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Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Academic and Intellectual, Leadership and Professional
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction
WillowWood School is an independent day school in Toronto, Canada, serving students aged 5 to 18 in a co-educational setting at 55 Scarsdale Road. All courses from Grade 1 through 12 follow Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum, with regular inspections by Ministry. The school emphasizes a warm, student-centred, holistic approach with small classes and a pod system that coordinates cross-level scheduling to support individualized teaching. Grove Centre and campus spaces foster self-advocacy, collaboration, and clear communication. The International Program welcomes international students and provides English development, guidance, and post-secondary planning; graduates have progressed to universities such as the University of Toronto, McGill, Waterloo, Western, and McMaster. WillowWood offers theatre, music, Visual Arts, and drama along with sport and fitness; extracurriculars include Podcast Club, Robotics Club, and Student Council. The school promotes service and sustainability, a 40-hour OSSD volunteer requirement, climate-focused initiatives like solar panels, and Seasonal Camps for international students.
WillowWood School has 250 pupils, instruction in English.
Location
WillowWood School is located at 55 Scarsdale Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2R3. It is a private, co-educational day school serving Grades 1-12. The school emphasizes individualized teaching with a pod-based system and small class sizes. It operates in Toronto, Ontario.
Stages
Lower School Grades 1-6; Middle School Grades 7-8; High School Grades 9-12
Type
Independent day school; co-educational
Pupil Nationality Mix
WillowWood's International Program welcomes students from many countries, including China, Korea, Saudi Arabia and Mexico.
Additional learning support
Lower School offers an Additional Support Program with Orton-Gillingham, Remediation Plus, Direct Instruction (Reasoning and Writing; Reading Comprehension), and related supports (math, writing, organizational skills, assistive technology). High School provides TOSS (Teaching Organization and Study Skills) and Homework Hubs; tutoring and study support are available.
Country affiliation
Canada
Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation
School day structure
Follows Ontario Ministry of Education hours; mandated number of hours and achievements are required; the schedule is not flexible.
Fees
Annual tuition at WillowWood School ranges from CAD 29,950 to CAD 33,400 for 2026/27.
Application fee - No separate application fee is required for admission.
Tuition fees (annual) — published school-year figures - The following annual tuition amounts are published for the 2026/27 academic year (amounts shown in Canadian dollars): - Kindergarten 3 (K3): CAD 29,950 per year. - Grades 1–6: CAD 29,950 per year. - Grades 7–8: CAD 31,500 per year. - Grades 9–12: CAD 33,400 per year. Annual billing is used for the figures shown.
Tuition fees (notes and other course fees) - Period Five (online / credit recovery or advance-credit) fees: full-credit course CAD 1,800; half-credit course CAD 900. - Additional support programs, small-group interventions, remediation or enrichment are charged as extra fees when applicable; these are delivered on a for-fee basis. - International-student guardianship and homestay services, when required, can add significant cost; typical ranges published for those services at the school are approximately CAD 10,000 to CAD 30,000 (guardian/homestay arrangements are billed separately from base tuition).
Billing schedule and payment terms - The tuition figures are shown as annual amounts. An early-payment incentive is published (discount CAD 500), and a sibling (second-child) discount is published (CAD 2,200), indicating the school offers at least an annual payment option with early-payment and sibling adjustments. Exact instalment options, term-by-term billing dates, and the full tuition payment schedule should be confirmed with admissions or accounts.
Boarding / Residential fees - WillowWood operates as a day school; there is no boarding program and no boarding fees. Homestay or guardianship services for international students are arranged and charged separately when needed.
Other compulsory or typical additional costs - Uniforms and spirit wear: the school maintains a uniform policy and an official schoolwear store for required items (hoodies, zip-ups, shirts, etc.). Uniform purchase costs are additional to tuition and are paid through the school-authorized supplier. - Student activities, field trips (including larger out-of-province/international trips), certain co-curricular offerings, and some support-program placements may carry extra fees charged separately from tuition. - Summer program or Camp Discovery sessions are offered with separate fees (program fees for summer courses/camps are charged in addition to regular tuition).
Refunds, cancellation, and withdrawal - No detailed, public tuition-refund schedule or an explicit published withdrawal/refund table is posted alongside the school fee figures available in public listings. Families should review the school's formal enrollment/fee agreement (enrolment contract) for the precise cancellation, withdrawal and refund terms that will apply to any payments made.
Fee payment options (common methods and practical note) - Common payment methods used across Canadian private schools include: electronic bank transfer (wire), Interac e-Transfer, cheque, and credit-card payments (sometimes via a third-party processor). The school's published materials list annual amounts and discounts but do not publish a full, detailed public list of accepted payment channels; families should confirm the accepted payment methods, fees for credit-card processing, and available instalment plans with the school's admissions or finance office.
Quick practical summary for parents - Annual tuition (2026/27 published figures): K3–Gr 6 CAD 29,950; Gr 7–8 CAD 31,500; Gr 9–12 CAD 33,400. - No separate application fee is required. - The school is a day school (no boarding); homestay/guardianship for international students is extra. - Expect additional charges for uniforms, optional programs, some support services, and summer offerings; Period Five course fees are CAD 1,800 (full credit) and CAD 900 (half credit).
(If you need the precise billing dates, instalment options or the school's formal refund/cancellation clause for the enrollment contract, those items are handled by the school's admissions/accounts office.)
Academics
WillowWood School teaches Canadian Curriculum for students aged 5 to 18.
Curriculum
All courses in Lower School (Grades 1-6), Middle School (Grades 7-8), and High School (Grades 9-12) follow the Ontario Ministry of Education's curriculum guidelines, and the school is regularly inspected by the Ministry.
Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes.
Higher Education Progression
Alumni have progressed to universities including the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, McGill University, McMaster University, and Western University.
Gifted and Talented
An enriched program is available for students who excel in one or more subject areas.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
WillowWood provides social and emotional support integrated into regular schooling. The school has an on-staff Psychotherapist, Dena Tenenhouse, who advises staff, counsels students and helps families; she also oversees the TOSS program and WillowWood's Responsible Actions Program. The Lower School benefits from an Art Therapist, Shirley Eknovitz, who counsels students and helps develop interpersonal skills. A High School Guidance Counselor, Sari Kafka, assists High School students and families with academics, post-secondary planning and life navigation. Teachers and staff are invested in mental health and social development so no student falls through the cracks.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Lower School offers an Additional Support Program for intensive intervention, enrichment or remediation. These programs include Orton-Gillingham and Remediation Plus Reading programs; Direct Instruction: Reasoning and Writing, Reading Comprehension; Locally developed support programs for Expressive Writing, Math, Homework, Text, Organizational Skills, and Assistive Technology. These are organized and delivered by Stacey Michaels and Jamie Bearg-Pustil, who have worked as a team for nearly 20 years. High School students can enrol in TOSS (Teaching Organization and Study Skills), an extra-fee small-group class focused on executive functioning, time management, assistive technology and self-advocacy. There is also Homework Hubs, tutorials and workshops before school, at lunchtime, and after school, plus a tutoring program for students requiring that.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
WillowWood's International Program welcomes students from all over the world – China, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and more. The International Program is a fully immersive environment integrated with the Domestic Program. The international team includes an International Student Coordinator, highly qualified teachers, guidance counselors (to assist with post-secondary planning, applications, and scholarships), English development instructors, athletics coaches, club leaders, and arts instructors.
Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is prioritized with dedicated staff and programs. The on-staff Psychotherapist advises staff, counsels students and helps families; the TOSS program supports executive functioning and self-advocacy; an Art Therapist supports Lower School social-emotional development; and a High School Guidance Counselor assists with academic planning and life navigation.
Safeguarding
WillowWood operates the Responsible Actions Program as part of its safeguarding initiatives.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Domestic Admissions: The admissions process is ongoing throughout the year. A meeting with parents/guardians and Principals is held. A visit to the school by the prospective student is possible if feasible. Documentation is reviewed as part of the process. 2. International Admissions: A parent, guardian or agent contacts the school and receives a list of necessary information. The information is assessed by the admissions team. An interview meeting (in person or via telephone/Skype) is held with the prospective student's parent(s)/guardian(s)/agent, our admissions team, and the student. Placement is offered. 3. Next steps: To proceed, fill out the Inquiry Form. You can call 416 444 7644 to speak with an admissions representative. You may also apply online.
FAQs
What curriculum does WillowWood School follow?
WillowWood School follows the Canadian curriculum for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
What age range does the school serve?
The school serves students aged 5 to 18, covering Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Is the school co-educational?
Yes, WillowWood School is co-educational, welcoming both boys and girls across all year groups.
