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The Giles School

Canada, Toronto

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, French
Fees CA$27,685 - 33,940
Ages 2 - 14 years
Pupil numbers 170
Type Co-educational
Opened 1989
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 13
Strengths Languages, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School
Introduction

Located in Toronto, The Giles School is a PreK to Grade 8 independent day school offering a bespoke bilingual program with French immersion from Pre-K and Mandarin instruction. Students ages 2 to 14 learn in English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish, preparing them for a multilingual world. The curriculum blends language acquisition with advanced study in grades 4–8, focusing on languages, STEAM, critical thinking, and global awareness, and is anchored by small classes of roughly 10–16 students to support individualized learning. Since moving to North York in 2008, the school has fostered an international community drawing students from more than 20 countries and 22 languages. Highlights include Matatalab coding for Grade 1 and Financial Literacy for Grades 4–8, plus service learning and leadership opportunities. The Giles Parents Association supports the school's community, and field trips, day camps, and termly clubs broaden real-world learning. A welcoming environment encourages curiosity, collaboration, and resilience.

80 Scarsdale Rd, North York, ON M3B 2R7, Canada

The Essentials

The Giles School has 170 pupils, typical class sizes of 13, instruction in English, French.

Location

80 Scarsdale Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2R7. The Giles School is located in Toronto, Ontario. Phone: (416) 446-0825; Email: caroline_bernaba@gilesschool.ca.

Stages

PREK TO GRADE 8

Type

bilingual education with French immersion from Pre-K and Mandarin program

Pupil Nationality Mix

Over 20 countries represented; 22 languages spoken.

Fees

Annual tuition at The Giles School ranges from CAD 27,685 to CAD 33,940 for 2026/27.

Application and one-time enrolment fees

- Application Fee: CAD 525 per student.
- One‑time Enrolment Fee (new families only): CAD 4,000 (paid once per family).

Tuition fees by year group (2026–27 academic year)

- Pre‑K (Full Day)
- Tuition: CAD 21,960 per year.
- Highlighted additional mandatory charges that combine with tuition to the stated total: One‑Time Enrolment Fee CAD 4,000; Application Fee CAD 525; Activity Fee CAD 500; Capital Maintenance Fee CAD 660; Parent Association Fee CAD 40.
- Total shown (tuition + the listed fees): CAD 27,685.

- Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 (JK–3)
- Tuition: CAD 26,690 per year.
- Highlighted additional mandatory charges: One‑Time Enrolment Fee CAD 4,000; Application Fee CAD 525; Activity Fee CAD 1,000; Capital Maintenance Fee CAD 660; Parent Association Fee CAD 40.
- Total shown (tuition + the listed fees): CAD 32,915.

- Grades 4 to 8
- Tuition: CAD 27,215 per year.
- Highlighted additional mandatory charges: One‑Time Enrolment Fee CAD 4,000; Application Fee CAD 525; Activity Fee CAD 1,500; Capital Maintenance Fee CAD 660; Parent Association Fee CAD 40.
- Total shown (tuition + the listed fees): CAD 33,940.

Payment plans, billing schedule and per‑installment amounts (2026–27)

- General notes on payment plans: The published installment amounts below are shown excluding Application and New Enrolment Fees (these application/enrolment charges are highlighted separately). Options include a full payment with a tuition discount, multi‑installment plans, and financed monthly plans as published. Accepted payment methods and fees are described in the payment methods section.

- Pre‑K (Full Day) — payment options for the tuition portion (excluding application/enrolment fees):
- Option A — Full Payment (3.5% discount on tuition only): due February 1, 2026 — CAD 22,391.
- Option B — Three‑Payment Plan (excluding application/enrolment fees): due February 1, 2026; May 1, 2026; July 1, 2026 — CAD 7,720 each installment.
- Option C — Financed Monthly Plan (financing fee applies; excluding application/enrolment fees): monthly payments from February 1 to July 1, 2026 — CAD 3,937.20 per month.

- JK–Grade 3 — payment options for the tuition portion (excluding application/enrolment fees):
- Option A — Full Payment (3.5% discount on tuition only): due February 1, 2026 — CAD 27,456.
- Option B — Three‑Payment Plan (excluding application/enrolment fees): due February 1, 2026; May 1, 2026; July 1, 2026 — CAD 9,464 per installment.
- Option C — Financed Monthly Plan (2.25% financing fee; excluding application/enrolment fees): monthly payments from February 1 to July 1, 2026 — CAD 4,826.30 per month.

- Grades 4–8 — payment options for the tuition portion (excluding application/enrolment fees):
- Option A — Full Payment (3.5% discount on tuition only): due February 1, 2026 — CAD 28,462.
- Option B — Three‑Payment Plan (excluding application/enrolment fees): due February 1, 2026; May 1, 2026; July 1, 2026 — CAD 9,805 per installment.
- Option C — Financed Monthly Plan (2.25% financing fee; excluding application/enrolment fees): monthly payments from February 1 to July 1, 2026 — CAD 5,000.55 per month.

Billing details and payment terms

- Which charges are payable on application/enrolment: The Application Fee (CAD 525) and the One‑Time Enrolment Fee (CAD 4,000 for new families) are highlighted as immediate charges; Activity, Capital Maintenance and Parent Association fees are shown in the enrolment schedule and are included in the stated annual total for each year group. The published payment plan installment amounts are described as excluding application and new enrolment fees.
- Accepted payment methods: cheques, bank drafts, VISA, MasterCard and American Express; Pre‑Authorized Payment (PAP) from a bank account is available and incurs no fee. All credit card payments are subject to an added 5% credit‑card processing fee. If a PAP is returned (NSF/insufficient funds), a CAD 75 fee applies.
- Discount for full payment: families who pay the full tuition portion receive a 3.5% discount on the tuition amount (this discount is applied to tuition only; application/enrolment fees are excluded).
- Sibling discount: 10% for the second child, 20% for the third child, 30% for the fourth child, etc., applied to tuition as published.

Activity fee and other recurring/ancillary charges

- Activity Fee: ranges by year group (Pre‑K CAD 500; JK–3 CAD 1,000; Grades 4–8 CAD 1,500) and is used to establish an account for items and activities during the year (pizza days, class trips, after‑school activities, camps, some transportation, technology charges, yearbook, used uniform purchases, overnight trips for Grades 4–8, etc.). Any unused balance is refunded at year end for departing students or retained and credited for returning students. If activity funds are insufficient, additional charges will be billed.
- Technology charge: CAD 100 per year for the indicated grades as published.
- Extended care and late‑pickup fees: before/after school care options are available; extended childcare is charged (CAD 25 per child for the published sessions), and late‑pickup penalties are applied (examples published: CAD 50 for the first half hour late, an additional CAD 75 for the second half hour, and CAD 100 for each subsequent half hour after the published grace period). Exact session availability and charges appear in the enrolment agreement.
- Uniforms and supplies: Uniforms are available for purchase through the school's approved supplier (InSchoolWear) or second‑hand at the school; the school publishes a separate supply list. Uniform purchase costs are paid directly to the uniform supplier.

Refund and withdrawal policy (summary)

- Parents/guardians must give written notice to withdraw a student. If parents/guardians withdraw a student before attendance begins or for any reason, amounts already paid for Tuition, Capital Maintenance Fee, Enrolment Fee and/or Activity Fee will not be refunded, and any remaining portion of those fees becomes immediately due. If the School requires a student to withdraw for reasons other than misconduct, fees (tuition, enrolment, maintenance) will be prorated to time attended and the balance, if any, will be refunded. Suspension or expulsion for misconduct carries no refund. The published enrolment agreement contains the full refund and withdrawal terms.

Boarding

- Boarding is not applicable; The Giles School operates as a day school with published hours and extended childcare options.

How activity balances and incidental charges are handled

- The Activity Fee establishes a student account for purchases and activity charges. Families receive itemized account statements; any shortfalls are billed and any remaining balance is refunded (or carried forward for returning students) at year end. Overnight trips, camps, some outings and before/after care may appear as charges to the activity account or as separate billed items depending on the item.

(End of fees summary — figures are those published for the 2026–27 enrolment schedule and the associated enrolment agreement and payment plan tables.)
Academics

The Giles School teaches Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 2 to 14.

Curriculum

The Giles School provides a bilingual Pre-K to Grade 8 program with French immersion from Pre-K and Mandarin instruction. English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish are the four main languages taught. Grades 4–8 follow an advanced blended curriculum with a focus on languages, STEAM, critical thinking, and global awareness. The school emphasizes small class sizes and a low student–staff ratio, with an average class size of 10–16 students. The blended learning curriculum aligns with UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goals as part of Innovation in Education.

Student Teacher Ratio

Average class size is 10–16 students. Low student–staff ratio.

Exam Results

Students performed well on YCT and HSK Mandarin exams.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The Giles School emphasizes social and emotional development through student leadership training and an inclusive learning environment. The curriculum is multilingual and blended, with small class sizes and differentiated instruction to support each child's growth. Leadership opportunities and service-learning activities build character and resilience. The school fosters an international growth mindset and expects students to develop self-awareness and collaboration. The approach aims to help students become confident, empathetic contributors to their communities.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The Giles School differentiates teaching to meet diverse learning needs, ensuring students feel safe and able to thrive. Instruction is tailored to each learner's strengths, interests, and abilities, in small inclusive classes. The school emphasizes individualized support within a bilingual immersion context to accommodate varied language abilities. Classroom practice focuses on ongoing assessment and adjustment to meet evolving learning needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The Giles School provides a multilingual curriculum featuring four core languages: English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish. French immersion is a key component of the program. No prior French language experience is required to join; students are educated in cultural awareness and acquire language skills to interact in diverse settings.

Mental Wellbeing

Social and emotional development is integrated into daily life. A growth mindset is cultivated through the language programs and leadership opportunities. The Giles Student Leadership program, established to equip Grades 4–8 students with life skills, promotes resilience through service-learning projects. The school emphasizes self-reflection, emotional flexibility, and coping strategies as part of its educational approach.

Admissions

Admissions

1. The Giles School is non-selective and does not test entrants. Admissions operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The school welcomes all learners and believes they can thrive with the right academic stimulation and social environment. It draws students from Toronto and surrounding areas, including Markham, Richmond Hill, Ajax, and Port Credit, Ontario.

2. The Giles School is a non-selective, co-ed French immersion independent school. Applicants may be admitted throughout the year. Spaces are reserved for current students until February 1; families are advised to apply early to secure a space. Contact the school to learn whether there are openings.

3. Steps to apply begin with downloading the applicable application forms. For 2025-26, download the Preschool form or the JK to Grade 8 form, and download the consent form. Fill both forms and submit the documents using the online form provided. The same process applies for the 2026-27 school year.

4. Submit the forms: The online submission form requires Javascript to be enabled. Complete the fields for name, contact information, current grade, entering grade, and preferred starting year, and attach up to two files with a maximum size of 10MB. After completing the submission, click to send the documents.

5. Additional notes: Remaining places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Families enrolling mid-year may be eligible for a pro-rated rate if openings exist in certain classrooms. The school offers several payment options: Full Payment with a 3.5% discount; a Three-Payment Plan with payments February 1, June 1, and October 1; and a Ten Month Payment Plan with payments on the 1st of each month from February to November; a 5% credit card processing fee applies.

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