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Hawthorn School

Canada, North York

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$15,100 - 19,050
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational, Girls School
Opened 1989
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, French, Latin
Typical class size 8
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, STEM, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Hawthorn School for Girls is an independent, all-girls Catholic-inspired school in North York that offers the Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), and a bespoke liberal arts program. The school combines a Catholic faith-based, classical liberal arts education with a 1:1 mentoring program, pairing every student with a personal mentor to support academic and personal growth. Class sizes are small, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, and the program spans Daycare (18 months–4 years) through Upper School (Grades 8–12). The Upper School delivers a liberal arts program that surpasses Ontario diploma requirements and emphasizes leadership through service. The 35,000-square-foot campus houses a gym, chapel, tech lab, science lab, art studio, library, lunchroom, and playground. Hawthorn participates in an international network of like-minded schools and offers immersive exchanges for international and local students. With a robust athletics, arts, and club program, Hawthorn aims to develop intellect, character, and purpose in every student.

101 Scarsdale Rd, North York, ON M3B 2R2

The Essentials

Hawthorn School has typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English.

Location
Located at 101 Scarsdale Rd, North York, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2R2.

Stages
Daycare (18 months - 4 years); Junior School (Kindergarten); Lower School (Grades 1 - 7); Upper School (Grades 8 - 12).

Type
Independent, all-girls school with Catholic-inspired education.

Country affiliation
Canada

Religious affiliation
Catholic
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school does not offer boarding. It provides Daycare for ages 18 months to 4 years and After School Care.

Food Options
There is a lunchroom on campus.

Governance and Ownership
The school is a Registered Charitable Organization (Charity #138978002 RR0001). Hawthorn is part of an international network of Hawthorn schools.
Fees

Annual tuition at Hawthorn School ranges from CAD 15,100 to CAD 19,050 for 2026/27.

Application fees
- Application fee: CAD 100 payable with the application.

Acceptance deposit
- Acceptance deposit: CAD 1,000 required upon acceptance for new students; this deposit is non‑refundable and is applied toward the tuition account. Re‑enrolling families are required to pay the same deposit by the school's re‑enrolment deadline.

Registration fee
- One‑time, non‑refundable Registration Fee: CAD 2,500 per family (payable upon acceptance). This fee may be paid in full or by installments according to the school's payment plan but must be paid within the first year of enrollment. Certain categories (foreign students, boys entering the junior school, and girls coming from Hawthorn preschool) are exempt from the Registration Fee.

Capital loan / capital contribution
- Capital loan amount: CAD 2,500 per family. The capital loan is interest‑free and repayable in full 90 days after all students from the family have graduated or left the school (after any outstanding account deductions). Families may instead donate the CAD 2,500 and receive a charitable donation tax receipt. Exemptions apply for foreign students, pre‑school students, and boys in the Junior School.

Tuition fees by year group (published figures and current range)
- Current published overall tuition range: CAD 12,200 – CAD 23,600 (this range covers the school's programs across year groups).

- Example published annual totals from a detailed fee schedule previously published for school‑year schedules (payment timing categories shown as full‑payment timing variations):
- Junior & Senior Kindergarten: Total annual tuition (including activity fee) in the published schedule varied from CAD 14,500 (full payment by the earlier deadline) to CAD 15,100 (payment extending beyond the later deadline).
- Lower School (Grades 1–7): Total annual tuition (including activity fee) in the published schedule ranged from CAD 17,030 to CAD 17,630 depending on payment timing.
- Upper School (Grades 8–12): Total annual tuition (including activity fee) in the published schedule ranged from CAD 18,450 to CAD 19,050 depending on payment timing.

Activity / ancillary fees
- Activity fees are charged in addition to base tuition to cover field trips, camps, and enhancements to athletic and academic programs; the activity fee amounts are itemized in published fee schedules and are included in the total annual figures above. Additional course‑specific or program fees may apply in Upper School.

Daycare / Toddler & Preschool fees
- Daycare annual fees (2024–2025 parent handbook):
- 5 full days: CAD 17,000 per year.
- 4 full days: CAD 14,400 per year.
- 3 full days: CAD 11,200 per year.
- Extended care (4:00pm–6:00pm): CAD 250 per month (CAD 185 in December) or CAD 7.50 per half hour for occasional use; summer weekly options are billed separately. Payment‑plan arrangements for daycare are available through Admissions.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Deposit: CAD 1,000 due upon acceptance for new students and by the re‑enrolment deadline for returning students; the deposit secures the place and is retained on the tuition account.
- Registration fee: CAD 2,500 due upon acceptance; may be paid in installments but must be settled within the first year.
- Capital loan: CAD 2,500 due under the school's capital contribution policy; repayment terms (or donation option) are specified by the school.
- Payment timing and discounts: published fee schedules have historically shown different totals depending on the timing of full payment (earlier full payment total vs. later payment total). The school offers payment plans and instalment options; specific plan dates and automatic payment arrangements are set through the school's enrolment/payment agreements. For daycare, payment plan options are handled by Admissions.

Boarding / homestay
- Boarding is not offered as an on‑campus boarding program. International students incur homestay or related costs where applicable; homestay is listed as an additional expense category.

Other costs and routine charges
- Uniforms, textbooks, certain conferences or competitive event fees (e.g., Latin conferences), catered lunch (optional), after‑school supervision, special trips and extracurricular program fees are additional to base tuition and are billed separately as applicable. After‑school supervision is available for JK–Grade 7 with Regular and Occasional Use options. Families should budget for these ancillary charges.
- Family discounts: 5% off basic tuition (excluding activity fee) for the second child; 10% off basic tuition (excluding activity fee) for the third and subsequent children.

Refunds and cancellation
- The acceptance deposit (CAD 1,000) is non‑refundable and is applied toward tuition. The Registration Fee (CAD 2,500 per family) is one‑time and non‑refundable. Capital loan terms govern repayment; families may elect to donate the capital amount instead of loaning it. Daycare and tuition absence policies note that no tuition reductions or make‑up days are provided for absences due to illness, vacation, or statutory holidays; daycare withdrawals require two months' written notice.

Fee payment options and instructions
- Donations and one‑off payments: e‑transfer, cheque, or cash are accepted for donations (the school encourages e‑transfer, cheque or cash to avoid merchant fees for online credit‑card gifts); the donations page lists the school's e‑transfer address.
- Tuition and fees: the school's financial materials and enrolment agreements set out available payment plans, instalment options, and how payments must be tendered (historically the school has accepted cheques and offered instalment plans). Specific payment methods and plan setup are arranged through Admissions/Finance as part of the enrolment agreement.

Tuition assistance
- Limited need‑based bursaries are available; tuition assistance applications are processed through an independent third party service and require a separate application.

(End of fees overview)
Academics

Hawthorn School teaches Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum
Hawthorn School for Girls offers a Catholic faith-based, classical liberal arts curriculum designed to shape intellect, character, and purpose. Every student is paired with a personal mentor through a 1:1 mentoring program. The school emphasizes leadership through service and fosters confidence, leadership, and academic success in an all-girls environment. Parents are recognized as primary educators, and educators partner with families to support academic and personal growth. Class sizes are small with a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1. The program serves Daycare 18 months–4 years, Junior School Kindergarten, Lower School Grades 1–7, and Upper School Grades 8–12.

Student Teacher Ratio
8:1. Smaller class sizes support individualized attention.

Exam Results
The school reports a 100% first-choice university acceptance rate.

Higher Education Progression
Alumnae have studied at universities including the University of Western Ontario, Ryerson University, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and University of New Brunswick. Former students have pursued professional roles in fields such as research, nursing, chemical engineering, systems design engineering, and actuarial science. These outcomes illustrate progression to higher education and professional careers across Canada.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides 1:1 mentoring; every girl is assigned a personal mentor, forging a strong student–mentor–parent partnership that promotes character development, confidence, and personal growth. The five petals describe a holistic approach to education, with a Catholic faith-based, classical liberal arts curriculum designed to shape intellect, character, and purpose. The school partners with parents to support your daughter's academic and personal growth. Leadership through service encourages Hawthorn girls to use their gifts to serve others and to have a positive impact on the community. The all-girl advantage emphasizes tailored approaches to how girls learn, fostering confidence, leadership, and academic success. Smaller class sizes and an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio enable greater focus on individual students.

Mental Wellbeing
The Hawthorn difference is that every girl is known and supported in a close-knit community. A personal mentor is assigned to each student to foster character, confidence, and personal growth. Smaller class sizes (8:1) enable more individualized attention. The education focuses on educating the whole person, emphasizing character development and service. The Catholic faith-based curriculum shapes intellectual and moral development, contributing to student well-being.
Parent Experience

History
Hawthorn School for Girls was founded in 1989 by a group of parents and educators who sought to educate the whole person. The founders recognised parents as the first and most important educators in their children's lives and sought to balance academic excellence with character development. Today Hawthorn is part of an international network of similar schools around the world, all committed to providing integral education. The Hawthorn experience includes a Catholic faith-based, classical liberal arts curriculum and a personal mentoring program to support student growth.

Community
The school is a close-knit, vibrant community where every girl is known and supported. We deliver a Catholic faith-based education and recognize parents as partners in their daughter's growth, with regular communication and collaboration. Every student is paired with a personal mentor, forging a strong student–mentor–parent partnership that promotes character, confidence, and personal growth. Leadership through service and the all-girl environment shape how Hawthorn students learn and develop.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Volunteering: Meet fellow parents and give back by helping with our community events. The school values parental involvement and invites you to volunteer; contact Amy McRae at amcrae@hawthornschool.com or (416) 444-3054. Volunteers support Hawthorn's community events, celebrations, and activities. The program provides a way for parents to partner with educators in the education and well-being of Hawthorn students. The school's Parent section outlines volunteering opportunities and how to get involved.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus is 35,000 sq ft and serves Daycare (18 months – 4 years), the Junior School (Kindergarten), Lower School (Grades 1–7), and Upper School (Grades 8–12). The campus includes a gym, chapel, tech lab, art studio, lunchroom, science lab, library, and playground.

Sports Facilities
The school has a gym as part of its athletics facilities. The Hawthorn Athletics program supports students' physical, personal, and character development and enables competition in CISAA events.

Academic Facilities
The school has a tech lab, a science lab, a library, and an art studio.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Athletics and clubs form the extracurricular program. Athletics supports students' development and CISAA participation. Clubs include Art Club, Baking Club, Crafts Club, Spanish Club, Design/Tech Club, Leaders of Tomorrow, Starbooks, Yearbook, Veritas – School magazine, and School Play.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Hawthorn curriculum is a Catholic faith-based, classical liberal arts education designed to shape intellect, character, and purpose. Each student receives a personalised education through a 1:1 mentoring program pairing her with a personal mentor to support academic and personal growth. The Upper School delivers a liberal arts program that surpasses the Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements, preparing students for university and life beyond. A wide range of co-curricular opportunities—sports, debating, subject-specific clubs, and international travel—complements classroom learning, and international students join immersive exchanges (Grades 8–12).

Arts & Creative
The curriculum includes Art and Music as specialty subjects, with Visual Arts, Art History, Music/Choral, and Dramatic Arts in the Upper School. Students explore creativity through clubs such as Art Club, School Play, Yearbook, Veritas—the school magazine, and Design/Tech Club. Drama and visual arts are integrated into the co-curricular program, reflecting a creative dimension within the liberal arts framework.

Cultural & Language
French is offered as a specialty language in the Junior and Lower School, and Spanish is available through clubs and language study. The International/Exchange Programs (Grades 8–12) welcome international students for fully immersive exchanges living with host families, while Hawthorn students have opportunities to participate in similar exchange programs. These programs broaden perspectives, foster cross-cultural understanding, and connect students with a global community.

Social & Hobbies
A broad range of clubs and activities supports social development beyond the classroom. Clubs include Art Club, Baking Club, Crafts Club, Spanish Club, and Design/Tech Club, along with Leaders of Tomorrow, Yearbook, Veritas magazine, and School Play. An Athletics program offers sports opportunities as part of a balanced school experience within CISAA. Participation in clubs and athletics builds confidence, curiosity, creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.

Community & Service
Leadership through service is a core Hawthorn value; Hawthorn girls are encouraged to lead by using their gifts to serve others and to make a positive impact on the community. Parents are recognized as the primary educators of their children, and educators partner with families to support a daughter's academic and personal growth. The school fosters a collaborative, faith-informed community rooted in character, virtue, and service.

Leadership & Professional
Every Hawthorn student is paired with a personal mentor through a 1:1 mentoring program that supports leadership development and personal growth. Leadership through service reinforces the idea that true leadership involves serving others and contributing to the community. The clubs Leaders of Tomorrow, Yearbook, Veritas, and the Master Discourse Project (Toastmasters Training) in Grade 12 develop leadership, public speaking, and professional skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Athletics program supports physical development, teamwork, and sportsmanship as part of a holistic education, with Hawthorn students competing as CISAA members. An after-school care program runs from 3:30 to 6:00 pm with homework time, play, and snacks, and enrichment activities like STEM, music, and creative clubs. Daycare offers care for children aged 18 months to 4 years in a play-based program, while the faith-based environment supports well-being through the school's Catholic identity.
Languages

Language Provision
French is taught as a specialty subject in Junior School and Lower School, and as a core subject in Upper School. The school has a Spanish Club.

Immersion Programs
The school offers International/Exchange Programs (Grades 8–12) with fully immersive experiences. International students live with host families and attend Hawthorn as part of the immersion. The school provides opportunities for Hawthorn students to participate in similar exchange programs, broadening perspectives through exposure to different cultures.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1 BOOK A SCHOOL TOUR: Contact our Director of Admissions to book a time that best suits you and your family to tour the school. Step 2 SUBMIT APPLICATION: After your scheduled tour we invite you to submit an application. An application fee will be applicable at time of submission. Step 3 Academic assessment and interview: Potential students will be asked to complete an academic assessment and families will participate in a family interview. Step 4 ACCEPTANCE: Successful applicants will be notified by our Director of Admissions to discuss any further requirements. Next steps include contacting the School, submitting your expression of interest, and meeting with the enrolment team. An acceptance package with an Enrolment Agreement and a payment plan is sent in February. A $1,000 deposit is required upon acceptance and is deducted from tuition.

Scholarships
Need-based tuition assistance is available. The school also presents a Board of Directors Scholarship Award (Grade 9 recipients) as part of the school's scholarship program.
School Events
The school has not added events
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