School Profile 2020-21

School Profile

2020-21

U N I V E R S I T Y D E S T I N AT I O N S

Toronto, Canada

2

BRANKSOME HALL

Discover Our IB Advantage Branksome Hall is a leading International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. Established in 1903 in Toronto, Canada, Branksome is an independent, university-preparatory school whose exemplary liberal arts curriculum prepares its graduates to be creative thinkers and problem solvers.

Branksome Curriculum Highlights

Our Graduates

All students, from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, follow the IB curriculum:

Our graduates represent the cultural diversity of Toronto, one of the world’s most multicultural cities.

Our graduates are welcomed by post-secondary institutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and around the world. In 2021, our graduates were offered entrance scholarships totaling more than $1.5 million, and 99 per cent of our graduates were Ontario Scholars.

•P rimary Years Program (JK–Grade 6) •M iddle Years Program (Grades 7–10) • Diploma Program (Grades 11–12) All Senior School courses are offered at the university preparatory level. Branksome students work toward graduating with both the IB Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Enrolment Junior School (JK–Grade 6)

271 students

Middle School (Grades 7–8)

182 students

Senior School (Grades 9–12)

457 students

Total (JK–Grade 12)

910 students

Senior & Middle School Day

621 students

Senior & Middle School Boarding

Why the IB Diploma Program?

This enriched liberal arts program is viewed as the gold standard by universities worldwide.

18 students

Graduating Class of 2020

115 students

IB Course Offerings IB Diploma courses, completed in Grades 11 and 12, are offered at Branksome Hall at both the Higher (HL) and Standard (SL) levels, unless otherwise noted.

These courses are aligned with Ontario Grade 11 and 12 3U/M and 4U/M courses.

GROUP 1

GROUP 2

GROUP 3

GROUP 4

GROUP 5

GROUP 6

English

French

Economics

Biology

Dance

Cantonese

Latin

Chemistry

French

Spanish (HL/SL/Ab initio)

Environmental Systems and Societies (SL)

Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL/ SL) Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (SL)

Visual Arts

German Italian Korean Mandarin Spanish

Geography (HL) History of Europe

Environmental Systems and Societies (SL) Physics Sports, Health & Exercise Science

Music Theatre Arts Visual Arts – Film Extended Essay Theory of Knowledge

SCHOOL PROFILE

Grading Equivalents IB Points IB Levels 1-7

Ontario Secondary School Credit % Equivalent Range

7

Excellent

97-100

6

Very Good

93-96

5

Good

85-92

4

Satisfactory

74-83

3

Mediocre

63-71

2

Poor

53-60

1

Very Poor

49 and below

3

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program Ontario Ministry Ontario Letter Grade 4-point scale Equivalent

4+

A+

4

A

4-

A-

3

B

2 1 R

C D F

Grading Policies The grading standards in the Ontario educational system differ from those that typically prevail at American high schools. For example, in our system, first (or “A”) standing commences at 80 per cent, rather than 90 per cent. What is referred to as “a solid B+ average” is therefore in the upper 70s. At the other end of the scale, our passing grade is 50 per cent, rather than 60 or 65 per cent.

If a course is repeated, the highest grade achieved is counted for credit. These standards are mandated by the Ontario Ministry of Education, which accredits all public and independent schools in this province, and are not at the discretion of individual secondary schools or groups of schools. Ontario (OSSD) transcript grades reflect a student’s final achievement over the course of an academic year.

Due to our challenging academic standards, Branksome Hall does not rank students or calculate GPAs. Our school policy prohibits disclosure of students’ disciplinary records. Branksome Hall is traditionally a non-semester school; however, due to the pandemic, we have adopted a segmented model.

The International Baccalaureate Schools of Ontario (IBSO) has a shared table of equivalents to percentages, as outlined in the chart above. Interim, anticipated or predicted IB grades are based on evidence demonstrated in the classroom, and not on final IB examinations.

Standardized Test Results Due to the pandemic, our students have had exceptionally limited access to standardized test-writing opportunities in 2020 and 2021. Therefore, we do not have enough test scores and data to accurately represent our students. Traditionally, our average overall scores fall into the top 10% of test-takers for the SAT and ACT.

Branksome Hall is a continuum school and we began offering the IB Diploma Program in 2003. Approximately 50 per cent of our faculty are involved in IB leadership roles, ranging from examiners/moderators to workshop leaders/site visitors, exam writers/editors and program and curriculum reviewers. Of our Senior and Middle School faculty, 45 hold Master’s degrees and five hold PhD degrees.

In Grade 11, students begin the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, concurrently earning Ontario secondary school credits. Grade 11 and 12 Ontario courses are at the most advanced level (University Preparation or University/College Preparation) and are integrated into the IB curriculum.

The highest diploma points awarded to a candidate was 45. The average grade achieved by students who earned the diploma was 5.45; the average point total was 35 points; and 76 students achieved 32 points or more. Five students earned a bilingual diploma.

In response to COVID-19 and provincial public health measures, Branksome Hall provided in-person and remote instruction from September to December of 2020. In January 2021, we moved to a full remote-learning model.

With a short return to in-person learning in late February and March, we remained fully remote for the remainder of the academic year. In fact, schools in Toronto were closed to in-person learning longer than any jurisdiction in Canada.

Given the local public health requirements, Branksome Hall was required to undertake the International Baccalaureate “non-exam route” in late April.

Branksome Hall Four-Year Summary of IB Results 2021

2020

2019

2018

5.45

5.19

5.14

5.08

35

33

33

32

Average Point Total (World)

30.02

30

29.63

28.56

Overall Pass Rate in Individual Subjects (BH)

100%

100%

100%

100%

Average Subject Grade (BH) Average Point Total (BH)

2021 University Destination Details Total Students

Program

Total Students

Students / Program

Program

Students / Program

O N TA R I O ( 5 9 )

Huron University College

McMaster University

Queen’s University

2

3

24

McGill University

16

Immunology and Microbiology

1

Undeclared

1

Art History & Studio Art

1

2

Film Studies

2

Arts (BAH)

10

Film Studies/Art History

1

Engineering - Direct Entry Electrical and Computer (BASc)

1

Business

1

Engineering (BASc)

5

Science

3

Life Science (BScH)

2 Visual Art (BFA)

1

Science (BScH)

5

Science/Education (Concurrent) (BScH/ BEd)

1

Management & Organizational Studies

1

Political Science

1

Honours Health Sciences I

1

Humanities I

Concordia University

4

WESTERN PROVINCES (5)

The University of British Columbia

5

UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND (6)

Met Film School

1

Practical Film Making

1

Trent University

1

Biomedical Science (Honours Science)

1

The University of Edinburgh

1

Medical Sciences

1

University of Guelph

1

Biomedical Science (Neuroscience)

1

Trinity College Dublin

1

1

Computer Engineering

1

Business, Economics, and Social Sciences

1

University of Ottawa University of Toronto

10

Humanities (Arts)

2

University College Dublin

1

Medicine

1

International Relations

1

University of St Andrews

2

Medicine

1

Kinesiology & Physical Education (BKin)

1

Sustainable Development

1

Management (BBA) (Co-op and Regular)

1

U N I T E D S TAT E S ( 1 9 )

Physical & Mathematical Sciences

2

Boston University

1

Business

1

Political Science

1

Bowdoin College

1

Science

1

Rotman Commerce

1

George Washington University

1

1

Social Science

1

Journalism and Political Communication

Architectural Engineering (Co-op only)

1

Johns Hopkins University

1

Biology, Public Health Studies

1

Architecture (Co-op only)

1

New York University

4

Arts and Science

1

Arts and Humanities

2

Business, Technology & Entrepreneurship at Stern

1

College of Arts and Sciences, Economics

1

Media, Culture and Communication

1

University of Waterloo

Western University

Wilfred Laurier University

2

12

3

Health Sciences

1

Management & Organizational Studies

2

Management & Organizational Studies + Ivey AEO

1

SASAH + Classical Civilizations

1

Science

1

Social Science

2

Social Science + Ivey AEO

Parsons School of Design | The New School

1

Interior Design

1

Princeton University

1

Historical and Political Science

1

Syracuse University

1

Psychology

1

2

University of California-Berkeley

1

College of Letters and Science

1

Film Studies

1

University of California-Los Angeles

1

Political Science

1

Honour Arts (BA)

1

University of Chicago

1

Economics

1

Kinesiology (BKin)

1

University of Notre Dame

1

College of Letters and Arts

1

University of Southern California

2

Political Science

1

Communication

1

Liberal Arts

1

Undeclared

1

AT L A N T I C P R O V I N C E S ( 1 )

Dalhousie University

1

Undeclared

1

16

Arts

11

Biological, Biomedical and Life Sciences

1

BSc Physical, Earth, Math, and Computer Science Group

1

Economics and Political Science

1

QUEBEC (20)

McGill University

Wellesley College

2

Class of 2021 University Destinations

2021 Graduates’ Regional Destinations Number of Graduates

Percentage

59

51.30

O N TA R I O

20

17.39

Huron University College

2

19

16.52

McMaster University

3

Ontario

59

Quebec United States Atlantic Provinces

1

0.87

Queen’s University

Western Provinces

5

4.35

Trent University

1

U.K.

6

5.22

University of Guelph

1

University of Ottawa

1

University of Toronto

10

University of Waterloo

2

Other International Universities

0

0.00

Gap Year

4

3.48

Unknown

1

0.87

Top University Destinations 2021

Western University Wilfred Laurier University OTHER CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES

24

12 3 26

Queen’s University

24

Concordia University

McGill University

16

Dalhousie University

Western University

12

McGill University

University of Toronto

10

University of British Columbia

5

UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND

6

Met Film School

1

The University of Edinburgh

1

Trinity College Dublin

1

University College Dublin

1

University of British Columbia

5

U.S. Universities (total)

19

2021 Graduates’ Chosen Programs Programs

Number of Graduates

Agriculture Arts and Science/Liberal Arts Biological Sciences Business and Commerce* Computer Science, Technology and Communications

Percentage of Graduating Class

0

0.00

45

39.13

9

7.83

12

10.43

3

2.61

University of St Andrews U N I T E D S TAT E S

4 1 16

2 19

Boston University

1

Bowdoin College

1

George Washington University

1

Johns Hopkins University

1

New York University

4

Education

1

0.87

Parsons School of Design | The New School

1

Fine Arts and Design/Performing Arts

9

7.83

Princeton University

1

Humanities

5

4.35

Syracuse University

1

University of California - Berkeley

1

University of California - Los Angeles

1

University of Chicago

1

Kinesiology/Sports and Exercise Science

2

1.74

Mathematics, Engineering and Physical Sciences

11

9.57

Medicine and Medical Fields

3

2.61

Social Sciences

8

6.96

Undeclared

3

2.61

Alternate Plans (Gap Year)

4

3.48

*This figure does not include pre-acceptance to the Ivey School of Business at Western University.

University of Notre Dame

1

University of Southern California

2

Wellesley College

2

6

BRANKSOME HALL

*

Major Scholarship Offers NUMBER

AMOUNT

Schwartz Business Scholars of Distinction

1

$16,000

Trent University

Entrance Scholarship

1

$12,000

$8,000

University of British Columbia

Centennial Scholars Award

1

$40,000

1

$12,000

University of Guelph

Entrance Scholarship

1

$5,500

Entrance Scholarship

2

$16,000

1

$9,250

1

$20,000

University of King’s College

Entrance Scholarship

Dalhousie IB Renewable Scholarship

Entrance Scholarship

1

$10,250

Dalhousie University

Entrance Scholarship

1

$16,000

University of King’s College

Emerson College

Stage Scholarship

1

$80,000 USD

University of Ottawa

Admission Scholarship

3

$4,000

Emerson College

Visionary Scholarship

1

$40,000 USD

University of Toronto

University of Toronto Scholar

7

$7,500

George Washington University

Presidential Academic Scholarship

1

$120,000 USD

University of Toronto

Entrance Scholarship

1

$5,000

Huron University Scholarship

Entrance Scholarship

1

$6,000

Western University

Western Scholarship of Excellence

1

$8,000

Huron University Scholarship

Entrance Scholarship

2

$10,000

York University

Entrance Scholarship

1

$4,000

York University

Entrance Scholarship

1

$6,000

Huron University College

Entrance Scholarship

4

$12,000

Harry C. Maynard Scholarship

1

$8,600

Huron University College

Entrance Scholarship

2

$14,000

Indiana UniversityBloomington

Global Entrance Scholarship

1

$44,000 USD

Laurentian University

Entrance Scholarship

1

$12,000

Mount Allison University

Entrance Scholarship

1

$16,000

Muhlenberg College

Presidential Merit Scholarship

1

$120,000 USD

Northeastern University

Honors Scholarship

1

$84,000 USD

Queen’s University

Principal’s Scholarship

13

$4,000

Ryerson University

Entrance Scholarship

4

$8,000

Savannah College of Art and Design

Academic Scholarship

2

$44,000 USD

Savannah College of Art and Design

Achievement Scholarship

1

$16,000 USD

St. Francis Xavier University

Entrance Scholarship

1

$7,000

INSTITUTION

SCHOLARSHIP

NUMBER

AMOUNT

Brock University

Brock Scholars Award

1

$4,000

Brock University

Entrance Scholarship

1

$16,000

Carleton University

Entrance Scholarship

1

$4,000

Carleton University

Entrance Scholarship

1

Carleton University

Entrance Scholarship

Carleton University Dalhousie University

*Value of $4,000 CAD and above

INSTITUTION

SCHOLARSHIP

St. Francis Xavier University

SCHOOL PROFILE

University Destinations 2018-21 O N TA R I O

University of the Arts London

University of California - Berkeley

Brock University

University of Warwick

University of California - Irvine

Carleton University

University of California - Los Angeles

Huron University College

O T H E R I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I V E R S I T I E S

University of California - Santa Barbara

McMaster University

Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la

University of Chicago

Queen’s University

Couture Parisienne

University of Delaware

Royal Military College of Canada

Duke Kunshan University

University of Houston

Trent University

IE University

University of Notre Dame

University of Guelph

Murdoch University

University of Pennsylvania

University of Ottawa

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

University of Southern California

University of Toronto

Villanova University

University of Waterloo

U N I T E D S TAT E S

Wellesley College

Western University

American University

Wesleyan University

Wilfrid Laurier University

Babson College

Williams College

York University

Berklee College of Music

Yale University

Boston University OTHER PROVINCES

Bowdoin College

Concordia University

California Institute of Technology

Dalhousie University

Dartmouth College

McGill University

Georgetown University

University of British Columbia

George Washington University

University of King’s College

Johns Hopkins University

University of New Brunswick

Kenyon College Macalester College

UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND

Mount Holyoke College

Durham University

New York University

Goldsmiths, University of London

Northeastern University

Imperial College London

Northwestern University

King’s College London

Parsons School of Design | The New

Met Film School

School

Queen Mary University of London

Princeton University

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Rhode Island School of Design

St George’s, University of London

Ringling College of Art and Design

The University of Edinburgh

Savannah College of Art and Design

Trinity College Dublin

Southern Methodist University

University College London

St. John’s College

University of Dundee

Stanford University

University of Manchester

Syracuse University

University of Oxford

The New School

University of St Andrews

The University of Tampa

In 2021, our university applicants were offered scholarships totalling more than $1.5 million, and 99% of our graduates were Ontario Scholars.

7

C O U NS E LL IN G FAC ULT Y AND STAF F Joanne Colwell Director, School and University Counselling jcolwell@branksome.on.ca 416.920.6265, ext. 255

Kalista Clement Middle School School Counsellor kclement@branksome.on.ca 416.920.6265, ext. 382

Hayley AvRuskin Grade 9 and 10 School Counsellor havruskin@branksome.on.ca 416.920.6265, ext. 264

Paulina Su Middle School School Counsellor psu3@branksome.on.ca 416.920.6265, ext. 389

Kathleen Duguay Grade 9 and 10 School Counsellor kduguay@branksome.on.ca 416.920.6265, ext. 271

Cory Miller University and School Counsellor, University Counseling Co-ordinator cmiller@branksome.on.ca 416.920.6265, ext. 217

Bonita Ip Assistant to the Director, School and University Counselling guidance@branksome.on.ca 416.920.6265, ext. 214

Jennifer Stumborg University and School Counsellor jstumborg@branksome.on.ca 416.920.6265, ext. 275

Greta Abanto Administrative Assistant, School Counselling guidance@branksome.on.ca 416.920.6265, ext. 339

Branksome Hall 10 Elm Avenue, Toronto ON M4W 1N4

Tel. 416-920-6265 ext. 268 admissions@branksome.on.ca branksome.on.ca