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