Schools Welcome:
Welcome to The Bishop Strachan School (BSS), Canada’s oldest independent day and boarding school for girls. We exist to inspire girls to be fearless and educate them to be leaders. We believe strongly in the power of the girls within these walls and their ability to change the world for the better. It’s not just a philosophy; it’s the basis of our curriculum and teaching approach. We believe in learning beyond the classroom, in big ideas and little victories, in solving real problems and inspiring new ways of doing things. And most of all, we believe in growth and discovery – even, and especially, in the face of life’s challenges. It’s how our girls find their voice, their drive, themselves.
Nearest Airport:
Toronto Pearson International Airport
BSS is Canada's oldest independent day and boarding school for girls. BSS was founded in 1867 and has helped generations of girls follow their dreams and develop powerful leaders.
There is a culture of powerful learning that exists at BSS. The focus on academics is supplemented with a strong sense of community, filled with co-curricular programmes and international exposure.
BSS is committed to being an innovator in the field of education, particularly in STEM. The technology the students use is adapted constantly to be effectively integrated into teaching and learning.
Athletics and physical fitness are an integral part of the BSS journey. A broad selection of school teams means students can represent BSS on the field, the court or the ice. Students can train and exercise in the BSS Fitness Centre, with access to treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical machines, weights and more, under the guidance of a qualified fitness professional.
The arts are abundant at BSS. Music, visual and media art, theatre, dance – are all an integral part of discovering oneself and BSS curriculum. The arts intersects seamlessly with academics at BSS and are a large part of the BSS co-curriculum programme. BSS is excited to help you uncover your talents and find your creative voice through music, dance, drama or media arts.
School Type: Boarding/Day
International Students accepted for: Boarding
Gender: Girls
Religion: Christian, other
Year Founded: 1867
International students accepted for: other
Boarding Grades: BSS Boarding welcomes Grade 8 to 12 students from Canada and around the world. Our girls create powerful friendships with peers and generate learning experiences that last a lifetime.
Day Grades: BSS has students starting in JK through to Grade 12. Our students are highly individual yet share an important objective: to explore every possibility for themselves at BSS.
Dress Code: BSS has a unique uniform that has a long history with the school. The uniform reflects our school colours of burgundy, grey and white.
Foreign Languages: French, Spanish, Mandarin
Entrance Dates: September
Length of stay: Full Year, Term/Semester upon request and depending on availability
Info: Special short term program offered for September - December or January - June. Note there is limited space in this program.
Application Deadlines: Rolling Admissions
Application Process: School Report, Teacher's Reference, Application Fee, Interview, Entrance Examination
Website: www.bss.on.ca
Facebook: thebishopstrachanschool
Instagram: thebishopstrachanschool
Location: City
Info: BSS is located on seven acres in a residential area in the heart of Toronto. With a diverse student body, BSS is home to students from around the world. BSS offers a full co-curricular programme, that extends from student leadership, the arts, athletics to academic teams. Our campus is a true intersection of old and new, with our main building an architectural icon constructed in 1915, connected to our modern, bright and functional Junior School built in 2004, attached to a new wing opened in 2017.
Number of courses / system: Non-semestered
Enrolment Total: 910
Enrolment Day Students: 835
Enrolment Boarding students: 75
Enrolment International Students:
Countries represented: BSS has a diverse community with students coming to us from Canada, the Caribbean, China, Japan, Nigeria, Europe, Caribbean, the Middle East, Mexico and USA.
Average class size: 18-20
Student/Teacher Ratio: 1:12
Academics: At BSS, we believe that students arrive competent and capable, and will, through their experience in the academic program, develop the following attributes: a Growth Mindset, an understanding of Ethical Citizenship, Curiosity, Self-Awareness, Grit, their own Voice, and Leadership.
AP-Courses: BSS offers AP courses in biology, calculus, chemistry, Chinese, English language, English literature, French language, physics, statistics, macroeconomics and microeconomics. BSS was one of the first schools in Canada to be invited to participate as a part of the AP Capstone Pilot. This program from the College Board equips students with skills that are increasingly valued by universities.
Support Programs: At BSS, our students are well supported in everything they do. Counsellors are experienced in encouraging students to recognize their own interests and aptitudes, and explore a variety of career paths. As well, Teacher Advisory Groups (TAGs) provide students with additional support in Grades 8 to 12. Students are assigned to a staff member who will be their advisors throughout their life at BSS.
Summer Programs: Summer Academy at BSS is an exceptional way to get ahead, catch up or explore something completely different. We welcome students entering Grades 8 to 12 – boys and girls from across Ontario and beyond – to our beautiful campus every summer for outstanding learning in four-week Credit Courses and one-week Skills Programs.
Specialized Programs: Advanced Placement, OSSD, Summer Programs, Trips
Accomodation: Dormitory
International Seven Day Boarding Tuition | CAD 62,250 | EUR 42194,81 |
International Day Tuition | CAD 32,860 | EUR 22273,44 |
Extra Fees | Registration Fee (one time only, non-refundable): $8,500 Continuing Deposit (refundable): $500 Health Insurance (for non Canadian residents): $552 | |
Tuition Refund Plan | Yes | |
Payment Plans | Yes |
Health Insurance: mandatory
Please note that the school and program description is very much reduced. All information, in particular on the fee-structure, is based on the information provided by the individual Canadian school and is subject to change / as at: 08/2021