A strong and impressive tradition gives life to the culture of the school.
Academics are rigorous, as is the dedication to social and emotional development.
The school allows girls to take risks in a safe setting.
The school isn’t just about academics but about educating girls to make a difference in the world.
The 50-page review of Havergal College is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.
The great joy of a school like ours, and the breadth of the program our students are encouraged to engage in, is that they can personalise their journey. … We want to make sure our students experience a whole host of academic and co-curricular experiences before they specialise. —From Interview with Havergal College Principal: Katrina Samson.
Havergal really focuses on how girls learn, and everything is so specific to helping the girls learn and making sure they have the very best experience possible, so that they can achieve their full potential. … If you are a debater, you are also an artist. There are just so many things that you could experience to discover who you were.” —From 2021 roundtable discussion about Havergal College. (The quote comes specifically from Buffy Grand O’Driscoll, a parent).
At Havergal, they really support you in whatever you’re doing. Your daughter will be the best version of herself coming out of the school … having a very strong character, and being very confident in whatever she chooses to pursue. Whether that’s being the best artist, the best hockey player, or the best mathematician, they will be the best version of themselves. —From Interview with Havergal College alum: Yasmine Alameddine.
Havergal’s mission is “to prepare young women to make a difference and take on an ever-changing role with confidence and resilience.” Dr. Samson says that a single-gender school allows students and faculty to expand that mission.
School's Perspective
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How Havergal College sees itself
The school administration answered our questions
Who are you, as a school?
"At Havergal College, each student is supported to make empowering choices and become the architect of her education. An all-girls school (JK to 12) in Toronto, Havergal offers a rigorous curriculum designed around the pillars of academics and wellbeing. Our students learn new ways to express themselves with creativity, enthusiasm and self-confidence. A Havergal Old Girl/Alum graduates with an inquiry mindset, ready to solve problems and meet the demands of a rapidly-changing world."
Beautiful 22-acre campus in the heart of Toronto.
Innovative curriculum and future-ready programming for students.
Small class sizes with a focus on wellness and student agency.
Award-winning Art, Music and Drama departments.
More than 80 co-curricular athletic teams.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered.
Supportive Boarding School community.
Scholarships and bursaries available.
What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Campus: Havergal has the largest girls’ independent school campus in the city. This allows students to explore and learn outdoors on our 22 acre sprawling campus in the heart of midtown Toronto (including 3 athletic fields, a woodland trail with brook, 2 outdoor classrooms, tennis courts and other green spaces).
Technology: HC-X is the innovation hub of Havergal for the development and delivery of future-ready education. Out of HC-X comes future-ready programming for students and educators."
What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"Havergal College has made several strategic trade-offs to better serve families, focusing on personalized education while balancing resource allocation. The school emphasizes a strong academic foundation alongside a comprehensive co-curricular program. This dual focus requires significant investment in both state-of-the-art facilities and specialized staff, potentially limiting the scale of enrollment to maintain quality."
What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"Havergal College established many of its defining traditions in the early 20th century, including the introduction of the school uniform in 1912, the first yearbook in 1898, and the Old Girl/Alum publication, Chronicle, in 1914. The latter half of the century saw significant expansions, including a new Junior School in 1999 and the Athletic Centre in 2006. The 2021 Limitless Campaign further enhanced facilities, including the Art, Design and Technology wing. Recently, Havergal has integrated modern educational practices and global perspectives, exemplified by its participation in the Round Square network for global learning and leadership and HC-X innovative learning experiences."
What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"An ideal Havergal student is eager to engage in a challenging Liberal Arts educational environment. Ideal candidates are academically motivated, curious and willing to participate in a variety of co-curricular activities. Havergal recognizes students who demonstrate leadership potential, resilience and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. The school also prioritizes inclusivity, so a student and family who respects and embraces diversity and believes in living our values will thrive as members of the Havergal College community."
Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"Families might be advised against choosing Havergal College if their child is not suited to a highly structured and academically rigorous environment. Additionally, if the family's values do not align with Havergal's strong emphasis on leadership, inclusivity and community involvement, they might find the school less suitable. Families looking for a less intense educational experience or those who prioritize a different educational philosophy might prefer other institutions."
To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"When people think about Havergal College, attributes such as tradition, academic excellence, leadership and a nurturing community come to mind. The school has a reputation for producing graduates who are well-prepared for university and who often go on to become influential leaders in various fields. Havergal's commitment to innovation while maintaining its rich traditions is also a key part of its identity, creating a balanced and forward-thinking educational experience."
How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"When people think about Havergal College, attributes such as tradition, academic excellence, leadership and a nurturing community come to mind. The school has a reputation for producing graduates who are well-prepared for university and who often go on to become influential leaders in various fields. Havergal's commitment to innovation while maintaining its rich traditions is also a key part of its identity, creating a balanced and forward-thinking educational experience."
What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"Families are often surprised by how connected their daughters feel with the school community. Our students are mentored and guided in many decisions through the school's Guidance, Wellness and Teacher Advisor programs. They make lasting connections not only with their peers across different grades, but also with the school's faculty and staff. The end goal is to ensure that students have direction for their future outside of Havergal's ivy walls."
What might families find surprising about your school?
"Havergal supports students in and out of the classroom by offering mentoring opportunities, providing cross-grade community building opportunities on a weekly basis and taking a genuine interest in the wellbeing and development of each student. Our families are often surprised by how our faculty go above and beyond what's expected of them in the classroom through mentorship. Our Wellness Team and other staff members are available to help students who need additional support."
What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"With the launch of our Strategic Plan, Empowering Excellence, Havergal continues to build on our programming and support in the areas of Wellbeing and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB). With the introduction of a Vice Principal Wellbeing and an Executive Director of EDIB whose portfolios span Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, our focus is on full school programs in place to ensure student wellbeing and our community's commitment to equity, diversity and belonging remains at the forefront, complimenting our strong academic program. Our newly developed Wellbeing and Inclusive Excellence Frameworks guides our programs in and out of the classroom, allowing our students to find their purpose, understand themselves as learners, leaders and humans,in an environment that allows them to be authentic and feel valued for who they are."
How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"Havergal College has a clear vision for the future that revolves around strengthening its core mission while expanding its educational offerings to prepare students for an evolving world. Over the next five years, the school plans to continue integrating modern educational practices with a focus on global learning, digital wisdom and leadership development.
A key aspect of Havergal's future strategy is the expansion of programs that emphasize global perspectives. The school is committed to fostering a supportive environment that prepares students to be confident and resilient global citizens. This includes deepening its involvement with the Round Square network and enhancing programs that encourage students to engage in social innovation and global experiences.
The infrastructure at Havergal will also see improvements, with ongoing upgrades to facilities that support the arts, technology and physical education."
Watch our Havergal College Q&A discussion with Buffy (Parent), Yasmin Porter (Alum), Carrie Porter (Parent) to gain fresh insight into the school’s culture, values, and strengths.
For over 100 years, Havergal College has provided young women with an exceptional education in an environment that encourages both inquiry and curiosity, and celebrates community. In 1894, Havergal’s founding principal, Ellen Knox, defined the school’s mission with the question she posed to her students -- “What will you do?”
That question continues to guide Havergal and its students through the challenges that come from a constantly changing world. Its influence is evident in our students and graduates to this day: women making a difference for good in the world by living their lives with purpose and as involved citizens.
I encourage you to visit our beautiful 22-acre campus, to tour both our heritage and contemporary buildings and to speak with our faculty and students to see, first-hand, the benefits of a Havergal education.
