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The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme

What the IB Programme is and what it offers


The York School

Looking for an IB private school? Consider The York School, a coed JK to Grade 12 school in Toronto offering the International Baccalaureate Programme.

We’ve been impressed by the attentiveness of the teachers and support staff. They are able to identify learning styles early and tailor their approaches so that both our kids feel supported and thrive.”

The International Baccalaureate (IB) was first established as a two-year advanced secondary school curriculum, the successful completion of which earned students the IB diploma. Then, as now, the curriculum requires that students complete a course of study in six core subject areas (language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts) write an essay of up to 4000 words, and sit standard, externally assessed exams. Read more


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Private School Expo - Fall 2025   Yes, I want to attend

List of schools with the IB Programme

Access school reviews, insights, and comparisons through our comprehensive reports below.

1. Schools with in-depth reports

These are the leading schools that Our Kids editors have covered most extensively so far, providing detailed insights and thorough analysis of their programs, student life, and more.

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Meet them at the Expos: Oct 04, Oct 19

"Since 1962, TFS offers an exceptional English and French education from age 2 to Grade 12, on two campuses. TFS teaches the curricula of France and Ontario within the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) framework. Co-ed.

  1. High academic standards
  2. Bilingual education
  3. International perspective
  4. Introductory French program to Grade 7

—From the school

  • Gr. NS to 12 (Coed)
  • Liberal Arts curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $25,440 to $43,340
 
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TFS - Canada's International School 25440 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

Branksome Hall


Toronto, Ontario
Bloor Street East/Mount Pleasant Road
 
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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 04

"Branksome Hall is Toronto’s only leading International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls in JK-Grade 12, developing the leaders of tomorrow through the nurturing of curiosity and critical thinking at every age.

  1. 13-acre downtown campus
  2. Athletics and Wellness Centre
  3. IB programs: JK to Grade 12
  4. Leadership opportunities

—From the school

  • Gr. JK to 12 (Girls)
  • Liberal Arts curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $40,940 to $82,290
 
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Branksome Hall 40940 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Girls

St. John's-Kilmarnock School


Waterloo Region (Breslau), Ontario
 
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"SJK offers an enriched environment of exploration and experiential learning. Through its IB curriculum, SJK provides exciting experiences and guides students to discover their talents and passions. Go beyond at SJK.

  1. Accredited IB World Continuum School
  2. Experienced, passionate, professional teachers
  3. Project-based, design-thinking experiential learning
  4. Extensive co-curricular programs in athletics, arts, leadership and community service

—From the school

  • Gr. JK to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $22,120 to $81,873
 
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St. John's-Kilmarnock School 22120 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Coed

Upper Canada College


Toronto, Ontario
St Clair Ave W/Avenue Rd
 
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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 04

"At Upper Canada College tradition, excellence and innovation meet. UCC inspires boys to lead lives of leadership, service and impact through transformative learning experiences that develop head, heart and humanity.

  1. High-achieving, all-round students
  2. Challenging but rewarding IB Programme
  3. First rate academics, athletics and arts
  4. 19 different sports and 80+ clubs

—From the school

  • Gr. SK to 12 (Boys)
  • Liberal Arts curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $42,800 to $85,300
 
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Upper Canada College 42800 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Boys

Sunnybrook School


Toronto, Ontario
Merton St/Mt Pleasant
 
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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 04

"Sunnybrook School offers the IB Primary Years Program for all students in JK - Grade 6. Our inquiry approach fosters and develops critical thinking, student agency and globally minded citizens.

  1. 72 years
  2. IB PYP World School
  3. JK to Gr 6, coed
  4. 1:1 iPads, JK - Gr 6

—From the school

  • Gr. JK to 6 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $34,000
 
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Sunnybrook School 34000 Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
Meet them at the Expo: Oct 04

"La Citadelle fosters excellence through IB & AP, bilingualism, and a holistic approach, shaping confident global citizens with critical thinking, leadership, and a passion for learning.

  1. Advanced University Bound Curriculum
  2. Bilingual Education and Third Language
  3. Small Class Sizes
  4. AP Program and IB Programme (MYP)

—From the school

  • Gr. PS to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $20,900 to $31,750
 
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La Citadelle International Academy of Arts & Science 20900 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

The York School


Toronto, Ontario
Yonge St./St. Clair Ave.
 
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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 04

"The York School is a co-ed JK-Grade 12 IB World School in midtown Toronto. Our mission is to nurture curious learners to become globally minded leaders with integrity and purpose.

  1. International Baccalaureate World School (JK - Grade 12)
  2. 100% university placement rate
  3. Co-ed learning environment
  4. Focus on social-emotional and experiential learning

—From the school

  • Gr. JK to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $42,700
 
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The York School 42700 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

2. Schools with standard reports

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Ottawa, Ontario
Buena Vista Road/Springfield Road
 
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"Elmwood School is Ottawa's pre-eminent school for girls from PreK to Gr. 12. Our high academic standards, small class sizes and safe, supportive environment ensure that each girl is inspired to reach her full potential." —From the school

  • Gr. PS to 12 (Girls)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $18,200 to $36,000
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Elmwood School 18200 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Girls

Richmond Hill, Ontario
Bayview/Hwy 407
 
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"Lauremont School is a leading, accredited independent school that offers a unique design of Montessori and International Baccalaureate programmes. Our students thrive in academics while building a foundation for life." —From the school

  • Gr. PS to 12 (Coed)
  • Montessori curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $22,670 to $37,790
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Lauremont School 22670 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

Mississauga, Ontario
Erin Mills Parkway/Argentia Rd
 
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"There’s a different energy at SJA. As a leading IB World School and university prep school, SJA creates an atmosphere of acceptance that allows us to challenge students to take ownership of their own success." —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $13,675 to $19,565
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St. Jude's Academy 13675 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

Rothesay, New Brunswick
Rothesay Rd/College Hill Rd
 
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"Our unique, daily Advisor Program ensures every student is surrounded by a strong network of highly qualified, dedicated faculty and staff whose mission is to provide academic, emotional, and social guidance and support." —From the school

  • Gr. 6 to 12 (Coed)
  • Liberal Arts curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $26,390 to $76,140
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Rothesay Netherwood School 26390 MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Coed
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Oakville, Ontario
QEW Highway/403 Highway
 
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"Walden International School is the only private school in Halton region that is authorized to deliver the IB PYP and MYP programmes. Walden is committed to Making Good People. And, from goodness arises greatness." —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 8 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $20,000 to $23,000
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Walden International School 20000 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed

Winnipeg, Manitoba
Langside St./Westminster Ave.
 
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"Recognizing each student's potential in their pursuit of excellence, we encourage progress, we develop opportunities, and we advocate belonging as they create paths that take them into uncharted territories." —From the school

  • Gr. PS to 12 (Girls)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $19,000 to $73,000
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Balmoral Hall School 19000 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Girls
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Mississauga, Ontario
Derry/Millcreek
 
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"Lynn-Rose School is a premier private school for grades PK-12 that prepares students to be independent thinkers and lifelong learners. We foster global citizenship, preparing students to excel in a rapidly evolving world" —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $18,134 to $22,215
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Lynn-Rose School 18134 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

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"GNS is an independent JK-12 International Baccalaureate boarding and day school in Victoria, BC, that empowers and supports each of our students to do their best through truth and courage in learning and in life." —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $10,975 to $82,575
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Glenlyon Norfolk School 10975 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Homestay Coed
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Burlington, Ontario
Walkers Line/Fairveiw Street
 
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"Ashwood Glen, an IB World School from JK to Gr, 1-8, fosters leadership, global citizenship, & a growth mindset. Our warm, inclusive community & personalized approach empower confident, future-ready students to thrive!" —From the school

  • Gr. PS to 8 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $17,999 to $23,999
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Ashwood Glen 17999 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed

Richmond Hill, Ontario
 
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"Richland Academy is a progressive, innovative Reggio-inspired and International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP and MYP Authorized School for children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8." —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 8 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $24,000
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Richland Academy 24000 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
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"Calgary French & International School's immersive language learning environment and enriched curriculum inspires a deep curiosity, respect and exploration of the world for children aged 19 months to 18 years." —From the school

  • Gr. NS to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $9,200 to $19,600
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Calgary French & International School 9200 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

North Vancouver, British Columbia
Harbourside Drive/
 
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"Bodwell High School provides a competitive, well-rounded education with strong student support. The school's motto, "Strength in Diversity," pays homage to the 40+ countries students come from to live and learn together." —From the school

  • Gr. 8 to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $29,500 to $61,225
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Bodwell High School 29500 HighSchools Day Boarding Homestay Coed
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Ottawa, Ontario
Richmond Rd./John Sutherland Dr.
 
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"We drive learners of all ages to ask questions, think critically, solve complex problems collaboratively, and act. Academic success is achieved via dynamic learning, differentiated teaching and meaningful assessments." —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $23,285 to $26,920
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Académie de la Capitale 23285 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

St. Catharines, Ontario
Ridley Road/Henrietta Street
 
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"At Ridley College, an IB World School and one of the largest boarding schools in Canada, our mission is to teach students a foundation of skills and habits to pursue their dreams and build fulfilling careers." —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $31,875 to $87,500
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Ridley College 31875 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Coed

Regina, Saskatchewan
 
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"Luther College prepares students to be compassionate, creative, and critical thinkers who go on to create a more grace-filled, just, and joyful world. Luther College is the only IB World School in southern Saskatchewan." —From the school

  • Gr. 9 to 12 (Coed)
  • Liberal Arts curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $10,750 to $42,910
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Luther College High School 10750 HighSchools Day Boarding Coed

Windsor, Nova Scotia
College Rd/King St
 
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"Benefitting from its safe and beautiful Nova Scotia location, King's-Edgehill facilitates the opportunity for every student to Be More – in the classroom, on the sports fields, on stage, in the community and beyond." —From the school

  • Gr. 6 to 12 (Coed)
  • Traditional curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $25,650 to $76,150
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King's-Edgehill School 25650 MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Coed

West Vancouver, British Columbia
Upper Levels Highway/Cypress Bowl exit
 
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"By inspiring excellence – the continuous pursuit of personal best - in education and life, Mulgrave strives to equip lifelong learners to thrive in a diverse and interdependent world." —From the school

  • Gr. PS to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $27,870 to $31,450
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Mulgrave School 27870 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

Victoria, British Columbia
 
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"Brookes Westshore is an IB World School on Vancouver Island, BC, offering small class sizes, engaging teachers and a caring community to boarding and day students from grades 4 to 12." —From the school

  • Gr. 4 to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $10,600 to $65,100
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Brookes Westshore 10600 MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Coed

Montreal, Quebec
Av de Monkland/Boul Cavendish
 
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"Lower Canada College is a gender-inclusive, K-12 university preparatory school, committed to excellence in teaching and learning. It is the only English high school in Quebec offering both the IB MYP and DP." —From the school

  • Gr. K to 12 (Coed)
  • Liberal Arts curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $28,500 to $30,750
  • Day school
  • 895 students
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Lower Canada College 28500 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

North Vancouver, British Columbia
 
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"Brockton is a gender-inclusive IB World School where every student matters, every family matters, community matters, and learning for life matters." —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $27,200 to $30,600
  • Day school
  • 345 students
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Brockton School 27200 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
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"GIST is Toronto’s only full-time German school, offering families in the GTA a gateway to a European education. In small, supportive classes, our CHARAKTER program nurtures every student’s individual potential." —From the school

  • Gr. PS to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $14,145 to $19,895
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German International School Toronto 14145 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
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Richmond, British Columbia
 
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"Chaoyin Bilingual School, an IB PYP candidate school, offers K-7 STEM-based education with a unique Mandarin language program. The school focuses on fostering independent, confident learners ready for global engagement." —From the school

  • Gr. K to 7 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $21,000 to $26,000
  • Day school
  • 85 students
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Chaoyin Bilingual School 21000 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed

Summerland, British Columbia
 
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"Want your child to experience an education that goes beyond textbooks? UNISUS is a K-12 IB boarding school that strives to make education an enjoyable, memorable experience that fully prepares students for any future." —From the school

  • Gr. PS to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $14,800 to $59,480
  • Day, Boarding
  • 130 students
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Unisus School 14800 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Coed

Victoria, British Columbia
 
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"SMS has been leading the way in girls' education since 1908. Our 22-acre Victoria campus attracts leaders from around the world. We are the sole girl-centred school on Vancouver Island." —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 12 (Girls)
  • Traditional curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $21,192 to $78,446
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St. Margaret's School 21192 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Girls
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Mississauga, Ontario
Cawthra/Lakeshore
 
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"TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus) offers the Ontario, France and IB programs from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 7 in Mississauga. We are bilingual, coed, non-denominational and and IB World School." —From the school

  • Gr. PS to 7 (Coed)
  • Liberal Arts curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $23,160 to $33,410
  • Day school
  • 200 students
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TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus) 23160 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed

St. Catharines, Ontario
Edinburgh Dr/Scott Street
 
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"We provide students with opportunities to explore real-world concepts and issues, broadening their sense of responsibility, develop their critical thinking skills, and empower them to take action in a global community." —From the school

  • Gr. NS to 8 (Coed)
  • Montessori curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $7,300 to $15,200
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Wheatley School 7300 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed

Mississauga, Ontario
Dundas/Erin Mills
 
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"USCA Academy is a leading Canadian international School and private schoo for local and international students The School offers Elementary School Program(Grade1-8), Ontario Secondary School Diploma Program(Grade 9-12)." —From the school

  • Gr. 1 to 12 (Coed)
  • Traditional curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $12,800 to $14,800
  • Day school
  • 200 students
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USCA Academy 12800 Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Day Coed

Delta, British Columbia
56th/19 Ave
 
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"Southpointe Academy is the only secular International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School south of the Fraser River authorized to deliver the entire range of IB programs from K-12." —From the school

  • Gr. K to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $23,500 to $25,430
  • Day school
  • 668 students
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Southpointe Academy 23500 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

Sherbrooke, Quebec
 
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"Bishop's College School is an English boarding and day school for students in grades 7 through 12. Small in size and culturally diverse, BCS is an IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme and Canadian curricula." —From the school

  • Gr. 7 to 12 (Coed)
  • Traditional curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $32,900 to $83,100
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Bishop's College School 32900 MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Coed
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Oakville, Ontario
Trafalgar Road/Cornwall Road
 
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"MacLachlan College’s Lower School offers world-class education tailored for JK to Grade 6. Our co-ed IB PYP fosters vibrant, international-minded learning in small classes, laying the foundation for academic success." —From the school

  • Gr. JK to 6 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $24,515 to $36,608
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MacLachlan College – Lower School Campus 24515 Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed

Amaranth, Ontario
 
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"The Maples is an established private IB World School in Orangeville, Ontario providing exemplary education for students (Pre-School to Grade 8). French instruction in PS and Kindergarten with an academic focus." —From the school

  • Gr. PS to 8 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $10,000 to $18,000
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The Maples Academy 10000 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed

Vancouver, British Columbia
 
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"Stratford Hall takes learning beyond IB with its IDEA Lab, OEE and partner schools, where students strive to develop harmony between the urban and natural world through activities like camping, music, and orienteering." —From the school

  • Gr. K to 12 (Coed)
  • Liberal Arts curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $28,220 to $32,970
  • Day school
  • 545 students
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Stratford Hall 28220 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
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Foothills, Alberta
Range Road 12/306 Ave W
 
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"Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School is an independent, private coeducational, continuum IB (primary, middle, and diploma programme) day school for Kindergarten - Grade 12, located just outside of Calgary, AB." —From the school

  • Gr. K to 12 (Coed)
  • Progressive curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $21,000 to $27,000
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Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School 21000 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
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Markham, Ontario
McCowan Road/Denison Road
 
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"Markham, Ontario; IB School; OSSD; OSSD online credit course; NOIC ACADEMY’s annual university enrolment rate is 100% and we have 95.74% of graduates admitted by University of Toronto in 2024." —From the school

  • Gr. 9 to 12 (Coed)
  • Traditional curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $20,000 to $50,000
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NOIC Academy 20000 HighSchools Day Boarding Coed
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Ottawa, Ontario
Mariposa Avenue/Springfield
 
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"This traditional private school in Ottawa offers Grades 4-12 with 100 boarding and 600-day students. Tuition ranges from $38,970 to $84,700. Ashbury excels in academics, co-curriculars, and experiential learning." —From the school

  • Gr. 4 to 12 (Coed)
  • Traditional curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $38,970 to $84,700
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Ashbury College 38970 MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Homestay Coed
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Vancouver, British Columbia
West Georgia Street/Robson Street
 
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"We aim to create the opportunity for students to achieve their learning goals. In collaborative learning spaces, students explore content, ideas and perspectives to better understand the world around them." —From the school

  • Gr. 10 to 12 (Coed)
  • Traditional curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $21,100 to $25,600
  • Day, Homestay
  • 100 students
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Lowell High School 21100 Day Homestay Coed
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Markham, Ontario
Kennedy Road/Steeles Avenue
 
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"Located in Markham, Ontario, Town Centre Private Schools is an IB Continuum World School offering a Montessori Pre-School program, IB Elementary School, High School and optional IB Diploma Programme." —From the school

  • Gr. NS to 12 (Coed)
  • Traditional curriculum; International Baccalaureate
  • $3,690 to $20,250
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Town Centre Private Schools 3690 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

Students are also required to complete two formal projects and a minimum of 50 hours of community service. All requirements exceed those of high school diplomas offered by the provincial boards across Canada—in all ways, the IB diploma is a high school graduation diploma and then some.

In the decades since it began, the IB Programme has been expanded to include the primary and middle school grades, as well as a career program for students in the senior grades. All are intended to provide a unique, international take on core studies, while also providing a foundation for secondary and post-secondary instruction. As such, the curriculum is managed and administered to provide a well-rounded, high quality, advanced course of study that delivers the core material while challenging students to apply their knowledge and skills through collaboration, discussion, and communication.

On this page, find a list of the best IB schools in Canada (this includes IB boarding schools and IBDP private schools).

IB accreditation

Accreditation is granted through the International Baccalaureate in Geneva, Switzerland. The term "International Baccalaureate" is used generically, and can refer to the organization, the degree, or the degree programs. Prior to 2007 the main accrediting body was known formally as the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), though since then is known as, simply, the International Baccalaureate. 

Schools intending to offer an IB programme undertake a 3-4 year authorization/accreditation process, with timelines depending on when a school begins its formal academic year. Every school accredited to offer any of the four core IB programmes is known as an IB World School. Any school that is engaged in the process of accreditation is known as an IB Candidate School. 

Find boarding schools offering the IB diploma programme


All accredited schools take part in an ongoing process of review and development. In some cases that process is supported and/or facilitated by sub-regional organizations, one example being the International Baccalaureate Schools of Ontario (IBSO). However, accreditation is only available through the central accrediting body. 

Development of the International Baccalaureate programmes

The International Baccalaureate was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1968, where it remains headquartered today, with additional offices in the UK and the Netherlands. The intention was to "provide an internationally acceptable university admissions qualification suitable for the growing mobile population of young people whose parents were part of the world of diplomacy, international and multinational organizations."

“ … an internationally acceptable university admissions qualification … ”
 

At the outset, the IB Diploma Programme was created for students 16-19. It was first envisaged as a diploma that would be recognized at universities around the world, and would be recognized as academically rigorous. The curriculum was written with that goal in mind. 

Since, the IB curriculum has been expanded with the creation the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The PYP was created for students between the ages of 3 and 12, and the MYP for students 11 to 16. The Career-Related Programme (CP) was added in 2012, and uses the framework and values of the IB diploma programme to address the needs of students ages 16-19 in a career-related course of study. To complete the CP students take a minimum of two IB Diploma Programme (DP) courses, a core program consisting of four components, including a career-related study, and sit standardized exams.

Schools that offer IB programmes for all age groups, beginning with the primary years and culminating in the secondary diploma, refer to themselves as IB Continuum Schools. Schools typically develop the IB continuum over time, adding programs as the school grows, and in response to the needs of the student population. 

Find IB continuum schools


At all levels, the curriculum is organized around six interdisciplinary themes, all developing students' understanding of who they are, their place and time, and how their life intersects with the lives of others, both locally and beyond. The core curriculum—language, math, science, physical education, arts, and social studies—is taught through the lens of those cross-curricular themes.

Find schools offering the IB Primary Years Programme
Find schools offering the IB Middle Years Programme

“ … suitable for the growing mobile population of young people …”

Marshall McLuhan coined the term “global village” in 1962 in his book The Gutenberg Galaxy. The term gained traction because of the growth in multinational corporations and organizations, and also because it reflected the spirit of the time, given the exponential growth in air traffic (and, later, the internet). There was a growing awareness that students would increasingly live in a multinational, multicultural world, with professional and personal lives that crossed borders and cultural boundaries. Likewise, it was surmised that communities of interest would develop independent of the local communities that students lived within—the community of physicists, for example, would be a global one, rather than associated with specific local communities. 

It was out of that conception that International Baccalaureate was founded in the late 1960s. It would offer a diploma that was as mobile as the students who would earn it, and would be recognized readily by universities around the world. And, indeed, that's exactly what the IB has become. 

“ … part of the world of diplomacy, international and multinational organizations.”
 

While rigor was important—students with the IB could be counted on to have a strong basis in language, math, and science—so was the kind of learner that the IB could develop. In addition to the core curriculum, students would be required to gain a meaningful sense of global issues, economy, geography, and culture. They would be required to learn the fundamentals of communication, creative problem solving, ethical leadership, and international politics. As such, the IB was in a sense at the leading edge of the development of what we now think of under the umbrella of 21st century literacies.

Today there are more than 3000 schools in roughly 150 countries that offer the IB Diploma Programme (DP). In Canada, schools typically offer the DP in addition to provincial diplomas, with students free to choose which they’d like to work toward. Schools are not required to offer all four aspects of the current IB program—primary, middle, diploma, career—and instead offer only those that are appropriate to the needs of their enrolment. 

Benefits of the IB Programme

The reasons that families and students choose the IB Programme are varied, and include:

 

University recognition of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

Each of Canada's universities is free to set its own admissions standards and to assess each candidate based on their own internal criteria. There is no national university entrance exam or governing body overseeing university admissions. As a result, admission criteria can vary widely, even between universities within Canada. Students are required to contact colleges or universities directly to find a list of admission requirements and deadlines, and to submit transcripts in support of their application.

While the specific details of recognition can vary between universities—or, in some cases, even between faculty within a university—the IB diploma is nevertheless very widely accepted as an admission credential if the scores earned meet certain targets. In some instances, IB courses and exams are recognized for transfer credit within an institution, used in fulfillment of university degree requirements and/or fulfilling course prerequisite requirements. University admissions departments can provide details on their admission and course prerequisite requirements as they pertain to the IB diploma.

Questions to ask IB Schools

Child-specific advice on choosing an IB school 
Read our child-specific insights on choosing the right school, including IB schools. We explore how choosing the right type of school crucially depends on kids' unique traits, such as their mental and academic focussocial tendencies,  and activity level.

To get school-choice advice customized to your child's unique traitscreate a child profile through an Our Kids user account.

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