The Bishop Strachan School

Toronto

Ontario

Canada

Overview

BSS knows how girls learn, and believes they can do anything. With 150 years of experience helping young women become leaders, BSS is among the premier girls' schools in North America. Day and boarding students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 have the opportunity to learn, explore and mature in a creative and challenging environment. In academics, arts and athletics, BSS has assembled an extraordinary faculty and state-of-the-art facilities to give each student the resources and atmosphere that encourage her to be her very best. There is a wide range of Advanced Placement courses available as well as a full co-curricular program that includes countless clubs, teams and activities to keep your daughter engaged in the life of the school. BSS stresses community service as a cornerstone to helping our students mature and learn in a variety of settings. With a diverse student body, BSS is home to students from Africa, Mexico, the Middle East, Asia and many other parts of the world. If you seek a school that will ensure that your daughter will emerge a well-rounded, confident and academically competitive young woman, visit www.bss.on.ca. With the right education, girls who want to change the world become women who do. Visit www.bss.on.ca for more information.

Academics

Summary: 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. Classrooms are small but energetic, buzzing with discussion and collaboration. Students work together to find solutions while bringing out the best in each other. And teachers are guides, tirelessly nurturing students and pointing them towards finding their own answers. 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.

Department Director Brendan Lea

Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1

Average Class Size: 20

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 90

Number of AP Courses Offered: 9

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 80%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

History

United States History
World History
Canadian History

Foreign Languages

Chinese-Mandarin
French
Italian
Spanish

Religion / Philosophy

Philosophy

Humanities / Social Sciences

Economics
World Issues

Sciences

Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Physics
Physiology

Math

Computer Studies

Computer Science

Music

Band
Choral Music

Performing / Visual Arts

Choreography
Dance
Drama
Drawing
Painting
Studio Art

Special Programs

Community Service
Exchange Programs
Leadership
Outdoor Education

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 1

Average Students Per Dorm: 75

Number of Girls Dorms: 1

Number of Boys Dorms: 0

Dorm Amenities

Game Room
Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Kitchenette; Fitness Centre (Personal Trainer)

Student Life

There are opportunities for every girl to have a sense of belonging and feel at home at BSS. BSS’ Boarding Program revolves around the foundations of Wellness, Exploration, Leadership and Diversity. Wellness includes finding balance and developing essential life skills to nourish mind, body and spirit. Girls have the social and emotional support they need in our close-knit community to succeed in life. Exploration includes being curious, taking risks and trying new things. BSS girls celebrate the challenges of learning and embrace the problems that confront us in learning and in life. Leadership is a big part of life at BSS. We create a forum that gives all our boarders opportunities to excel. Girls are keen participants in all aspect of the School and recognize the benefits of being an active participant in school life. Diversity is paramount to the BSS community. Life in Boarding goes beyond the curriculum, making learning real, relevant and purposeful. Girls in Boarding develop a strong respect and empathy for views of others, and have improved conflict resolution skills. The Boarding program provides exciting weekend activities and excursions in which girls can participate. Since learning is a preparation for life, living in a community with girls from around the world gives BSS Boarders the confidence and preparation to thrive in university and beyond. Strong friendships are established and lifelong bonds are formed with girls from all over the world. Boarding at BSS is a community built on friendships, belonging, and opportunities for learning. We showcase and celebrate uniqueness and individuality.

Facilities

Basketball Court
Fitness Center
Indoor Basketball Court
Indoor Climbing Wall
Indoor Pool
Technology Center
Volleyball Court

Other Facilities

Dance Studio
Theatre

Clubs & Organizations

Amnesty International
Asian Club
Classics Club
Community Service
Computer Club
Debate Club
Diversity Club
Drama Club
Environmental Club
Food Council
Foreign Language Clubs
Habitat for Humanity
International Club
Literary Magazine
Math Club
Model UN
Newspaper
Outing Club
Peer Tutoring
Photography Club
Science Bowl
Student Activities
Student Government
Student Publications
Theater Club
Yearbook
Radio Station

Arts & Athletics

Summary: Arts: BSS has been renowned for its vibrant arts program for many years. Building on that established strength, the program now incorporates a vast collection of both traditional and new forms of artistic expression, allowing girls to explore myriad media from theatre, film, dance, digital arts, music, and much more. Athletics: Evidence is undeniable that participation in sports and fitness are crucial to a growing girl's self-esteem, confidence and overall mental, emotional and physical health. We know that exercise improves cognitive ability and is also a powerful reliever of stress and anxiety. BSS provides students a wide variety of opportunities to participate in athletics.

Arts Department Director: Paul Toth

Athletics Department Director: Jane King

Arts

Choreography
Dance
Drama
Drawing
Painting
Studio Art

Interscholastic Sports

Aerobics
Alpine Skiing
Alpine Ski Racing
Badminton
Basketball
Camping
Canoeing
Cross Country Running
Curling
Dance
Field Hockey
Freestyle Skiing
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Nordic Skiing
Nordic Ski Racing
Outdoor Education
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball

Recreational Sports

Aerobics
Badminton
Basketball
Camping
Canoeing
Cross Country Running
Dance
Fencing
Field Hockey
Freestyle Skiing
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Nordic Skiing
Rock Climbing
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Weight Lifting

Graduates

Summary: At The Bishop Strachan School, our graduates are offered placement at top universities and colleges around the world. BSS students have a history of attending the highest ranking post-secondary institutions. Respected places like Queen’s, McGill, Parsons School of Design, Cornell, Princeton, Brown, Columbia, Oxford, NYU, Northwestern and Boston University have graduates from The Bishop Strachan School pursuing their dreams. University requirements are constantly changing; therefore, it is important that students and their parents consult BSS’ Student Services Department, a team of experts dedicated to helping our girls reach their dreams and goals for university and beyond. Where do BSS students go after they graduate? Read about the Graduating Class at: https://bss.on.ca/apply/grads

College Information

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

Middle Percentile of SAT Scores	Reading	Math	Writing
25th percentile
75th percentile

Notable Alumni

Lin Chi-Ling

Class of 1993

Taiwanese Model and Actress

Dr. Joan WHITTEN Miller

Class of 1976

Macular Degeneration Specialist Harvard Medicine

Valerie PRINGLE

Class of 1971

Canadian Television Host and Journalist

Margaret WENTE

Class of 1968

Columnist for The Globe and Mail

Veronica TENNANT

Class of 1964

Prima Ballerina at the National Ballet Company

Margot NUNNS Northey

Class of 1957

Former Dean of Queen's School of Business

Ann SOUTHAM

Class of 1955

Famous Canadian Composer

Beatrice Helen WORSLEY

Class of 1939

First female computer scientist in Canada

Margaret Campbell

Class of 1930

Municipal and Provincial Politician

Quotes From Alumni

“BSS was an environment for me where it was all right to be smart. I met other smart girls which was fabulous because it said I'm not alone in the world.”

-, Class of 1968, Columnist for The Globe and Mail

“I think BSS gave me huge freedom to express myself and push boundaries. I could take risks at BSS and I realized it doesn't matter if you fail- that's critical to going forward throughout life.”

-, Class of 1972, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs University of Chicago

“After BSS I was used to being involved in anything I was interested in. And I had already learned the hardest part: I had time management organization skills and drive.”

-, Class of 1997, Brown

“BSS was an environment for me where it was all right to be smart. I met other smart girls which was fabulous because it said I'm not alone in the world.”

-Margaret WENTE, Class of 1968, Columnist for The Globe and Mail

“I think BSS gave me huge freedom to express myself and push boundaries. I could take risks at BSS and I realized it doesn't matter if you fail- that's critical to going forward throughout life.”

-Linda LESUEUR Darragh, Class of 1972, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs University of Chicago

“After BSS I was used to being involved in anything I was interested in. And I had already learned the hardest part: I had time management organization skills and drive.”

-Christina SORBARA, Class of 1997, Brown

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 2%

Average Merit Scholarship: 3,964

Current Endowment Amount: $22,774,762

Interested in The Bishop Strachan School?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: All Girls

Total Boarding: 75

Total Day: 835

Total Enrollment: 910

Boys: 0

Girls: 910

Boarding Grades Offered: 7-12

Day Grades Offered: K-12

School Type: Elementary, Middle, High School

Dress Code: Uniform

Applications Accepted: SAO

Application Deadline: Rolling

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $60,130

5-Day Boarding: N/A

Day Tuition Fee: $31,740

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 6%

Average Awarded: $24,440

School Finances