Branksome Hall

Toronto

Ontario

Canada

Overview

Each day, Branksome Hall challenges and inspires girls to love learning and to shape a better world. Established in 1903—and now a leading International Baccalaureate (IB) World School—Branksome Hall is a welcoming community in the heart of Toronto. Located on a picturesque 13-acre campus, Branksome Hall offers the unique combination of a wellness mindset, outstanding academics and global engagement opportunities. Branksome has a new state-of-the-art Athletics and Wellness Centre, featuring a gymnasium, a fitness centre, a dryland rowing centre, two saltwater pools, yoga and dance studios, and a dining hall with outdoor terraces. Through our exciting exchange program, students can visit several countries and immerse themselves in new cultures. Our graduates are welcomed by the leading universities in Canada and around the world, most with scholarships. Discover Branksome Hall’s remarkable programs and campus at www.branksome.on.ca.

Academics

Summary: Branksome Hall is a fully authorized IB World School offering the Primary Years Program (PYP) from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6, the Middle Years Program from Grades 7-10 and the Diploma Program in Grades 11 and 12. Branksome is unique as an Ontario girls’ school with all students, from JK through high school, taking IB programs. Branksome Hall students graduate with two diplomas, the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and the IB Diploma. Students are able to present two sets of credentials to universities for consideration. We believe that a challenging liberal arts curriculum exposes our students to a variety of perspectives on human knowledge and values. Students are encouraged to be open-minded, to ask questions and to inquire, in order to become knowledgeable. They are taught the tools to become critical thinkers, integrative thinkers and effective communicators. They are expected to demonstrate care for others and the environment, as well as principled behavior in all aspects of their lives. They are supported to achieve balance in their lives. Finally, they are provided with opportunities to take risks and to reflect on their learning.

Department Director Kate Hebdon

Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1

Average Class Size: 18

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 120

Number of AP Courses Offered: 0

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 25%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

English

Classics
Creative Writing
Literature
Playwriting
Poetry

History

World History

Foreign Languages

Chinese-Cantonese
Chinese-Mandarin
French
German
Latin
Russian
Spanish

Religion / Philosophy

Moral Philosophy
Philosophy
Social Justice

Humanities / Social Sciences

Economics

Sciences

Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Health
Physics
Physiology

Math

Algebra
Calculus
Functions
Geometry
Probability
Statistics
Trigonometry

Computer Studies

Multimedia
Computer Programming
Computer Science

Music

Band
Choral Music
Composition
Electronic Music
Individual Instructions
Music History
Music Theory
Opera
Orchestra
Recording
Songwriting
Voice

Performing / Visual Arts

Acting
Animation
Art History
Ceramics
Dance
Debate
Drama
Drawing
Fashion Design
Graphic Design
Painting
Photography
Pottery
Publications
Public Speaking
Sculpture
Stagecraft
Studio Art
Theater Arts
Theater History

Special Programs

Community Service
Exchange Programs
Outdoor Education

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 3

Average Students Per Dorm: 22

Number of Girls Dorms: 3

Number of Boys Dorms: 0

Dorm Amenities

Game Room
Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Kitchen

Student Life

Grades 7 to 12 elect two representatives from each grade to sit on the Student Life Committee. The committee’s membership also includes five to seven faculty members. The purpose of this organization is to give students and teachers the opportunity to discuss school-wide issues.

Facilities

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

Other Facilities

Yoga; Dance

Clubs & Organizations

Amnesty International
Animal Rights Club
Astronomy Club
Chess Club
Classics Club
Community Service
Computer Club
Debate Club
Diversity Club
Drama Club
Environmental Club
Food Council
Foreign Language Clubs
International Club
Investment Club
Literary Magazine
Math Club
Model UN
Newspaper
Peer Counseling
Peer Tutoring
Pep Club
Photography Club
SADD
Science Bowl
Student Activities
Student Government
Student Publications
Yearbook
Yoga Club

Arts & Athletics

Summary: At Branksome Hall, we encourage the girls to realize the power of art as a language that transcends time, religion, race and culture. We offer comprehensive classes and after-school programs in art, drama and music that let students’ creative abilities shine. The Art Gallery of Ontario provides Branksome students with an online, public gallery to display their art, including both finished pieces and works in progress. This online space incorporates work by students of all grades, in a variety of media.

Arts Department Director: Judith Friend

Athletics Department Director: Katie Flynn

Arts

Acting
Animation
Art History
Ceramics
Dance
Debate
Drama
Drawing
Fashion Design
Graphic Design
Painting
Photography
Pottery
Publications
Public Speaking
Sculpture
Stagecraft
Studio Art
Theater Arts
Theater History

Interscholastic Sports

Alpine Ski Racing
Badminton
Basketball
Crew
Cross Country Running
Field Hockey
Golf
Ice Hockey
Rugby
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball

Recreational Sports

Aerobics
Badminton
Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross Country Running
Dance
Field Hockey
Golf
Ice Hockey
Outdoor Education
Rock Climbing
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Table Tennis
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball

Graduates

Summary: Each student at Branksome Hall has a guidance counsellor. In the Middle Division there is a specific Grade 7 counsellor for all students. Grade 8 and 9 students will have the same counsellor for both years. Starting in Grade 10, through to graduation, counsellors remain with their students to provide guidance support and university mentorship. Students acquire the knowledge and skills they need to set and pursue their educational and career goals with the support of their guidance counsellor. Each counsellor supports the academic, social, and emotional dimensions of a student’s life at Branksome Hall. Counsellors deliver a program through classroom instruction, the teacher-advisor program, completion of the annual educational plan, career exploration activities, individual assistance and short-term counselling. Concerns of a general academic, social or emotional nature should be directed to the student’s assigned guidance counsellor. Branksome Hall graduates are welcomed by the top universities around the world. 100% of our graduates attend university, most with scholarships.

College Information

Precentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

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

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

McGill University: 30

University of Toronto: 50

Queen's University: 50

University of British Columbia: 5

Dalhousie University: 32

University of Guelph: 8

University of Edinburgh: 3

Notable Alumni

Janet DAVIDSON

Class of 1966

President and Chief Executive Officer of Mississauga’s Trillium Health Centre

Anne BUNTINGS

Class of 1983

Lawyer and Professor working with UN in Africa on women's rights.

Kelly HAWKE Baxter

Class of 1982

Executive Director of The Natural Step Canada Environmental and Social Consultant

Rebecca SAXE

Class of 1997

Professor M.I.T. one of the “Brilliant Ten” young scientists as voted by Popular Science Magazine.

Paula SCHUTZ

Class of 1992

Teacher Director of Community Service at Camp ViSTa

Amy FOSTER

Class of 1992

Award-winning songwriter

Quotes From Alumni

“My Branksome experience left me with an indelible notebook of pleasurable memories.”

-Amy Vernier, Class of 1998, Journalist

“Branksome Hall gave each of us a strong foundation a respect for tradition an appreciation for life's celebrations and a solid liberal arts education.”

-Debbie Gibson, Class of 1968, Publisher Canadian Living

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 4%

Average Merit Scholarship: 5,000

Current Endowment Amount: $20,000,000

Interested in Branksome Hall?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: All Girls

Total Boarding: 63

Total Day: 847

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: January 1st

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $59,000

5-Day Boarding: $59,000

Day Tuition Fee: $32,000

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 7%

Average Awarded: $15,000

School Finances