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B R A N K S O M E H A2L L B R A N K S O M E H A L L
BRANKSOME HALL BY THE NUMBERS
OUR MISSION
Each day, we challenge and inspire girls to love learning and to shape a better world.
OUR VISION
To be the pre-eminent educational community of globally minded learners and leaders.
OUR VALUES SENSE OF COMMUNITY INCLUSIVENESS CREATIVITY MAKING A DIFFERENCE
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PRINCIPAL GRACE McCALLUM Branksome is more than just a school; it’s a community with a rich history dating back more than a century. Since our founding in 1903, we have dedicated ourselves to nurturing young minds and hearts, guiding girls towards not only academic excellence but also a holistic sense of well-being and a network of lifelong friends. Our reputation as the pre-eminent girls’ school in Canada is built on our unwavering commitment to fostering an environment where students can thrive in every aspect of their lives and have boundless opportunities. Choosing a school for your child is a pivotal decision, and I want to take a moment to underscore the benefits and gifts that come with this choice.
Being a day or Boarding student at Branksome Hall provides a structured and nurturing environment where students can focus on their academic and personal development, surrounded by dedicated educators and mentors who truly care about each and every one of them. Living and learning among peers from diverse backgrounds enriches students’ cultural understanding and social skills, preparing them for global citizenship. The friendships formed in Branksome’s caring, close-knit setting often become lifelong bonds. One of the greatest strengths of our school is the deep and lasting relationships that are formed here. These relationships extend beyond the classroom and the school years, becoming a lifelong network of friends and allies. At Branksome Hall, we teach our girls to challenge the status quo by encouraging them to question and explore beyond traditional boundaries. We equip them with the skills to be change makers, fostering their ability to innovate and lead in a rapidly changing world. In the face of complex global challenges, our students listen deeply, think creatively and take action to make a meaningful difference. With the opening of our new iCAST building, the first of its kind at an independent school in Canada, this is such an exciting time to be at Branksome Hall. This building is the embodiment of our innovative spirit—leading by example for other schools, and creating a place where our students can be inspired in entrepreneurship, STEAM, design thinking and innovation. As a parent myself, I understand the significance of entrusting us with the education and care of your children. As you read through this viewbook, you’ll discover more about the Branksome difference and what sets us apart. When you’re ready to learn more, drop by our campus for a tour or reach out to our Admissions team. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing more about what makes our school truly remarkable.
Warmly, Grace McCallum Principal, Branksome Hall
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BRANKSOME’S IB ADVANTAGE EQUIP LEARNERS WITH THE SKILLS TO UNLOCK THEIR POTENTIAL
As Toronto’s leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls, Branksome is uniquely positioned to equip learners from JK to Grade 12 with the skills to unlock their potential and change the world. Established in 1903 in Toronto, Canada, Branksome Hall is an independent, university-preparatory school whose exemplary liberal arts curriculum prepares its graduates to be creative thinkers and problem solvers. In Grades JK–6, the Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a framework designed to foster holistic development and nurture a lifelong love of learning. The PYP challenges students to think critically, research deeply and develop globally minded perspectives on a broad range of issues. In Grades 7–10 the Middle Years Programme (MYP) is designed to provide a progressive platform for learning, inquiry and growth.
TWO PATHWAYS TO GRADUATION: Based on their post-secondary goals, Grade 11 and 12 students choose to complete either the full IB Diploma Programme (DP) or Branksome Hall’s unique IB Select pathway, offering a personalized course selection that plays to each student’s strengths and ensures graduates are prepared for the rigour of a university education. The IB Programme is viewed as the gold standard by universities worldwide. More than 2,300 universities across the globe recognize the IB as a valued secondary school credential. Increasingly, the best higher education institutions seek out and reward IB graduates.
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Learn more about our IB Advantage
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CO-CURRICULARS & WELLBEING A S S H E FO C U S E S O N H E R S T U D I E S, SHE ALSO SEEKS BALANCE. Our diverse array of co-curricular and well-being offerings presents your daughter with outlets for creativity and community service. Whether she joins our championship-winning Debating or Rowing teams, enjoys after-school yoga classes, swimming, Film or Improv Club, creates a charity to provide for local families in need, joins the Robotics team with her friends, or heads up Model UN—she’s following her passions and evolving interests alongside her academics. Our state-of-the-art Athletics and Wellness Centre, an inviting, sunlight-filled space, places our ambitions for community-wide individual wellness at the heart of our campus. Through this facility and our wide range of fitness options, your daughter will have the opportunity to achieve balance and discover her unique path to lifelong well-being.
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JUNIOR SCHOOL YOUR DAUGHTER NATURALLY QUESTIONS EVERYTHING. In her earliest years at Branksome Hall, her expert teachers channel that curiosity, her budding ability to create and reflect, and her desire to make connections between what she sees and experiences and what she already knows. While traditional academic study forms the foundation for your daughter’s learning, her teachers also ask her to think about her own thinking and identity... What does it mean to wonder? How do our personal histories inform our present? How can we use our imaginations? …sparking a desire for knowledge and an awareness of herself as a learner.
The Junior School at Branksome Hall was selected as an Apple Distinguished School based on its commitment to continuous innovation in education and use of Apple devices to create exemplary learning practices.
Throughout her entire Branksome experience, your daughter engages in inquiry-based, relationally driven learning. In her JK–Grade 6 years, her teachers focus her learning through the lenses of the same transdisciplinary learning themes every year. Because these themes evolve each year, your daughter’s thinking also grows in complexity, motivating her to seek out connections and explore ideas further.
Learn more
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JK–Grade 6
PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME (PYP) Your daughter’s Branksome journey begins with INQUIRY.
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She thinks about her thinking. And how she learns.
She questions and debates the meaning of these significant ideas across every subject area.
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Your daughter gains foundational knowledge of subject areas through our concept-driven curriculum.
Through these themes, her explorations deepen.
Learn more about the PYP
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Her inquiry leads to budding INSIGHT.
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In Grade 6 she identifies, investigates and proposes a solution to a reallife issue during a collaborative culminating project. Example topics include: Sustainable cities, access to food, clean energy, gender equality, health and wellbeing, workplace inclusivity, access to education.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL SHE’S LEARNING HOW TO LEARN— AND HOW TO FORM CONNECTIONS. As your daughter enters Grade 7, her teachers guide her through concept-driven contextual learning. Designed for younger adolescents in Grades 7 to 10, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) engages students in a liberal arts program that provides a solid platform for future studies in all disciplines. The program also teaches students the essential skills for learning how to learn, as well as their own unique learning strengths and areas for growth. The MYP focuses on the development of the whole girl, and it includes learning in Arts, Athletics, and developing skills and interests. MYP students also learn to take on leadership roles and community service activities. Students study English, Mathematics, Sciences, Technology, Physical Education, the Arts (Drama, Music, Visual Art), Humanities and a foreign language every year. Students improve their critical-thinking skills, capacity for teamwork, work habits, independence and organizational abilities. By the end, they’re ready for Grades 11 and 12 and the IB Diploma Programme.
She eagerly explores her world with open-minded enthusiasm. But throughout Grades 7–10, her teachers guide her to not only expand upon her more abstract questions within larger global contexts, but to engage in more sophisticated, focused study at the same time.
Learn more about the MYP
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Grades 7–10
MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME (MYP) Context fosters deeper INSIGHT and new perspectives.
BRANKSOME GIRLS’ PERSONAL PROJECTS She writes a children’s book promoting awareness of and helping destigmatize mental illness. Or she artistically devises Snapchat Geofilters that reflect the culture, background and attractions of neighbourhoods in Toronto. Or she composes a piano piece for senior citizens to aid in their wellness. Or she creates instructional videos in tennis basics, offering these skills to those who can’t afford lessons.
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AESTHETICS
She expands upon her explorations, building a global perspective.
CHANGE COMMUNICATION COMMUNITIES CONNECTIONS
She questions and debates the meaning of these significant ideas across every subject area.
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CREATIVITY CULTURE DEVELOPMENT FORM GLOBAL INTERACTIONS
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She expresses what she knows. In Grade 10, she places her passion into a larger context, analyzing and working to resolve a need in the community.
IDENTITY LOGIC PERSPECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS TIME, PLACE AND SPACE
She focuses and grounds her abstract questioning through foundational understanding of these subject areas.
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Your daughter’s INSIGHTS inform her actions.
SYSTEMS
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SENIOR SCHOOL In Grades 11 and 12, independence and critical-thinking skills gain even more focus. Students plan their own program, choosing from a range of courses in Humanities, Mathematics and Sciences, plus Arts and Languages. School and University Counsellors and Learning Strategies staff provide support every step of the way.
PATHWAY OPTIONS Based on their post-secondary goals, students will choose to enter one of two program options. We believe choice offers agency, and a personalized course selection plays to each student’s unique strengths. The two pathways—the Full IB Diploma Programme or the Branksome Hall IB Select Program—share an emphasis on international mindedness, intercultural understanding and providing context for young women to develop valuable skills to lead in a complex, interdisciplinary, globally connected adult world. All Branksome students are IB students and all courses are IB courses.
FULL IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
BRANKSOME HALL IB SELECT PROGRAM
The full IB Diploma Programme is understood by selective universities as the most rigorous program offered at Branksome Hall. At Branksome, we believe in the value of a liberal arts education, as represented by the full Diploma Programme, to expose students to varied ways of knowing and thinking.
Students who opt for the IB Select Program pathway will still fulfill all mandatory requirements for both the IB and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), but will have greater flexibility in selecting standard level (SL) and higher level (HL) courses. This pathway is especially beneficial for students who want to focus their course choices in a specific area of study. For instance, students passionate about the Arts can tailor their experience by taking more than two Art subjects.
Learn more about the DP
Learn more about our IB Select Program
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Grades 11-12
DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (DP) Her teachers guide her to consistently and courageously DEMONSTRATE what she knows.
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE (TOK) In a seminar-style roundtable discussion, she debates questions like:
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BRANKSOME GIRLS’ EXTENDED ESSAY TOPICS
She reflects on the nature of human knowledge.
She composes a 4,000word research essay on a topic of her choice.
How certain is science? To what extent does scientific knowledge determine what is real?
She completes independent research.
Who is the primary beneficiary of a moral action? How are consequences judged and who judges them? Can a machine know? How does our understanding of history shape our perspectives of the world around us?
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She helps build her community through CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE (CAS). Employing her creative strengths, desire for action and her responsibility to engage, she contributes to bettering Toronto and beyond.
Studying a wide range of subjects, including two languages, provides a firm foundation for her university path.
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How has the construction of the Sheppard subway line impacted the development of neighbourhoods? How is language used in musical theatre to portray the feminist ideal of women taking action to make personal and social changes towards an equal cultural society? To what extent were the Bolshevik promises of “peace, land and bread” carried out in the Leninist period of 1917–1924?
She’s forming more than positive habits. She’s cultivating a second nature for success, not just occasionally—but INSTINCTIVELY.
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INNOVATION AT BRANKSOME CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO WITH AN INNOVATION MINDSET The culture of innovation at Branksome runs deep. More than a buzzword, innovation is core to everything we do. Just as social and emotional skills can be learned, so too can creativity and an innovator’s mindset. At Branksome, we immerse our learners in the design-thinking cycle through an integrated approach across the curriculum, where they develop their ideas through an iterative process of empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping and testing.
Our new STEM, arts and entrepreneurship accelerator is here. Women make up less than 25% of those in STEM careers. But change is here, thanks to the opening of the Karen L. Jurjevich Innovation Centre & Studio Theatre (ICAST). This 34,500 square-foot idea accelerator is a first for a JK-12 school in Canada. It's how we'll ensure girls build practical skills for the digital future.
Take a look at iCAST
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BRANKSOME HALL’S UNIQUE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM The first of its kind in a Canadian school, Noodle is a revolutionary program that nurtures, identifies, then brings our students’ most inventive ideas to life with the support of faculty, expert advisors and entrepreneurs. Students gain an unforgettable hands-on learning experience that teaches them how to innovate, adapt and thrive. Guided by niche experts and mentors, our Noodlers innovate on businesses that offer sustainable solutions to real-world problems. Noodle’s ultimate goal is to balance the significant gender gap across current science, technology, engineering and entrepreneurial landscapes. Noodle is one more way we’re preparing our students to lead the way in shaping a better world.
SLINGSHOT INNOVATION ACADEMY The Slingshot Innovation Academy propels students on a learning trajectory like no other, as they tackle real-world problems, gain hands-on experience, learn from industry experts and discover technology-driven solutions to reinvent the world as we know it.
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GRADES 4-6 16-WEEK INTRO TO DESIGN THINKING, ENDING AT THE NOODLE JR. TRADE SHOW STAGE 2
GRADES 7-12 38-WEEK ACCELERATOR: DESIGN, LAUNCH, ELEVATE AND SCALE
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BOARDING PROG RAM SHE’S BUILDING LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS AND COMMUNITY. Beginning in Grade 7, we offer your daughter the opportunity to join our enriching Boarding Program. In two charming heritage houses on campus, our 40 Boarding students experience, firsthand, the benefits of living and studying within a vibrant and supportive environment alongside girls from across Canada and around the world.
Take a look inside our Boarding program
Together, our girls in Boarding spend weekends exploring new places and enjoying new experiences. They discover Toronto’s museums and restaurants. They spend nights in Boarding watching movies, competing for their houses in fun challenges, crafting projects, cooking meals together, or just hanging out with their housemates. As a Boarding student, your daughter gains valuable independence, always under the care of her Boarding Advisors. Our Boarding staff, composed of expert educators and caregivers, gets to know your daughter. And by regularly communicating with her and her teachers and Student Support Team, we ensure your daughter’s learning journey stimulates her mind and nurtures her spirit—both “at home” and in class.
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View our Boarding Handbook
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STUDENT SUPPORT The social and emotional skills that have become a key component of Branksome’s IB curriculum provide a solid foundation for university and for life.
A CROSS-FUNCTIONAL APPROACH While Branksome has long been a caring community, we have deepened our commitment to well-being by integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) across the school. We continue to expand on this work, including restructuring our counselling support model to ensure all members of our community have access to the support they need. By building skills across five key areas of competence—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making—learners are empowered to better understand and manage themselves, relate to others, develop supportive relationships and make responsible decisions.
OUR SUPPORT MODEL Branksome’s student support model ensures more students have access to the level of support they need to thrive. Featuring three specialized teams—a Learning Strategies and Health Centre team, a combined Social Work and School Counselling team, and a University Counselling team—the model deepens and expands our offerings within these distinct areas.
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COMMUNITY AT BRANKSOME TOGETHER, WE NOT ONLY BELONG BUT WE THRIVE At Branksome Hall, we ensure community, inclusion and belonging (CIB) permeate our culture, guide our actions and are reflected in our lived experiences. Across campus, we are learning and collaborating to create diverse, accessible, equitable and inclusive learning and working environments: •
Teams across the school are working on 30 immediate actions to deepen community, inclusion and belonging.
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Community partnerships are enhancing understanding of diverse lived experiences.
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Branksome is providing support for the Black Student Association and other affinity and alliance groups.
Learn more about our Multi-Year Action Plan, which involves deep listening, meaningful action and ongoing commitment.
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INTERNATIONAL MINDEDNESS AS SHE EXPLORES HER WORLD, SHE BECOMES GLOBALLY AGILE AND AWARE. Throughout her entire Branksome journey, we encourage your daughter to be internationally minded. We believe that her learning should not only address her personal experiences, it should also guide her to make connections across a global landscape and between the many people she will encounter during her life.
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There are several opportunities for students to engage in activities to foster this mindset:
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM: BRANKSOME HALL ASIA
Grades 8–10
Grade 9
Students in Grades 8–10 can experience school and daily life in another country for a period of two to five weeks. Branksome currently has four exchange partnerships with schools in Australia, England, France, Scotland and Spain. Participation provides students with an enriching and immersive experience in another culture and a unique opportunity to attend school in other parts of the globe.
Located on Jeju Island, South Korea, Branksome Hall Asia is an independent school with its own Principal and Board of Governors. The school has adopted the vision and mission of Branksome Hall Canada, and it offers the IB curriculum, with classes conducted primarily in English. All Branksome Grade 9 students in Toronto have the opportunity to travel to Branksome Hall Asia for a unique study-abroad program that provides an immersive global engagement experience at the state-of-the-art campus.
DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING At Branksome Hall, debating and public speaking are long-standing traditions. The school was one of the first girls’ schools to become a member of the Fulford Debate League and the first Canadian school to host the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in 2019. In 2024, a Branksome student was crowned world champion in Australia. The program offers an excellent opportunity to learn these skills and engage in global competitions. Branksome is also the home of Re:Solved—an international debate competition designed for all students aged 13–18 to fuel their interest and participation in global competitive public speaking and debating.
Learn more about our Study Abroad Program
SERVICE TRIPS Grades 10–12 Annual service trips to such places as South Africa and Costa Rica give students the chance to learn about issues related to environmental sustainability and to live with local families to learn about their customs and culture.
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AS A BRANKSOME GIRL, YOUR DAUGHTER LEARNS TO…
CONTRIBUTE TO HER GLOBAL COMMUNITY
tercultural school Our immersive, in thened by our community, streng m, Boarding Progra well-established s tie abroad opportuni our varied study s, Hall Asia campu and Branksome ly ve iti tu in ts an models for studen or ni Ju e. From global perspectiv ents learn to ud st Kindergarten, ange ey can create ch consider how th hout ug ro th rhoods, in their neighbou orld. w e ss th Toronto and acro
SEEK BAL ANCE A N D FO C U S
re— d Wellness Cent Our Athletics an g ltwater swimmin featuring two sa s, io ud st t balle pools, yoga and ate-of-the-art st , ite a rowing su fitness facilities, technology and exemplifies our and much more— ing mitment to foster school-wide com ellw l ta nal and men physical, emotio d an ts, faculty, staff being for studen e. families alik
THINK BEYOND THE ORDINARY
about studying We’re passionate st. Our Chandaria how girls learn be initiates and Research Centre e ch to advance th develops resear EAMucation. With ST future of girls’ ed ci ms and fa lities, focused classroo of innovation, we create a hub ur d creativity for yo collaboration an ns ar le e sh ksome, daughter. At Bran ent intentionally nm ro in an envi her. ivate and nurture designed to mot
SEIZE EACH OPPORTUNITY
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Co -curricular, ser vice, art s and athlet ics opportuniti es abound at Branksome. Your daughte r can join one of our season al sports each ter m, explore her pa ssions and interes ts throu gh after- school clubs, or volunteer wit h on e of our ver sat ile ser vice learning ou tlets. No matter which she chooses, she’s seeing the value of teamwork , tak ing act ion and shaping her ow n experien ce.
RELY ON HER SISTERS
At Branksome, your daug hter learns in a cul ture of like - and differentl y minded gir ls, ea ch ambit ious and courageo us in her ow n way. During her firs t year, she’s assigned to on e of our multigrade Clans— a group of gir ls she remains wit h for her entire time at Branksome— to participa te in friendship-building act ivit ies that fos ter lifelong sis ter hood and thoughtf ul leadership.
TAKE CALCULATED RISKS
We support your daughte r through her Branksome journey at every step. Wi th the assista nce of our expert Social Wo rkers and Universit y Counselling tea m, specialized Learning Str ate gies programming , and teache rs attuned to reveal stren gth s and potential, we provide you r daughter more challenge when she needs it, support to overco me obstacles, and ever-p resent encouragement to help he r become her best sel f.
EXPRESS HERSELF WITH INSIGHT AND ORIGINALITY
Our Music , Visual and Pe rforming Art s department, led by practising art ist- teachers, nurtures each gir l from JK– Grade 12 to begin discovering , refinin g and expres sing her ind ivid ual creative viewpoint— alongside cul tivating a growing awarene ss of an art ist’s social and cul tur al impact .
BOLDLY MOVE FORWARD, READY FOR ANYTHING
After graduating, our girls go on to attend some of the most prestigious universities in the world. But more import ant ly, from an early age, we encourage each Branksome girl to be gin thin king about what she needs and wants from her university experience, involving her directly in find ing her best-fit choice and ensuring that, regardless of her next sch ool choice, she’s more tha n prepared.
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FINANCIAL E C N A T S I S AS Branksome is pleased to support students through a program of financial assistance (bursaries) and entrance merit scholarships. Our philosophy is to support, in part, as many families as possible as they look to finance their Branksome experience from Grade 7 to 12. Every year, approximately 10% of Branksome Senior & Middle School students receive financial assistance in the form of a bursary or entrance merit scholarship. We are pleased to award nearly $1.6 million annually.
If you are interested in a Branksome education but have questions or concerns about costs, we would be happy to have a conversation. Please contact our Admissions team at admissions@branksome.on.ca to discuss.
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APPLY NOW 1. Apply online: branksome.on.ca/admissions 2. Family and student interview (in person or virtual) 3. Grade-appropriate assessments Learn more on our website: branksome.on.ca/admissions/how-to-apply
APPLY NOW To be part of Branksome Hall
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We invite you and your family to discover our IB Advantage for girls by visiting our school.
Branksome Hall 10 Elm Avenue, Toronto ON M4W 1N4
Tel. 416-920-6265 ext. 268 admissions@branksome.on.ca branksome.on.ca