Lakefield College School offers bus transferring.
Service options offered are airport pick-up, regular rider, regular rider AM only, regular rider PM only, occasional rider.
The regions Lakefield College School offers busing from are:
Meet Lakefield College School's admission team at the Private School Expo: Toronto (Oct 04). RSVP NOW
The big picture on Lakefield College School
We wrote a book reviewing the school
The 50-page review of Lakefield College School 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.
"At LCS, our community and approach to educating teenagers are like no other. Students participate in transformative educational experiences designed to engage young leaders to care for and contribute to their communities and the earth. They embrace their individuality within a community made rich by its diversity of backgrounds and perspectives. Our waterfront campus—one of the largest among Canadian boarding schools—provides an optimal learning environment, inside and outdoors, enabling our students to thrive."
Worldwide university acceptances
315 acres on Lake Katchewanooka
AP Capstone School
Harkness Method
Leadership, Character, Values Program
Renowned Outdoor Education Program
Individualized Fitness and Wellbeing program (for every student)
Small Family-Like residences
International travel, study, service
1.5 hours northeast of Toronto
1. Who are you, as a school?
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"At LCS, we believe spending time in nature and getting outdoors every day is so important, it is a core element of our strategic plan. Our programs are designed to help students...(more)
"At LCS, we believe spending time in nature and getting outdoors every day is so important, it is a core element of our strategic plan. Our programs are designed to help students deepen their connections with and responsibility to nature and the outdoors and support our belief that these go hand-in-hand with individual performance and wellbeing, and respect for others."
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?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
Information not yet available.
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
Information not yet available.
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Families choose LCS for its intentional focus on belonging, commitment to the outdoors, well-rounded education and community-minded focus. LCS has a local footprint and a global...(more)
"Families choose LCS for its intentional focus on belonging, commitment to the outdoors, well-rounded education and community-minded focus. LCS has a local footprint and a global perspective that inspires students to understand and respect the world around them. The LCS experience instills greater confidence and independence, a deeper self-awareness, and understanding of the importance of living by a shared set of community values designed to positively impact the planet and those around them."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"When families first join the LCS community, the sense of belonging created among students and staff, and the importance placed on providing a voice for students to share their...(more)
"When families first join the LCS community, the sense of belonging created among students and staff, and the importance placed on providing a voice for students to share their perspective, may not be immediately obvious. A strong school culture is not something that can be artificially created. LCS is very intentional about building in time for daily, meaningful connections and opportunities to express perspectives. The benefits to new students and families quickly become noteworthy."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"LCS graduates received over $1.4M in scholarships and offers last year to top post-secondary institutions worldwide. Lakefield’s focus on community, wellbeing and connecting to...(more)
"LCS graduates received over $1.4M in scholarships and offers last year to top post-secondary institutions worldwide. Lakefield’s focus on community, wellbeing and connecting to nature and the outdoors leverages the many benefits of its stunning campus. On first glance, it may appear less rigorous, academically. Families may be surprised that a community focussed on wellbeing and joy is filled with students driven to learn and lead through a breadth of opportunities designed to inspire leaders."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
Information not yet available.
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
Watch our Lakefield College School Q&A discussion with Cody (Alum), Max (Alum), Paula (Parent) to gain fresh insight into the school’s culture, values, and strengths.
Gr. 11 (current) — Lakefield is a beautiful, close-knit community where nature, academics, and personal growth come together. I do love it here—it’s not perfect, but it’s meaningful. The connections with teachers and peers feel genuine, and I’ve grown a lot as a person. I wish I’d known how busy the schedule would be; balancing classes, sports, and house life can get overwhelming. If I could change one thing, I’d add more downtime—quiet hours or cozy indoor spaces to relax, especially in the winter. Still, moments like skating on the lake at night or bonding with housemates make it all worthwhile. Lakefield teaches you how to lead, how to listen, and how to discover who you are—even if you’re still figuring that out along the way.
Gr. 10 (current) — Our daughter has wanted to attend LCS since she was a little girl. She saw her two nieces graduate from LCS and knew that I (mom) attended and loved it. She boards at LCS which has been an adjustment for her, but she has made many good friends and felt right at home from the beginning. She always looks forward to getting back to school after a break and is not wanting the school year to end! Fortunately, she will return next year! Our daughter spent her 9th-grade year at our local high school so the academics at LCS have given her a great challenge which she has risen to! There is always someone to help her if she needs it and all of the kids want to be successful so there is an overall positive attitude towards learning. She has loved the Outdoor Education course as well as all of the extra outdoor activities at the Northcote farm, and at nearby Outdoor centers. They seem to work hard and play hard and she is tired at the end of each day! She has loved all of her seasonal sports and was able to compete in OFSAA for Nordic skiing - a real highlight! She has grown immensely both academically, athletically, and socially. In one short year, she has become independent, determined, and mature. This has been a truly well-rounded education. The staff at LCS are a cohesive, supportive, caring team. The real bonus is the campus! She has loved enjoying Lake Katchewanooka sunsets and bonfires at the waterfront. LCS offers everything you'd get at a high-quality camp, combined with a rigorous academic curriculum. We couldn't be happier with the education our daughter is receiving at Lakefield College School!
Gr. 9 (current) — Our son's experience in LCS is beyond expectations.
He started boarding during the pandemic time, when restrictions ruled life. And still, he loved it. LCS had a way of welcoming the kids that is unique, they found ways of occupying them, making events and games outside. Also, the presence and dedication of the staff at any time were amazing.
Post-pandemic, we discovered the true spirit of LCS. The sports offered, the events organized, the sense of community, and just the beauty of the amazing campus make the high school experience exceptional. On the academic side, he benefits from an excellent teaching staff, who takes time to comment on all of his homework and tests, with clear, honest and precise feedback. This helped him so much to improve and become a better student. He is enjoying dedicated advisory and very personalized help from the university counsellor. They helped him choose the appropriate classes for grade 11. LCS offers so many different options and AP classes, the possibilities are endless.
He loves the "board house" solution LCS is offering. since he started LCS, he shares the same house with 24 boys from 14 nationalities and he ADORES it. They became a little family and he is truly living and enjoying diversity.
Gr. 10 to Gr. 12 — After investigating private boarding schools worldwide, LCS was our first choice, and the school did not disappoint. Our daughter started at the school in grade 10 after seven years of homeschooling, and the entire process was very supportive. She found all of the programs and staff, both academic and non-academic world-class, very supportive and caring. Having grown up in Singapore and an Asian food foodie, she and some of her friends did find they needed to go off campus to get their fill of authentic Asian cuisine and would have liked to see some of that in the dining halls. Overall our daughter would have to say that she has met some lifelong friends during her time at Lakefield and will always cherish that from her time at the school. They had a lot of fun and thoroughly enjoyed the environment and the experience.
Gr. 9 (current) — Lakefield College School has truly become a place I call home. From the staff that deeply cares and enriches my time at LCS by constantly checking in with me through advisor or house meetings, or nightly check-ins, I have felt an overwhelming amount of love and respect since coming to this school. As a student, I have grown in many ways academically, knowledge, and skills-wise, but also as a person, I have grown into a more independent, caring and kind, genuine person who has a love of learning and a deep respect for the people and place around me. LCS has helped me become these things, and day by day it continuously pushes me to take bigger risks, have more confidence, to be more. LCS has become a part of me, and it will stay with me forever.
Our son has had a terrific couple of years at LCS. He has been able to follow his passions (math and computing, areas in which he has traditionally excelled and the school has supported him in participating in Canadian competitions) while exploring new frontiers that have challenged him both on sports fields and academic ones. At all times he has felt supported by his house parent and his teachers, who have shown real care and understanding of his personality. He did also feel really at ease when he had to stay in the school for 10 consecutive months in his first year due to COVID restrictions. The school organized activities during every break and we as parents were always confident he could not be under better care.
Gr. 9 (current) — My daughter Judy has stayed in LCS for 3 school years. My wife and I can feel that she is happy and enjoys school life very much. She likes the beautiful school environment with a nice lake close to her dorm. Judy also enjoys the abundant facilities and places that the school provides which lets her learn and exercise with a firm foundation. The points she appreciates are the teachers and staff in LCS, they take care of my daughter very nicely and provide lots of warm activities for boarding students, especially on the days they are not able to come back to China during the holidays and quarantine periods. These days she's staying with us for the summer holidays and sharing with us lots of happy moments she experienced in LCS for the past school year. We could feel the education by LCS change and make her kinder and more sincere.
Our son attended Lakefield College School (LCS) for Grade 9 and now he is a Grade 11 international boarding student. LCS is truly the home away from home, a caring community that allows our son to develop himself into a young man knowing and respecting people around him, making a lot of good friends, and growing himself into a more responsible community contributor and a future leader; LCS is also a continuous learning environment that is keeping push our son to challenge himself to reach next higher level and discover his potentials both on academic studies and competitive sports activities, and nurture him to find out his real interests he would like to pursue in future. LCS is really a fun place full of joys, happiness and kindness. Our son’s great experiences in LCS have our family decide to bring another boy to the school for Grade 9 study in 2021.
The relationships between students and staff is truly like no other. Lakefield is a place where you do not only have to be great at one thing but to become good at many things. Pushing yourself to limits you may never have thought of before. The community environment and the facilities Lakefield has is what sets it apart from other schools. Being able to attend AP Biology classes 10 feet away from where you get to paddle and camp out with another class is an experience you cannot get anywhere else. The overall academics push your brain, the outdoor experience pushes your strength, the athletics push your physicality, and the arts test your creativity. These aspects create a Lakefield student that is ready to take on the world and future challenges that they may be faced with.
Our son attended Lakefield College School for Grade 12, instead of doing CEGEP in our home province of Quebec. LCS provided our son with independence, confidence and security all while allowing him to develop each of those skills on his own. Changing him into a confident, independent young man overnight. Instilling a good work ethic all while having fun in his school community. The staff would be our son's number one takeaway from LCS. The guidance, encouragement, community and family feel prepared him for university life. LCS campus provides the students with a home atmosphere the activities and house events give all students the opportunity to get involved. Our son appreciated the art sports facilities! His ONLY regret or disappointment would be that he didn't attend LCS sooner, one year was not enough in his opinion.
If I was to describe LCS in one word I would use Kindergarten. Remember that time in life when play-based learning, inquiry, discovery, kindness and inclusivity were quintessential to teaching and knowledge transfer? That is what LCS is - on a high school scale. Our child has appreciated this approach to learning. He finds it fun, engaging, challenging and relevant. The expectations of him go beyond the classroom block where he is encouraged to discover and nurture other talents through required clubs, sports and boarding house events. There is nothing he is disappointed with because he is invited for feedback often with resolution. For example, he finds the food tasty and reflective of the diversity on campus, which came from a feedback session he participated in.
LCS is an amazing school that offers a wide range of top notch classes. The staff is phenomenal and are truly there to teach, mentor and guide their students. The outdoor education is unique and a wonderful experience for students. They have a great set of arts and sports available to all students. Not only was there regular school activities but all the students had opportunies to participate in international volunteer expeditions, or leadership programs. The school has intersession days where the students do community work, go on field trips, and do team building exercises. The range of extra curriculars is awesome and the sports are offered at different levels from beginner to highly competitive. There are many opportunities to participate in the arts, through plays, musicals, band, choirs, visual arts clubs, and photography. If the students find a need for a club or group they are encouraged to run it, providing an opportunity for leadership and having another option for the student body.
Anne-Marie Kee’s passion for Lakefield College School didn’t just start when she became Head of School. Kee actually enrolled her children at the school prior to signing on as Head of School.
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