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Lakefield College School

Canada, Lakefield

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$44,200 - 90,800
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 444
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1879
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages English, French
Typical class size 17
Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Outdoor Education
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school in Ontario offering the Canadian curriculum with Advanced Placement. Serving Grades 9–12 on a 315‑acre waterfront campus beside Katchewanooka Lake, the school provides AP Physics and AP Biology and begins university guidance in Grade 9, with 100% of graduates entering post‑secondary programs worldwide. The campus features facilities such as the McEwen Family Gymnasium, Bob Armstrong Outdoor Rink, three athletic fields, on‑campus tennis courts, a 34‑foot Desmarais Family climbing wall, an outdoor high ropes course, and 5 km of Nordic ski and cross‑country trails. Waterfront access supports sailing and rowing, and a Partner Equestrian Centre offers riding instruction. The Northcote Campus adds a 160‑acre regenerative farm for sustainability learning. A Learning Support Classroom enhances inclusive learning with collaborative spaces and a sound booth. Distinctive elements include Round Square membership, the Ingenuity Lab for prototyping, and experiential, teacher‑guided learning across subjects.

4391 County Road 29, Lakefield, Ontario K0L 2H0

The Essentials

Lakefield College School has 444 pupils, typical class sizes of 17, instruction in English.

Location
Lakefield College School is located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada. The campus spans 315 acres on the shores of Lake Katchewanooka in the village of Lakefield, within Peterborough County. The address is 4391 County Road 29, Lakefield, Ontario K0L 2H0. Access is via Highway 28 north toward Lakefield, and visitor directions are provided for routes from Montreal, Kingston, Belleville, and Toronto.

Stages
Grades 9–12; high school.

Type
Private, coeducational, boarding and day school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
445 students; 45 countries represented; international students are welcomed with arrival support, orientation, and English language guidance.

Country affiliation
Canada

School day structure
Modular daily schedule designed to balance academics, co-curriculars, and wellbeing. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 7:00–8:20 a.m. Breakfast; 8:30–10:05 Period 1; 10:10–10:50 Community Time; 10:55–12:30 Period 2; 12:30–2:00 Lunch & Grove Time; 2:00–3:35 Period 3; 3:35–4:00 WIN Break; 4:00–5:30 Co-Curricular; 5:45–7:00 Dinner; 7:00–8:45 Study/Evening Class; 9:45 p.m. Curfew. On Wednesday: 8:30–9:25 Breakfast; 9:40–11:00 Period 1; 11:10–12:30 Period 2; 12:30–2:00 Lunch; 2:00–3:30 Co-Curricular; 5:45–7:00 Dinner; 7:00–8:45 Study; 9:45 Curfew. Weekend schedules vary.

Bus service
Transportation to and from Lakefield College School is coordinated through external providers. Providers listed include Ellwood Hamilton Bus Lines, Capitol Taxi, Century Transportation, Greyhound (Peterborough), VIA Rail, and others. The school offers a Travel Booking Form to arrange transportation and provides admissions support for international travel needs.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is offered as part of a private, coeducational program. The boarding program runs seven days a week and is described as a home-away-from-home for a majority of students, balancing academics, co-curricular arts and athletics, recreation and social events, with structure provided by the academic day, regular evening study hours, Saturday morning classes, and established boarding house routines. Lakefield College School operates 12 Houses as small communities where boarding and day students learn together.

Uniform Requirement
The school has two dress codes: Formal Dress and Standard Dress. Formal Dress is worn at least once a week and for special occasions; Top Marks is the exclusive supplier of Formal Dress. Details for uniforms are available in the LCS Uniform Guide.

Food Options
Meals are provided as part of the boarding program. Lunch is served 12:30–2:30 p.m. and dinner 5:45–7:00 p.m. On Sundays, breakfast runs 8:00–10:30 a.m., brunch 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m., and dinner 5:45–7:00 p.m.

House System
There are 12 Houses, each a small community where day and boarding students learn together; houses average 25 boarding and 12 day students and are led by a Head of House, with Associate Faculty and Advisors living and working in the Houses. House life includes regular community time, check-ins, celebrations, and leadership opportunities.

Governance and Ownership
Governance is provided by Lakefield College School Trustees and Lakefield College School Foundation trustees; the governance structure comprises up to 100 individuals representing a broad range of skills, expertise, and perspectives.
Fees

Annual tuition at Lakefield College School ranges from CAD 44,200 to CAD 90,800 for 2026/27.

Application & Registration Fees

- Day students: Application Fee CAD 150; Registration Fee (one-time) CAD 3,000.
- Canadian & U.S. boarding students: Application Fee CAD 200; Registration Fee (one-time) CAD 4,000.
- International boarding students: Application Fee CAD 300; Registration Fee (one-time) CAD 5,000.
- International day students: Application Fee CAD 300; Registration Fee (one-time) CAD 5,000.

Tuition Fees by Student Type (2026/27) — annual totals and standard instalments

- Day students — Total annual tuition: CAD 44,200. What's included: full academic program, guidance and postsecondary planning, counselling and wellbeing supports, lunch and snacks, co-curriculars and Outdoor Education, library and health centre access, athletic facilities, waterfront/outdoor equipment. Standard Payment (4 instalments):
- First instalment (due March 28, 2026): CAD 8,840.
- Second (due June 28, 2026): CAD 17,680.
- Third (due September 28, 2026): CAD 13,260.
- Final (due December 28, 2026): CAD 4,420. Total: CAD 44,200. Optional Early and Monthly plans (with different amounts, admin fees and optional/mandatory Tuition Refund Insurance) are available.

- Canadian & U.S. boarding students — Total annual tuition: CAD 81,100. What's included: academic program, room & board (residence + all meals/snacks), co-curriculars and Outdoor Education, library and health centre access, weekend programming and waterfront/outdoor equipment. Standard Payment (4 instalments):
- First instalment (due March 28, 2026): CAD 16,220.
- Second (due June 28, 2026): CAD 32,440.
- Third (due September 28, 2026): CAD 24,330.
- Final (due December 28, 2026): CAD 8,110. Total: CAD 81,100.
- Early and Monthly plans are offered; Monthly plans include a 1% administration fee alongside the first instalment and require Tuition Refund Insurance.

- International boarding students — Total annual tuition: CAD 90,800. What's included: academic program plus room & board, airport shuttles/long-weekend arrangements, travel-coordinator support, study-permit/visa documentation assistance, in loco parentis supervision and the campus inclusions listed above. Standard Payment (where available) and Early Payment options are provided; payment schedules follow the March/June/September/December billing rhythm with amounts set for each plan. Examples of Early/Standard instalment amounts and fees are published for the 2026/27 year.

- International day students — Total annual tuition: CAD 52,200. What's included: full academic program, lunch and snacks, co-curriculars and Outdoor Education, library and health centre access, athletic facilities and campus events; international day students must live with a parent or legal guardian while attending. Standard and Early payment plans are available; instalment amounts and applicable administration/TRP charges follow the same billing dates noted below.

Payment Plans, Billing Schedule and Payment Terms

- Billing rhythm and due dates: instalments are billed a month before the due date. Standard instalment due dates for the 2026/27 schedules are March 28, 2026; June 28, 2026; September 28, 2026; and December 28, 2026 (specific instalment amounts depend on the chosen payment plan and student type).
- Payment plan options: Early, Standard and Monthly plans are available for Day and Canadian/U.S. boarding families; International boarding and international day families have Early and Standard options (plan availability varies by student type). Monthly plans generally include a 1% administration fee added to the first instalment and require Tuition Refund Insurance.
- Late payment charge: outstanding account balances are subject to late payment charges at a rate of 16% per annum; monthly statements are issued (notification by email when statements are available).

Boarding-specific fees and notes

- Room and board are included in the boarding tuition amounts listed above (residence accommodation, meals and routine weekend programming are included). Additional optional or program-specific travel and activity costs (e.g., competitive-team travel, extended expeditions) are billed separately as supplementary charges.

Other costs and typical supplementary fees

- Laptop / BYOD options:
- Laptop Option 1 (computer + tech package purchased through the school): approximately CAD 2,900 (one-time).
- Laptop Option 2 (BYOD): approximately CAD 350 per year.
- Course materials & texts: Grade 9–10: CAD 100; Grade 11: CAD 200; Grade 12: CAD 500.
- School uniform (first year): approximately CAD 700–1,200 (one-time, first-year estimate).
- Other optional or approximate charges that may be billed to student accounts (examples and ranges): bussing (day students) up to CAD 20/day; non-OHIP medical services and/or international health insurance ~ CAD 755.75 per 12 months; Nordic ski travel CAD 800; first-team hockey travel CAD 800; alpine/snowboard team CAD 300; riding program per lesson ~ CAD 65; adventure expeditions & global trips CAD 5,000–7,500; academic travel credits CAD 5,500–6,500; yearbook ~ CAD 85; tutoring per hour (approx.) CAD 50 initial, CAD 60/hour; dry cleaning/mending per garment CAD 15–35. Personal and incidental charges are billed monthly to student accounts.

Refunds and Tuition Refund Insurance (TRP)

- Tuition Refund Insurance (TRP) is offered through an independent insurer and provides prorated refunds in covered circumstances; families may receive 60% to 75% of tuition fees back, prorated based on attendance and covered circumstances (examples published: 75% for physical disability, 75% for mental or nervous disorder, 60% for non-medical withdrawal, 75% in the case of dismissal). TRP premiums are billed in May and include provincial sales tax; TRP is optional or mandatory depending on the payment plan (e.g., mandatory for certain Monthly or Standard plans). The TRP cancellation deadline for the 2026/27 year was set at June 28, 2026 (policy and premium details are provided with enrolment materials). By enrolling in TRP, parents authorize the school to process claim payments and apply any claim directly to the student account, issuing any remaining balance to the family.
- Registration and application fees: registration fees are billed as one-time payments to accept an offer of admission and are described as non-refundable / non-transferable in the international admissions fee pages. (Registration fees are applied at the levels listed above by student type.)

Fee Payment Options and how payments are accepted

- Recommended and available payment methods:
- Online banking (domestic Canadian payers) — often the lowest-cost option when using a Canadian bank account; enter Lakefield College School as the payee and use the Student Record ID as the account number for proper allocation.
- Cheque, bank draft or money order — payable to “Lakefield College School,” with the student's name and Student Record ID included; mail to the Business Office address on file.
- Flywire (online payment partner) — recommended for international payments and for international credit/debit card payments; Flywire supports many local payment methods and currencies and shows fees up front. Flywire may charge additional fees (example guidance cited: ~2.5% on credit-card payments, ~1.5% on debit-card payments for some payers).
- Wire transfer (international banks) — accepted; when using wire transfers, include the student's full name and Student Record ID and use the school's bank details (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; transit/branch/account/SWIFT details are provided for wire transfers).

Payment handling notes: for all payment options, it is important to provide the Student Record ID so payments can be properly allocated; the school's Student Accounts guidance and payment-instruction pages contain the full payment details and wire instructions. Late or incorrectly identified payments may delay crediting to the student account.

Key administrative notes and penalties

- Administration fees: certain payment plans apply a 1% administration fee charged alongside the first instalment (common for Monthly or some Standard plans), as noted per student-type payment plan details.
- Late payments: outstanding balances are subject to interest at 16% per annum and monthly statements are issued; incidental or personal charges are billed monthly to student accounts.

Summary

- Annual tuition varies by student type: Day CAD 44,200; Canadian/U.S. Boarding CAD 81,100; International Boarding CAD 90,800; International Day CAD 52,200. Instalment schedules and payment-plan specifics (Early/Standard/Monthly, instalment amounts and fees) follow scheduled due dates in March/June/September/December and differ by student type and plan. Application and registration fees are charged per student type as listed above. Tuition Refund Insurance is available and may be mandatory depending on the selected payment plan; it provides prorated refunds (60–75% depending on circumstances). Accepted payment methods include online banking, cheque/bank draft, Flywire (recommended for many international payments and credit-card payments), and wire transfer using provided bank details.
Academics

Lakefield College School teaches Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP).

Curriculum
The school serves Grades 9 through 12 as a private, coeducational boarding and day school. The curriculum is academically challenging and deeply immersive, with learning that happens through experience and guidance from teachers who know each student well. It operates on a 315-acre waterfront campus and maintains a 6:1 student–teacher ratio to support personalized learning. AP courses are part of the program, with AP Physics students and AP Biology classes described in school materials. University guidance begins in Grade 9 to help students plan their post-secondary paths, and 100% of graduates are accepted to post-secondary programs worldwide.

Student Teacher Ratio
6:1 student–teacher ratio for highly personalized learning.

Higher Education Progression
100% of graduates are accepted to post-secondary programs worldwide. University guidance begins in Grade 9 to help students plan their post-secondary paths. The community includes representation from 40+ countries and over 5,000 alumni making an impact around the world.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
THRIVE is Lakefield College School's wellbeing initiative. It helps students and staff develop habits and practices for good mental health and builds the infrastructure to support those habits. THRIVE rests on three pillars: Physical Wellbeing, Positive Psychology, and Lifelong Habits. The program emphasizes preventative mental health and also aims to improve focus, memory, and information processing. THRIVE is fully funded thanks to the leadership commitment from the Bouchard family.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning Support provides a nurturing environment for students with identified learning differences. Students are accommodated through a broad range of programs including learning strategies courses, academic coaching, training in adaptive technology (voice-to-text and text-to-voice software), and test/exam support.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The Summer Academy includes Learning English Outdoors Credit Course.

Mental Wellbeing
The school cares for students' wellbeing through on-campus health services, counselling, and guidance, and daily routines that encourage calm focus, healthy activity, and a steady rhythm of life. Guidance and Advising supports students as they develop strategies for personal growth in body, mind, and spirit. The Learning Commons provides access to educators and counsellors to support academic and emotional well‑being. Guidance journeys progress from career exploration to university applications, helping students plan paths that align with their strengths and goals.

Safeguarding
The Harassment Policy prohibits harassment, bullying, and sexual misconduct and requires prompt, confidential, and fair procedures to resolve complaints. The policy outlines roles and responsibilities for students and staff, confidentiality, and reporting, and includes safer recruitment practices for staff and volunteers. The school provides a designated safeguarding lead and formal procedures to support safeguarding and child protection.
Parent Experience

History
Lakefield College School began in 1879 when Sparham Sheldrake opened Mr. Sheldrake's Preparatory School for Boys on The Grove in Lakefield, Ontario. Dr. A. W. Mackenzie led growth in the early 20th century, and in 1909 the school became Lakefield Preparatory School. It was renamed Lakefield College School in 1966, and co-education began in 1989 under Head of School David Hadden. The Bryan Jones Theatre was renovated in 2004, and in 2012 the school closed Grades 7 and 8 to focus on programming for older students. Today the Grove sits on the traditional lands of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations under the Williams Treaties, and the Northcote Farm campus supports environmental stewardship and hands-on learning as part of the Impact 2035 vision.

Community
Belonging is built in House communities where boarding and day students learn from one another as mentors, leaders, and friends. House Life is organized around 12 Houses that are small communities with an average of 25 boarding and 12 day students per House, led by a Head of House and supported by Associate Faculty and Advisors. Life in House includes community time, check-ins, celebrations, and workshops that build trust and strengthen friendships, creating a global community. The Northcote Farm campus and the waterfront campus support Learning Outdoors and environmental stewardship as part of the Impact 2035 vision.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Parent involvement is encouraged through a formal Parents program, with opportunities to participate in local and international community events, open houses, parent socials, mentoring, and ad hoc project committees. Regular parent events, including Home to The Grove, Regatta Day, and Closing, are listed on the Upcoming Parent Events page. A Parent Volunteer Form is available for families to sign up to assist with school activities. Governance includes parent representation on the Lakefield College School Board and on the Lakefield Foundation board. Resources for parents are available via the Welcome Parents page and related Parent-facing sections.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Lakefield College School has a lakeside campus with waterfront access on Katchewanooka Lake. The campus includes three athletic fields and a McEwen Family Gymnasium, along with a Bob Armstrong Outdoor Rink and on-campus tennis courts. It features a 34-foot Desmarais Family climbing wall and an outdoor high ropes course, plus 5 km of Nordic ski and cross-country trails. Waterfront access supports sailing and rowing, and a Partner Equestrian Centre provides riding instruction, with an Outdoor Basketball Court on campus. Northcote Campus expands learning and sustainability programs on a 160-acre regenerative farm with trails and shorelines.

Sports Facilities
There are 3 athletic fields on campus. Waterfront access on Katchewanooka Lake provides space for water sports such as sailing and rowing. The Bob Armstrong Outdoor Rink supports on-campus ice activities. The grounds include a 5 km Nordic Ski and Cross Country trail network, a 34-foot Desmarais Family Climbing Wall with an outdoor high ropes course, and four regulation-sized tennis courts. An on-site McEwen Family Gymnasium and an Outdoor Basketball Court expand training options, and the Partner Equestrian Centre offers riding instruction. There are 30+ water crafts available for learning and enjoyment.

Academic Facilities
A Learning Support Classroom was unveiled to reflect learning-science insights and to optimize the space for diverse learning needs. The room uses vaulted ceilings, deliberate paint, color, and lighting to promote focused work and wellbeing. It provides collaborative spaces, quiet testing areas, decompression spaces, and a sound booth to support varied learning styles. The Learning Support Team uses the space to deliver enhanced, inclusive support for students.

Extra Curricular Facilities
There are nearly 100 co-curricular opportunities spanning athletics, the arts, enrichment, and values-based initiatives. The athletics program includes more than 50 competitive teams and life-sport offerings. The co-curricular arts program encompasses theatre, dance, visual arts, and music, with facilities such as The Bryan Jones Theatre, The Dance Studio, and The Art Studio + Hayman Gallery, plus on-stage productions and ensembles year-round. Students participate in a wide range of clubs and activities, including LEAF (environmental action), Aviation Club, Debating and Public Speaking, Model UN, and the Entrepreneurship Club, among many other student-led groups. LEAF is a long-standing environmental-stewardship club on campus.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school integrates hands-on inquiry across science labs, art studios, and the Ingenuity Lab. Advanced Placement courses include AP Physics, and programs like Green Industries enable students to design, build, and solve problems with peers and mentors. The Ingenuity Lab provides spaces for prototyping and experimentation as part of the school's approach to authentic learning.

Arts & Creative
The Arts at Lakefield are a cornerstone of co-curricular life. The Bryan Jones Theatre hosts six major productions each year, and the Dance Studio is home to the LCS Dance Company with curricular courses and an annual Dance Showcase. The arts include Drama, Musical Theatre, Music, and Visual Arts, with co-curricular opportunities such as Filmmaking, Campus Art, Photography, Open Studio, Ceramics, Makerspace, Studio Grove, and Creative Threads Club.

Cultural & Language
Round Square membership connects Lakefield to a global network of schools. Global Learning includes trips, student exchanges, and expeditions that broaden horizons beyond the classroom. These experiences complement on-campus study and foster international understanding.

Social & Hobbies
Beyond the classroom, Lakefield offers a wide array of co-curricular clubs and programs. Debating, Drama, and Dance sit among the arts, while co-curricular opportunities extend to Filmmaking, Campus Art, Photography, Open Studio, Ceramics, Makerspace, Studio Grove, and Creative Threads Club.

Community & Service
House Community Partnerships connect each House with a local organization for ongoing service and learning. Partnerships include Colebrook House with the New Canadian Centre and Uplands House with YES Shelter; weekly service programs include volunteering at St. Paul's Catholic School, technology support at the Lakefield Public Library, and mentoring in the Curve Lake youth program Northern Lakers. The Candy Grams fundraiser supported the Community Comfort Centre at Lakefield United Church.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership is woven into daily life through a House Leadership Model with five leadership roles per house and about 60 student leaders, plus Student Grade Representatives. House Leaders meet monthly to guide initiatives and strengthen school spirit, belonging, and service learning. The Grad Leadership Conference launches the school year for senior leaders, and the Senior Student Leadership Model (Seniors in Charge) enables every graduate to lead and mentor peers.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Lakefield offers nearly 50 co-curricular athletic and fitness programs and 42 competitive teams across CISAA and OFSAA. Life sports include water sports on Katchewanooka Lake, sailing, rowing, yoga, and strength training. The campus features three athletic fields, a waterfront, the Bob Armstrong Outdoor Rink, a 34-foot Desmarais Family climbing wall and outdoor ropes course, a partner equestrian centre, and other facilities for year‑round activity.
Languages

Language Provision
English language guidance is provided for international students. Duolingo English Test is accepted as an English language assessment for students whose first language is not English. Learning Languages Through the Outdoors is a four-week program that immerses students in English or French. The program includes English Language Learning (ELL) and French as a Second Language (FSL) instruction with daily classes and Outdoor Education Study Hall, totaling about 110 hours of language instruction and leading to an Ontario Secondary School credit.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1: Start your admissions journey. Create a Parent Portal account to begin, save progress, and return to the application when ready. After logging in, complete the online application, upload initial documents, and review a personalized checklist within 24–48 hours. Important deadlines: day applications for 2027/28 are due November 14, 2026; boarding applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early applications are encouraged as space is limited. Step 2: Submit required documents. Upload final report cards from the past two years (plus a recent mid-year report if available), a Confidential Teacher Reference Form, a Parent/Guardian Statement (10–15 minutes), the VIA Character Strengths student survey (10–12 minutes), and a Duolingo English Language Assessment if English is not the first language (50–60 minutes). If applying for tuition assistance, begin that application during this step. Step 3: Tell Us Your Story (Interview). After review, you'll be invited to a 45‑minute conversational interview with a member of the Admissions team, in person or virtual. This is an opportunity to share your teenager as a learner and a person—their interests, questions, and curiosity about Lakefield. Step 4: Receive Your Decision. Decisions are typically provided within two weeks of completing the admissions process. Accepted students receive an offer package outlining next steps, enrolment instructions, and key dates. Step 5: What We Look For. Applicants demonstrate authenticity and self‑reflection, curiosity and openness, a growth mindset, intellectual ambition, readiness for immersive learning, and openness to Outdoors Every Day.

Scholarships
Scholarships and bursaries support Lakefield students. Tuition covers most of the cost, with the remainder funded by gifts from alumni, families, and friends. The Lakefield College School Foundation oversees a multi‑million‑dollar endowment to sustain the school's strength and accessibility. Tuition covers about 85 percent of the cost of a Lakefield education, and annual gifts help bridge the remaining gap to fund programs and experiences. Entrance Awards of Distinction are merit‑based awards with eligibility and review details provided. Funding for needs‑based assistance and additional awards is facilitated through the school's endowment and giving programs.
School Events
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