Listen Now: The Head Prefect Effect on the PrincipalED Podcast Check it out here 🎙
LEADING THE WAY IN GIRLS' EDUCATION
WELCOME TO BRANKSOME HALL
We are Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. Our curriculum is globally focused. Our faculty, international. And our technology and facilities, state-of-the-art. We believe that intellectual curiosity and advanced problem-solving are key to thriving in a complex, changing world.
Every Branksome Hall student from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 benefits from the IB curriculum. Cultivating curiosity, creative and critical thinking, and facilitating regular assessments and feedback, the IB offers unparalleled university preparation.
Pathways for Grades 11 & 12
Based on their post-secondary goals, students will choose to enter one of two Diploma program options. We believe choice offers agency and control, and a personalized course selection plays to each student’s unique strengths and assets.
The Primary Years Programme is designed to nurture a lifelong love of learning. Students are challenged to think critically, research deeply and develop globally minded perspectives on a broad range of issues.
The Middle Years Programme focuses on the development of the whole girl. Students use inquiry to discover content and knowledge, as well as to explore real-world applications, create new meaning and solve problems.
An emphasis on international-mindedness and intercultural understanding, providing context for young women to lead in a complex, interdisciplinary, globally connected adult world.
249+
Employees (26 per cent have been at Branksome for over 10 years)
910
Total enrolment, including 54 Boarding students
13
Countries represented by Boarding students
80+
Clubs, Athletic teams and community engagement opportunities
$6 M+
In scholarships awarded to 2025 grads
BREAKING GROUND ON OUR iCAST FACILITY
Innovation in Action
We are building the Branksome of tomorrow for our community of creative innovators. The Karen L. Jurjevich Innovation Centre and Studio Theatre (iCAST), currently under construction, will extend into the school community and beyond, offering a space where arts and innovation are integrated, and ideas are realized.
Grade 12 athlete Sarah C. had the opportunity of a lifetime last summer when she was invited to play ice hockey in New Zealand with the women’s pro team, the Dunedin Thunder.
CK & Emmi: The Head Prefect Effect on the PrincipalED Podcast
category
News
topic
Principal
duration
3 min read
This episode brings together current Head Prefect Emmi Murphy Ives and former Head Girl, acclaimed attorney and media legal analyst, CK PURKS Hoffler’80, to discuss what it means to be part of the school's legacy of leadership.
Grade 12 student Lola’s journey began 14 years ago, waiting at the Front Circle to pick up her older sisters, Maggi (Class of 2021) and Ruby (Class of 2023).
Flash Mobs and Friendship: Branksome Hall Asia Visit
category
News
topic
Arts
duration
4 min read
Each fall, Branksome Hall welcomes Grade 9 students from Branksome Hall Asia (BHA), our sister school on Jeju Island, South Korea, for a week of hands-on interdisciplinary learning.
First Friday Night Lights Sparks Highlanders Spirit
category
News
topic
Athletics
duration
3 min read
It was an exciting night full of school spirit on September 26, when the Branksome Hall Highlanders Senior Soccer team took on the Havergal Gators for Friday Night Lights.
Choosing Courage Over Comfort at Branksome’s 97th Installation
category
News
duration
3 min read
On Thursday, September 18, the Senior & Middle School celebrated student leadership at the 97th Installation Ceremony. The event formally welcomed the new cohort of student leaders and set an inspiring tone for the 2025–26 academic year.
Each day, more than 900 students benefit from your generosity.
At Branksome Hall, we’re not just enriching students’ minds – we’re giving them minds of their own, so they can challenge the status quo, set new standards and carve their own path to success.
What a week, Branksome! 🐸 The whole-school came together for Assembly on Monday with presentations from SK, Grade 3 and Grade 6 students! 🎤 Grade 7s designed, modelled and toured virtual community gardens using VR, 🪴 and JK students embarked on their first-ever field trip to Evergreen Brick Works! 💚
It`s a small world, after all! Speaking French and being Head Prefect aren`t the only things connecting CK and Emmi. Watch as they find out in real time that they both went to school in Switzerland!🇨🇭
Join Admissions and Assemblies Prefect Poppy for a mini-tour of Branksome Hall`s campus and get a peek into student life! Explore our Junior, Middle and Senior Schools and discover the innovative spaces designed for learning and collaboration. 💡
🔗 Ready to see yourself thriving at Branksome? Visit the link in bio to learn more and apply by December 1!
Grade 6 students embraced the wild at Norval Outdoor School last week! Learning how to build fires, completing challenging ropes courses and making apple cider were all on the agenda for this exciting adventure! 🌲💚
What’s the “head prefect effect”? How does Branksome Hall build leaders? The latest PrincipalED episode features an inspiring intergenerational dialogue between current Head Prefect Emmi Murphy Ives and former Head Girl and acclaimed attorney CK PURKS Hoffler’80, as they discuss what it means to be part of the school`s legacy of leadership.
Tune in as they debunk common misconceptions about girls’ schools, share how Branksome fosters a sense of empowerment, and reveal how they’ve overcome their biggest fears.
Listen to the full episode on Apple or Spotify or watch on YouTube at the link in bio.
The application deadline for 2026 entry for Day students is less than a week away, on December 1‼️
Visit the link in our bio to find out more about our admissions process and how to apply. You can also always email admissions@branksome.on.ca with any questions.
We can`t wait to `make way` for our new students this fall! 💚
What a week, Branksome! 🐸 Monday`s Senior & Middle School Assembly was a celebration of sport, honouring our athlete of the season and cheering on teachers who competed in a basketball shooting competition! Junior School students programmed Sphero robots and heard author Dav Pilkey speak at UCC. Finally, our Rotman @ Slingshot program held their first on-campus session this week!
We kicked off the holiday season with our Christmas Celebration and Tree-Lighting Ceremony last weekend! 🎄🎁 Community members had fun sipping hot chocolate, decorating cookies and carolling. We even got a head start in getting our wish lists to Santa who dropped by for a visit! 🎅🏻
It`s been a busy fall term in Debate and Public Speaking! Some highlights include:
⭐️ Sienne, Katie and Athena competed at the International Independent School Public Speaking Championships in Portland where they placed seventh, ninth and 11th, respectively.
⭐️ Amira, Leila, Joyce, Áine and Eden performed beautifully at the Magnum Opus Showcase at Carnegie Hall.
⭐️ Kaya and Janelle competed in the Ontario British Parliamentary Debate Championships and finished 11th overall. They also competed at the National British Parliamentary Debate Championships, where they made it to the semi-finals!
Congrats to our incredible debaters and public speakers!
When CK met Emmi. 💚 Grace chats about all things leadership with current Head Prefect Emmi and former Head Girl and acclaimed attorney CK PURKS Hoffler’80 in our new PrincipalED podcast episode, dropping Tuesday! 🎙️