The Andrean Boarding Opportunity (ABO) is an exciting initiative designed to provide day students with the opportunity to move into boarding for an affordable half year in Grade 8 and/or a full year in Grade 12.
The Boarding Life Curriculum is a dynamic and enriching experience that creates powerful friendships, allows students to reap the benefits of studying and playing hard, develops important life skills like resiliency and time management, and encourages students to explore a wide variety of leadership opportunities. For most students, boarding serves as an important social and emotional bridge to the next stop along their educational path, such as moving to Upper School or to university away from home.
Our programs are constantly evolving to accommodate the changes in health practices and areas of interest among the students. A structured environment that includes a two-hour dedicated study period in the evening allows for an increased focus on academics with subject-specific tutoring at our students’ disposal. Cellphone and laptop lock-up, starting at 10:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. for Middle School students) during the week, emphasizes recuperation in the evenings.
HOW IT WORKS
The Andrean Boarding Opportunity will match your contribution dollar-for-dollar from the time you enrol in the program through Grade 11. Middle School families will be matched $2,000 per year, and Upper School families will be matched at $3,000 per annum. When a Middle School family moves into the Upper School, contributions and matching will change to $3,000. The money can be applied to a half year of boarding in Grade 8 and/or a full year in Grade 11 or 12.
A $2,500 bonus will be awarded to Middle School families who opt to board their son for a half year in Grade 8. This bonus will help kick-start the Upper School ABO savings plan. The family and the school will still be responsible for contributing the annual $2,000, bringing the total Grade 8 contribution and match to $6,500 to be applied in Grade 11 or 12.
WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE
Dylan Smith has been a day student for two years. In Grade 7, Mr. and Mrs. Smith have decided to contribute to the Andrean Boarding Opportunity. As Middle School parents, they will make a $2,000 annual contribution to their ABO savings account, which SAC will match. At re-enrolment, Mr. and Mrs. Smith decide that to prepare Dylan for Upper School, he will board for a half year in Grade 8. The $4,000 currently saved in their ABO account will be used to offset the Grade 8 half-year boarding fee. In Grade 8, SAC provided the Smiths with a $2,500 bonus in addition to the $2,000 match, bringing their Upper School savings account to $6,500 in Grade 8. When Dylan reaches Grade 12, the Smiths will have $24,500 to offset their son’s final boarding year (three years x ($3,000 + $3,000) + Grade 8 contribution ($2,000 + $2,000) + $2,500 = $24,500).
Signing up for this program represents no risk to families. Any monies contributed will be fully refunded plus 1.25% should your son choose not to participate in the boarding program when the time comes. However, there is a cap of 25 students in any given grade who can enrol in the program, with a waitlist should any spaces become available.
SAC will match your contributions dollar-for-dollar from enrolment through Grade 11.
HOW TO ENROL
To enrol in the Andrean Boarding Opportunity, please complete the enrolment form on our website at www.sac.on.ca/andrean-boarding-opportunity. We accept up to 25 families per grade on a first-come, firstserved basis. Once the form is submitted, you will receive an email confirming your successful enrolment or waitlist status.
If you have any questions or encounter any technical difficulties, please contact the Admission Office at boardingpass@sac.on.ca.
ENSURE YOUR SON IS READY
The school offers a complimentary one-week boarding program for all day boys in Grades 5-11 called the 5-Day Boarding Pass. Boys are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this offer to ensure they are well-suited to board in the Andrean Boarding Opportunity. Information about this program is sent out every October, with weeks available from November through May. You can reserve your spot by contacting boardingpass@sac.on.ca.
EARLY INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Should your son wish to transition to boarding starting in Grade 11, under the Early Incentive program, the accrued funds can be used over the two years in boarding, plus we will apply a $6,000 ($3,000 per year) bonus. Of the over 50 students who transitioned from day to boarding since the program’s inception, more than half made the move for Grade 11 or sooner. Students make this early transition for a variety of reasons, including:
dedicated study period and additional academic support increased leadership opportunities developing a greater sense of community and connection building a foundation before Grade 12 access to fitness facilities and classes overnight technology lock-up
Boarding at St. Andrew’s is an important growth opportunity before university. Don’t take our word for it; here’s what Roan Binnendyk, Grade 12, and his mother, Susan Green, said about his early transition:
Boarding has helped me develop closer relationships with my peers and improve my academic standing. With access to resources such as the Math Den, Writing Centre, Health Centre, and SAC’s athletic facilities, my boarding experience has helped me form better study habits and improve my timemanagement skills. Living on my own has also helped me prepare for university and the challenges that will accompany it.
– Roan Binnendyk ’23In 2015 when my sons joined St. Andrew’s, we invested in the Andrean Boarding Opportunity, not fully knowing if the boys would want to participate. When dropped them off at SAC in their first year, said, “suck this place dry” of all experiences you can. From the start, Roan ’23 partook in the ABO program yearly and loved the week of boarding. We transitioned Alastair ’19 to boarding in Grade 12 as he was so involved in academics, sports, theatre, and leadership, and this was another aspect of SAC he wanted to experience. Roan has had the same opportunity with his own unique experiences. Boarding has allowed my boys to safely transition to their natural next step toward independent living. The structure, teacher assistance and support, and deeper and broader friendships have and will benefit them in building life skills and lifelong friendships. As a family, our home is quieter during the week, but when Roan comes home, we all appreciate our time spent together, starting with a warm welcome home embrace!
– Susan Green
To find out more about the Early Incentive program, please contact Jarryd Stock ’03 at boardingpass@sac.on.ca
I participate in many extra-curricular activities at SAC, which had me arriving at school early and leaving late. Living in boarding has given me more time to rest and prep, preparing me for university life, where I’ll have to do laundry, cleaning, and everything else independently.
switched to boarding because wanted the benefit of experiencing boarding before university and having easy access to academic resources like study and Math Den. Boarding has helped me form close friendships and improve my academics. enjoy the inter-house games and being able to return to my room for quiet study during my spare periods.
As a day student, spent over an hour each day driving to and from school, but now I’m within walking distance of my leadership responsibilities, extra help, and all of SAC’s amazing facilities. After only five months of boarding, am more independent and have better time management skills. was initially nervous but was quickly welcomed.
switched to boarding because was constantly at school from morning to night. have made new friends and deepened existing relationships during my boarding experience. House activities are fun, from watching the Super Bowl and participating in the Weekend program activities like skiing. The faculty are kind and caring. Living away from home in a structured environment is helping prepare me for the stresses of autonomy in post-secondary.
During our first day at SAC for Grade 9 orientation, I remember my wife asking our son if he wanted to attend boarding, and his definitive answer was “No.” However, as the year progressed and the rigours of school life intensified, he easily found his place amongst his peers, especially among the young men in Sifton House. When given the opportunity to try a week of boarding, he enthusiastically embraced it. Although we live relatively close to the school, he loved it, and there was no looking back. He now resides in Sifton House and has greatly benefited from the experience. The chance to be independent in a safe, responsible environment with high-achieving students has allowed him to mature in ways don’t believe would be possible at home. The house staff are easily accessible and supportive. But most importantly, our son is happy, and we are grateful for that.
– Dwayne Genus, parent of Arinze ’25
– Marcus Fong ’24
– Jonathan Criswick ’23
– Charlie Guy ’23
15800 Yonge Street Aurora, ON L4G 3H7 Canada
ANDREAN BOARDING OPPORTUNITY – IS IT ABOUT TIME TO CONSIDER?– Carter Leung ’23