The mission of The Bishop Strachan School (BSS) is to provide an opportunity for each girl to understand who she is, know her place in the world, gain independence, build leadership skills, and find a voice in a multiplicity of voices.
They will provide girls with a solid grounding in all core subjects – a deep and rigorous approach to learning across the fields of mathematics, science and technology, humanities and the arts.
With over 150 years experience, BSS is among the premier girls’ schools in North America. BSS has assembled an extraordinary faculty and state-of-the-art facilities to give each student the resources and atmosphere she needs to succeed.
With a diverse student body, BSS is home to students from around the world. If you seek a school that will ensure your daughter emerges well-rounded and academically competitive, this is your school of choice.
| Type | Independent private school |
| Gender | All girls |
| Grades | K – 12 |
| Enrolment | 940 |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Tution (per year) | $37,500 – 72,400 |
| Class size | 18-22 |
| Curriculum | Traditional |
School address:
298 Lonsdale Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1X2
Phone: 416-483-4325
Email: studentrecruiting@bss.on.ca
Web site: bss.on.ca
Academics:
Summary:
| Curriculum | Progressive, Reggio Emilia |
| Preschool/kindergarten curriculum | Reggio Emilia |
| Teacher to student ratio | 1:9 |
| Curriculum pace | Standard-enriched |
| Academic culture | Rigorous |
| Developmental priorities | Intellectual |
| Special needs support | No support |
| Gifted learner support | In-class adaptations |
Advanced placements classes (APs) in BSS:
- Physics
- Research (Second part of the AP Capstone program)
- Statistics
- Biology
- Calculus AB
- Chemistry
- Chinese Language and Culture
- English Language and Composition
- English Literature and Composition
- French Language
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
Curriculum:
Curriculum approach at Bishop Strachan school is Progressive. School attempts to place children’s interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. In progressive education, the curriculum is often more flexible and student-centered, with a focus on developing critical thinking skills and creativity. Overall, it is designed to encourage students to explore and discover concepts through hands-on activities and projects.
Foreign languages:
- Spanish
- French
- Mandarin
Arts:
- Band
- Drama
- Production
- Vocal
- Dance
- Guitar
- String
- Digital Media
Mathematics:
Traditional Math Traditional Math typically teaches a method or algorithm FIRST, and THEN teaches the applications for the method. With each new mathematical result, new questions arise, and mathematical theory grows. This new knowledge is used to solve more problems across all fields, particularly the sciences.
Science:
Inquiry based approach: students are provided with opportunities to investigate a problem, search for possible solutions, make observations, ask questions, test out ideas, and think creatively and use their intuition. Therefore, tries to get students learning science more through practice, rather then through learning.
Writing:
Process approach to teaching aims to get students writing by themselves more than just learning the grammar from listening and reading. Students are required to complete their own products, yet the writing process itself is stressed more.
Literature:
Social justice teaches to analyze the possible biases and historical narratives present in the text, rather that just decoding the plot, characterization and style.
What BBS says about their overall curriculum and approach:
Guided by the highest standards of academic excellence and vital character development at The Bishop Strachan School (BSS), we leverage the Signature of a BSS Girl to achieve our mission: to inspire girls to be fearless and educate them to be leaders. We know from 150 years of experience that having the confidence and courage to make a difference in the world begins with self-discovery. Encouraging exploration is our primary focus, because when students are curious they learn how to persist through difficulty, trust their judgment and find their voice as they reach their goals. With this, girls see firsthand that they hold within themselves everything they need to go anywhere and do anything in the world.
Admission
| Day students: | December 01 |
| Boarding students: | Rolling |
| Offer mid-year entry: | No |
| Application fee: | $250 |
| Registration fee: | $8,500 |
| Deposit: | 10% |
Principal’s message:
In joining BSS, you not only get an education, but you join a community. We expect our students to be involved in our rich and diverse school life, and we support them through resources and mentoring so that they can learn those leadership capabilities for now and the future. This community is diverse in perspectives, ethnicity, socio-economics and culture, and that only makes us stronger.
– Dr. Angela Terpstra, head of school
Shaping girls to be fearless leaders is a lofty goal. We want our students to be dazzled by what they can do, and to lift each other up – that is the power of belonging and the lifelong preparation of an exceptional education.
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