Trafalgar Castle School

Whitby

Ontario

Canada

Overview

Trafalgar Castle School is a day and boarding school for girls in Grades 4 through 12. For 150 years, Trafalgar has challenged students' minds, strengthened their voices and nurtured their hearts within a warm, welcoming and progressive community. Small by design and with a focus on authentic and experiential learning, Trafalgar develops future-ready competencies that prepare our students for real-world challenges and opportunities. Our exceptional academics — including STEM (science, technology, English and math), music, art and languages — in addition to innovative programming and strong learning support, prepare our students for Canadian, US, or other international post-secondary destinations. In fact, Trafalgar Castle School has a 100% university acceptance rate. Located just 30 minutes east of Toronto, Canada, and with direct flights to many international destinations, Trafalgar Castle School provides easy access to Canada’s largest city and is within walking distance to many local amenities and attractions. Our comprehensive boarding program provides vigilant, thoughtful and compassionate care for every student, and we maintain strong connections to ensure families feel included in their child’s educational experience. In addition to bright living quarters, our Boarding Students have access to fully-equipped facilities like a fitness room, lounge and games room. Our Boarding Students also experience the arts, culture and recreation through supervised weekend trips to Toronto and local attractions. On long weekends, they have opportunities to explore other Canadian cities and cultures. What makes us different: A day and boarding school for girls with education in excellence for 150 years An exceptional academic program rooted in a warm, welcoming and progressive community 100% of our graduates are accepted into a university of their choosing 1:6 teacher-to-student ratio Established support structures that ensure every student receives mentoring in academics, personal wellness and social-emotional matters A diverse, inclusive, and transnational community of day students mixed with Canadian and international boarding students.

Academics

Summary: Our small-school advantage means we are agile enough to provide the most up-to- date learning environment and intimate enough to cultivate a strong sense of belonging. With 100% of our graduates accepted to the university of their choice, we provide exceptional academics within a warm and welcoming community, while helping to build women of strength and character. Our academic program challenges each student to know her mind, contribute ideas and question assumptions, while enriching the Ontario curriculum with internationally- acclaimed programs that draw on the best from around the world in math, science, English, music and languages. Our Castle is a place like no other, where women learn to make meaningful contributions in the life of their school and beyond.

Department Director Laurie Kuchirka

Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1

Average Class Size: 16

Summer Programs: Not Offered

Full Time Teachers: 30

Number of AP Courses Offered: 7

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 26.0%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

English

AP English Language
AP English Literature

History

European History
World History

Foreign Languages

Chinese-Mandarin
Latin

Religion / Philosophy

Philosophy

Sciences

Biology
Botany
Chemistry
Earth Science
Health
Physical Science
Physics
Physiology

Math

Algebra
Calculus
Functions
Geometry
Honors Math

Music

Band
Orchestra
Voice

Performing / Visual Arts

Acting
Debate
Directing
Drama
Drawing
Fiber Arts
Lighting Design
Painting
Photography
Production
Publications
Screen-Printing
Studio Art

Special Programs

Study Abroad
Community Service
Exchange Programs
Independent Study
Leadership
Outdoor Education

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 80

Average Students Per Dorm: 0

Number of Girls Dorms: 80

Number of Boys Dorms: 0

Dorm Amenities

Game Room
Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Student Life

Every day at Trafalgar Castle School, our students enjoy a full life outside the classroom. In an all-girls’ environment, every opportunity is available to learn about leadership, team play, artistic expression and community action. And of course, the girls relax, have fun and get creative while they try new things and explore who they are. More than anything, our School Life program is designed to help every girl know and value herself in a meaningful way. We recognize that self-respect lies at the heart of true confidence. Through all of the activities and opportunities available, Trafalgar girls learn they are capable and use their voices to shape the world. One new dad reports, “Within weeks of coming to Trafalgar Castle my daughter started taking risks and joining teams she had never tried before”. That’s exactly what we want to encourage!

Facilities

Other Facilities

Clubs & Organizations

Arts & Athletics

Summary: The arts play an important role in the balanced life of Trafalgar Castle School students. Music, drama and fine art are not superficial trimmings but rather key elements of the educated mind and the whole self. They offer a fuller understanding of human culture and thought and open new ways of seeing the world for our girls. They also develop mental skills that carry over into academic learning. Best of all, Trafalgar girls glow with joy while participating in our choirs, bands, theatre productions and art clubs! The primary focus of Trafalgar Castle School’s athletics program is creating an encouraging environment for girls to engage in healthy active living. In addition to the physical benefits, girls who participate in sport learn self-discipline through training and competition, and develop the heart to persevere after a tough game. They also learn how to be a supportive teammate who can win with class and lose with grace. We are proud to offer well-sourced and maintained facilities for our physical activity and athletic programme with a Fitness Centre and pool, two playing fields, three tennis courts and a softball diamond, all of which compliment the double gymnasium set in its own building on campus. For the competitive sports programme, Trafalgar Castle competes with the other Independent Schools in Ontario through their membership in the Conference of Independent School’s Athletic Association (CISAA).

Arts Department Director: Samantha Welbourn

Athletics Department Director: Karen May

Arts

Acting
Debate
Directing
Drama
Drawing
Fiber Arts
Lighting Design
Painting
Photography
Production
Publications
Screen-Printing
Studio Art

Interscholastic Sports

Recreational Sports

Graduates

Summary: In the Upper School, girls are challenged to focus and deepen their knowledge and skills while exploring meaningful connections across a broad range of academic disciplines. Courses in the arts, languages, sciences and humanities provide each student with the opportunity to discover and embolden her passion for learning. Skilled and caring teachers help each student push beyond the limits of her prior understanding, strengthening her ability to tackle complex problems, and teaching her to persevere with determination and confidence. Our small class sizes and enriching learning supports ensure that each student is empowered to reach her full potential. Advisor groups, tutorials, peer tutoring and after-school study hall combine to create a strong and supportive learning community. Trafalgar Castle School graduates set their sights high. With a 100% post-secondary acceptance rate, our alumnae pursue studies around the world and in a variety of fields. Key to our success is personalized counseling that helps each student identify her passion, explore different options, and plan her chosen path. Our graduates are welcomed by post-secondary institutions in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and other international universities. All of our students enthusiastically participate in a wide variety of co-curricular opportunities that span the Arts and Sciences, athletics, and community service endeavours. Fostering a strong boarding tradition, in 2019-2020 we hosted 80 boarders who represent 10 countries and 30% of our school population.

College Information

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100.0%

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

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

Wilfrid Laurier University:

York University:

University of Waterloo:

Western University:

University of St. Andrews:

University of Toronto:

University of Edinburgh:

University of Guelph:

University of Ottawa:

Tsinghua University (China):

University of Arts, College of Communication (London):

University of British Columbia:

Ontario Tech University:

Queen's University:

Royal College of Surgeons (Ireland):

OCAD University:

McMaster University:

Nipissing University:

McGill University:

Emily Carr University:

Gilon Institute of Higher Education (Switzerland):

Laurentian University:

Acadia University:

Carleton University:

Dolhousie University:

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 1.0%

Average Merit Scholarship: 2,000

Current Endowment Amount: $1,375,000

Interested in Trafalgar Castle School?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: All Girls

Total Boarding: 50

Total Day: 200

Total Enrollment: 250

Boys: 0

Girls: 250

Boarding Grades Offered: 7-12

Day Grades Offered: 4-12

School Type: Elementary, Middle, High School

Dress Code: Uniform

Applications Accepted: SAO, Gateway to Prep

Application Deadline: Rolling

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $78,215

5-Day Boarding: $65,050

Day Tuition Fee: $33,151

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 12.0%

Average Awarded: $4,000

School Finances