The Most Expensive Private Schools in Canada (2025 to 2026)

Discover the most expensive private schools in Canada for 2025 to 2026 and see which provinces dominate the top of the table. You will find the top ten by the highest posted annual tuition, a quick explanation of the pricing, and a note on financial aid, bursaries, and international students.

Short answer

If you rank the most expensive private schools in Canada by the single highest posted annual tuition for 2025–26 (almost always the international boarding category), British Columbia owns the top four spots, and Ontario fills out the rest. The #1 price tag is $99,990. Fees below are quoted in CAD from each school’s official 2025–26 page.

How we built the list

We rank schools by the single highest posted annual tuition on each official school page for 2025 to 2026. When multiple categories exist, we use international boarding because it is typically the highest. If a school does not separate domestic and international, we use the upper grade boarding amount. Day tuition is lower almost everywhere and is not used for this ranking. Amounts are in Canadian dollars. Fees can change, and extras like deposits, health insurance, uniforms, and activity levies are often additional. Always check each school’s current fee schedule.

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Price leaders in context

British Columbia and Ontario account for every spot in the top ten. Shawnigan Lake School leads at $99,990, just ahead of Brentwood College School at $99,950 and St. George’s School (Vancouver) at $99,500. The next rung includes St. Michaels University School at $96,930 and Appleby College at $92,760. Ontario’s Albert College and Trinity College School sit at $91,500 and $91,000. The final places go to Ridley College at $87,500, Lakefield College School at $86,500, and Branksome Hall at $86,400 (school fee pages listed in Sources).

Top ten most expensive private schools in Canada

(Highest posted annual tuition for 2025 to 2026. CAD.)

1. Shawnigan Lake School (BC) — $99,990 (international boarding).
   
   
2. Brentwood College School (BC) — $99,950 (international boarding).
   
   
3. St. George’s School, Vancouver (BC) — $99,500 (international boarding).
   
   
4. St. Michaels University School (BC) — $96,930 (international boarding).
   
   
5. Appleby College (ON) — $92,760 (international boarding).
   
   
6. Albert College (ON) — $91,500 (international boarding, grades 9 to 12).
   
   
7. Trinity College School (ON) — $91,000 (international boarding).
   
   
8. Ridley College (ON) — $87,500 (international boarding).
   
   
9. Lakefield College School (ON) — $86,500 (international boarding).
   
   
10. Branksome Hall (ON) — $86,400 (boarding, grades 11 to 12).
    
    

Just outside the top ten

• Upper Canada College (ON) — $85,300 (international boarding, years 11 to 12).
  
  
• Ashbury College (ON) — $84,700 (boarding).
  
  
• Rothesay Netherwood School (NB) — up to $83,750 (international boarding, grades 11 to 12).
  
  
• St. Margaret’s School (BC) — $83,153 (international).
  
  
• The Bishop Strachan School (ON) — $82,100 (international boarding).
  
  
• Pickering College (ON) — $81,900 (international boarding).
  

Best private schools in Canada versus most expensive

Families often wonder what are the best private schools in Canada and the most expensive private schools in Canada as if the terms mean the same thing. They do not. “Best” depends on academic outcomes, program depth, student support, culture, and university placement, while “most expensive” usually reflects a full boarding model, extensive facilities, and location costs. Many schools above are highly regarded academically, but the right choice is the one that fits the student best.

How to read these prices

• What is included: Boarding usually covers room, meals, laundry, and some weekend programming. Uniforms, health insurance for international students, deposits, optional trips, and special academies are commonly extra.
  
  
• Domestic vs international: Several schools publish different rates for Canadian residents, North American residents, and international students. We use the highest posted amount when multiple categories are listed.
  
  
• Why boarding dominates: Day tuition at elite schools often sits between $30,000 and $45,000. Full boarding programs drive annual totals into the $80,000 to $100,000 range.
  

Financial aid and bursaries at the price leaders

Sticker price is not the final story. Even among the most expensive private schools in Canada, leading boarding schools maintain substantial need‑based programs and a few targeted merit awards. Shawnigan Lake School runs a need‑based Financial Aid program and accepts applications through the FAST portal, with returning‑family deadlines and rolling reviews for new families. 

Brentwood College School states that financial aid is available for families who cannot afford the full cost and outlines a formal assistance process on its admissions finance page. St. George’s School (Vancouver) publishes details on needs‑based bursaries and notes that its program distributes more than $1.8 million annually, with a small number of merit entrance scholarships for new boarding students. Appleby College complements needs‑based support with named scholarships for incoming students. Together, these examples show why families comparing the best private schools in Canada should evaluate aid policies alongside headline tuition. 

Quick pointers when applying for aid

• Check each school’s application window and platform. Shawnigan specifies dates and uses FAST.
  
  
• Expect need analysis and document requests; awards are reviewed annually at many schools, including St. George’s.
  
  
• Scholarships are limited and often boarding‑only; St. George’s clarifies this on its scholarship page.
  

What your boarding tuition includes and what it does not

Published boarding fees generally include the academic program plus core residential services, but inclusions vary by school. St. George’s School (Vancouver) indicates that boarding tuition includes room, board and most weekend activities, with a separate list of standard inclusions. St. Michaels University School (Victoria) notes that boarding tuition also covers accommodation and care in residence, meals, laundry and access to 24‑hour nursing. Lakefield College School lists further inclusions such as laundry, compulsory field trips, outdoor education training and basic healthcare. These examples illustrate why families should read the fee notes carefully when comparing the most expensive private schools in Canada. 

Common extras to budget for

• Uniforms, optional trips, private lessons and tutoring. Appleby College explicitly lists items such as AP exam fees, health insurance for students without provincial coverage and other discretionary charges as additional.
  
  
• Language support where applicable. SMUS publishes a Language Learning Supplement for students receiving specialist ELL support.
  

International student checklist

International boarders at the best private schools in Canada face a few extra steps and costs. The Government of Canada requires minor children to obtain a study permit for K–12 enrolment; use the department’s tool to confirm requirements and timelines. Schools may also require medical insurance for students who do not have provincial coverage; Appleby College notes that students without coverage are automatically enrolled with the school’s preferred provider, and its insurance FAQ explains why coverage is mandatory. Build these items into your budget along with incidental charges many schools publish for boarding life. 

Before you apply

• Confirm permit processing times and intake dates to avoid travel delays. Government of Canada
  
  
• Ask admissions for a breakdown of mandatory versus optional charges so your comparisons stay apples‑to‑apples. UCC, for example, provides an “incidental charges and other considerations” overview alongside boarding tuition. Upper Canada College
  

Payment plans and refund protection

High‑tuition schools often provide flexible payment options and optional protection plans. Brentwood College School lists annual, three‑instalment and nine‑month payment plans with due dates and conditions. Many schools also offer a Tuition Refund Plan that can reimburse a large portion of unused fees in the event of withdrawal for medical reasons; Appleby College’s TRP brochure, for example, describes up to 75 percent coverage of unused fees in qualifying situations. Note that participation rules can differ by plan type and year, which is why you may see both “included” and “optional” language across Appleby’s fee schedules and registration policies.

FAQ

What is the most expensive private school in Canada in 2025 to 2026?

Shawnigan Lake School at $99,990, followed closely by Brentwood College School and St. George’s School (Vancouver).

Do the top ten include Pickering College?

Not this year. Pickering College lists international boarding at $81,900, which places it just outside the current top ten.

Which provinces dominate the top ten?

Every school in this year’s top ten is in British Columbia or Ontario, where full boarding programs are concentrated.

Are the most expensive schools also the best?

Price is one signal, not a verdict. Compare academic programs, outcomes, student support, and financial aid policies alongside fees.