How many students does BSS have?
BSS has 900 students, ranging from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.
What are the entry years?
The entry years at BSS are Junior Kindergarten, Grade 3, Grade 7 and Grade 9.
What if my daughter is not applying to an entry year?
From time to time, spots become available in non-entry years, so we welcome applications for all grades.
Does my daughter have to write the SSAT?
If your daughter is applying to Boarding, she is required to write either the SSAT or TOEFL exams. If your daughter is applying as a day student, she is not required to write the SSAT.
ALUMNAE
What is the policy for alumna (Old Girl) and sibling applicants?
One of our core values at BSS is to develop a strong community. We embrace opportunities to strengthen our connections with our current families and alumnae community. When we have more than one qualified candidate for an opening, the School is happy to allocate this position to a family that has a previous connection with us. However, it is important to note that another key value that we strive to maintain at BSS is to attract a diverse and exceptionally talented student body and we will continue to welcome students and families from local, national and international communities.
BOARDING
How do I apply for citizenship (Visa/Study Permit)?
As required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, students who are not Canadian citizens but who want to study in Canada must apply for a study permit and/or a temporary resident visa. Once accepted to BSS, if a student is not a Canadian citizen, you must apply for a study permit and/or visa. Citizenship and Immigration Canada is the government agency that grants study permits and visas, and information on the process is available at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study.asp Once a student is accepted to BSS and fees have been paid, the School will provide appropriate documentation to support a student’s application, but it is the responsibility of the family to file the complete application.
Does my daughter need a custodian?
If your daughter is not a Canadian citizen, she will need to attain a study permit and/or visa to attend The Bishop Strachan School. Citizenship and Immigration Canada requires a notarized Custodian Form. This individual must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing within a reasonable distance of the student’s residence in Canada, and must be over 19 years of age.
What is the difference between custodian and guardian?
The custodian is an individual who is appointed for immigration purposes – they must sign and have notarized the Custodian Form as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The custodian must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (residing a reasonable distance of the student’s residence in Canada) and be over 19 years of age.
At BSS we require that all boarders who live outside the Greater Toronto Area also identify a “Student Supporter.” In situations where a family member or friend is acting as the custodian for immigration purposes, many families will appoint the same individual as the Student Supporter. The Student Supporter must: act on behalf of the family in the case of an emergency; be wiling to accommodate and supervise the student during long weekends or breaks during which the School is closed, in the event of disciplinary action, if the student is ill and can not remain at School, or in case of School closure.
Do boarders have a curfew?
Yes. The curfews and sign-out privileges vary by grade. Whenever a student leaves the School, she must sign out with a staff member, indicate where she is going, with whom, how long she expects to be out, and must sign back in upon her return.
What type of security is there?
Although the School is located in a very safe residential neighborhood in Toronto, known as Forrest Hill, the School has 24-hour security coverage. All entrances to the School and to the residence are monitored by camera and have alarmed doors.
PROGRAM
What is the average class size?
The average class size is 18-22 students.
What is the teacher-student ratio?
We are lucky at BSS to have a student:teacher ratio of 9:1.
Do you have French immersion? Where would my child be placed?
BSS has two streams of French: core, and intensive. Girls coming to BSS in grades 7 to 9 from French immersion programs, are placed in our Intensive French class.
How much homework will my daughter have in Junior School?
In the primary years (JK- Grade 1) students take home an activity bag each week to work through with parents. The activities included in the bag are designed to re-inforce concepts and foster individual skill development appropriate to each child’s growth. Students in Grades 2 and 3 might have 30 minutes of homework an evening, working up to 60 minutes a night by Grade 6.
What is the laptop program?
BSS was the first girls’ school in Canada to introduce a fully integrated laptop program that enabled students to use technology in all aspects of their learning. This is a critical skill in today’s world and BSS is committed to staying at the forefront of incorporating technology into both the curriculum and the everyday lives of our students, effectively and ethically. From the Junior School on, you’ll find technology in use as a learning tool.
Are there Religion classes?
In Grade 7, students have an introduction into the concept of spirituality through a study of the Judeo-Christian roots of BSS and compare them with world religions. In Grade 8, the focus shifts to Social Justice and how everyone can be a voice and be actively involved in global issues.
Does my daughter have to go to chapel?
Senior School students attend a Chapel three mornings a week where announcements, celebrations and performances are shared. The Chapel service is run by students and provides a context in which spirituality and social justice is shared and action taken.
What if my daughter is not Anglican?
BSS is based on an Anglican tradition, but is a multicultural and multidenominational community. BSS welcomes girls of all religious affiliations and cultures. All major religions are represented in our student population.
Where do BSS graduates go to university?
100% of our students continue on to university. Students accept placements all over the world and are accepted into a variety of specialized programs. Counselors in our Student Services Department are incredibly knowledgeable and will work with your daughter to ensure she has all the information and support she needs to apply to the universities of her choice.
SCHOOL LIFE
What time does school start?
School begins at 8:30 am for students in Grade 1 through 12. Junior and Senior Kindergarten classes begin at 9:00 am.
What is drop-off/pick up?
In the Junior School, morning supervision begins at 7:50 am. In the Senior School, students can be dropped off as early as 7:15 am. Many team practices and rehearsals begin at this time. The Learning Resource Centre opens at 7:45 am for students to study.
JK and SK students are dismissed at 3:10 pm, while classes end at 3:30 pm for Grades 1 through 12. All day students are expected to leave the School at the end of classes unless supervised by a Faculty or Staff member in a recognized school activity.
In Junior School, children are welcome to play in the playground after school if a parent or guardian is supervising them. Our After School Care program is available for Junior School students from 3:10 pm to 6:00 pm.
What is the Fun Plus program?
Fun Plus is an optional co-curricular program of activities open to students in grades 2 through 6. Each term a selection of different activities are offered ranging from the arts, drama, physical education, technology and science. The Fun Plus program is designed to augment and build upon the experiences of our Junior School students.
In addition to Fun Plus, there are many additional co-curricular opportunities: Students in SK-Grade 3 can take part in ballet lessons; Grades 1-6 students may sign up for private music lessons; and Students in grades 4 to 6 can participate on our athletic teams.
Is transportation organized?
Parents are responsible for making their own transportation arrangements. To facilitate carpooling in the Junior School, we do distribute BSS phone books to students and encourage them to collect the contact information for their friends. Many Senior School students use public transit.
What is the House system?
There are 12 Houses in the Senior School, each with its own colour and mascot. Students are assigned to the same House for their entire time at BSS. Students in grades 7 to 12 meet in their Houses in the mornings before Chapel for attendance and announcements. Being in Houses gives students the opportunity to informally interact with students in other grades each morning and in competition throughout the year. As well, TAG (Teacher Advisor Groups) is organized in grades by House.
Houses compete in several areas, collecting points for their House throughout the year. Activities such as House Games, House Debates take place during lunch hour. Houses also compete during Crazy Sports Day. At Closing Ceremonies, the House with the most points is awarded the Cadbury-Bell Cup. Each House has student leaders who are elected by members of that House.
Are there days when students don’t have to be in uniform (dress-down/grub days)?
About once a month we have a “Grub Day” where students pay $2 to not wear their uniform that day. Each “Grub Day” has a theme that is determined by the student group organizing it. The money raised goes to the Philanthropic Council who will decide where the money is disbursed.
Are there opportunities for my daughter in Junior School to interact with older students?
Within the Junior School we pair our primary students with students in the junior grades to form learning partnerships. Throughout the year, these learning buddies work together in a combination of ways: from classroom activities and investigations, to community service work.
At BSS, we have the additional advantage of being one school – from JK to 12, and we value the sense of community afforded to us. It is not uncommon to see Senior School student as coaching assistants, swimming instructors, classroom experts or friends to students in the Junior School.
What is the Junior School Food Program?
All students in the Junior School receive a morning snack, hot lunch, and an afternoon snack during the school day. The costs associated with the meal program are included in tuition fees for Junior School students.
How do parents get involved? What is the Parent Association?
All parents of BSS students are members of the Parent Association (PA), in partnership with the School. The PA Executive consists of representatives from the Junior and Senior Schools who meet monthly to review, as well as plan and support, projects and activities within the mandate of the PA for the School community.
Volunteering is an excellent way to feel a part of the School, to make new friends and get to know the staff and students better. As you become involved in your daughter’s school community through the Parent Association, you enrich the experiences of all our girls and have opportunities yourself to be part of the BSS community in action.