Pathways to Success
For those of us with children, we want to provide the best of everything for them – particularly when it comes to their education. Private schools are increasingly becoming accessible options for families from all backgrounds who seek a strong educational foundation for their children.
Private schools offer a wealth of benefits. Choosing a private school allows you to have more control over your child’s pathway to learning, class sizes are smaller, and there are many specialized programs to meet their needs. That’s just the beginning. There are many highly ranked private schools in Halton and Peel regions. Schools including Appleby College, Ashwood Glen, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn, and Toronto French School offer specialized programs not offered in the public education system. Each delivers dynamic opportunities for learning, inclusion, and unique experiences outside of the classroom.
Before enrolling your child in private education you’ll need to do your own homework first! Read on to learn a little more about what each of these four schools can offer you and your children.
Appleby College
540 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville • 905-845-4681 • appleby.on.ca
Supportive & Innovative Learning.
What are you most excited about for the 2024/2025 school year?
I’m always excited to welcome new and returning students and families back to campus in September. The first two weeks at Appleby are filled with community events like new boarder orientation, the Parents’ Associations Welcome Back BBQ, Grade Parties, and the new student Tie Ceremonies—it’s a wonderful time of year.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about our progress on key strategic priorities, including launching new diplomas in Business, Creative Arts, and STEM, our commitment to Wellbeing, and the start of Cockwell Hall construction, our newest mixed learning and boarding space.
What is your school best known for in terms of programming?
In addition to strong academics, Appleby is best known for our extensive experiential education programmes which go beyond the traditional classroom. These programmes focus on three key areas: outdoor education, global experiences, and boarding life. From Grade 7 onwards, students engage in outdoor activities at our Northern Campus on Lake Temagami or Camp Kandalore. Global competencies are core to the Appleby experience with all students completing a global learning trip before graduation. While Grade 12 boarding prepares students for university and fosters empathy, inclusion and deeper cultural understanding.
What would you like people to know about student life at the school?
Student life at Appleby is all about discovery—jumping in, trying new things, and finding your passions. It’s about the journey and self-discovery more than the destination. We aim to instill a lifelong pursuit of learning, fostering curiosity, fascination, and wonder in our students.
Do you have any tips on preparing students for their year at your school?
My advice: come prepared to get involved, challenge yourself inside and outside the classroom, and have FUN. The best learning happens with a smile. While there will be challenges, we’ll help you through them, making you stronger in the process.
– Michael O’Connor, Chief Marketing & Enrolment Officer
Ashwood Glen School
3430 Fairview St, Burlington • 905-320-1272 • ashwoodglen.com
Personalized education for every child.
What are you most excited about for the 2024/2025 school year?
As Director and co-founder of Ashwood Glen, I’m proud and excited for 2024/2025. Seeing our school grow and students thrive, from Montessori to IB, is truly inspiring.
Becoming a certified IB World School is a dream realized, reflecting our community’s passion and dedication. This milestone is about more than academics; it’s about nurturing compassionate global citizens ready to shape a brighter future.
What is your school best known for in terms of programming?
Ashwood Glen offers a growth-focused educational journey, blending child-centred Montessori classes with the globally recognized IB Primary Years Programme. As Burlington’s exclusive Montessori and IB Primary Years School, we create a seamless transition that nurtures independent learners and critical thinkers.
Our inquiry-led approach, supported by small classes, specialized teachers, and French language education, fosters each child’s potential, supporting academic excellence in a thriving community.
What would you like people to know about student life at the school?
Student life at Ashwood Glen is vibrant, with students thriving through diverse activities like STEAM projects, robotics, arts, athletics, and after-school clubs. Our dedicated teachers in Performing Arts, French, and Physical Education enhance our program, emphasizing creativity, teamwork, and cultural appreciation.
We spark curiosity, build confidence, and nurture each child’s unique potential, preparing them to become thoughtful, future-ready global citizens.
Do you have any tips on preparing students for their year at your school?
Spark your child’s love for learning! Encourage curiosity, read together, and explore the world around you. Keep communication open, celebrate efforts, and embrace challenges as a team. Create a cozy reading nook, have family discussions, and turn everyday moments into learning opportunities. Your enthusiasm fuels their growth!
– Sonia Abbas, Director & Co-Founder
St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School
1080 Linbrook Rd, Oakville • 905-845-2386 • smls.on.ca
Inspired Girls. Empowered Women.
What are you most excited about for the 2024/2025 school year?
We are prouder than ever to be part of the ongoing worldwide movement toward gender equality. As a girls’ school – and the only girls’ school west of the GTA – we see our role in giving women the skills they need to succeed: build their confidence, create opportunities for their futures, and break down barriers.
What is your school best known for in terms of programming?
We are a school for girls, which is very different than a school with girls. Our programming is intentionally designed for girls and their success, whether they exhibit leadership through a spot on the math team, a position in the robotics club, a speaking opportunity, or captain of an athletics team or role on the student council. It encourages our young women to hone their voice, experience growth, and pursue passions. SMLS’s robotics team was the first Canadian team to be sponsored by NASA and Canada’s first all-girls team to compete at the FIRST World Championships.
What would you like people to know about student life at the school?
We have leadership opportunities for every student, starting even in the Junior School and as early as Grade 1. Every student has an opportunity to lead and learn. Also, because we are three schools all housed in one school building, we enjoy built-in opportunities for role modelling, mentorship, empathy building, and connection. It’s a special experience to see JK students high-fiving Grade 11s in the hallways, or Grade 1s and Grade 5s having lunch together in the Dining Hall each and every day.
Do you have any tips on preparing students for their year at your school?
We encourage authenticity at our school. Being your authentic self is something an all girls’ school can really nurture, and it’s one of the features of our school that students often say they enjoy and appreciate the most. To do well at SMLS, we want students to be themselves, challenge themselves, try new things, and lean on the strong, supportive community that we have to offer.
– Catherine Hant, Head of School
Toronto French School
West Campus: 1293 Meredith Ave, Mississauga • 905‑278‑7243 • tfs.ca
A World of Opportunity.
What are you most excited about for the 2024/2025 school year?
TFS recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its West Campus in Mississauga. This winter construction will begin on a 12,647-sq.ft. extension, including a new multipurpose gymnasium, a maker space, a design lab and renovated classrooms. With spaces dedicated to academics and athletics, arts and sciences, new technologies and innovation, the West Campus extension (set to open in 2026) will embrace every aspect of what young learners need to thrive and develop into well-rounded students.
What is your school best known for in terms of programming?
TFS is known as Canada’s International School and for its one-of-a-kind curriculum. We teach the curricula of both Ontario and France within the framework of all three of the International Baccalaureate’s programs. TFS is the only school in Canada to offer the complete International Baccalaureate program, from the Primary Years to the Diploma Program, bilingually, in French and English.
What would you like people to know about student life at the school?
We are a close-knit community. Our students, families and staff deeply appreciate our undeniably cozy family feeling, where everyone is not only welcome but knows that they belong. After Grade 7, West Campus students usually continue their studies at TFS’ Toronto campus, taking advantage of the school’s complimentary shuttle bus service.
How is French integrated into learning for new students at your school?
Unlike any other French immersion program in Ontario, our Pre-kindergarten class is unique: students begin to learn French using an approach we call “beyond immersion.” We teach them French as a first language. Students spend their days in an entirely French learning environment, where they absorb vocabulary, sentence structures and oral speaking skills through play learning, songs and other activities. Students coming to TFS up to and including Grade 7 don’t require any prior knowledge of French, as they can participate in our proven Intro French program and soon catch up to their peers. You would not believe how quickly they become French speakers!
