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Halifax Grammar School

Canada, Halifax

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$18,500 - 25,000
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 530
Type Co-educational
Opened 1958
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages French, Spanish
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School
Introduction

Halifax Grammar School is an independent, co-educational day school in Atlantic Canada serving students from Junior Primary through Grade 12. The school offers the International Baccalaureate programme, with the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The campus supports about 600 students on a single site at 945 Tower Road in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In Junior Primary, emergent curriculum guides inquiry-led learning inspired by Reggio Emilia, with projects such as chocolate making from bean to bar, a study of the African Savannah, lessons on owls and habitats, and art as another language. The library anchors the campus, supporting information literacy and academic integrity with a full-time librarian. Athletics include a North Wing Gym and outdoor fields, with rowing for Grades 9–12. Extracurriculars include MUN, band and choir, and a French program. The school emphasizes service, leadership, and wellbeing through grants, mentorship, and a Student Success Team. for students.

www.hgs.ns.ca

945 Tower Rd, Halifax, NS B3H 2Y2, Canada

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

Halifax Grammar School has 530 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
The school is on a single campus at 945 Tower Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y2, in the South End of Halifax, within walking distance of Dalhousie University and across the street from Saint Mary's University.

Stages
Junior Primary (Age 4) through Senior School (Grade 12), all on one campus.

Type
Independent, co-educational day school.

Additional learning support
Learning Support and Well-being is provided in the Prep School, including a Learning Strategist who supports students with individualized strategies, small-group interventions and curriculum adaptations; literacy development and mathematics support are prioritized, and social-emotional well-being is addressed through differentiated instruction and programs such as Zones of Regulation.

Country affiliation
Canada.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees

Annual tuition at Halifax Grammar School ranges from CAD 18,500 to CAD 25,000 for 2026/27.

Application & Admission Fees

- Application fee: No separate, standalone application fee is listed; the admission process requires the one-time Admission Fee and the enrolment deposit described below.
- Admission Fee (one-time, non-refundable): CAD 4,000. This fee is required for each of the first two children in a family and is payable by June 30 or immediately upon enrolment thereafter.
- Enrolment deposit (payable on acceptance; non-refundable): CAD 2,000. This deposit is applied to first-term fees and applies to new and returning families. Parents must confirm re-enrolment by March 6 each year.

Annual Tuition by Year Group (2026–2027)

- Junior Primary (age 4): CAD 18,500 per year.
- Senior Primary – Grade 6: CAD 22,140 per year.
- Grade 7 – Grade 12: CAD 25,000 per year.

Per-term and instalment detail

- Standard term schedule: three term payments (August, November, February). Term payments incur a 3% administrative fee. Monthly payment plan is available and incurs a 6% administrative fee. One lump-sum payment is also accepted without the instalment surcharge. When using term or monthly plans, the enrolment deposit of CAD 2,000 is applied to the first term. Interest of 1.5% per month (18% per annum) is charged on accounts over 30 days past due.
- Example instalment calculation: for parents who choose equal three-term instalments (before instalment fees), divide the annual tuition by three (for example, Grade 7–12: CAD 25,000 / 3 = CAD 8,333.33 per term) and then apply the stated 3% term-plan fee to that instalment if paying by term. The CAD 2,000 enrolment deposit is credited toward the first term. (This per-term number is a straightforward division of the published annual tuition and reflects the school's three-term schedule; the administrative surcharge and deposit rules above apply.)

Discounts

- Sibling discounts: 5% for the second, younger child; 10% for the third and each subsequent younger child.

Boarding

- Boarding: Not applicable. Halifax Grammar School is an independent day school (Junior Primary through Grade 12).

Additional and Ancillary Fees

- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma surcharge: approximately CAD 1,000 in additional, cumulative costs over Grades 11 and 12 (tax-deductible; T2202 slips issued annually).
- English as an Additional Language (EAL): CAD 7,000 per year for 2026–2027 when EAL enrolment is required. EAL placement is determined by assessment; continuation is reviewed annually.
- Incidental/optional costs that vary by grade and student: school trips, specific athletic costs, and similar activity charges. These are billed as required to the incidental account.
- After School Program (Junior Primary to Grade 7): Full-time (five days/week) CAD 3,010 per year; Part-time CAD 630 per day-of-week for the year. A non-refundable ASP registration deposit of CAD 100 per child is required to hold a space. ASP charges are billed to the student incidental account. Drop-in service is not available; spaces are committed for the full academic year once registered.
- Uniform and Grammar Gear: Official uniform spending is typically CAD 440 or less annually for required uniform items. Grammar-branded clothing (‘Grammar Gear') is required on certain days and is available through the school's supplier. Additional optional spirit items (backpacks, hoodies, etc.) are available for separate purchase.

Refunds & Non-Refundable Items

- Admission Fee: non-refundable.
- Enrolment deposit: non-refundable and applied to first-term fees.
- After School Program registration deposit: non-refundable (CAD 100 per child).
- Other refundable or pro-rated tuition matters are governed by the school's standard finance and enrolment policies; interest and late-payment penalties apply as stated above.

Billing Schedule, Payment Terms & Methods

- Billing and payment timing: the school offers the following payment schedules—one lump-sum, three term instalments (August, November, February), or monthly instalments. The three-term option carries a 3% fee; the monthly option carries a 6% fee. The enrolment deposit is payable on acceptance and is applied to first-term fees. Accounts more than 30 days overdue incur interest at 1.5% per month (18% per annum). Re-enrolment confirmation deadline: March 6 each year.
- Accepted payment methods: online bill payment, pre-authorized debit (PAD), cheque, and wire transfer.

Summary (key numeric items)

- Annual tuition: Junior Primary CAD 18,500; Senior Primary–Grade 6 CAD 22,140; Grade 7–12 CAD 25,000.
- Admission Fee (one-time, non-refundable): CAD 4,000. Enrolment deposit (non-refundable): CAD 2,000.
- EAL (if required) for 2026–2027: CAD 7,000/year. IB Diploma additional cost: approx. CAD 1,000 over two years. ASP full-time CAD 3,010/year; part-time CAD 630 per day-of-week per year; ASP deposit CAD 100 per child (non-refundable). Uniform typically CAD 440 or less.
Academics

Halifax Grammar School teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
Emergent Curriculum is used in Junior Primary, where student inquiry drives learning. Emergent curriculum originated in Reggio Emilia and emphasizes children choosing subjects to investigate through questions, ideas, and theories. Projects in Junior Primary include chocolate making (from cocoa bean to chocolate bar), a study of the African Savannah, learning about owls and their habitats, and working with art media as another language. The goal is for students to learn how to learn. The school serves students from Junior Primary through Grade 12.

Higher Education Progression
The school has a Director of Academics and University Counselling who leads university preparation and counselling. Laura Brock holds this role on the Academic Leadership Team.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
The school has not added this information
Admissions

Admissions
1. Complete and submit the application form. A complete application consists of the online application form, a non-refundable CAD 125 application fee, copies of the current and previous year's school reports, a Teacher Reference Form, and any other pertinent information, awards, or assessments that will assist in the admission decision. The school uses the information to determine the best educational fit for the child. Applications are accepted year-round when spaces are available. 2. Schedule an entrance assessment. Entrance assessments are required for each student entering Grammar from Junior Primary to Grade Twelve and will be arranged after an application has been submitted. Assessments are conducted in person, but may be done virtually if an in-person assessment is not possible. Junior Primary students must be four years old by December 31 in the enrolment year; Senior Primary students must be five by December 31. Students whose first language is not English may be required to undertake an English language assessment; if a student has completed three years of English-language study and demonstrates proficiency on the entrance assessment, a separate language assessment may not be required. If the language assessment is required, options include IELTS or an interactive EAL assessment with Grammar's EAL instructor ($275). 3. Arrange a follow-up meeting. Following the assessment, the school will call to arrange a meeting with the prospective student and parents with the Director of Admissions and appropriate faculty once the entrance assessments and submitted information have been fully evaluated. 4. Respond to an offer of acceptance. After all steps are complete, the school will send a letter confirming whether a placement is offered. If a space is offered, the family is asked to respond within two weeks to the Admissions Office accepting the space, with the enrolment deposit.

Scholarships
New students applying to Grammar in Grade 9 and up may apply for an entrance scholarship. Scholarships are financial awards with a minimum value of $1,000 per academic year and are awarded to students based on merit. For a list of available entrance scholarships, click here. The Grammar Scholarship Committee will begin reviewing applications annually on March 31. To request a scholarship application package, email our Admissions office.

Waitlist
Spaces are filled when available. Classes can be full from year to year, though, so students may have to apply for positions in the wait pool at certain grade levels.
School Events
The school has not added events
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