Toronto is an English speaking city with a large, well funded public system and a substantial independent and international sector, so relocating families rarely lack for options. The real work is matching curriculum, budget and commute across a very large metropolitan area rather than tracking down a single viable school.
The school landscape in Toronto
Toronto French School, which styles itself as Canada's International School, offers the IB continuum with a bilingual French and English emphasis, while Branksome Hall and Upper Canada College are long established independent schools offering the IB Diploma to girls and boys respectively. Beyond these, the public boards run free, well resourced schools across the region, and many international families use them successfully, particularly for a longer posting where curriculum continuity is less of a constraint.
How to move to Toronto with children, step by step
Relocating with school aged children rewards early planning. These five steps mirror how the GlobalSchoolGuide relocation desk sequences a family move, so nothing critical slips through the gaps between the offer, the housing search and the first day of term.
- Set your relocation timeline. Fix your move date against the August or September school start and work backwards, allowing several months for shortlisting and applications in Toronto.
- Shortlist and apply to schools. Match three schools in Toronto to your child's age, curriculum and budget, then apply early because popular year groups fill first.
- Confirm fees and admissions. Request the current fee schedule and admissions requirements directly from each school, since published figures are reset every academic year.
- Choose a neighbourhood near school. Pick housing within a reasonable commute of your shortlisted school, because in most systems your address shapes your options.
- Settle the practical set up. Arrange residency, banking, health cover and the physical move, and time everything to the school calendar so your child starts with the year group.
Fees and budgeting
Independent and international schools in Toronto sit in the premium North American band, with day fees driving most family budgets and senior years costing more than junior years. The public boards charge no tuition for residents, though international student permits carry their own fee rules that are worth checking against your immigration status. Confirm any current figure with the individual school, because schedules are set annually.
Neighbourhoods and housing
Central and midtown neighbourhoods put families close to several of the independent schools and to good transit, while the suburbs and the wider region offer more family housing and value at the cost of a longer commute. Because the metropolitan area is large and the independent schools cluster centrally, families often prioritise the central corridor, then weigh that against housing budgets further out. Public school access follows your home address and the relevant board's boundaries.
Language and settling in
English is the working language of the city, its public system and daily life, so anglophone families face no language transition. French immersion is widely available within the public system and is popular with families who want a bilingual pathway, which is a distinctive and free feature of schooling in the region.
Curriculum continuity
For curriculum continuity, Toronto French School, Branksome Hall and Upper Canada College all offer the International Baccalaureate, which travels well for globally mobile families, while the public boards deliver the Ontario curriculum leading to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. A child mid way through the IB will find continuity easiest at an IB school, whereas a family settling for the long term gains a strong, free education through the public boards. As everywhere, a pupil close to a leaving qualification is usually best kept within a single system rather than switched late.
Healthcare, admin and cost of living
Practically, your immigration status shapes both school access and any international student fees, so confirm how your permit interacts with the public boards before you assume free access. Canada's public healthcare is administered provincially and there is typically a waiting period for new arrivals, during which families usually hold private cover. The metropolitan area is large and housing costs vary sharply between the central corridor and the outer suburbs, so weigh commute against budget with the school location fixed first. Getting immigration, healthcare cover and the school offer aligned early makes the Toronto move far smoother.
The admissions timeline
The sought after independent and international schools operate competitive admissions with assessment and interview stages, and popular entry points can require application months ahead of the September start, so begin early. Public school registration follows your address and the relevant board's process, so contact the board once your housing is settled.
Is Toronto a good place to raise children?
Toronto is a large, diverse and family friendly city with strong public services, extensive green space and a welcoming attitude to newcomers that reflects its deeply multicultural character. Family life is comfortable and well supported, though parents should plan around the scale of the metropolitan area and the sharp variation in housing costs between central and outer neighbourhoods.
Your first weeks: what to prioritise
In your first weeks, confirm how your immigration status affects school access and any fees, then secure the school place and start date in writing. Arrange interim private health cover for the provincial waiting period, open a local bank account and organise utilities and a mobile plan. With immigration, healthcare and schooling aligned, the practical settling in across this large but well organised city becomes far more manageable.
It also helps to collect your children's prior school records, transcripts and immunisation history in advance, since the public boards and independent schools request these at registration and having them ready avoids delays. Keeping a shared checklist of documents, deadlines and appointments is the most useful habit in a first term.
Frequently asked questions
Does Toronto have international schools?
Yes. Toronto French School presents itself as Canada's International School and offers the IB continuum, while Branksome Hall and Upper Canada College are established independent schools offering the IB Diploma.
Is the public school system a good option for expat children?
The public boards are free, well resourced and widely used by international families, particularly on longer postings. French immersion streams are available at no cost and are popular with bilingual families.
How much do private schools in Toronto cost?
Independent and international schools sit in the premium North American band and rise through the senior years. International student permits carry their own fee rules, so check these against your immigration status and confirm figures with each school.
Which neighbourhoods suit families?
Central and midtown areas sit close to several independent schools and good transit, while the suburbs offer more housing value at the cost of a longer commute. Public access follows your home address.
How competitive is admission?
The sought after independent schools use assessment and interview stages and popular entry points can require application months ahead of the September start, so begin the process early.
Plan your move
Use these free tools and guides to turn this overview into a shortlist and a working plan for your family's move to Toronto.