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.
WHY BRANKSOME HALLSTART YOUR JOURNEY
Explore all that Branksome has to offer. Learn about our school, join one of our events or take a virtual tour.
Discover Our IB Program
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.
Our IB Advantage
Primary Years Programme JK–Gr. 6
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.
Middle Years Programme Gr. 7–10
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.
Diploma or IB Select Gr. 11–12
An emphasis on international-mindedness and intercultural understanding, providing context for young women to lead in a complex, interdisciplinary, globally connected adult world.
Branksome BY THE NUMBERS
1903 Branksome established
16–22 Average class size
$1.5 M Available in financial assistance
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
$6.2 M+ In scholarships awarded to 2026 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.
About iCAST Support The Campaign
MAKE WAY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
Meet the Branksome Hall students and alums learning the skills to change the world.
Headlines from Campus
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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.
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Connect With Us
Follow BH across our socials for all the latest news and innovations in girls' education.
Help us give a warm welcome to Kiley Little, Branksome’s new Assistant Head, Student Life and Leadership for the Middle and Senior Schools!
With more than 18 years of experience in international schools and post-secondary education—from Bali and Hanoi to Taipei and Toronto—Ms. Little is dedicated to creating connected, engaging environments where every student feels they belong.
She will be leading student life programming, Assemblies, clubs and supporting student leadership, and is especially excited to experience the Clan spirit and her first Week Without Halls. Make sure to say hello in the halls, and welcome Ms. Little to the BH community! 👋
#BranksomeHall #StudentLife #WelcomeToBH #SchoolSpirit #BHCommunity
As we look forward to another year of learning and growth, we are pleased to share an update on our Class of 2026’s highlights from their remarkable final year at Branksome Hall. 🎓✨
Our graduates distinguished themselves in the classroom, shone through co-curricular activities and demonstrated deep compassion in community engagement.
Here is a snapshot of their remarkable accomplishments:
💡IB Distinction: Achieved an average diploma score of 36 out of 45 points—well above the global average of 30.88—with 44 as our highest point total! Three students also earned an IB Bilingual Diploma in French, Chinese and Urdu.
🌎Global Destinations: 900+ offers of admission from more than 140 prestigious postsecondary institutions worldwide.
🔬Future-Defining Fields: 68 per cent of graduates are pursuing STEM and Business, while 32 per cent are bringing their creativity to the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Fine Arts.
📚Academic Excellence: Secured six Ivy League acceptances and earned more than $8 million in merit-based scholarships.
Congratulations to each of our newest alums as they take their next bold steps.
#branksomehall #branksomehallalum #BranksomeGrad #BranksomePride
Today, we pause to honour the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of feminist icon, activist and author Gloria Steinem (@gloriasteinem), who passed away yesterday at age 92. Gloria was a true north star in her fierce, lifelong advocacy for the empowerment of girls and women, as well as the relentless fight for gender equality, civil rights and social justice
Our community holds a special place in that story. On October 23, 2017, Gloria honoured Branksome Hall by joining us as our Rachel Phillips Belash Speaker for our "Women Strong" public event—a truly momentous occasion that bridged global history with our own campus. Her presence served as a powerful affirmation of Branksome’s longstanding role in the history and future of women’s empowerment.
Her visit and message that day resonated deeply across the entire Branksome and Toronto community—leaving an indelible mark on students, alums, school leaders, faculty, staff and parents alike, and inspiring us all, as she famously stated, to use our torches to light each other’s, “Because only if each of us has a torch will there be enough light.” Thank you, Gloria, for your impact, your example, and for sharing your light with us.
Learn more about Gloria’s memorable visit to Branksome Hall at the link in bio.
#GloriaSteinem #WomenStrong #WomeninLeadership #FemaleEmpowerment
We are thrilled to welcome Kathryn Barnes as Branksome’s new Deputy Principal!
Kathryn brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership, student well-being and inclusive learning, having most recently served as Middle and Senior School Principal at The York School. As Deputy Principal, she will work closely with our Heads of School, along with Jane-Anne Tateishi, Head, Student Support, and Katie Flynn, Athletics Director, to foster a cohesive K–12 experience focused on holistic care and whole-school alignment.
For Kathryn, stepping into this role marks a meaningful homecoming. The daughter of former Senior School Librarian and longtime archivist Gayle Reid, Kathryn spent much of her youth on campus—working in the daycare, helping in The Shop and shelving books in the library.
"To come back now in this role, many years later, really does feel like a homecoming," says Kathryn. "There is something both wonderfully familiar and completely new about being here."
Outside of work, Kathryn is an avid reader, outdoor enthusiast and parent to three sons.
Welcome, Kathryn! We are looking forward to getting to know you, and are so happy you have come back to your Branksome “home.”
Read the full news story at the link in bio.
#branksomehall #BranksomeLife #BranksomeSpirit
Packing, Branksome Boarding students? We`ve got you covered! Check out what you should bring with you. Please aim to purchase as many required items as possible before arrival.
To view the full packing checklist in our Boarding Handbook, click the link in bio.
@branksome_boarding
#BranksomeHall #BoardingLife #LivingonCampus #BacktoSchool #CantWait
We welcomed more than 70 educators from around the world to campus for our IB Summer Workshops this week! Participants enhanced their knowledge of the IB curriculum and participated in meaningful discussions with their peers.
Special thanks to Ms. Shu, Ms. Friesen and the stellar IB workshop leaders who facilitated these inspiring workshops. See you next year!
#BranksomeHall #IBWorkshops #Toronto #IBWorldSchool
This week, we welcomed new colleagues to BH for their Orientation Week! We look forward to an incredible school year ahead. 💚
#branksomehall #makingadifference #WelcometoBH #teachersrock
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of former Branksome faculty member Aija Zommers on July 28, 2026. During her 35 years at Branksome, Aija taught History, served as Head Debate Coach and was a passionate advocate for girls having strong, confident voices.
Aija’s life was shaped by extraordinary resilience, a lifelong passion for learning and a belief that ideas matter. As a History teacher and Debate coach, she challenged assumptions, inspired students to find their voices, and never shied away from a spirited argument. Her impact endures in every Branksome Hall student who steps up to a podium with confidence and conviction.
Read our full announcement at the link in bio.
#BranksomeHall #InMemoriam #BranksomeLegacy #KeepWellTheRoad
We miss you too, BH family! 🥹 Only a few more weeks until the campus is filled with all of your smiling faces again.
See you soon! 😎💚
#BranksomeHall #BacktoSchool #WeMissYou #SeeYouSoon
We are excited to host a series of professional development IB Summer Workshops this summer, designed to help educators bridge the gap between IB theory and impactful classroom practice! Across the PYP, MYP and DP frameworks, these sessions will dive into strategies that elevate student thinking, enhance curriculum design and refresh the teaching toolkit.
Swipe through the carousel to explore this summer`s lineup of workshops.
🔗 For dates, session details and registration, visit the link in our bio!
Circle of Excellence Award
The PrincipalED podcast has won a Silver 2026 Circle of Excellence Award from CASE.
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Silver Prix d'Excellence
The PrincipalED podcast has won a silver CCAE 2026 Prix d'Excellence Award in the Best Podcast category.
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Bronze Prix d'Excellence
Branksome Hall's website has won a bronze CCAE 2026 Prix d'Excellence Award in the Best Website category.
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Web Excellence Awards
The BH website has won two 2026 Web Excellence Awards (Education/School & University).
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