Top 20 Boarding Schools In Canada And Fees (2026)

Posted on Author Desmond Abah

Canada is home to some of the world’s finest boarding schools—institutions known for academic excellence, multicultural communities, innovative teaching, and strong student support systems. Parents from across the globe choose Canada because of its safe environment, world-class education, and pathways to top universities.

In this guide, we explore the top boarding schools in Canada, what makes them outstanding, and their estimated tuition and boarding fees for international and domestic students. This list helps parents compare options and find the school that best suits their child’s academic goals, personal growth, and future opportunities.

Top Boarding Schools in Canada and Fees

1. Upper Canada College (Toronto, Ontario)

Upper Canada College (UCC), founded in 1829, is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the country. It offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and is known for academic rigor, global citizenship, and strong alumni networks.

Programs: IB MYP & IB DP, leadership, athletics, arts
Annual Fees: CAD $65,000 – $82,000 (boarding)
Why It Stands Out: World-class IB program, strong university placements, historic reputation

2. St. Andrew’s College (Aurora, Ontario)

St. Andrew’s College (SAC) is an all-boys boarding school recognized for its leadership programs and elite athletics. The school provides AP courses and excellent student support.

Programs: AP courses, STEM labs, athletics, leadership
Annual Fees: CAD $52,000 – $75,000
Why It Stands Out: Strong sports culture, leadership training, highly structured environment

3. Ridley College (St. Catharines, Ontario)

Ridley College is a co-educational school with students from more than 60 countries. It offers both the IB program and Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Programs: IB PYP, MYP, DP, arts, competitive sports
Annual Fees: CAD $65,000 – $80,000
Why It Stands Out: Strong global diversity, excellent arts and athletics

4. Appleby College (Oakville, Ontario)

Appleby College is known for its experiential learning, exceptional STEM programs, and robust outdoor education curriculum.

Programs: AP courses, STEM innovation labs, arts
Annual Fees: CAD $80,000 – $90,000
Why It Stands Out: Modern campus, focus on leadership and technology-driven learning

5. Bishop’s College School (Sherbrooke, Quebec)

BCS is one of Canada’s oldest boarding schools, offering a bilingual (English/French) environment. It is known for its small community and personalized learning.

Programs: Bilingual academics, athletics, outdoor education
Annual Fees: CAD $55,000 – $73,000
Why It Stands Out: Bilingual advantage, intimate learning atmosphere

6. Brentwood College School (Mill Bay, British Columbia)

Brentwood College is famous for its oceanfront campus and strong rowing, arts, and academic programs.

Programs: AP courses, liberal arts, athletics
Annual Fees: CAD $70,000 – $85,000
Why It Stands Out: West Coast environment, strong arts and sports culture

7. Shawnigan Lake School (Vancouver Island, BC)

Shawnigan Lake offers a picturesque campus, outstanding sports programs, and a balanced academic structure.

Programs: STEM, fine arts, athletics, outdoor activities
Annual Fees: CAD $70,000 – $90,000
Why It Stands Out: Large campus, elite sports, leadership training

8. Rothesay Netherwood School (New Brunswick)

A UNESCO-affiliated school known for global citizenship, service learning, and advanced academic preparation.

Programs: IB DP, athletics, outdoor experiences
Annual Fees: CAD $50,000 – $70,000
Why It Stands Out: Service-based learning philosophy and strong community values

9. King’s-Edgehill School (Nova Scotia)

Canada’s first IB school with long-standing traditions of academic excellence and character development.

Programs: IB MYP, IB DP, arts, sports
Annual Fees: CAD $50,000 – $68,000
Why It Stands Out: Strong tradition, small class sizes, structured learning

10. St. Michaels University School (Victoria, British Columbia)

SMUS is one of the top-ranked boarding schools in BC, offering strong academic, arts, and athletic programs.

Programs: AP courses, leadership, fine arts
Annual Fees: CAD $65,000 – $75,000
Why It Stands Out: Balanced academics and extracurricular excellence

11. Lakefield College School (Lakefield, Ontario)

Situated on 315 acres of natural landscape, Lakefield is known for outdoor learning, a close-knit community, and strong university counselling.

Programs: Outdoor education, AP courses, leadership
Annual Fees: CAD $70,000 – $80,000
Why It Stands Out: Nature-focused education with high academic standards

12. Pickering College (Newmarket, Ontario)

A co-ed boarding school focusing on global leadership and character development with excellent arts and media programs.

Programs: Leadership, media studies, arts
Annual Fees: CAD $60,000 – $75,000
Why It Stands Out: Focus on global citizenship and communication

13. Albert College (Belleville, Ontario)

Albert College is known for its “Five A’s”: Academics, Arts, Athletics, Active Citizenship, and Adventure.

Programs: AP courses, arts, athletics
Annual Fees: CAD $55,000 – $70,000
Why It Stands Out: Holistic development approach

14. Queen Margaret’s School (Duncan, BC)

QMS offers a unique equestrian program along with strong academics and leadership development.

Programs: Equestrian training, arts, academics
Annual Fees: CAD $55,000 – $70,000
Why It Stands Out: Rare horseback riding curriculum with strong academics

15. Stanstead College (Stanstead, Quebec)

Known for discipline, hockey excellence, and strong academic outcomes.

Programs: Bilingual academics, sports, STEM
Annual Fees: CAD $55,000 – $75,000
Why It Stands Out: Elite sports and close-knit environment

16. Trinity College School (Port Hope, Ontario)

One of Canada’s oldest co-ed boarding schools with rich traditions and modern teaching methods.

Programs: AP, arts, athletics
Annual Fees: CAD $70,000 – $80,000
Why It Stands Out: Outdoor learning, heritage campus, strong academics

17. Crescent School (Toronto, Ontario – Boys)

Although more known as a day school, Crescent offers limited boarding partnerships and is still worth noting for its leadership programs.

Programs: Leadership, STEM, robotics
Approximate Fees: CAD $35,000 – $45,000 (day); boarding via partners
Why It Stands Out: Top boys’ school with strong academic results

18. Havergal College (Toronto – Girls)

One of Canada’s top girls’ schools offering limited boarding, known for excellence in academics and leadership.

Programs: STEM, arts, humanities
Fees: CAD $60,000 – $70,000
Why It Stands Out: Empowerment-focused education for girls

19. Branksome Hall (Toronto – Girls)

A top IB school for girls with a strong focus on wellness, global citizenship, and academic achievement.

Programs: IB PYP, MYP, DP
Annual Fees: CAD $70,000 – $90,000
Why It Stands Out: One of the best IB girls’ schools globally

20. Mulgrave School (Vancouver, BC – Limited Boarding Options)

A leading IB school with innovation labs, global outreach programs, and strong arts and STEM.

Programs: Full IB Continuum
Fees: CAD $60,000 – $80,000
Why It Stands Out: Exceptional IB performance and technology integration

Why Choose a Boarding School in Canada?

Canadian boarding schools stand out for several reasons:

  • High academic standards aligned with global expectations

  • Safe, multicultural campuses that promote global citizenship

  • Access to AP, IB, STEM, arts, and sports programs

  • University counselling pathways to Harvard, MIT, Oxford, UBC, Toronto, McGill, and more

  • Holistic development, leadership, and character-building

  • Smaller class sizes, ensuring personalised learning

  • Stable political and social environment

Whether you want a school with a strong academic focus, elite sports programs, or creative arts excellence, the country offers diverse options.

How to Choose the Right Boarding School in Canada

When evaluating boarding schools, consider the following:

1. Academic Track Record

Check graduation rates, IB/AP results, and university placement lists.

2. School Culture

Is it traditional, liberal, athletic, or arts-focused?

3. Special Programs

Examples include:

  • Robotics and STEM

  • Rowing, hockey, or equestrian

  • IB/AP courses

  • Outdoor education

4. Student Support

Mental health services, counselling, English language support, and learning assistance.

5. Location

Urban vs rural, proximity to airports, climate differences.

6. Budget

Boarding fees vary from CAD $50,000 – $95,000 per year.

Conclusion

Canada’s boarding schools offer world-class education, safe environments, and opportunities that prepare students for global success. Whether you prefer an IB-focused school, an arts-oriented institution, an elite sports academy, or a well-rounded academic environment, the options in this list provide a strong starting point.