Branksome Hall School
Description of Branksome Hall School
- Location: Toronto, Canada,
- Year founded: 1903,
- Number of students: About 900,
- Language of instruction: English,
- Type of schooling: girls only.
Branksome Hall is a leading and independent boarding schools in Ontario for girls accredited to teach International Baccalaureate (IB) programs from pre-kindergarten through high school graduation. The institution's campus is located in the heart of Toronto, Canada's largest city.
Branksome Hall is known for a strong academic program that fosters collaborative, critical thinking skills and provides unparalleled preparation for university. Through early education, which begins at age 4 and continues through to age 18, students achieve their goals, gain competitive skills, and enter top universities in Europe.
The number of students at the school exceeds the mark of 900 girls, and about 50 of them (from 12 to 18 years old) live in a comfortable boarding house on the campus in the center of Toronto. With a fairly large student body, the school has medium-sized classes of up to 20-22 students.
Extracurricular life at the school is as varied as academic life: the House-Club system, inspired by the institution's Scottish heritage, brings students from all over the world together. Theme clubs, regular activities, sports competitions, and much more await Branksome Hall students throughout the year.
What aspects and criteria do parents consider when choosing a school, in addition to academic success?
Accommodation conditions, sports opportunities, catering and additional clubs and clubs organized by the school, proximity to the school of residences or host families are very important.
Things to know about
Branksome Hall has partnered with a school located on Jeju Island, South Korea. Through this partnership and many others, students of the institutions participate in exchange training programs. For example, students in grades 10-11 recently returned from an internship in Costa Rica, which is organized annually.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Branksome Hall School
Middle Years Program IB, IB Middle Years Program
- The age range is up to 12 to 15 years old,
- Four years of schooling.
The Middle Years Program (MYP), designed for teens in grades 7 through 10, engages students in a liberal arts program that provides a solid foundation for further study in all disciplines. The program teaches students basic skills and shows students their unique strengths and areas for growth.
The curriculum focuses on the comprehensive development of the girl and includes disciplines such as:
- Art (Drama, Music, Visual Arts),
- English,
- Mathematics,
- Science,
- Technology,
- Physical Education,
- Humanities.
- Foreign Language.
Students improve critical thinking skills, teamwork, useful habits, independence and organizational skills. By the end of their education they are ready to move on to a more rigorous high school academic program.
Primary Years Program IB
- Age - up to 11 years,
- The term of study is six years.
Primary classes are the start of training under the International Baccalaureate program. From the kindergarten department that is included in primary school to the sixth grade, the PYP program creates a solid base of knowledge and skills that are important for the development of the student as an individual and researcher.
The curriculum has been developed and revised on the basis of the latest research on child development and how they learn. It consists of five main elements, which are emphasized:
- Concept
- Skills
- Knowledge
- Relations
- Action.
On the basis of these elements, important life topics are studied:
- Who we are,
- Where we are: places and times,
- As we express ourselves,
- How the world works,
- How we organize ourselves,
- Resource sharing.
Junior school awakens in young pupils an interest in learning and joy in learning new things, which remain with them for life. Caring teachers create a relaxed atmosphere, combining games, research, experimentation and live communication in the classroom - all that children need at an early age.
IB Diploma Programme
- Age - up to 16 to 18 years,
- The term of study is two years.
In grades 11 and 12, there is an even greater emphasis on autonomy and critical thinking skills. Students actually plan their own program, choosing from a range of courses in the humanities and sciences, mathematics, arts, and electives. Guidance consultants and learning strategy specialists provide support at every stage.
In Grade 12, students in the Diploma Program submit an extended 4,000-word essay on a topic of special individual interest. It will perfectly serve as a filling of the portfolio and will give an advantage when entering the university. In addition to this elective, the curriculum will be diluted with the following:
- Theory of knowledge
Theory of Knowledge is an interdisciplinary course designed to stimulate critical thinking and reflection. Students come to understand different points of view and how a person's background can affect their perception of truth.
- Creativity, Activism, Service (CAS)
The course encourages female graduates to engage in art, physical activity, and serve others outside of campus. Over the course of two years, they have been involved in three areas of CAS, developing their horizons and skills, sharing energy and talents.
Summer Day Camp
- Age - up to 4 to 12 years,
- The duration of training is from one week.
Summer day camps are a great way to have a fun and effective vacation. The institution offers exciting programs for students of different ages:
- 4-5 years: creation, ecology, geography, STEM and others,
- 6-7 years old: basketball, creativity, dance, engineering, multisport, swimming, science,
- 8-10 years old: basketball, programming with Minecraft, art, dance, robotics, football and others,
- 10-12 years old: water sports, robotics, photography, theatrical art.
In the daytime, students are on the campus of the school, using all its modern infrastructure: classrooms, outdoor and indoor sports grounds, swimming pools, laboratories and recreation areas.
You can study according to the summer camp program during the entire time of its holding: from 1 to 8 weeks. The price includes all the necessary services: meals, classes, entertainment, care for younger children and much more.
Accommodation, meals, prices
This comfortable residence offers accommodations for students in grades 7 through 12. It has prepared:
- Single, double, and triple bedrooms. Students may have one or two roommates, depending on their grade, and room assignment is taken into consideration,
- A comfortable student lounge with TV, video and board games,
- Separate and shared toilets,
- Laundry facilities,
- Fully equipped kitchen,
- Wireless Internet access in every room during daytime free time, evening study time, and on weekends. The boarding house does not use technology/gadgets at mealtimes or before bedtime to teach girls how to rest and plan their day properly.
- Residents are provided with a balanced and healthy three meals a day. Daytime students have access to the cafeteria at lunchtime. Menus vary from class to class, as different ages require a certain balance of nutritious foods.
The residence hall staff provides a high level of care and attention, being available at all times along with the school nurses. The residence is open throughout the academic year, excluding the two-week winter, spring and summer breaks. The residential staff organizes tours and activities to build community and spread the word about the Canadian experience.
Subjects, specialties
Activities Branksome Hall School
The variety of opportunities for developing your interests, hobbies and horizons, finding new friends and impressions is striking in its globality: more than 80 thematic clubs, 15 sports teams, participation in community initiatives, trips and events perfectly complement the strong academic program of the school.
Junior, middle and senior classes participate in the Houses program, which represents eight clans named after the institution's Scottish roots. For generations, the division into clans has been an occasion for friendly sports competitions, charitable activities, strengthening the spirit and passing on traditions. Students like to belong to a particular clan – a small group of the school community that keeps the school spirit alive and brings together students from all over the world.
Students moving from junior to middle and high school will be automatically enrolled in a sister high school clan. Clan placement is also determined by the sister's clan if she is already studying at Branksome Hall.
Some of the themed clubs for younger pupils:
- Ballet
- Animation club,
- Chorus
- Scrapbooking Creative Memories,
- Portraiture,
- Tennis.
The following leisure activities are open to middle and high school students:
- Dance team,
- Drama
- Jazz choir,
- Animal Rights Club,
- Culinary Society,
- Heterosexual Alliance,
- Geography
- Spanish.
The sports center, headed by qualified and experienced teachers, provides students with the opportunity not only to maintain physical fitness, but also to start a career in one of the sports: volleyball, hockey, swimming, tennis and others.
Counselors who live in the boarding house next door to the students organize a variety of activities:
- Saturday afternoons are off-campus excursions to explore Toronto and Canadian culture. Students and staff will explore local attractions: museums, art galleries, nature trails or sporting events, as well as take part in community service,
- On Sunday afternoons - activities on campus aimed at relieving stress and taking a break from homework: Hawaiian hula dancing, origami, yoga and others,
- On a long weekend , visit the campus of Toronto University, McGill University in Montreal and Queen's University in Kingston. These day trips are an invaluable way to get to know university life and get a better understanding of what works best when choosing a higher education.
Advantages
- Accreditation to teach International Baccalaureate (IB) programs,
- Financial aid fund of more than $1,500,000CAD per year,
- International students from more than 13 countries,
- 125 qualified faculty, 43% of whom have advanced degrees,
- 100% of graduates become Ontario Scholars,
- A diverse recreational program.
Facilities and equipment at Branksome Hall School
The variety of opportunities to develop their interests, hobbies and horizons, find new friends and experiences is amazingly global: more than 80 theme clubs, 15 sports teams, participation in community initiatives, trips and events perfectly complement the school's strong academic program.
Junior, middle and high school students participate in the House program, which represents eight clans named after the institution's Scottish roots. For generations, the clan division has been an occasion for friendly athletic competitions, charitable activities, spirit building and passing on traditions. Students like to belong to a particular clan, a small group of the school community that maintains school spirit and unites students from around the world.
Students transitioning from junior high to middle and high school will automatically be enrolled in the high school's sister clan. Clan placement is also determined by a sibling's clan if she is already enrolled in Branksome Hall.
Some of the themed clubs for junior female students are:
- Ballet,
- Cartoon Club,
- Choir,
- Scrapbooking Creative Memories,
- Portrait Painting,
- Big tennis.
The following recreational activities are open to middle and high school students:
- Dance Team,
- Drama,
- Jazz Choir,
- Animal Rights Club,
- Culinary Society,
- Heterosexual Alliance,
- Geography,
- Spanish.
The Sports Center, led by qualified and experienced teachers, gives the students the opportunity not only to keep fit, but also to start a career in one of the sports: volleyball, hockey, swimming, tennis and others.
Counselors, who live in the boarding house next door to the students, organize many activities:
- Off-campus excursions on Saturday afternoons to explore Toronto and Canadian culture. Students and staff will explore local attractions such as museums, art galleries, nature trails or sporting events, and take part in community service activities,
- Sundays afternoons - on-campus activities designed to relieve stress and relax from homework: Hawaiian hula dancing, origami, yoga and more,
- Long weekends include campus visits to the Universities of Toronto, McGill in Montreal, and Queen's University in Kingston. These day trips are an invaluable way to experience university life and better understand what's best for your choice of higher education.
Admission dates and extra charges
Tuition fees with accommodation for the academic year are:
- 8-10 class = 57 130 CAD
- 10-12 class = 59 630 CAD.
Please note that there are some additional fees not included in the program's basic cost:
- Registration fee = 7500 CAD
- Compulsory school uniform = 800 CAD
- Air tickets in both directions
- Trips and excursions = from 400 CAD to 800 CAD
- Additional lessons (if necessary) = 200-250 CAD
- Teaching aids, books and materials, literature = from 500 CAD
- Visa registration
- Supporting course for international students ESL = 2850-3500 CAD
- Personal laptop rental = 2000 CAD
- Medical insurance = 800 CAD.
Extras:
- Registration fee (for a programme/course) 8500 CAD
Enrolment process
The admission procedure for new candidates combines online registration and passing entrance tests on campus. Applicants need to fill out an online form and provide the required documents, then get feedback from the admissions committee and apply for a visa. Applicants also undergo face-to-face and family interviews in person or online.
Enrolment statistics
Training takes place in small classes, so the admission of new students is limited. Approximate figures for annual enrollment by grade:
- First: 14 people,
- Second and third: up to 8,
- Fourth: 4,
- Seventh: up to 40,
- Ninth: up to 22,
- Tenth: 8-10,
- Eleventh: 6-10 people.
Perspectives
Graduates receive competitive knowledge and a diploma that helps them continue their educational path at top universities around the world. Within a year after the end of the program at Branksome Hall, according to statistics, students enter the universities of their choice and deserve entrance scholarships in the amount of more than $ 1,500,000 CAD.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
To apply as a full-time student and start in September, applicants must register by December 1. To enroll in the residential program, the staff recommends applying 6-10 months before the start of the school year, which begins in September.
Enrollment is open in all classes except fifth and sixth. The primary years of enrollment for new students are grades 1-3, 7 and 9.
Applicants must provide personal documents and individual achievement (if available) for admission to the elementary groups. Entrance criteria for middle school students:
- Personal documents: passport, health insurance,
- Report cards for the past two years,
- Math and English tests,
- Letters of Recommendation from math and English teachers,
- Past school projects,
- Any awards, certificates, proof of scholarships and other individual accomplishments,
- Two-minute introductory video: learning goals, achievements, brief description of interests.
In addition to these items, high school students must submit their SSAT scores or prepare to take them on campus.
Scholarships Branksome Hall School
Branksome Hall offers need-based financial aid to students in grades 7-12. It is provided in the form of a reduction in tuition fees.
Merit-based scholarships are also available to students:
- Wendy Wilson and Gillian Lawson Scholarship and Hallward Scholarship
Provide full tuition coverage for a potentially successful new student entering the 7th or 9th grade day program. One of the factors of its accrual is the case when the applicant would not be able to pay for his studies on his own.
- Entrance Merit Scholarships Award
It is awarded in recognition of academic success and participation of a student in grades 7-9 in joint activities = $ 11,230 CAD in the first year of study.
- Arts & Innovation Fellowship
For new students enrolled in grades 7-11 = $ 6600 CAD in the first year of study.
- Branksome Hall Values
It is given to new students in grades 7-11 as a sign that the student adheres to the values of the institution in everyday life = $ 3965 CAD in the first year of study.
- Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS)
For new students entering grades 7-9, it is awarded to those who are successful in creativity, service and vigorous activity = $ 6600 in the first year of study.
- IB Scholarship
For those who have just entered grades 7-11 and meet the requirements: research, knowledge, thinking, communication, principles, open-mindedness, care, risk, balance and thoughtfulness = $ 3965.
- Maple Leaf
Covers the cost of living in the residence of Canadian students.
- Sherbon Scholarship
Awarded to an incoming boarding student for academic achievement, participation in community activities, and commitment to the community. The payment in the first year of study will be $ 11,230 CAD.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Branksome Hall School
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
