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Boarding Handbook
Welcome from Kalista Clement, Boarding Director
As the Director of Boarding, I look forward to collaborating with you as we continue building a strong and supportive community.
Important Dates
View important school events and holidays.
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Boarding houses open for new students.
Monday, September 1, 2025
Houses open for returning students.
Boarding Communications and Contact Information
Learn more about family communication, attendance and how to get in touch.
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All Boarding students belong to a Boarding Family Group, headed by a Boarding Advisor, which helps to ensure that each student is well-known and cared for at Branksome Hall. The Boarding Advisor will meet with their Boarding Family Group regularly during the academic year to discuss life skills and pastoral care. Parents and guardians receive the weekly Friday File East email newsletter, which includes highlights and events from the Boarding community.
Parents are welcome to communicate with the Boarding team at any time using the email boarding@branksome.on.ca.
Boarding will host virtual Fireside Chats throughout the year to provide updates and connect with families.
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To ensure continuity of care and student safety, only the Director of Boarding, the Assistant Director of Boarding, the Boarding Life Coordinator or the Health Centre Team can excuse a Boarding student from school whilst living in residence.
If a student is with a parent/guardian during the school week or is on leave for illness, appointments or family events, the parent/guardian should email attendance@branksome.on.ca each morning and copy boarding@branksome.on.ca to ensure accurate attendance records and so the Boarding Team can ensure students' safety.
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Boarding Email:
Ainslie House, 1 Elm Avenue
Sherborne House, 3 Elm Avenue
Health Centre:
- 416-920-6265, ext. 229 | Fax: 416-927-0960
- healthcentre@branksome.on.ca
Business Office:
IT Department (Student laptops, school technology, Portal technical support, student emails):
University Counselling:
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If you wish to send mail and packages to Boarding in advance of move-in day, please use this address (you do not need to include the Boarding House or room number):
Student First Name & Last Name
c/o Branksome Hall Boarding
6 Elm Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M4W 1N4
CANADAFor students and families sending mail and/or online shopping throughout the year, please continue to use this mailing address.
All Boarding students belong to a Boarding Family Group, headed by a Boarding Advisor, which helps to ensure that each student is well-known and cared for at Branksome Hall. The Boarding Advisor will meet with their Boarding Family Group regularly during the academic year to discuss life skills and pastoral care. Parents and guardians receive the weekly Friday File East email newsletter, which includes highlights and events from the Boarding community.
Parents are welcome to communicate with the Boarding team at any time using the email boarding@branksome.on.ca.
Boarding will host virtual Fireside Chats throughout the year to provide updates and connect with families.
To ensure continuity of care and student safety, only the Director of Boarding, the Assistant Director of Boarding, the Boarding Life Coordinator or the Health Centre Team can excuse a Boarding student from school whilst living in residence.
If a student is with a parent/guardian during the school week or is on leave for illness, appointments or family events, the parent/guardian should email attendance@branksome.on.ca each morning and copy boarding@branksome.on.ca to ensure accurate attendance records and so the Boarding Team can ensure students' safety.
Boarding Email:
Ainslie House, 1 Elm Avenue
Sherborne House, 3 Elm Avenue
Health Centre:
- 416-920-6265, ext. 229 | Fax: 416-927-0960
- healthcentre@branksome.on.ca
Business Office:
IT Department (Student laptops, school technology, Portal technical support, student emails):
University Counselling:
If you wish to send mail and packages to Boarding in advance of move-in day, please use this address (you do not need to include the Boarding House or room number):
Student First Name & Last Name
c/o Branksome Hall Boarding
6 Elm Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M4W 1N4
CANADA
For students and families sending mail and/or online shopping throughout the year, please continue to use this mailing address.
Boarding Leadership
checklist for New families
Welcome to Branksome Hall! Although you will have received information from the Admissions team, here are some of the things to keep in mind before the school year begins. You will also hear from the Branksome Hall Parents’ Association in September about how to volunteer and dates for events.
New families should review both the New and All Families checklists.
Purchase school essentials:
- Review uniform requirements and get ready for your appointment with the Uniform Shop during Orientation.
Order textbooks and purchase supplies:
- For new students, their individual 2025–26 Course List can be found on the Portal (login required) under “Files & Forms." Please order textbooks through ALPHA Textbooks.
- If you are a new Middle School family, please review the Middle School class supplies list.
School communications and wayfinding:
- Learn about school communications with families, including weekly parent newsletters.
- Learn how to use the school Portal and review the campus map.
Account and fee details:
- Click the Billing tab in the Portal for monthly account statements and to make payments. Contact the Business Office (billing@branksome.on.ca) with any questions.
- View a breakdown of annual costs, such as the Parents’ Association and Clan activities.
School glossary:
- A guide to all things Branksome (Portal login required).
Checklists for All Families
Here are some of the things to keep in mind before the school year begins. You will also hear from the Branksome Hall Parents’ Association in September about how to volunteer and dates for events.
Update contact details and preferences:
- Ensure parent/guardian contact information is up-to-date on the Portal and make any necessary changes to details and permissions (learn how to do this).
- Ensure Boarding staff have the contact information of the local guardian (email, phone number, mailing address).
Order textbooks and purchase supplies:
- For each returning student, their 2025–26 Course List can be found on the Portal (login required) on the student’s Course Request tab under “My Requests.” Please order textbooks through ALPHA Textbooks.
- If you are a Middle School family, please review the Middle School class supplies list.
Boarding mission and culture, and school forms:
- Review the Boarding Mission and Values, as well as Building a Healthy and Respectful Boarding Culture.
- Complete school forms.
Health information:
- Review Health Centre information and declare if there are any changes or updates to the Boarding student's physical or mental health. All Boarding families are required to complete the health-related forms on the Portal.
- Students not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan will be registered with Branksome's insurance provider with coverage beginning August 1. The cost will be charged to the student's account in the fall.
Student safety:
- Review emergency procedures (Portal login required), security information and campus visitor protocol.
Packing and travel:
- Branksome Hall will provide those who need it with a formal letter to confirm full-time, in-person student status. This can be shown to Canadian Immigration at the airport.
- Review the packing checklist so you don’t forget anything!
- Refer to the Government of Canada website for the most up-to-date information regarding entry into the country.
Week Without Halls:
- For the 2025–26 academic year, the school has partnered with ALIVE Outdoors to provide a week of programming for all Grades 7–11 students (Portal login required) that will take place from Monday, October 6 to Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Financial assistance:
- Branksome Hall offers financial assistance, at various levels, to students in Grades 7 to 12 whose families can show evidence of financial need.
First Weeks of School
Boarding Orientation Week
All new Boarding students will move onto campus on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, when the Boarding houses open. The Boarding staff will organize an in-person Orientation Week to help new Boarders become familiar with the school, the Boarding houses, Toronto and the Boarding team.
Activities range from meeting with Counsellors, Social Workers, Language Coordinators and the Health Centre staff, to exploring Toronto’s attractions and making new friends. Returning Boarders are welcome to arrive for Orientation week with the expectation that they will fully participate in the program and provide mentorship to new students. Returning students who would like to participate in Orientation Week activities are asked to please reach out to Sheryl Al Khatib, Assistant Director of Boarding.
Move-In Days
New Boarding students (and returning students who would like to participate in Orientation Week activities): Tuesday, August 26, 2025
All returning Boarding students must move onto campus by Monday, September 1, 2025 by 5:30 p.m.
This year, we will have Sherborne House and Ainslie House open for Boarding.
In the days leading up to move-in day, you will receive an email from us regarding move-in instructions and parking information. Boarding Advisors will be available to assist on move-in day with any questions you may have about Boarding, school, orientation week, the neighbourhood or anything else that’s on your mind.
Please advise Boarding of your arrival date/time to Toronto.
Branksome Hall is located at 10 Elm Avenue in Rosedale, one of downtown Toronto’s most historic residential neighbourhoods.
View on MapSchool address: 10 Elm Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1N4, Canada
Closest subway stations: Bloor-Yonge Station and Sherbourne Station
Shopping close to campus:
- Canadian Tire: Housewares, cleaning supplies, sports and leisure equipment
- Winners: Clothing, backpacks, accessories, shoes, housewares
- Staples: School supplies, stationery, laptops, graphing calculators
- Banks: CIBC, RBC, Scotiabank, BMO, TD
- Cell Phone Providers: Wireless Wave, The Source, Rogers, Freedom Mobile and Bell
- Groceries: The Market by Longos, HMart, No Frills, Wan2 Food Mart
School Routines and Schedules
Weekday Routines and Leaves
Daily Schedule
Students living in the Boarding Houses have a unique set of needs. Living and studying away from home requires determination, resilience and independence, which we seek to foster through mentoring, programming and establishing clear boundaries.
Students are responsible for waking themselves up in a timely fashion.
All Students
All students will leave the Boarding houses by 8:00 a.m. on school days.
Grades 9–11 Students
Students in Grades 9–11 may leave the houses by 9:00 a.m. if they have a spare during the first period of the day. This privilege will be extended to students who demonstrate strong self-regulation skills and keep the Boarding team informed of their timetable.
Grade 12 Students
Students in Grade 12 may leave the houses by 9:00 a.m. if they have a Period 1 spare, and return to the Boarding houses at 3:00 p.m. if they have a Period 5 spare. This privilege will be extended to students who demonstrate strong self-regulation skills and keep the Boarding team informed of their timetable.
On Wednesday mornings, all students have a late-start morning, and will leave the houses by 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. if they have a Period 1 spare.
Students are not permitted to return to the Boarding houses during the school day.
Leaving Campus During the School Day
Parents or guardians should contact the Boarding team to notify them of upcoming expected absences (e.g., medical or dental appointments) for their child.
Notifications should be submitted a week in advance, as a Boarding staff member is required to accompany the student to the appointment (Grades 7–10). Parents, guardians or a Boarding staff member must accompany any Grades 7–10 students to off-campus appointments. Grades 11–12 students may be permitted to attend off-campus appointments unsupervised.
Lunch
All meal costs are included in the Boarding fees. Hot lunch options will be provided to students in the AWC, or they can pick up a grab-and-go option in The Hub in the Senior School. The lunch menu can be found on the Portal. Boarding students are not permitted to purchase additional food items for day students. Students in Grades 9–12 may leave campus for lunch.
Students who require a packed lunch due to a field trip or event must inform a member of the Boarding Team 48 hours in advance.
After-School Routines
3:45 p.m. - Classes End/Boarding Houses Open for All Boarding Students
- Students return to the Boarding house and check in by 4:00 p.m. If students are attending on-campus, after-school co-curricular activities, they must check in with their Boarding Advisor before 4:00 p.m., either in person or over the phone.
4:00–5:15 p.m. - Free Time
- Students in Grades 7 and 8 must be accompanied off-campus by either a parent or guardian, a Boarding staff member or two DP (Grade 11 or 12) students.
- Students in Grade 9 may leave campus with two friends (at least two other students), provided they sign out on REACH (our Boarding Student Life Management System) and verbally let staff know where they are going and when they will return. Grade 9 students may leave for 90-minute intervals. Excursions lasting longer than 90 minutes must be approved by a Boarding team member.
- Students in Grades 10–11 may leave campus with a friend (at least one other student), provided they sign out on REACH and verbally let staff know where they are going and when they will return. Grades 10–11 students may leave for two-hour intervals. Excursions lasting longer than two hours must be approved by a Boarding team member.
- Students in Grade 12 may leave campus unaccompanied, provided they sign out on REACH and verbally let staff know where they are going and when they will return. Grade 12 students may leave for three-hour intervals. Excursions lasting longer than three hours must be approved by a Boarding team member.
- Boarding students are welcome to have guests visit the houses during free time. All guests must check in with the Boarding Advisor and sign the guest book. Members of the Branksome Hall day student community are permitted on the upper floors of the houses with the permission of their roommates (if applicable). Doors must be left open during visits. Non-members of the Branksome community are permitted to visit the common areas. All guests must be accompanied by their host in Boarding at all times.
5:45–6:45 p.m. - Dinner in the Christie-Pepall Dining Hall (in the Athletics and Wellness Centre)
- Dinner is an opportunity for our community to connect. It is when the Boarding staff make announcements and when we celebrate different occasions. Attendance at dinner is mandatory.
- Students are expected to dine together until 6:45 p.m. as they cannot be unsupervised in the Boarding houses.
- If a student has to miss dinner, they need to have permission from a member of the Boarding Leadership Team.
- Students are to be on time and properly attired.
- Technology use at dinner is permitted at the discretion of the Boarding team.
- Students may invite guests to dinner at the discretion of the Boarding team.
- Students may not order food from outside of campus from Monday to Thursday. (Ordering food from outside of campus is permitted on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.)
Follow the link here to learn more about Boarding meals.
7:00–9:00 p.m. - Study time (Monday to Thursday)
- Students study quietly in their rooms with the door open.
Distractions such as social media, YouTube and cellphones are not permitted during study time. - Individual or group study may be permitted in the common room at the discretion of the Boarding staff.
A supervised Homework Club takes place during the week for Boarding students who benefit from additional support in their studies. Mandatory attendance at Homework Club may be required at the discretion of the Boarding team.
If Grades 7 and 8 students do not have homework, they can make a plan with their Boarding Advisor on how they will spend their time.
Evening Routine - Grades 7–9
- Students in Grades 7–9 get ready for bed at 9:30 p.m.
- Students in Grades 7–9 must hand in their technology to the Boarding Advisor by 10:00 p.m. at the latest.
- Lights-out for students in Grades 7–9 at 10:30 p.m.
Evening Routine - Grade 10
- Students in Grade 10 get ready for bed at 10:00 p.m.
- Students in Grade 10 have in-room time from 10:00–11:00 p.m.
- Lights out for students in Grade 10 at 11:00 p.m.
Evening Routine - DP Students
- Students in DP need to be in their rooms by 11:00 p.m.
Note: If a student in any grade is not meeting school expectations, the removal of personal technology devices and/or an earlier bedtime will be considered. The Boarding staff will work with students to promote positive self-management skills around technology.
Weekend Schedule and Curfews
Boarding staff will plan and supervise weekend activities that offer opportunities to leave campus to explore the city, engage with Canadian culture and have new experiences.
Weekends
On Fridays, all students return to the Boarding house or check in by 4:00 p.m.
- Students in Grades 7 and 8 must be accompanied off-campus by either a parent or guardian, a Boarding staff member, or two DP students.
- Students in Grade 9 may leave campus with two friends (group of three), provided they sign out on REACH and verbally let staff know where they are going and when they will return. Grade 9 students may leave for 1.5-hour intervals. Excursions lasting longer than 1.5 hours must be approved by a member of the Boarding team.
- Students in Grades 10–11 may leave campus with a friend (group of two), provided they sign out on REACH and verbally let staff know where they are going and when they will return. Grades 10–11 students may leave for two-hour intervals. Excursions lasting longer than two hours must be approved by a member of the Boarding team.
- Students in Grade 12 may leave campus unaccompanied, provided they sign out on REACH and verbally let staff know where they are going and when they will return. Grade 12 students may leave for three-hour intervals. Excursions lasting longer than three hours must be approved by a member of the Boarding team.
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. - Brunch in the Christie-Pepall Dining Hall (Athletics and Wellness Centre)
- Brunch is available from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. To allow for the cleaning of the houses, all students must be out of their Boarding houses between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This means that students must leave the house, but they can order food to eat in the Dining Hall.
6:00–7:00 p.m. - Dinner in the Christie-Pepall Dining Hall (AWC)
- Students are expected to be at dinner and may not remain unsupervised in the houses.
- Students in Grades 9–12 are welcome to make alternative dinner plans on Fridays and Saturdays at the discretion of the Boarding team.
- Outside food is not permitted in the Dining Hall during dinner time from Monday to Thursday. (It is permitted on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.) Food deliveries must not be ordered past 10:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday Night Curfew
- Grade 9 curfew is at 9:00 p.m. Students must return to campus and remain in the Boarding houses.
- Grade 10 curfew is at 10:00 p.m. Students must return to campus and remain in the Boarding houses.
- Grade 11 curfew is at 11:00 p.m. Students must return to campus and remain in the Boarding houses.
- Grade 12 curfew is at 12:00 a.m. Students must return to campus and remain in the Boarding houses.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, all Boarders must be in their rooms with lights out by 12:00 a.m.
Sunday Evening Routines
7:00–8:00 p.m. - Free time on campus
8:00–10:00 p.m. - Quiet time in the houses (on campus)
- Students may relax on campus or finish their homework. This is a good time to do laundry, take a shower or talk on the phone. House kitchens are also kept open for students to use.
9:00 p.m. - Bedroom checks
- Boarding staff check each bedroom for cleanliness—this includes having clear surfaces and floors, beds made and clothing properly put away. This helps to ensure that the rooms can be properly cleaned throughout the week.
- All students are expected to return to the Boarding houses by 9:00 p.m.
Evening Routine - Grades 7–9
- Students in Grades 7–9 get ready for bed at 9:30 p.m.
- Students in Grades 7 and 8 must hand in their technology to the Boarding Advisor by 10:00 p.m. at the latest.
- Lights-out for students in Grades 7–9 is at 10:30 p.m.
Evening Routine - Grade 10
- Students in Grade 10 get ready for bed at 10:00 p.m.
- Students in Grade 10 have in-room time from 10:00–11:00 p.m.
Lights out for students in Grade 10 at 11:00 p.m.
Evening Routine - DP Students (Grade 11 and 12)
- Students in DP need to be in their rooms by 11:00 p.m.
Important to note: Students may not be in the Boarding Houses unattended at any time.
Supervised Activities
Boarding staff organize and chaperone activities each weekend. All Boarding students are welcome and encouraged to participate. There are no additional charges for these activities as they are covered in the Boarding fees.
Activities actively build community within the diverse group of students living on campus, support student well-being, foster a growth mindset and embrace international-mindedness.
Boarding staff will plan activities based on student interest and to promote community involvement. Students are encouraged to engage in a variety of activities that support Creativity, Activity and Service.
Leave Types
Dance Leaves
Students are welcome to attend any Coalition of Single-Sex Schools of Toronto (COSSOT) dance that is open to their grade. When Branksome is invited to dances at other independent schools, students in Grades 9–12 may attend with the permission of Boarding staff. Students in Grades 7 and 8 require a permission form to be completed by parents or guardians. Curfews may be adjusted according to the nature of the event. Should a student not comply with the guidelines set by the Boarding team, these dance privileges will be limited.
Off-Campus Appointments
Students who have scheduled appointments during the school day (e.g., dentist) must inform the Assistant Director of Boarding at least one week in advance, who may then confirm with parents and inform the school’s attendance line. The Boarding team will work with students to create an appropriate supervision plan.
Vacations and Holiday Travel
Parents and guardians are responsible for communicating with the school the travel plans of the student as soon as possible. Per the Branksome Hall vacation policy, the school strongly recommends that students do not leave early or arrive late from vacation times. If a student is absent from school due to extended vacation time or unavoidable travel arrangements, the family must request permission from the Deputy Principal in advance. Please book plane tickets as soon as possible to ensure getting the necessary departure and arrival dates before and after holidays. We highly recommend that cancellation insurance be purchased if international travel is restricted.
Branksome Hall will not keep the Boarding houses open for the Winter and March Breaks. It is imperative that each family designates a local guardian who can host and care for students in the event that travel plans change. Additionally, if the planned arrival time to campus is earlier or later than the designated dates for Boarding being open, students will have to make alternative arrangements to stay with their guardian.
Airport Accompaniments and Unaccompanied Minor Travel
Boarding staff may be available to accompany students in Grades 7–9 who require support to get to the airport. Please email the Assistant Director of Boarding to enquire about airport accompaniments.
If Boarding staff accompaniment is available, advance notice is required, and the cost of this accompaniment (airport limo fare for the Boarding staff member to travel to the airport or return to campus, plus a $10 administrative fee) is charged to the student’s school account.
At parents’ request, the school can also arrange for an airport limo to take their child to the airport or meet them upon their arrival with or without Boarding staff accompaniment. The cost of this service is charged to the student’s school account.
Academics & IB
Find more academic information in the Senior & Middle School Handbook.
Additional Resources
Boarding Life
Learn more about Boarding life, community engagement and activities, student leadership and email and technology.
Learn more
Boarding Supports
Learn about school support systems, the Circle of Care, Boarding support and parents and local guardians.
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