HSC offers bus transferring.
Service options offered are regular rider.
The regions HSC offers busing from are:
Brantford
Burlington
Grimsby
Hamilton
Millgrove
Milton
Oakville
Additional notes: HSC 's transportation program offers multiple trips and destinations daily for our students. Main -route transportation meets our parents and students needs across a broad catchment area. Please contact admissions at admissions@hsc.on.ca to learn more.
THE OUR KIDS REPORT: Hillfield Strathallan College
Meet Hillfield Strathallan College's admission team at the Private School Expo: Halton-Peel (Oct 19). RSVP NOW
The big picture on Hillfield Strathallan College
We wrote a book reviewing the school
The 50-page review of Hillfield Strathallan College is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.
"Established in 1901, HSC is a leading co-educational school where children 18 months to 18 years learn with joy and live with purpose. We prepare students to understand their world, inspire, lead, and make a difference in their own unique ways. Our outstanding academic programs are shaped by student inquiry. Expert faculty deliver a curriculum that ignites curiosity and encourages students to explore their full potential through wide-ranging co-curricular activities in the arts, athletics, service and leadership."
Four centers of academic excellence: Montessori, Junior, Middle and Senior. 18 months - Grade 12.
Nutritious dining hall lunch and snack offerings daily
Wellness focus, including RN, RPN, Athletic Therapist and College Counsellor on staff
Financial aid, payment plan and scholarship offerings
Transportation network, offering multiple daily runs on main routes included in tuition
50+ acre property offering playing fields, tennis courts and outdoor centers for learning
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"HSC is proud of the work that has been done to implement a pedagogical approach to personalized, authentic learning across all four schools. Project-based learning and inquiry...(more)
"HSC is proud of the work that has been done to implement a pedagogical approach to personalized, authentic learning across all four schools. Project-based learning and inquiry are a regular part of academic programming at the College, and students are often asked to find solutions to engaging, driving questions as they explore the required curriculum. Learning at HSC is a hands-on experience designed to ignite joy and passion for discovery."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
Information not yet available.
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"The tale begins in 1901 with Highfield School for Boys, the brainchild of John H. Collinson, supported by the influential Lord and Lady Aberdeen. A parallel story unfolded with...(more)
"The tale begins in 1901 with Highfield School for Boys, the brainchild of John H. Collinson, supported by the influential Lord and Lady Aberdeen. A parallel story unfolded with the founding of Strathallan School for girls in 1923 by Janet Virtue and Eileen Fitzgerald. In 1961: Strathallan School became Strathallan College, and the seeds of collaboration with Hillfield College were sown. This culminated in the 1962 amalgamation of the two colleges under a single Board of Governors. A new era dawned with the acquisition of a sprawling 50-acre campus on Fennell Avenue West, and the construction of modern facilities and a new name, Hillfield Strathallan College."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"HSC students have the courage and confidence to take risks to achieve their academic and co-curricular goals. They are community-minded and curious about the world around them....(more)
"HSC students have the courage and confidence to take risks to achieve their academic and co-curricular goals. They are community-minded and curious about the world around them. HSC students have a growth mindset. They are empowered learners who are self-motivated to engage in their educational journey through their interests and passions. HSC students are self- and socially aware and show interest in enacting positive change in the world. They are environmentally conscientious and value their connections to family, friends and community."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"Families seeking a highly competitive environment and/or strict discipline model may not find the learning environment at HSC to be the right fit."
"Families seeking a highly competitive environment and/or strict discipline model may not find the learning environment at HSC to be the right fit."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Families chose HSC because we provide a consistent and complete educational journey for students from 18 months to 18 years and beyond. Being able to attend one school for Early...(more)
"Families chose HSC because we provide a consistent and complete educational journey for students from 18 months to 18 years and beyond. Being able to attend one school for Early Education, Middle and Senior years is a significant benefit, and provides a shared familiarity between faculty and students that allows a true understanding of the student's needs and parent partnership. Our College is built upon the referrals of our families and the alumni who return to us with the next generation. Our community, which stretches across borders, remains proud in their affiliation, and giving of their time and treasure to ensure the legacy of HSC."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"HSC is well known for it's expansive campus and well appointed facilities as well as it's engaged and community-minded student body."
"HSC is well known for it's expansive campus and well appointed facilities as well as it's engaged and community-minded student body."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"HSC's transportation system, included in tuition, is a valuable part of College life and makes it easy for students to participate in our wide range of after-school programs....(more)
"HSC's transportation system, included in tuition, is a valuable part of College life and makes it easy for students to participate in our wide range of after-school programs. With two evening bus runs, at 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. HSC families are rest assured that their child can take advantage of clubs, sports and other group work without the stress of scheduling pick-ups."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"HSC has a deeply engrained respect for the environment and commitment to sustainable practices. From electric buses to solar panels powering our electric grid, HSC is committed to...(more)
"HSC has a deeply engrained respect for the environment and commitment to sustainable practices. From electric buses to solar panels powering our electric grid, HSC is committed to mitigating impacts and operating sustainably. Our environmental ethos trickles down to student learning, such as with the Garden Curriculum in Junior School, the College-wide Green Team initiative, and HSC's outdoor learning landscape that connects students to the natural world around us."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"HSC has recently invested in an expansive solar array installed on the roof of the Senior School to reinforce HSC's sustainability goal of being carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon...(more)
"HSC has recently invested in an expansive solar array installed on the roof of the Senior School to reinforce HSC's sustainability goal of being carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon negative by 2050. We have also invested in expanding our wellbeing supports for students, adding a dedicated social worker and chair of student wellbeing to our health services team."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
Watch our Hillfield Strathallan College Q&A discussion with Monica Bradshaw (Parent) ,Sadia Ansari (Parent) ,Travis Schneider (Alum & Parent) to gain fresh insight into the school’s culture, values, and strengths.
Gr. 1 to Gr. 9 (current), Gr. 2 to Gr. 4 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Sarah Coulson to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Hillfield Strathallan College.
JK (current),JK (current) — From our first visit, we could feel the warm professionalism from all the staff at HSC. My 3 and 4 year old boys were greeted by 'grown-ups' squatting to give either a handshake or a high five, followed by a conversation to get to know them and their interests. Since then, my boys have loved the social aspect of school. They have many friends with wonderful families (often met through weekend birthday parties) and the teachers are kind people and exceptional educators.
We find Hillfields' learning environment a great fit for our kids because of its child-centered atmosphere and engaging materials. And after class visits, I feel reassured having seen firsthand that my children are in the care of dedicated educators who foster a love for learning.
The way their Montessori curriculum is set up, they essentially have multiple times per day that they are receiving one-on-one teaching. Most often this is done with fun manipulatives so they actually see and play with their learning materials. This satisfies me as a parent because I know the boys are engaged in sensory and tactile experiences.
Another aspect of the school that makes it extra special is the fact that they celebrate so many different holidays, spirit days and events. My boys love the Turkey Trot and chasing the Turkey (gym teacher) in the fall. They are often teaching me about celebrations that I didn't grow up with- proudly explaining the meaning of the beautiful tea lights they made for Diwali, or impressing me with facts about the Giant sun and tiny dwarf planet, Pluto.
As a parent, I see the joy on their faces everyday when they teach me new things, and I know we have made the right choice.
Gr. 9 (current) — Life at Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) is busy and exciting. I love it. I joined HSC in Grade 9 after hearing about it from my older sister and I was excited to see a lot of people around me getting involved and doing activities like I was. I enjoy how there are a variety of courses and activities for a variety of interests. This helps everyone find a place to fit in. If I could change one thing about my school, it would be the focus on going to university. This has always been the plan for me, so I have not found it to be a major issue but I know it does impact students. This has been getting better over the past couple of years, but there is still a culture of pushing people towards university. I think it is important to understand each student's skills and to push them towards something they'll excel in.
Gr. 1 (current),Gr. 6 (current) — My children like the number of students at the school. It is a good size yet the classroom sizes are not too large. They enjoy Environmental Week (e-week) in the fall where all the kids get to travel somewhere, whether it be an overnight camp or five days in London, England. They also enjoy the hot lunches available in the dining hall. There are a lot of options to choose from.
My Senior school child enjoys the semester structure. There are a lot of subjects to choose from starting in Grade 10.
They don’t enjoy having to wear uniforms because they like to express themselves through their choice of clothing. However, the school often has ‘dress down’ days where the kids can wear anything other than the uniform, as long as it is within reason of course.
Gr. 4 (current),Gr. 6 (current) — We have nothing negative to say about HSC. Our family loves the school. We will never be regretful of sending my kids to HSC. The school provides lots of opportunities for kids, such as extracurricular programs, sports clubs, model UN, etc. The school always provides transportation for kids’ extracurricular activities. Parents know our children are in good hands at the school. They love the food in Lawson Hall. All the teachers and faculty are nice. We never hesitate to reach out if we have any concerns. My kids were shy in the beginning but the school encouraged them to be confident and to learn how to talk, make a speech, etc. I’m amazed by my kids’ presentation skills now. It’s truly amazing to see what they’ve learned for so many years. I’m confident that the school helps our kids to be ready for university.
Throughout my time at HSC, I had the opportunity to make so many special memories that picking one is almost impossible. I will never forget the amazing atmosphere in each classroom and how each student was treated as an individual-with unique strengths and skills to be further cultivated. With opportunity to excel in so many different courses, extracurricular activities, and community outreach programs I was able to truly find my passions.
As I began my university degree at Dalhousie University, I found myself drawing parallels from what I was learning in my lectures to what I had mastered through the Hillfield curriculum. The transition from the Senior School to the first year of my undergrad was effortless as HSC had prepared me in such a phenomenal fashion.
What does joy look like? It’s the high five a Grade 6 rugby player receives from their Grade 8 teammate after their first start. It’s the Grade 11 math class examining parabolic arches by shooting basketballs in the gym. It's the smile on the face of a Montessori student who can see a seedling peeking through the earth where they once planted a seed.
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