FAQs

List of 18 frequently asked questions.

• Is RSGC the right school for our family?

  Finding the right fit for your son is ultimately the most important question in your search for a school. RSGC is a school where character, manners, kindness, and the pursuit of excellence are woven into everything we do. We believe that school should be challenging and meaningful. We believe that joy and laughter belong here. We believe in guiding and inspiring each boy to become the best version of himself. We believe each boy’s unique character should be seen and honoured; our RSGC guarantee promises that our students are Known and Loved. 

   

  We encourage you to review all of the excellent information we have about RSGC on our website. As well, check out the information – that includes interviews with our Headmaster and parents – at Our Kids.

   

  We encourage you to visit our campus as it’s the best way for you and your son to get to know us (and we to get to know your family). We have an annual open house in October that is the perfect opportunity to engage in-person with our students and teachers, see our campus, and learn about the many benefits and advantages of the Georgian experience.  

   

  We also have student-led tours of campus –   another great way to experience for yourself what the Georgian experience is all about as you work toward making your decision about which school is the right one for your son.

• What does RSGC consider when choosing students?

  All are welcome at RSGC. We celebrate our diverse and multi-faith community. Our school provides a supportive environment in which our students are invited, and able, to bring all of themselves to school. At RSGC, we believe each student’s unique character should be seen and honoured. Headmaster, Stephen Beatty welcomes new families with the message that no one should seek to ‘fit in’ here. Instead, we welcome the uniqueness that comes with each student and their family, knowing our community is made a better because of it. 

   

  We consider the ‘whole person’ and consider three interconnected aspects of each candidate:

  • Academics and Co-curricular Activities
  • Our entrance test evaluates for (age appropriate) literacy and numeracy skills. Beyond that, however, an eagerness to learn and explore, curiosity and imagination, and a willingness to be challenged are true hallmarks of Georgians. Further, RSGC students are engaged, physically on the ‘playing field’ or creatively on ‘the stage,’ with our curriculum and programs in the arts and athletics.  
  • Community and Out-of-Classroom Engagement
  • Our students care, about each other and about the broader community around them. We believe scholarship and community service are twin aims. A mark of RSGC is the meaningful relationships that form between students and between students and the adults on campus.  Geogians make connections – to learn from others, and to share what we have learned; to serve. Georgians understand that knowledge and duty grow together.  
  • The Individual
  • Our students are unique individuals. There is no expectation that any boy will need to ‘fit in’ at RSGC; rather we celebrate, and welcome each unique personality into our community, and as a result we grow stronger together as a community. At RSGC, our boys are held accountable for their choices; are held to a high standard, in a truly supportive environment. 

• How do we apply to RSGC?

  Everything you need to apply to RSGC, including how to contact us if you need help, can be found here.

• What is the cost of attending RSGC?

  2024-25 Academic Year Fees
  
  Annual Tuition and Activity Fee:
  
  

  Tuition           $41,760

  Activity Fee   $2,200

  (Standard and pre-payment plans are available)

  
  New Student:
  

  Registration Fee  $10,000

  (One-time non-refundable fee due upon acceptance)

   

  More information can be found here. 

• Does RSGC provide financial assistance?

  Yes, needs-based financial assistance is available to all boys applying to Grades 7 to 11. Eligibility for assistance is assessed through a third-party organization. If you have any questions about financial assistance, Tom Stevens, our Director of Admissions will be happy to assist you.
  As well, Royal St. George's College is proud to offer Grade 7 and 9 entrance scholarships.

   

  More information on things such as deadlines and the assessment process can be found here. 

• Does RSGC have student boarding?

  No. RSGC is a day school.

• Does RSGC accept international students?

  Out-of-Province and international students are invited to apply to RSGC. Note however that RSGC is a day school and there is no student boarding. We require that at least one parent live with the student in Toronto. Accommodation is made regarding the entrance testing (as part of the application process) with remote, on-line testing.

   

• What facilities does RSGC have?

  RSGC is fully equipped to deliver an exemplary student experience – Our state-of-the-art Design Engineering Studio gives us a unique ability to deliver “Advanced Computer Engineering School” curricula at the high school level; and space for Senior and Junior School boys to tinker and explore together. Our beautiful, welcoming Ketchum Hall (with it’s state-of-the-art kitchen facilities) offers our students a place to have lunch and gather together. Our full-sized gymnasium, our heated (for year-round use) outdoor turf playing surface, and a judo dojo are features of RSGC’s strong athletics program. Our new Centre for the Arts – offering space for instrumental and choral music, as well as creation space for visual and digital arts pursuites – and our Blackbox Theatre spaces are central to our students’ artistic pursuits. Our Chapel provides an historic and beautiful space for quiet reflection and thought, room for our choirs’ voices to soar, and gathering space for assemblies and other full-school gatherings.

• What is the curriculum at RSGC?

  RSGC provides an academically advanced curriculum especially designed with boys in mind. Our dedicated faculty are highly trained to meet the unique needs and interests of our all-male student population and the curriculum has been tailored to suit these strengths. As a boys school, we take great pride in the holistic, experiential approach to learning that we offer. Community outreach and problem-solving form the core of our curriculum. Our boys are also fully immersed in the Arts – including instrumental and choral music, drama and the visual and digital arts. 

   

  More detail about our curriculum can be found at the following links:

  • RSGC’s Junior School (Grades 3-8) offers enriched academics, a truly inspirational staff and lots of wonderful learning experiences. Our promise that each student will be “known and loved” is paramount to the success of our boys.
  • RSGC Senior School (Grades 9-12) offers a long tradition of teaching excellence and success in preparing students to enter the university of their choice. Students are exposed to two years of compulsory Arts, Languages and Physical Education in a nurturing environment.

• Does RSGC prepare students for university?

  Royal St. George’s College is a university preparatory school. We are very proud of our long tradition of teaching excellence and success in preparing young men to enter the academic program and university of their choice.

   

  RSGC has a full-time University Counsellor who brings a student-centred approach to his the role. Students are equipped to navigate the change that follows their graduation year by drawing on best practices in post-secondary counselling, academic advising, mindfulness practice, and psychotherapeutic principles. In keeping with RSGC values, students are guided to do much more than "get into university” – we aim to model effective decision-making, foster self-reflection and value assessment, and identify the best fit for each individual, in preparation for their journeys beyond RSGC.

• Does RSGC have a athletics program?

  Yes. Our athletes compete under the name RSGC Knights. They compete at a high level and bring home more than their fair share of championships.  We are a small school, meaning even developing athletes can find a spot on many of our competitive teams; truly accomplished athletes also have a home here, receiving the support and training they require. RSGC Knights compete in softball, alpine skiing, basketball, hockey, tennis, ultimate frisbee, track and field, volleyball, golf, swimming, baseball, cross country, judo, badminton, co-ed ultimate frisbee and soccer.

   

  In addition to the competitive sports activities, our students have lots of opportunities for physical education activities and clubs. Georgians, as we like to say, love to move!
  Athletics

• Does RSGC have an arts program?

  Yes. Arts education is a vital part of the Georgian experience. Our arts program promotes artistic and creative expression and collaboration and includes instrumental and choral music – we were founded as a choir school and our musical traditions and expression remain strong; drama – a feature of campus life is the annual plays presented by both our Junior and Senior School students; and the visual and digital arts, which are celebrated with an annual Arts Night. 

• Is RSGC a non-denominational school?

  RSGC is a non-denominational school. Founded as an Anglican choir school 60 years ago, we are today a multi-faith and diverse community that honours our Anglican traditions.  All are welcome here.  We believe boys should ask spiritual questions; questions that are central to a full and purposeful life no matter what faith or spiritual path one follows. 

• How big is RSGC?

  RSGC is a small school with a very big heart, and all the advantages of our small size.  We have approximately 447 students enrolled in Grades 3 to 12. Average class size is 16 students, allowing for individual attention to be given each student, as well as allowing for meaningfully collaborative working relationships to form between students. Is is our small size that allows us to promise that our students are known and loved.

• Where in Toronto is RSGC located?

  RSGC is nestled in the heart of Toronto’s downtown, historic Annex neighbourhood, just a short walk from two Bloor Street subway stations, Bathurst (west of us) or Spadina (east of us).  Howland Avenue is a quiet, safe, tree-lined residential street, and we are located next to a public park.

   

  RSGC is close to cultural and academic centres such as the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the University of Toronto, the Toronto Central Reference Library, and numerous theatres. 

• How is student success supported at RSGC?

  Learning support in both the Junior and Senior Schools is grounded in the RSGC’s mission “to challenge and inspire each boy to become the best version of himself.” Our Learning Centre supports ALL students and aims to assist each student in developing an understanding of his unique learning style.

   

  RSGC offers a range of services in order to promote optimum success. We strive to provide effective, appropriate, meaningful and accessible services to all students. Our  team is dedicated to helping young people better understand their educational opportunities, to know and appreciate themselves, and to relate effectively to others. We strive to promote positive mental health and access to appropriate support for all of our students.

   

  RSGC has social workers on staff to provide support to our students and provide mental health counselling.  Our Learning Centre provides assistance that is geared to helping each student find their individual learning style; a robust mentoring program (students helping students) is also in place in the Learning Centre. Our Director of University Counselling leads programs and activities crucial for our students success in navigating their choices for life beyond RSGC.  And we have a full-time Anglican Chaplain who is prepared to provide spiritual support for students of any faith.  

• Is RSGC accredited?

  Royal St. George’s College is a member in full standing of both CAIS (Canadian Accredited Independent Schools, and CIS (Conference of Independent Schools Ontario.

   

  As a member of CAIS – the national organization which provides accreditation for independent schools –  RSGC “commit[s] to undergoing a reflective and collaborative school improvement process, meeting National Standards, and participating in research and professional learning.”
  
  

  As a member of CIS are part of a network that supports excellence in independent school education, through professional development and continuous improvement.

• Are RSGC teachers qualified?

  Our faculty are among the finest educators to be found. Their commitment to, and love of our students, is the foundation of all that we do to ensure our students’ success.  Our teachers hold either a teaching certificate from the Ontario College of Teachers – the body that licenses, governs and regulates Ontario’s teaching profession – or a recognized equivalent if their training and education was acquired in a different jurisdiction. Many of our faculty hold graduate degrees. All are committed to professional development to keep current with best practices as educators.