TFS — Canada’s International School

What the school is

A bilingual school with two campuses

Harry and Anna Giles established the school in 1962, beginning with a small group of children in their Toronto home. TFS describes itself as a pioneer of French immersion in Canada. For families applying today, the relevant question is how that bilingual approach works at their child’s age.

TFS is non-denominational and not-for-profit. Its board oversees the school, while its foundation supports fundraising. The fee page describes annual giving separately from tuition and registration charges. Do not add the published average donation to a required-fee total.

Campus choice affects both the present commute and later school years. West Campus ends at Grade 7, so families should discuss the move to the Toronto campus for Grade 8, including transport and the daily schedule.

Academics in practice

French, English and the IB programmes

TFS offers the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes alongside the Ontario and French curricula. Its qualifications include the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and IB Diploma, with the French Brevet taken earlier in secondary school. Ask how language choices and assessment requirements develop across those stages.

The Introductory French programme supports new pupils with little or no French through Grade 7. Its published additional charge is CAD 4,500 in the first year for Junior Kindergarten and above.

The school issues tax-related receipts for some payments, including eligible senior-year tuition components. The receipt amount varies by child, and its tax use is a question for your tax adviser. Do not assume the whole tuition bill is deductible.

Admissions and cost

Published costs and application deadlines

The fee page does not identify its academic year. Published Toronto tuition is CAD 39,720 for kindergarten, CAD 41,860 for Grades 1–10 and CAD 45,140 for Grades 11–12. West Campus lists CAD 32,165 for kindergarten and CAD 35,520 for Grades 1–7.

New pupils also pay a non-refundable registration charge: CAD 10,000 in Toronto or CAD 4,500 at West Campus. Early-years rates and lunch inclusions differ by programme. Language support, uniform, books, meals and care outside school hours are extra.

For 2027–28 entry, the main application deadline is December 1, 2026. West Campus Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 1 applications close November 15. Jardin d’éveil and Pre-Kindergarten have no application fee; Junior Kindergarten and above pay CAD 250. Decisions are scheduled for February 26, 2027.

Assessments vary by age: play sessions for younger children, then academic assessments and interviews in later grades. French testing applies where relevant. The West Campus Pre-Kindergarten assessment date contains an inconsistent year on the published page; confirm the appointment through admissions.

Siblings and children of alumni receive priority when allocating space. The admissions office does not accept gifts or donations from prospective families.

Entrance scholarships are available from Grade 7 for Canadian residents meeting financial-need, academic and community-involvement criteria. The 2027–28 scholarship deadline is December 1, 2026. Ask what an award covers and how it is renewed.

The published schedule offers a CAD 500 discount per qualifying full-time pupil for families with at least three enrolled children, excluding Jardin d’éveil. Optional tuition-refund insurance has conditions, including an initial attendance requirement; review the policy before relying on it.

The family experience

Language learning, support and the school journey

Compare TFS with the public French-language, immersion or IB options for which your child is eligible. Each programme has its own entry points, language requirements and application dates. Do not assume that a place in one public programme guarantees progression into another.

For older pupils, discuss the balance between the Diploma Programme, activities and travel. For a child beginning at West Campus, also consider the later journey to Toronto. Ask how the school responds if academic or language demands become difficult.