Top 6 girls only schools in Toronto, Ontario

It is now believed that girls and boys learn differently, that each of them thrives in different learning environments. Girls' schools around the world build on this understanding, focusing on the social, emotional and academic needs of girls in their educational approach: it gives girls the tools they need to learn effectively, the opportunity to develop strong friendships and self-confidence. Many girls' schools offer math, science, and technology programs designed specifically for female students, not to mention freedom from gender stereotypes associated with these subjects.

The oldest independent boarding school for girls in Canada is Bishop Strachan School, founded in Toronto in 1867. In Canadian education, girls' schools have been at the forefront of personal growth and self-expression, and throughout their history they have sought to provide opportunities for every girl to understand who she is, to find her place in the world, to become an independent young woman, and to learn leadership skills.

Despite advancements in women's rights, traditional gender roles are often inadvertently reinforced in academic and extracurricular settings. For example, science and technology are typically more actively taught to boys, while English and the arts are often geared more towards girls. Various aspects of student life, such as track and field training and proms, can also reinforce these traditional roles and expectations.

Research by the National Association for Choice in Education (NACE) and other organizations has shown that girls in single-gender environments are more likely to engage in subjects traditionally seen as "unconventional" for them, such as the sciences. Unlike boys, girls can see new areas of opportunity, aided by the presence of female mentors and role models. For instance, girls are more likely to join a robotics club when they don't face the risk of being the only girl in the room or when participation is not seen as a form of defiance. This approach isn't about isolation, but rather providing space for greater freedom of interests, involvement, and individuality.

In Ontario, there are 15 schools for girls, six of which are in Toronto. The largest among them is Havergal Ladies' College, catering to 1050 students in grades 10 to 12. The faculty there focuses on skills necessary for excellent education and new methodologies, integrating best practices and technological advances. They've developed an innovative approach to the humanities curriculum, which includes:

• Arts (visual, drama, dance, multimedia arts, and music)
• Business education
• English
• Health and physical education
• Languages (French, Latin, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese)
• Mathematics
• Natural sciences
• Social sciences
• Technological education
• An extensive athletics program (offering a wide range of courses and collaborative learning options)

Toronto’s schools for girls also offer advanced courses in biology, calculus, statistics, French, and Spanish, introducing students to university-level material.

• Trafalgar Castle School
• Branksome Hall School
• Havergal College
• Bishop Strachan School
• Convoy International Secondary School.