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Go to child profileThe Bishop Strachan School has been inspiring girls to be fearless and educating them to be leaders for over 150 years. Renowned for its expertise in the learning needs of girls and supported by an expert faculty, BSS is a university prep school with a rigorous, inquiry-based academic curriculum. BSS offers an integrative approach to learning, with STEAM-focused learning spaces, a Centre for Arts and Design and multimedia and film labs. Our 7.5 acres have outstanding athletics, arts, and technology facilities.
What learning looks like now: As we welcome our students back to The Bishop Strachan School, our priority remains the health and safety of our students, staff and faculty. Our Return to School, Return to Boarding and Health and Safety Plans outline the guidelines, structures and expectations we have put in place to help minimize the potential exposure of our students and staff to COVID-19. These plans also allow us to quickly transition to other learning models according to government regulations, changing health parameters, and our evolving understanding of teaching and learning practices. We will continue to work with our health partners to develop and evolve our planning during this pandemic. We are confident that we will be able to care, as we always have, for our students.
Curriculum delivery:
Living Arrangement | Grades | Delivery Model | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
Day | Gr. 9 - Gr. 12 | Hybrid/blended | Full-time |
Day | JK - Gr. 8 | In-person | Full-time |
Can boarders live on-campus? Yes
What The Bishop Strachan School says: Senior School students are back in school 4 days per week for face-to-face instruction and are assigned to small classes of approximately 15 students. Off-campus virtual learning and larger gatherings like assemblies and Chapel take place on Wednesdays. BSS is implementing a semester-style timetable for the 2020-21 academic year with a balanced focus on three to five courses per semester instead of eight. Most classes will take place every day and incorporate a blended learning model. Some courses run every other day for the full year, including online music courses, Gr. 9 & 10 face-to-face math, and face-to-face P.E. AP courses are offered face-to-face and online.
View recent COVID-19 updates from BSSThe school’s approach, largely, is based in an understanding that it’s a complicated world, one which requires a set of complex foundational skills: being able to think for yourself, working cooperatively, and engaging empathetically with others. That includes a grasp of the curricular content as well as an ability to write well, speak well, and appreciate the elegance in a well-crafted argument. The learning environment is varied, diverse and comprised of a community of true peers, those who share a sense of curiosity and, while not being bookish, are inclined to academics and respond well to a challenge while appreciating support. Once here, they find those interests and curiosities shared and rewarded. "There's very little pressure to conform at a girls' school,” says an alumnus. “Being unique and having deep interests is what's considered cool.” The academics are not only strong, they have long provided an example that other schools have sought to emulate. That said, there’s a belief in being able to relax too—that it’s a journey, not a race, and that it’s as valuable to look around as it is to look forward. In terms of skills, outlook, and confidence, girls leave the school ready to take on the world. And they do.
here on OurKids.net, is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. Insights were gardnered by visiting the school and interviewing students, parents, faculty, and administrators.
This 50-page review of The Bishop Strachan School, published as a book and available to read in full,Read the Our Kids Featured Review of The Bishop Strachan School
International curriculum & programs at BSS: Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Focus | Religious-based |
---|---|
Academic | Christian (Anglican) |
If you want to learn more about faith-based education, check out our comprehensive guide.
If you want to learn more about Christian education, check out our comprehensive guide.
DIBELS Testing: This school does not use DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Evolution as consensus theory | |
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
Evolution is not taught |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Biology | |
Chemistry | |
Ecology | |
Geology | |
Meteorology | |
Physics | |
Physiology | |
Zoology |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Acting | |
Dance | |
Drama/Theatre | |
Graphic Design | |
Music | |
Visual Arts |
Expressive | |
Disciplined |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Computer science | |
Robotics | |
Web design |
Flexible pacing style | offered |
---|---|
Subject-streaming (tracking) | |
Multi-age classrooms as standard | |
Ability-grouping (in-class) as common | |
Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace) | |
Regular guided independent study opportunities | |
Differentiated assessment |
BSS offers no/limited support for students with learning difficulties or special needs.
Subject Type | offered |
---|---|
Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
Subject Type | offered |
---|---|
Accommodations | |
Modifications | |
Extra support |
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
Curriculum delivery: Enrichment (The main focus is on enrichment. This means that while students may work at a marginally quicker pace than public school peers, the primary aim is to study subject in broader and deeper ways.)
Program | offered |
---|---|
Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement) | |
Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement) | |
Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others) | |
Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement) | |
Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement) |
Lettered or numbered grades | Gr. 9 to Gr. 12 |
Prose (narrative)-based feedback | JK to Gr. 12 |
Parent-teacher meetings | JK to Gr. 12 |
Competitive sports: 14
Recreational sports: 4
The Bishop Strachan School offers 24 clubs and extracurricular programs.
JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
Day | $34,760 | |||||||||||||
Boarding (Domestic) | $62,975 | |||||||||||||
Boarding (International) | $65,850 |
Grade range that need-based aid is offered: | 7 to 12 |
Percentage of grade-eligible students receiving financial aid | 12% |
Average aid package size | $21,000 |
Percentage of total enrolment on financial aid | 8% |
Total aid available | $2,100,000 |
This school works with Apple Financial Inc. for processing financial applications
Financial assistance is a cornerstone of our commitment to providing inclusive and accessible education. Through tuition and program assistance, we support families who need extra help with costs, and our merit-based scholarships encourage and reward students who demonstrate exceptional academic, artistic, and athletic achievements. The Bishop Strachan School allocated $2.1 million in financial assistance for the 2021-22 school year. To learn more and for details about how to apply for our financial assistance programs, please visit the webpage listed above.
This renewable scholarship is awarded to up to six (6) Senior School (Grades 9 - 12) students (Rogers Scholars) based on their academic performance and contributions as engaged members at BSS or their previous school, demonstrated by traits of the Signature of a BSS Girl and participation in co-curricular activities, clubs, sports, teams, leadership positions, etc.
Each applicant must submit a proposal letter, clearly outlining:
Additional information about the applicant based on the scholarship criteria (i.e. leadership or service activity or involvement, awards, certificates, honours, transcript from their current school) must accompany the proposal letter.
Applicants must have a strong academic standing (at BSS or their previous school), achieving proficiency standing of 80% or above.
Letters of recommendation are welcome.
For more details, visit:https://www.bss.on.ca/admissions/financial-assistance--scholarshipsThis scholarship is awarded annually to the top new students entering Grade 7 based on current report cards and proposal letter.
Applicants must submit a proposal letter (500 words or less) indicating her intent to apply, including:
This scholarship is awarded to a new student who is entering either Grade 7 or 9 and who excels in any area of the arts, including fine arts, dance, drama or music.
Applicants must submit:
Please note that finalists may be asked to attend an interview or audition.
For more details, visit:https://www.bss.on.ca/admissions/financial-assistance--scholarshipsThis scholarship is awarded to a new student who is applying to Grade 9. Applicants should have a strong academic background with an interest in academics, arts or athletics, and require financial assistance.
Each applicant is required to submit:
Applicants will be required to complete the academic assessment administered during the admissions process. Please note that the results of the assessments are the property of BSS and will not be released to participating students or parents.
For more details, visit:https://www.bss.on.ca/admissions/financial-assistance--scholarshipsThis scholarship is awarded annually to a new student entering Grade 9.
Applicants must submit a proposal letter (500 words or less) that clearly states:
Letters of recommendation are welcome, but not required.
Applicants will be required to complete the academic assessment administered during the admissions process. Please note that the results of the assessments are the property of BSS and will not be released to participating students or parents.
For more details, visit:https://www.bss.on.ca/admissions/financial-assistance--scholarshipsThis scholarship is awarded to the top academic student entering Grade 3, as demonstrated by current report cards and admissions interview criteria.
No application required.
For more details, visit:https://www.bss.on.ca/admissions/financial-assistance--scholarshipsThis scholarship is awarded to a new or returning student, with preference given to the daughter or granddaughter of a BSS Old Girl.
Each applicant must submit a proposal letter (no more than 500 words) that clearly states:
Submission of additional information about the applicant based on the scholarship criteria may accompany the proposal letter (i.e. Old Girl connection, service actions or involvement, leadership).
Letters of recommendation from relevant sources are welcome but not required.
Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | JK to Gr. 12 | All girls | Day | 874 |
Group 2 | Gr. 8 to Gr. 12 | All girls | Boarding | 64 |
Total enrolment | 938 |
Average class size | 18 to 20 |
% of international students (total enrolment) | 30% |
Number of different nationalities within student population | 22 |
Five-day boarding program offered | N/A |
% in boarding (grade-eligible) | 13% |
JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Enrollment | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 40 | 80 | 80 | 110 | 114 | 114 | 114 |
Boarding Enrollment | 4 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 19 | |||||||||
Class Size | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Assessment | Required | Grades |
---|---|---|
Interview | JK - 11 | |
SSAT | ||
SSAT (out of province) | 7 - 11 | |
Entrance Exam(s) | JK - 11 | |
Entrance Essay | 7 - 11 |
Day students: December 01, 2021
Boarding students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry:
No
Application fee: $250
Registration fee: $8,500
Deposit:
$500
We welcome Day students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 11 and Boarding students from Grades 8 to 11 into our creative and challenging environment. Grade 12 applications are considered on a case-to-case basis. The path to BSS is an exciting one! Take the first step now.
STEP ONE - Connect With Us
Join one of our virtual events or visit our website to learn more about the enrolment process. Email [email protected] or call 416-483-4325, ext. 1220.
STEP TWO - Apply
Apply online. Applications are due by December 1, 2021.
STEP THREE - Submit Your Documentation
All supplementary documents will be uploaded through our online application system (myBSS). This way you’ll be able to track your progress through the application process. Check our website for specific requirements.
STEP FOUR - Book Your Interview and Assessment
This enables us to get to know you and your child, including her academic strengths and interests outside of school.
STEP FIVE - Offer
Independent schools in the Toronto area share a common offer date in February for Day applicants. This is the day you will hear from BSS with an enrolment decision. If your daughter is offered a place, you will have 5 days to accept. We encourage families to make the decision as quickly as possible, as we do keep an active waitlist and applicants may be considered for second-round offers.
This is the percentage of applicants typically accepted into the school. So if 50 students are admitted out of 100 applicants, the school has an overall acceptance rate of 50%.
Student Entry Points
This shows approximately how many openings there are likely to be in each grade in a typical year, as well as the estimated acceptance rate for each grade level.
Student Type | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 16 - 20 (65%) | 1 - 2 (50%) | 8 - 10 (50%) | 1 - 4 (40%) | 12 - 15 (60%) | 4 - 6 (45%) | 1 - 2 (30%) | 18 - 20 (50%) | 25 - 30 (40%) | 2 - 4 (30%) | 25 - 30 (40%) | 2 - 6 (25%) | 2 - 4 (21%) | 1 |
Boarding Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 0 | 4 - 6 (50%) | 10 - 16 (50%) | 6 - 10 (50%) | 2 - 4 (50%) | 0 |
Average graduating class size | 125 |
Students accepted into post-secondary studies upon graduation | N/A |
Percentage of students who attend post-secondary institutions outside of Canada | N/A |
Students who attended a Ivy+ school Number of students in the past 5 years that that attended one of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford or Cambridge (UK) | N/A |
The Bishop Strachan School Graduates’ Post-Secondary Studies:
This information is not currently available.Aggregate of All Schools’ Post-Secondary Studies:
Career planning | |
Internships |
Mentorship Program | |
University counseling |
Alumnus | Grad Year | Accomplishment |
---|---|---|
Beatrice Helen Worsley | 1939 | First female computer scientist in Canada. MIT and Cambridge grad. |
Margaret Wente | 1968 | Popular columnist for The Globe and Mail. National Newspaper Award winner for column-writing. |
Ann Southam | 1955 | Canadian composer and philanthropist. Member of the Order of Canada. |
Valerie Pringle | 1971 | Canadian television host and journalist |
Marjorie Pickthall | 1901 | Celebrated Canadian writer and poet |
Emily Murphy | 1886 | Famous Canadian women's rights activist: member of "The Famous Five". The first female judge in the British Empire. |
Lin Chi-ling | 1992 | Taiwanese model and actress. Official spokesperson for China Airlines and Longines. |
Kai (Alessia De Gasperis Brigante) | 2008 | Singer and songwriter signed to Warner Music Canada, with her first EP expected to be released in 2015. |
Laurie Holden | 1987 | Actress, producer, and human rights activist. Best known for her roles in "The X-Files", "Silent Hill", and "The Walking Dead", amongst others. |
Marina Endicott | 1976 | Award winning novelist and short story writer. Won the Commonwealth Writers Prize and was shortlisted for the Giller Prize and the Governor General's Literary Award. |
Margaret Campbell | 1930 | Liberal Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario) for the St. George riding, (Toronto). |
Thea Andrews | 1991 | Journalist and TV personality. Has been correspondent and host for ESPN, TSN, Entertainment Tonight, and other programs. |
Caroline Cameron | 2008 | Television Sportscaster for Sportsnet |
Larysa Kondraki | 1995 | Film Director and Sportswritier |
Anne Innis Dagg | 1951 | Zoologist and author. |
Angela Terpstra was principal of the Senior School for eleven years before becoming Head of School, and her goals for the girls of BSS reach beyond academic success. She places immense priority on cultivating compassionate, ethical citizens who exhibit kindness and generosity and value differences in religion, race, opinions, and ideas. She strives to engage girls with the outside world, and feels strongly that topical issues in the news have a very important place in the classrooms of BSS. Angela is inspired and activated by the idea of “private schools with public purpose,” and she strives to use the resources available in an independent school setting to lead the way in forward-thinking education for girls that teachers the world over can observe and learn from.
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