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Pickering College

Canada, Newmarket

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$41,100 - 90,900
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 562
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1842
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages French
Typical class size 14
Strengths STEM, Outdoor Education, Performing Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Pickering College is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school on a 35-acre campus in Newmarket, Ontario. The school uses the Ontario Curriculum as its core framework, with Enriched STEM and Advanced Placement (AP) options, ESL pathways for English language learners. A Global Leadership Program (GLP) runs from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, developing global context and leadership through academics and real-world projects. The Sphere Program (Grades 4–5) offers interdisciplinary STEM units with differentiated instruction. The Senior School features science labs and Maker-space design studios in West Lake House, a 50,000-square-foot hub housing arts, music studios, a library and an assembly hall. On-campus facilities include two gymnasiums, an ice arena, a baseball diamond, and a skating arena; Blue & Silver Farm provides 75 acres of outdoor learning. Boarding residences include Firth House and New House, with a Health Centre on site. The campus hosts 102.7 CHOP FM, the radio station.

16945 Bayview Avenue, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 4X2, Canada

The Essentials

Pickering College has 562 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in English.

Location
Situated on 35 acres in the heart of Newmarket, Ontario, Pickering College sits about 45 kilometres north of Toronto. The campus is in Newmarket, a town with a welcoming community, abundant green space, and easy access to Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. The address is 16945 Bayview Ave., Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 4X2, Canada.

Stages
Junior School (JK-Grade 5); Sphere Program (Grades 4 & 5); Middle School (Grades 6-8); Senior School (Grades 9-12); ESL Boarding Academy (Grades 9-10).

Type
Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
30+ countries represented in PC's school community.

Country affiliation
Canada

Religious affiliation
Quaker-founded; founded on Quaker values.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is offered on campus beginning in Grade 7. Students live in on-campus residences as part of a boarding family of about 10–15 students. Full-time House Directors oversee the residences, and a health centre with a nurse and a weekly-visit doctor supports boarding students. Boarding life includes faculty-supervised study periods, family-style meals, outings, a boarding curriculum and a range of activities.

Uniform Requirement
The Hilltop Shop is the official and only supplier of the PC required uniform and athletic uniform, plus uniform accessories such as belts and shoes. New students can book a uniform shopping appointment; the shop also carries bedding, linens, personal care products, laundry supplies and school-branded items.

Food Options
Menus are reviewed by a nutritionist and meals are homestyle. Lunch offers two hot options, including a vegetarian choice, with a salad bar, sandwich bar and two soups. The kitchen uses produce grown in the on-campus garden, and boarding students enjoy weekly themed family dinners.

House System
All students belong to one of four Houses: Blue, Silver, Gold, or Red. Houses compete in sports, co-curriculars and events throughout the year, building community and leadership.

Governance and Ownership
The Pickering College Corporation (up to 40 members) elects the Board of Directors. The Board oversees finances, vision, mission and strategic plan, and appoints the Head of School, conducting annual performance reviews. Pickering College is a not-for-profit organization and is not owned by any external entity.
Fees

Annual tuition at Pickering College ranges from CAD 41,100 to CAD 90,900 for 2026/27.

Application & one-time fees

- Application fee (paid upon application, non-refundable): CAD 150 (day applicants); CAD 200 (boarding applicants).
- Enrolment fee (paid upon enrolment, non-refundable): CAD 6,000.

Annual tuition — core figures (2026/2027 academic year)

- Day students (base tuition): Junior Kindergarten–Grade 12: CAD 39,400. Senior-school ESL students (base tuition): CAD 40,800.
- Boarding students (base tuition; includes room & board): Canadian boarding: CAD 82,200; ESL Canadian boarding: CAD 83,700; International boarding: CAD 87,500; ESL international boarding: CAD 89,000; ESL Boarding Academy: CAD 89,000. For boarding students, base tuition includes room and board and residential services.

Additional annual fees (added to base tuition and charged each year)

- Educational Technology Fee (annual, graduated by grade): Junior Kindergarten–Grade 5: CAD 750; Grades 6–12: CAD 950.
- Facility Renewal Fee (annual): CAD 950 per student.

Combined annual totals shown (tuition + Educational Technology + Facility Renewal)

- Day students (combined): JK–Grade 5: CAD 41,100 per year; Grades 6–12: CAD 41,300 per year. These amounts reflect base tuition plus the Educational Technology Fee and Facility Renewal Fee. �.
- Boarding students (combined for Grade 7–12): Canadian student: CAD 84,100; Canadian-ESL: CAD 85,600; International student: CAD 89,400; International-ESL: CAD 90,900. These combined figures include tuition, the Educational Technology Fee and the Facility Renewal Fee.

Payment plans, billing schedule and payment terms

- New-student deposit: New students pay a 20% deposit of tuition and fees at enrolment. If an installment plan is selected, the deposit is used at the start of the installment period.

- Day student payment options (2026/2027):
- Option 1 — Full payment by April 21, 2026, with a CAD 500 discount (Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) optional). Example full-year amounts after discount are listed for the April 21 payment date.
- Option 2 — Five installments billed March–July 2026 (TRP optional):
- JK–Grade 5: CAD 8,220 per month (5 installments = CAD 41,100 total).
- Grades 6–12: CAD 8,260 per month (5 installments = CAD 41,300 total).
- Option 3 — Ten installments billed March–December 2026 (TRP mandatory):
- JK–Grade 5: CAD 4,115 per month (10 installments = CAD 41,150 appear as CAD 41,100 total in published schedules).
- Grades 6–12: CAD 4,130 per month (10 installments = CAD 41,300 total). Note: TRP (see below) is mandatory on this plan.

- Boarding student payment options (2026/2027):
- Option 1 — Full payment by April 21, 2026, with CAD 500 discount (TRP optional); published reduced totals for this date are provided.
- Two-installment option (TRP optional): enrolment payment (amount varies by student category) and a second payment due June 30. Example (Canadian student combined total CAD 84,100): Enrolment: CAD 16,820; June 30: CAD 67,280. International and ESL figures are broken out similarly in the published schedule.
- Four-installment option (USA/Mexico students only; TRP mandatory): staggered due dates including an enrolment payment and dates in June, September and December with amounts specified per student category.
- Five-installment option (Canadian students only; billed monthly March–July): amounts shown per month equal combined total divided by five (example Canadian boarding CAD 16,820 per month).
- Ten-installment option (Canadian students only; billed March–December; TRP mandatory): monthly amounts equal combined total divided by ten (example Canadian boarding CAD 8,410 per month).
Full installment amounts and exact due dates are published in the boarding fee schedule for each student category. New students pay a 20% deposit at enrolment.

- Billing and account terms:
- The Business Office issues e-statements to parents; statements must be paid monthly. Interest on overdue accounts is charged monthly at an annual rate of 18%. Incidental charges and personal expenses are billed to the student account and are not covered by the tuition payment plan. The school may restrict participation in trips, access to school stores, withdraw services or refuse re-enrolment if accounts become past due.

Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) and refund-related notes

- The Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) is available at a rate of 1.1% of base tuition plus applicable taxes and is mandatory for any student whose fees are not paid in full prior to July 31, 2026. The TRP is an insurance product that covers the academic year; to be eligible for a TRP claim the student must attend school for more than seven consecutive calendar days, except as noted in the TRP brochure. If fees are paid in full before July 31, 2026, a family that purchased the TRP may withdraw from the TRP before the first day of school only with a signed waiver. Application and enrolment fees are explicitly stated as non-refundable. The school's published forms and application materials also note the school's right to retain fees in the event of withdrawal under specified conditions.

Boarding-specific and mandatory charges

- For boarding students the published health insurance charge is CAD 1,100 (boarding students only). Health insurance is mandatory for students on a study permit who are not covered by OHIP; health insurance is billed in August as a lump sum and is noted as subject to change. For boarding students, published tuition includes room and board, housekeeping, wired/wireless internet access per room, staff-supervised study time, 24-hour live-in residential staff and an evening program; weekly allowance administration is available at parent request.

Other typical additional costs

- Laptop (Grades 6–12): a school-specified laptop is required; an estimated purchase cost (with warranty and accidental-damage protection) is approximately CAD 2,200 plus taxes.
- Uniform and uniform accessories: uniform is an additional cost and the Hilltop Shop is the official supplier; purchases are charged to the student account through the on-campus shop. Bedding/linen, personal care items and sports equipment are also available through the Hilltop Shop.
- Instrument rental, some athletic team tournament fees, mandatory class trips (certain grades), after-school care (K–8) and private tutoring are additional costs billed separately as applicable. The school arranges instrument rental billing through local vendors where needed.

Refund, withdrawal and overdue-account consequences

- Application and enrolment fees are non-refundable. The TRP provides insurance protection for tuition in specified circumstances; TRP terms (including eligibility and limitations) are set out in the TRP brochure. The school may retain fees or require withdrawal in specific circumstances and may restrict student participation or refuse re-enrolment for past-due accounts; overdue balances incur interest at an 18% annual rate charged monthly.

Accepted payment methods and how payments are handled

- Published information and application materials indicate acceptance of payment by credit card for application fees and that families may arrange bank wire transfers; international payment options include Flywire for certain payments. Specific campus vendors (for example, the Hilltop Shop) charge purchases to the student account. Families are advised to coordinate directly with the Business Office for wire-transfer instructions or to confirm acceptable payment channels for tuition and ancillary charges.
Academics

Pickering College teaches Canadian Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum
Ontario Curriculum is the core framework; Enriched STEM and Advanced Placement (AP) course options are offered. Global Leadership Program (GLP) is integrated from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, developing global context understanding and leadership through academics and meaningful, real-world projects. The Sphere Program (Grades 4–5) uses interdisciplinary STEM units with differentiated instruction to support academic and personal growth. ESL pathways are available within the curriculum for English language learners.

Student Teacher Ratio
Senior School student-to-advisor ratio is 7:1; average class size is 14:1.

Exam Results
100% of graduates gain university acceptance into programs of choice at top Canadian and international institutions.

Higher Education Progression
Post-secondary planning is supported by guidance Counsellors who arrange university/college visits, application workshops for UK and US institutions, Ontario post-secondary workshops for parents, and an annual Post-Secondary Fair. 2025 graduates earned the Global Leadership Diploma; 95% of 2025 graduates were Ontario Scholars.

Gifted and Talented
Four Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered; Global Leadership Program provides enriched, project-based leadership development from JK to Grade 12.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social-Emotional Counselling & Development is provided to support students' emotional wellbeing and resilience. Emotional wellbeing is essential to student success. Counselors work closely with students to foster resilience, self-awareness, and healthy relationships. They collaborate with teachers to support student needs and provide learning environment accommodations, decision-making and problem-solving support, and referrals to external professionals. They coordinate with residential staff for holistic support and provide transition support for students entering high school.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Pickering College supports students with special learning needs. The Senior School Assessment Policy states that teachers will use practices that are fair, transparent and equitable for all students and that support the needs of all students, including those with special learning needs and those who are learning the language of instruction. The policy also notes that teachers will review whether a student requires special learning support. The school provides accommodations and differentiated instruction to support learning where needed.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Pickering College offers an ESL Boarding Academy for Grades 9 and 10 for students who do not meet English language proficiency requirements. The program provides a full year of Ontario Secondary School Diploma credits and prepares students to study at Canadian boarding schools. Students complete two TOEFL Junior tests and participate in excursions to explore Canadian culture. The ESL curriculum is enhanced for ESL learners, with emphasis on public speaking, group work, writing with personal voice, and research.

Mental Wellbeing
Psychological services are available on campus through Health Services. Health Services provide medical and mental health support, including immunizations, flu shots, sports injury assistance, and access to a school psychologist or counsellor. Guidance Counsellors support social-emotional wellbeing and collaborate with teachers to support student needs, including accommodations and problem-solving. Boarding staff coordinate holistic support for mental health as needed.

Safeguarding
The school uses a Code of Conduct Agreement to set expectations for students and families. There is a Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy and a Harassment Policy to safeguard students from mistreatment. The Acceptable Use Policy for Technology governs safe use of school technology and outlines consequences for violations. The boarding program provides 24-hour electronic security monitoring, card-accessed residences, and supervised evenings, with House Directors on campus and access to Health Centre services for boarding students.
Parent Experience

History
West Lake School near Picton, Ontario began the Pickering College story in 1842. Pickering College re-opened in Newmarket, Ontario in 1909 with support from the Rogers family and other leading Quakers. The campus expanded over the decades with the Old Gym added in 1927 and New House opening in 1982, along with subsequent dining and facilities improvements. In 1992 Pickering College celebrated its 150th anniversary, added a Junior School, and resumed coeducation. The Global Leadership Program began in 2013, the school celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2017, and West Lake House opened in 2025 as part of campus development.

Community
Morning Meeting is at the heart of life at Pickering College, uniting students and staff to celebrate achievements, share news, reflect on values, and engage in meaningful conversations. Every student, faculty and staff belongs to one of four Houses—Blue, Silver, Gold, and Red—where house activities build school spirit, leadership, teamwork, and community. The Four Pillars—Faith, Freedom, Friendship and Fun—stand at the entrance and symbolize the values that have guided the community for generations. The motto Bene provisa principia ponantur means 'Let foundations be well planned,' reflecting the long-standing emphasis on solid foundations for learning and character.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Pickering College Association (PCA) is a vibrant group of parents, past parents, alumni, and staff volunteers dedicated to building a strong, inclusive, and connected school community. Together, the PCA plans and hosts a variety of engaging events and activities that support and enhance school programs. Through these events, the PCA fosters volunteerism and strengthens community bonds, promoting mutual respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation for diversity. Its fundraising supports capital projects, curriculum enhancements, innovative technology, and new program development. For more information, or to learn how to get involved, contact the PCA Chair at pcachair@pickeringcollege.on.ca.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus sits on 35 acres in Newmarket and features extensive athletic and recreational facilities, including a baseball diamond, a rubberized track, playing fields, two gymnasiums, and an on-site skating arena. The campus also houses a fully equipped athletic complex and modern learning spaces as part of West Lake House, a 50,000-square-foot academic hub that combines classrooms, science labs, arts and music studios, a library, and an assembly hall. The school hosts a campus radio station, 102.7 CHOP FM, and maintains the Blue & Silver Farm outdoor education facility, a 75-acre sustainability learning environment beyond the main campus. A family-style dining hall and housing for boarding students support day and boarding life, with residences including Firth House and New House, plus a Health Centre on site.

Sports Facilities
The campus offers a broad range of athletic facilities, including a baseball diamond, a rubberized track, playing fields, two gymnasiums, an indoor ice arena, and a fitness centre. Additional facilities may be utilized in close proximity to the school to support athletic programs.

Academic Facilities
West Lake House is a 50,000-square-foot academic hub with classrooms, science labs, arts and music spaces, a library, and an assembly hall. It is designed to support collaboration, creativity, and real-world learning. The Sphere Program provides a Maker-space and design studios, with indoor and outdoor classrooms and access to Blue & Silver Farm's 75-acre environment for hands-on science and engineering learning. The Senior School features state-of-the-art science labs and a range of spaces for science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
102.7 CHOP FM operates on campus as a CRTC-licensed community radio station. The Blue & Silver Farm outdoor education program offers experiential learning opportunities beyond the main campus, including farm-based projects and environmental learning. Makerspace and design studios support hands-on extracurricular projects, and the program spaces at West Lake House enable arts, music, drama and other creative activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
SPARC engages Middle School students in project-based learning with community partners, linking math, science, language arts and social studies. It centers on robotics and coding to design solutions, includes social justice advocacy through the arts, and features identity and community and environmental stewardship projects. SPARC Days provide dedicated time for collaboration, flexible support, and wellness, enabling real-world, interdisciplinary problem solving.

Arts & Creative
102.7 CHOP FM is a CRTC-licensed, student-operated radio station broadcasting from Pickering College with a communications technology course in Radio and Audio Production. Students express artistry through school plays and musicals during Arts Week and the Coffee House Talent Show, and participate in performances such as Jazz Band. The Senior Arts Council supports and promotes the arts on campus.

Cultural & Language
Domestic and international trips and exchanges are available, including March Break European excursions. A student exchange program hosts partners and allows students to experience another country in places like Spain, Australia and the United Kingdom. Domestic and international learning experiences build cultural awareness and global perspectives.

Social & Hobbies
Clubs include Youth Action Organization, the Senior Green Team and the Senior Arts Council, and Yearbook. In Middle and Senior School, a wide range of Recreational Activities includes Theatre Club, Rock Climbing, Badminton, Table Tennis, Debate, Equestrian, Pacing Pumas Walk/Run Club, Fitness, Radio Club, Fine Arts and Crafts, Yoga and Wellness, Skating, Shinny Hockey, Games Club, Animation, Tennis, Design and Build, and Chess.

Community & Service
The Student Committee leads community service efforts, organizing awareness campaigns and fundraising for charitable organizations such as the Newmarket Food Pantry and local family shelters. Students volunteer at Youth Haven, Special Olympics, CNIB Blue Door Shelter, Simcoe Manor, and Red Pine Camp. Social chairs organize dances, semi-formals and the annual prom.

Leadership & Professional
Students have opportunities to attend leadership conferences such as the Canadian Student Leadership Conference, the Quaker Youth Leadership Conference and the CAIS Student Leadership Conference. The Polikon Debate Team competes in local, national and international debates and public speaking competitions.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Co-curricular athletics cover Fall, Winter and Spring with teams in basketball, volleyball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, softball and more, supported by NCCP trained coaches. Facilities include a baseball diamond, two gymnasiums, an indoor ice arena, a track, playing fields and a fitness centre. Outdoor education is supported by Blue and Silver Farm with Seasonal Experiences offering festivals, workshops and student experiences; Discovery Summer Day Camps combine nature based activities, sports, arts, STEM challenges and leadership development.
Languages

Language Provision
English as a Second Language is offered at levels 2 through 5 (ESLBO, ESLCO, ESLDO, ESLEO) to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The ESL program helps students adapt to the Ontario school system. French as a Second Language is offered with Core French courses from Grade 9 to 12, including University Preparation options and AP French Language & Culture. The Ontario Curriculum includes languages such as English as a Second Language and French as a Second Language within Pickering College's programs.
Reputation

Awards
Six-Time StudyTravel Finalist — The school has been named a finalist in the ST Secondary School Awards, North American School category for six consecutive years.
Alumni Keystone Award — Established in 2023; The award recognizes outstanding contributions by Pickering College young alumni and will be presented in Spring 2026.
Class of 1842 Award — The highest honour the school awards to alumni and former faculty and staff.

Accreditations
CAIS accreditation — The school has Canadian Accredited Independent Schools status.
Admissions

Admissions
1) Begin your Application and create an account. This account allows you to log in later to check the status of the application or to see if anything is missing. The form takes up to 30 minutes to complete and progress can be saved for return. An application fee of $150 for Day Students or $200 for Boarding Students is due at the time of application and is payable by credit card.

2) Submit the application form and pay the application fee. Include report cards for the current year and final reports from the previous three years; Canadian applicants must provide a birth certificate copy, and international applicants must provide a passport copy and a photo. A Teacher Confidential Report is required, and non-native English speakers must submit an English language proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, CEFR, or Duolingo). After submission, you will be contacted to schedule a personal interview, with interviews for applicants outside Ontario conducted by telephone or Skype.

3) Assessment and interviews. The Interview is scheduled after submission. The Admission Committee reviews the documents, including report cards, the student essay, and the Teacher Confidential Report, as part of the assessment. Additional assessments may be required after the interview for some grades.

4) Admission decision and post-acceptance steps. Files are reviewed by the Admission Committee, and the admission decision is communicated. Boarding considerations: for accepted boarding students from outside Ontario or outside Canada, a local custodian must be appointed; options through ISGC are available if no local custodian is present. Non-Canadian citizens may need a Study Permit and possibly a visa; start the visa application promptly after acceptance. Applications are processed on a rolling basis with no deadline, and submissions are encouraged as early as possible; applications begin about 18 months prior to the September start date.

Scholarships
Merit-based Entrance Scholarships for Day students are offered at $10,000 for new Grade 9 students who excel academically, demonstrate strong character, participate in extracurricular programs, show leadership potential, and contribute to the school community. To be considered, students must be offered admission and submit the scholarship application by the application deadline (Apply by March 31, 2026). Only complete admission and scholarship applications submitted by the deadline are considered. In addition to scholarships, financial aid may be available as bursaries based on financial need; bursaries are awarded confidentially through the appropriate process (Apple Financial Services). The school's financial assistance options note that financial support includes bursaries and scholarships, with potential renewals and related tax considerations.
School Events
The school has not added events
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