private

The Giles School

North York, Ontario

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At a glance

Grades: Pre – K–8
Gender: Co-educational.
Board: Independent

Tuition & admissions

Tuition: $21,530 /year
SSAT required: No

Admissions process

Non-selective, first-come, first-served admission throughout the year, with no entrance test. Families are invited to book a private tour, download and complete the applicable application and consent forms, and submit them online. Entry is available in September or midyear while space remains. Spaces are reserved for current students until February 1. Application forms are provided for 2026–27 and 2027–28, separately for Preschool and JK–Grade 8.

Academics & learning

Curriculum: French immersion from Pre-K through Grade 8, transitioning to a blended English and French curriculum in Grades 4–8. Core subjects include mathematics, science, social studies, and languages, complemented by STEAM, robotics, coding, financial literacy, health, arts, physical education, and character education. Grades 4–8 participate in the Canadian Tests of Basic Skills and Canadian National Math League; Grades 7–8 also participate in CEMC–University of Waterloo activities.
Class size: 10–16 students overall; 10–12 in Preschool.

Tuition & financial aid details

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

Course descriptions

Preschool

For ages 2 and 3; develops foundational social, emotional, and academic skills through French songs, stories, art, and play. 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.

Grades 1–3

French and English reading and writing alongside mathematics, science, social studies, and Mandarin, with storytelling, music, hands-on learning, and character education.

Grades 4–8

Advanced blended English and French curriculum emphasizing languages, STEAM, critical thinking, global awareness, health, financial literacy, and character education.

French Immersion

Begins in Pre-K with French as the primary instructional language. Later grades develop reading, writing, oral communication, and critical thinking through classic literature, essays, and debates. DELF Junior exams begin in Grade 4.

Mandarin

Begins in JK as the school's third-language program, introducing Chinese language and culture. Students take HSK and YCT exams annually.

STEAM

Combines science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and arts through creative inquiry, problem-solving, and hands-on learning.

Coding and Robotics

Introduces sequences, loops, programming, and problem-solving using Matatalab, Dash, and Lego Robotics. Projects explore forces, energy, gravity, friction, and aerodynamics.

Junior Millionaire

Financial literacy program covering budgeting, saving, taxes, and basic investing.

Health Education

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

Music

JK–Grade 5 builds vocal and instrumental skills using ukulele, keyboard, and percussion. Grades 6–8 develop performance and composition skills using drums, piano, guitar, ukulele, keyboard, and voice, including creating and recording original music.

Visual Arts

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

View course information on the school website

School images

Learning programs

Specializations

French immersion and multilingual education · STEAM, coding, robotics, and engineering · Financial literacy · Small-class, personalized education

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

Small classes provide personalized attention and help teachers identify early when students need additional challenge or assistance. Early intervention is a founding principle · and every Preschool class has two teachers.

Student life

Sports

Physical education from Pre-K through Grade 8 includes physical and motor skills · team sports · swimming · and track and field · emphasizing sportsmanship · goal-setting · health · and well-being.

Arts

Music and visual arts from JK through Grade 8. Students perform in annual Winter and Summer recitals. Music progresses from vocal and instrumental skill-building to performance · composition · and recording original music in Grades 6–8. Visual arts emphasizes individual expression · collaborative projects · artistic techniques · and visual literacy.

Clubs & extracurricular activities

Chess club
Painting club
Arts clubs
Sports clubs
Robotics clubs

Outdoor activities & education

Field trips: Student activities include field trips, with a pictured example of 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 in Toronto, founded in 1989 by Harry Giles, 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 communities
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.
Six founding principles: early intervention, bilingualism, third languages, small classes, international standards, and love.
DELF Junior French exams begin in Grade 4; students take HSK and YCT Mandarin exams annually.
UNESCO Member School with a blended curriculum underpinned by UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goals.
Non-selective, first-come, first-served admissions throughout the year.