How to Apply

We are excited that you are considering Canadian Accredited Independent Schools and look forward to walking you through the application process.

Before submitting an official application, we recommend touring the schools if possible - this can be done virtually OR in person! Touring a school is a great way to determine which of the top boarding schools in Canada is the perfect fit for you.

Though the application process can be stressful and intensive, it is also the start of a beautiful, transformative journey into on of the best independent schools in Canada.

Application Process

As you research the top boarding schools in Canada, you will be able to narrow your search based on location, boarding grades, student body, as well as other criteria to find a niche selection of schools from the 29 CAIS boarding schools, that will be a good fit for you. From there, the application process can begin!

All CAIS schools accept applications on an individual basis. This means that there is no one standard CAIS application form; instead, each school has its own unique set of admission requirements to complete.

CAIS schools have rolling admissions policies for boarding student applicants. This means that they are able to accept applications throughout the year until each school is fully enrolled.

CAIS schools value diversity and recognize the potential in every student.

Boarding School Application Guidelines:

Step One

Step Two

CAIS schools are interested in learning all about you, so they will ask for some (or all) of the below supporting documents. In general, CAIS boarding schools are looking for academically motivated students with a wide range of interests - students that will be a positive and contributing member of that school’s community.

Supporting documents generally required:

Past and current report cards
Letters of Recommendation (e.g. from a Teacher, Coach, Head of School, etc.)
Student Essay or Character Skills Snapshot
SSAT results, or completion of school's aptitude test (dependent on school)
English proficiency assessment for applicants whose first language is not English. (eg. TOEFL, IELTS)
Other documentation (e.g. passport, birth certificate, photograph, etc.)

Insider Tip #1

While report cards play a role in the process, so will many other aspects of the student's life. For example, active citizenship, student interests and character. Generally schools are not looking for perfection, but rather progress. They are interested in things like whether a student works well as part of a group, is responsible and hard-working, whether they communicate well at school and whether they engage in the classroom setting. While standardized tests are important and required, they make up only a small piece of the overall puzzle.

Step Three

Once your application has been submitted, each school’s Admissions Office will request an interview (conducted remotely/online or in-person) as part of the process.

Insider Tip #2

The interview is a way for the school’s Admissions Office to learn more about the applicant and determine whether they are the ‘right fit’ for the school. Applicants will be asked questions about their interests, their academic grades and accomplishments, their family, friendships and their character.

Insider Tip #3

Students will also have the opportunity to ask the Admissions Office questions about the school. It is always a good idea to research the school and its programs and offerings before the interview takes place. Admission Directors advise against “over rehearsing,” however, as schools hope to have a meaningful and honest conversation with the applicant.

CAIS Boarding Schools

Check out the individual school profiles for more information about their respective application process.

Find a School

Athol Murray College of Notre Dame Students

How can we help you?

Complete our inquiry form to receive more information about CAIS Boarding Schools

Inquire

CAIS Schools Admission and Enrolment Directors:

Canada’s top independent boarding schools have strong, capable, confident leaders in the areas of marketing and enrolment management. Allow us to introduce you to the 29 dynamic leaders of each of the CAIS Boarding School Admissions Teams who would be pleased to assist you as you begin your CAIS journey.

View Admission & Enrolment Directors

View Admission & Enrolment Directors

Albert College

Heather Kidd, Director of Enrolment Management

Appleby College

Sophie Grossman, Executive Director, Admissions

Ashbury College

Bruce Mutch, Executive Director of Enrolment and Advancement

Athol Murray College of Notre Dame

Scott Yanko, Director of Enrolment and Marketing

Balmoral Hall School

Tina Alto, Executive Director

Bishop's College School

Greg McConnell, Director of Admissions

Branksome Hall

Ashli MacInnis, Director of Admissions

Brentwood College School

Clayton Johnston, Director of Admissions

Glenlyon Norfolk School

Trevor Mannion, Chief Advancement and Enrolment Officer

Havergal College

Maggie Houston-White, Executive Director, Strategic Enrolment Management

King's-Edgehill School

Christopher Strickey, Director of Admissions

Lakefield College School

David Darby, Assistant Head, Enrolment Management

Pickering College

Jessie-May Rowntree, Executive Director, Admission & Marketing

Queen Margaret's School

James Blake, Director of Admissions

Ridley College

Julie A. Cameron, Director of Enrollment Management and Admissions

Rosseau Lake College

Jaclyn Macleod, Director of Admissions

Rothesay Netherwood School

Marie-Jo Thibault, Senior Director of Strategic Operations

Shawnigan Lake School

Gaynor Samuel, Director of Admissions

St. Andrew's College

Michael Roy, Director of Admission, Marketing & Business Development

Stanstead College

Joanne Carruthers, Associate Head of School, Director of Admissions

St. George's School

Aaron Andersen, Director of Admissions

St. John's-Ravenscourt School

Lindsay Stovel, Director of Admissions & Marketing

St. John's-Kilmarnock School

Britt Leeking, Director of Enrolment

St. Margaret's School

Caley Hartney, Director of Enrolment

St. Michaels University School

Alexis Lang Lunn, Director of Admissions

The Bishop Strachan School

Hilary Adamson, Executive Director, Enrolment

Trafalgar Castle School

Rhonda Daley, Director of Enrolment Management

Trinity College School

Kathy LaBranche, Director of Admissions

Upper Canada College

Emily Moir, Vice-Principal, Enrolment Management

Trinity College School Science — Trinity College School

Port Hope, Ontario

School Link