private

The Giles School

80 Scarsdale Road, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 2R7

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At a glance

Grades: PS – Gr. 8
Gender: Coed
Boarding: No
Founded: 1989
Board: Independent
Religious affiliation: Not specified
Principal: Caroline Bernaba
Program type: Site based only
Associations: Ontario Federation of Independent Schools

Tuition & admissions

Tuition: $23,000 – $25,000 /year
Financial aid: Yes
Interview required: No
SSAT required: No
Acceptance rate: Non-selective school; places offered first come, first served based on available space

Admissions process

Non-selective admissions operate year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, with no entrance test. Families are invited to book a private tour, download the applicable application and consent forms, complete both, and submit them online. Applications are available for Preschool and JK–Grade 8 for 2026–27 and 2027–28. Entry is possible in September or midyear while space remains. Current students' spaces are reserved until February 1.

Academics & learning

Curriculum: Progressive
Student–teacher ratio: Two teachers per Preschool class
Class size: Tuition
Accreditation: UNESCO Member School connected with hybrid learning systems worldwide

Tuition & financial aid details

Full-tuition payment discount: Families paying the full tuition fee receive a 3.5% discount.
Credit card payment fee: A 5% credit card fee is added to the billed amount.

Bursaries & scholarships

Families who pay full tuition fee receive 3.5% discount
Credit card fee of 5% added to billed amount
Payment plans available

Course descriptions

Preschool

For ages 2 and 3, develops foundational social, emotional, and academic skills through French songs, stories, art, play, and other engaging activities. Classes have 10–12 students and two teachers; before- and after-care is available.

JK and SK

French stories, songs, games, and music introduce counting, measuring, and writing. Mandarin begins in JK.

French Immersion

Begins in Pre-K with French as the primary language of instruction. Grades 4–8 use a blended English and French curriculum, with advanced French literature, essays, debates, and DELF Junior exams from Grade 4.

Mandarin

Begins in JK and introduces Chinese language and culture. Students take HSK and YCT Mandarin exams annually.

STEAM, Coding and Robotics

Integrates science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and arts through inquiry and problem-solving. Matatalab, Dash, and Lego Robotics support hands-on learning about sequences, loops, forces, energy, and real-world challenges.

Financial Literacy

Includes Junior Millionaire and Young Investors. Junior Millionaire introduces budgeting, saving, taxes, and basic investing.

Music

JK–Grade 5 develops vocal and instrumental skills using ukulele, keyboard, and percussion. Grades 6–8 develop performance and composition skills with instruments including drums, piano, guitar, ukulele, keyboard, and voice, and create and record original music.

Visual Arts

Separate programs for JK–Grade 3 and Grades 4–8 develop expression and visual literacy. Grades 1–3 create two- and three-dimensional works; Grades 4–8 explore identity, community, diversity, and stereotypes.

Physical Education

Pre-K–Grade 8 instruction develops physical and motor skills through team sports, swimming, and track and field, emphasizing sportsmanship, goal-setting, and well-being.

Health Education

Addresses physical and mental health, informed decision-making, personal safety, puberty, and strategies for maintaining well-being.

View course information on the school website

School images

Learning programs

Specializations

French immersion and multilingual education · STEAM, coding, robotics, and engineering · Financial literacy

Languages

French: primary language of instruction from Pre-K · English: taught alongside French, with a blended English and French curriculum in Grades 4–8

Learning support

Early intervention emphasized as one of six foundational principles · Small classes provide personalized attention and help teachers identify early when students need additional support or challenge. Early intervention is a founding principle · and every Preschool class has two teachers.

Student life

Sports

Pre-K–Grade 8 physical education includes team sports · swimming · and track and field · with an emphasis on motor skills · sportsmanship · goal-setting · health · and well-being.

Arts

Music and visual arts begin in JK. Students perform in annual Winter and Summer recitals. JK–Grade 5 emphasizes vocal and instrumental skill-building · Grades 6–8 adds advanced performance · composition · and recording original music. Visual arts through Grade 8 develops artistic techniques · visual literacy · individual expression · and collaborative learning.

Facilities

Coding and robotics learning tools include Matatalab · Dash · and Lego Robotics. Music instruction uses drums · piano · guitar · ukulele · keyboard · and percussion instruments.

Clubs & extracurricular activities

Chess club
Painting club
Arts clubs
Sports clubs
Robotics clubs

Outdoor activities & education

Field trips: Student activities include field trips, with one example showing students meeting goats.
Running: Students are shown out for a run.

About the school

The Giles School is a non-selective, co-ed French immersion independent school founded by Harry Giles in 1989, serving children from age 2 through Grade 8.

Location & school highlights

Location

Located at 80 Scarsdale Road
Toronto
ON M3B 2R7. Draws students from Toronto and surrounding areas
including Markham
Richmond Hill
Ajax
and Port Credit.

What makes the school distinct

French immersion begins in Pre-K; Mandarin begins in JK, and Spanish is also taught.
Classes average 10–16 students; Preschool classes have 10–12 students and two teachers.
Non-selective, first-come, first-served admissions with no entrance test and year-round entry.
DELF Junior French exams begin in Grade 4; students take HSK and YCT Mandarin exams annually.
Six founding principles: early intervention, bilingualism, third languages, small classes, international standards, and love.

Notable alumni

Graduates have gone on to Upper Canada College, University of Toronto Schools, Havergal College, St. Clement's School, St. Andrew's College, and University School (Ohio). One alumnus (Max) accepted by University School, the #1 school in Ohio.