Independent Schools in Canada

Primary female–male ratio: 1.00:1 (2007)

Secondary female–male ratio: 0.98:1 (2007)

Education policy varies with province but the period of compulsory education generally starts at age six. Most primary and secondary schooling is publicly funded. The school year starts in September.

There are many independent or private schools spread across Canada. Around 7-10% of Canadians choose private schools rather than public schools. Notable independent schools include King’s-Edgehill, the oldest private school (established in 1788); Brentwood College School, which has had 23 alumni compete in the Olympics; Upper Canada College in Toronto, the oldest school in Ontario (established in 1829); Appleby, widely regarded as the most expensive; Miss Edgar’s and Miss Cramp’s School in Quebec; and all-girls schools, such as Branksome Hall and Havergal College. Most of the well-known and highly-regarded private schools are in Ontario and British Columbia. The International Baccalaureate is taught by many of these independent schools. The regulation and funding of private schools varies across Canada because school education is the responsibility of provincial governments. Some receive funding from the provincial governments – those that existed at the time of the Confederation in 1867 have special protected status and receive funding on the same basis as the public-school system.