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

Religion / Philosophy

• Moral Philosophy
• Philosophy
• Social Justice

Humanities / Social Sciences

• Economics

Sciences

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Health
• Physics
• Physiology

Math

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

Special Programs

• Community Service
• Exchange Programs
• Outdoor Education

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

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

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

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

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

Notable Alumni

Quotes From Alumni

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 4%

Average Merit Scholarship: 5,000

Current Endowment Amount: $20,000,000