Boarding Life

Boarding students at The Bishop Strachan School enjoy a supportive and nurturing community, with entry beginning in Grade 8 and continuing through Grade 12. Unlike many other boarding institutions, BSS has a smaller proportion of boarders who often join in Grades 8, 9, and 11. Families and graduates highlight the school's cultural diversity, which fosters empathy and intellectual growth.

Page Contents

Insider community voices
Facts and analysis
Qualitative insights
- The boarding experience offers a comforting and supportive community.
- Cultural diversity nurtures empathy and intellectual growth.

Insider community voices

Hear directly from The Bishop Strachan School community as they share insights into the Boarding Life.

Alum

Monika Steger

Reflects on experiences with the boarding program.

Facts and analysis

Boarding Population

The Bishop Strachan School has 70 boarding students, which is 7% of its total enrollment.

Boarding students make up a smaller share of the student body at The Bishop Strachan School (BSS) than other boarding schools we cover.

Breakdown by grade

Grade	Boarding students as a percentage of total enrollment per grade
Grade	The Bishop Strachan School	Median of all other boarding schools
Gr. 8	5%	19%
Gr. 9	11%	40%
Gr. 10	14%	48%
Gr. 11	18%	53%
Gr. 12	10%	60%

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

The Bishop Strachan School offers boarding for students in Grades 8 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	The Bishop Strachan School	Median of all other boarding schools
Gr. 8	4	5
Gr. 9	15	26
Gr. 10	18	28
Gr. 11	24	20
Gr. 12	12	11

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

The Bishop Strachan School admits the largest number of new boarding students in Grade(s) 8, 9 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	The Bishop Strachan School	Median of all other boarding schools
Gr. 8	3 - 6	4
Gr. 9	10 - 16	9
Gr. 10	4 - 6	8
Gr. 11	5 - 8	11
Gr. 12	-	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.

The boarding experience offers a comforting and supportive community.

Accounts from boarders and faculty indicate that life at BSS goes beyond academics, offering students a nurturing environment akin to a second family, where comfort and strong support systems are integral to their boarding experience.

I was a boarder, which means that during my time there, BSS was my entire life. I remember I would periodically have this realization that I was just so comfortable and content with every facet of my life at BSS — whether it be how confident and unafraid I felt to speak up in class and ask questions, or how strong the relationships I formed with my peers and teachers were, or most importantly, how ‘at home’ I felt in boarding. BSS provided me with the best ‘second family’ a girl could ask for.

—Ashley, alum (see full discussion)

For me, what differentiates BSS is the support for the students that is available — whether it be mental health support or academic support, it’s all there, and it’s always available. I know as a boarder, we got special priority, because we were living there 24/7. But you can reach out to your teachers past school hours; they might not respond right away, but they will always be there, and have a response for you as soon as they possibly can.

—Stephanie, alum (see full discussion)

Boarding starts a bit later in middle school, but the girls have had many opportunities to interact with the boarders, see where they live, and even ask: “Can I do this when I’m older?” It’s a 24-hour community, which has been amazing.

—SONA SHAH, parent (see full interview)

If BSS were a person, I would describe its personality as ‘loving’. I felt this especially in the boarding community, because we’re living there 24/7. The whole entire BSS community is loving, but for boarding students specifically, it’s a home away from home, and it doesn’t feel like that at all — sometimes it simply feels like your first home, and you don’t want to leave it.

—Stephanie, alum (see full discussion)

Cultural diversity nurtures empathy and intellectual growth.

Observations from students and alumni suggest that BSS's international boarding program creates a diverse environment, encouraging students to develop both a global perspective and an appreciation for different cultures, which enhances their empathy and intellectual development.

Heading to university [...] I’ve just been so well prepared, especially with the study skills that boarding teaches you. Because, as a boarding student, I have mandatory study periods every day for a certain amount of time. It really builds that routine and self-discipline in your own academics.

—Ashley, alum (see full discussion)

Especially being in the boarding school program—when I was there, people came from over 20 countries—and so learning about different cultures and having a global perspective of things, and being really able to be in other folks’ shoes, and seeing things from their perspective, I learned that at a young age. And I think that ability to see where other folks are coming from and having empathy, and that has really helped me through my career.

—Wendy Sun, alum (see full interview)

One of the things I noticed right off the bat was the willingness from all the staff, teachers, and even the student leadership community to support people not as used to Canadian culture. There was a lot of cultural shock, but BSS being a boarding school with experience in supporting students from diverse backgrounds and cultural experiences really helped me. Even with all the support, cultural shift is hard, especially when there's a language barrier, but the school provided the environment and resources that made it easier for me.

—Tiffany Lee, alum (see full discussion)

My cohort was very friendly and welcoming. There were approximately 220 students in our graduating class, I believe, and everyone knew each other by name. This is thanks to the school holding different class events that mixed the grade beyond the classroom. There is a great deal of diversity amongst the students. Including international diversity thanks to the boarding program. It is inevitable for a student to be exposed to backgrounds unique from their own which is very different from schools that base acceptance on geographic catchment in the city or religion. There is no one type of person that embodies the BSS girl in my opinion but if I had to name some qualities of a BSS student they would be friendly, outgoing and achievement oriented.

—Allison Smith, alum (1990-2001) (see full review)

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Boarding Life

Page Contents

Insider community voices

Monika Steger

Facts and analysis

Boarding Population

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

Boarding grades

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

ENTRY GRADES FOR BOARDING

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

Qualitative insights

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My Shortlist

BUILD YOUR SHORTLIST

EVALUATE YOUR SCHOOLS

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Boarding Life

Page Contents

Insider community voices

Monika Steger

Facts and analysis

Boarding Population

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

Boarding grades

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

ENTRY GRADES FOR BOARDING

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

Qualitative insights

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