
  • Why it matters

    The proportion of boarding students is an important factor in shaping a school’s culture. Large boarding populations may create an immersive environment, while smaller boarding communities may balance residential life with local engagement (read topic guide).


International Students

15% of students come from outside Canada.

COMPARE WITH 

See how this ranks Pickering College below.

  • Why it matters

    A diverse international student body offers opportunities for cultural exchange and a global perspective. These experiences can enhance your child’s understanding of different cultures and prepare them for a globalized world (read topic guide).


 

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.


The school is like a tightly knit community, similar to a small town. The students are all incredibly friendly and welcoming towards new students. For myself and many other new students, I went into Pickering College knowing nobody and by the end of the first week, I had made many new friendships. From my experience, there is no lack of inclusivity. For a student to truly succeed in this school, it is important that they start their day with the attitude to do their best and learn. Pickering College has many different systems and opportunities to help the student achieve and become their best version, all it takes from the side of the student is the mindset to learn. The overall environment of Pickering College is very student-friendly.
The student body at Pickering felt mixed in a good way. There were outgoing students who seemed to know everyone and quieter students who kept to smaller groups. Both types fit in fine. The spirit of the student body shifted depending on the time of year. During events, everyone showed up. During exam months, the halls felt quieter. One thing I noticed is that students respected people who were steady and reliable, not just the loudest voices. The backgrounds of students were varied. Some came from far away, and some grew up nearby. It never felt divided. People interacted naturally, and friendships crossed those differences. The overall feeling was that most students wanted to do well and still have a normal school experience. I look back and remember the student body as balanced. Nobody had to pretend to be anything they were not.
The student body at Pickering was friendly in a low-pressure way. There were outgoing people, quiet people, sporty people, musical people and people who floated somewhere in between. Somehow, everyone coexisted without turning the halls into cliques. The typical student was curious and busy, but not unkind. Respect came from showing up consistently but not from being flashy. One thing I appreciated was how open people were. You could join a table at lunch or sit with a new group in class, and it never felt odd. Students came from different backgrounds, so conversations never felt predictable. Although everyone had their own routines, people helped each other when it mattered, especially during the tough weeks. Overall, it was an easy place to get along with people, which made the days smoother.
 

OUR KIDS REPORT: Pickering College


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