Ridley College offers a unique opportunity for students from Grade 9 to 12 to learn the way they want to learn. Students are empowered to guide their own learning, discover and pursue their passions, and persevere through challenges.
A Ridley education prepares students to meet the challenges of higher education at the most selective colleges and universities around the world. Our learner-centred and inquiry-based education offers our Upper School students a unique, individualized approach to learning built on critical thinking, dialogue, analysis, and immersive exploration of the ideas that will transform our globe.
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OPENING DOORS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Ridley College is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, and the only independent boarding school in Canada authorized to offer the IB continuum programme.
Students have the opportunity to earn two diplomas upon graduating from Ridley College: the IB Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Each acts as a ticket to the world, unlocking university and career prospects. Upon graduation, Ridley students’ hard work is often rewarded with an average of eight acceptances to their top universities of choice.
What is IB? The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit educational foundation that offers four highly-regarded educational programmes (Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme) for students aged 3 to 19, aiming to develop students who are intellectually, personally, emotionally, and ethically well-rounded and who manage complexity and take responsible action in the world.
When students reach Grade 11 at Ridley, they can opt to continue with the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and/or the OSSD. At Ridley, we adopt an open-access policy for any student who wishes to undertake the challenge of the IB Diploma Programme. Students coming into the programme need no prior experience with the IB framework, and our learner-centred approach ensures all students adapt quickly and thrive.
In order to earn an OSSD, a student entering Grade 9 must earn a minimum of 30 credits, including 18 compulsory credits and 12 optional credits. Students must also complete 40 hours of community involvement activities and must pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test.
Students who take a mixture of IB Diploma courses and OSSD courses are known as hybrid students. The hybrid programme appeals to students who want to take a wider variety of courses than are offered in the OSSD or who want to specialize with three or four courses in a single discipline.
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Ridley students are encouraged to balance their academic lives by participating in a variety of co-curricular activities in the arts, athletics, leadership, and community service. We offer a selection of more than 75 co-curricular activities. Our athletic programmes are structured to provide the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to develop physical literacy and value and engage in physical activities for life.
Our guidance team takes a personalized approach to prepare students for their university careers by helping them discover their passions and which courses and institutions will be the right fit for them. Our counsellors have decades of experience in both international and domestic university guidance and are part of a dedicated department that prides itself on knowing and supporting each Upper School student through to graduation.
We offer a variety of support services designed to help all students flourish both in and out of the classroom. Our dedicated Learning Strategists partner with students, parents, teachers, counsellors, advisors and the Health Centre to develop student success plans tailored to meet the evolving needs of students and ensure all students are known and cared for.
Our Boarding Houses offer Ridleians an immersive environment of discovery and opportunity where they are able to embrace their individuality, discover who they are and strive for the future. This important induction to independence lives inside a diverse, dynamic, and vigilant community.
As a community of citizens from over 60 countries, boarding fosters students’ global perspectives. Students live, learn and play with friends from around the globe, and the relationships and deep connections they make stay with them for life. This maturity and understanding of how to live successfully with others prepare students for their post-secondary journey.
Current Families: If you have questions for our Upper School Head, Lance Postma, please reach out via email at [email protected].
Ridley is Canada's only full International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum boarding school, meaning they offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MPY) and the Diploma Programme (DP). Graduates earn two diplomas: the globally-recognized IB Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). We offer an "open access" policy for all Grade 11 students to pursue the challenging IB Diploma Programme (DP) and an OSSD/IB hybrid option.
Our dedicated University Counselling team offers a world-leading, personalized guidance programme with decades of experience in both international and domestic university admissions. We support every student in finding the "right fit" for their post-graduate journey, leveraging the strength of the IB and OSSD diplomas.
Yes. Ridley has a Learning Centre offering individualized academic support in all three divisions (Lower, Middle and Upper School). Our dedicated Learning Strategists partner with students, parents, teachers, counsellors, advisors and the Health Centre, to develop student success plans tailored to meet the evolving needs of students. Our Lower, Middle and Upper School Student Success Teams meet regularly to monitor and identify students who require additional support, ensuring all students are known and cared for.
Yes. We offer English as an Additional Language (EAL) support through the start of the Diploma Programme (Grade 11). While applicants must meet a minimum English proficiency level for admission, our Learning Centre provides continuous support for students developing greater proficiency to achieve academic success within the rigorous IB framework.
We support student wellbeing with three full-time Social-Emotional Counsellors across our Lower, Middle and Upper schools, led by our Director of Wellbeing and Belonging.
Our graduates gain acceptance to over 100 prestigious universities across the globe, including Ivy League schools and top institutions in Canada, the UK, Asia. Over the past three years our graduates have matriculated to some of the best universities and colleges worldwide, including: Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Princeton University, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of British Columbia, University of Hong Kong, University of Madrid, University of Oxford, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and Yale University.
For the 2025/26 academic year, total enrollment is over 870 students (with over 530 in Upper School) representing over 60 nationalities. This diverse student body fosters Global Perspective and cultural competency.
Approximately 65% of our Upper School students are full-time boarders.
Students participate in a wide range of over 75 co-curricular activities covering arts, academics, sports, music, leadership (including Cadets and Moral Courage programs), life skills, and community service. Prep Sports include Prep Basketball (boys), Prep Hockey (boys and girls), Prep Rowing (boys and girls), with Figure Skating (girls and boys) being introduced in 2026/27. Each activity is either Major or Minor, depending on the required involvement. All students are required to do a sport and another co-curricular activity each term.
No. Ridley College is committed to a vibrant, immersive campus life and a holistic educational model. We do not offer remote learning programs.
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is the official high school diploma granted to students who successfully complete the provincial requirements for secondary school in the province of Ontario, Canada.
Upper School Academics
Athletics
Upper School Co-Curriculars
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.jpg?command_1=resize&width_1=260&height_1=345 "Upper School Academics")
