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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. The Program and Health and Safety Plans found in the link below 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 for 2020/21:
Grades | Living Arrangement | 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
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
Program | offered |
---|---|
Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
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 | $32,860 | |||||||||||||
Boarding (Domestic) | $59,530 | |||||||||||||
Boarding (International) | $62,250 |
Grade range that need-based aid is offered: | 7 to 12 |
Percentage of grade-eligible students receiving financial aid | 10% |
Average aid package size | $15,000 |
Percentage of total enrolment on financial aid | 7% |
Total aid available | $1,600,000 |
This school works with Apple Financial Inc. for processing financial applications
Our scholarships and tuition assistance programs are designed to encourage and reward students who demonstrate exceptional achievements in specific areas, and to support families who need extra help with costs. Every year The Bishop Strachan School provides over $1.5 million to families in support of their education goals. To learn more and for details about how to apply for our financial assistance programs, please visit the webpage listed above.
The Edward S. Rogers Family Scholarship, at $5000.00, is awarded to a new or returning student. This is applied against School fees each year until the student graduates, provided the student continues to achieve proficiency standing (80% and above) and actively participates in School life. Preference is given to the children of families who are involved in service to their local communities or religious institutions, or who are either elected public officials or active in a political party which has representation in the House of Commons. Student leadership and co-curricular involvement are also important.
For more details, visit:bss.on.ca/apply/scholarshipsThis scholarship is awarded annually to the top new student who is entering Grade 7. This is awarded based on current reports and letters of intent. The value of the scholarship is $4,250 and will be applied against school fees. Learn more on our website.
For more details, visit:bss.on.ca/apply/scholarshipsThis scholarship is awarded to a new student each year who is entering either Grade 7 or 9 who excels in any area of the Arts, including Fine Arts, Drama and/or Music. The value of this scholarship is $4,520 and will be applied against school fees. Visit our website for more information.
For more details, visit:bss.on.ca/apply/scholarshipsThere are two entrance scholarships available. One for new and/or returning students and one for new students only. The John C. Rykert Memorial Scholarship is valued at $2,500 and gives preference to the daughter or granddaughter of a BSS Old Girl. The BSS Foundation Entrance Scholarship $4,250 is awarded to the top new student entering Grade 9. Visit our website for more details.
For more details, visit:bss.on.ca/apply/scholarshipsThe 21st Century Scholarship will be awarded to a student applying to Grade 9 at The Bishop Strachan School. The applicant should be a strong academic student with a special talent or interest in Academics, the Arts or Athletics, and who requires financial assistance. The scholarship, with a value up to $20,000.00, will be awarded to the student each year she attends the school, provided she continues to achieve proficiency standing (80% and above) and actively participates in School life. If the student requires additional funding, bursary money will be awarded, based on need. The awarding of this scholarship will be based on the results of the entrance assessments, documented excellence in her area of expertise, and a proposal letter, written by the student. The proposal letter should include what the student has done, what the scholarship would mean to her, and what she can contribute to the life of the School.
For more details, visit:bss.on.ca/apply/scholarshipsGrades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | JK to Gr. 12 | All girls | Day | 846 |
Group 2 | Gr. 8 to Gr. 12 | All girls | Boarding | 74 |
Total enrolment | 920 |
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 03, 2019
Boarding students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry:
No
Application fee: $250
Registration fee: $8,500
Deposit:
$4,500
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 - CONNECTION
Contact us or visit the school website to arrange a campus visit or to learn more about the enrolment process. Email [email protected] or call 416-483-4325, ext. 1220
STEP TWO
Apply online. Apply now. Applications are due by December 3, 2019.
STEP THREE -
All the 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 for each grade.
STEP FOUR - INTERVIEW
We will arrange for an interview (1.5 hrs) so girls and parents applying can meet a member of our Student Recruiting Team and experience a personalized tour of the school with one of our Student Ambassadors.
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 the place. We encourage families to make the decision as quickly as possible, as we do keep an active waitpool 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 - 18 (50%) | 1 - 2 (50%) | 1 - 2 (25%) | 1 | 16 - 18 (50%) | 2 - 4 (30%) | 1 - 2 (30%) | 1 - 2 (10%) | 28 - 36 (30%) | 2 - 4 (30%) | 20 - 26 (25%) | 2 - 4 (25%) | 2 - 4 (15%) | 1 |
Boarding Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 0 | 4 - 6 (50%) | 10 - 16 (50%) | 2 - 4 (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 |
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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