Upper Canada College

What the school is

History and campus

UCC’s history provides context for its traditions, but a visit is best spent on your child’s daily experience: teaching spaces, sports and arts facilities, the areas used by pupils of the same age and, for boarders, the residences.

Outdoor education, clubs and leadership opportunities sit alongside the timetable, and some activities may carry additional charges. For a child joining an established year group, find out how the school helps new pupils form friendships.

Academics in practice

IB pathways and university planning

UCC offers the IB Primary Years and Middle Years programmes, followed by three senior pathways: IB Diploma, IB DP Courses and IB DP Systems Transformation. Its overview says the Diploma and Systems Transformation pathways lead to the IB Diploma, while the Courses pathway leads to certificates for completed IB courses. All three allow pupils to meet Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements.

The separate Courses pathway page contradicts that overview by saying its graduates earn the full IB Diploma. Families should ask the university counselling team to confirm the qualification in writing. The Courses page describes a flexible selection of four or more IB subjects, with pathway approval involving the counsellor, parents and a selection committee.

UCC publishes examples of university destinations and scholarships, but the list on its counselling page is not identified as a single graduating cohort.

Admissions and cost

Day and boarding fees, applications and aid

For 2026–27, annual day fees are CAD 44,940 for JK–Year 5, CAD 46,730 for Years 6–10 and CAD 48,720 for Years 11–12. New day pupils also pay a non-refundable CAD 10,000 registration fee. Day payment plans require a CAD 2,000 acceptance deposit; confirm how it is credited before calculating the balance.

Boarding fees for Years 8–10 are CAD 81,280 domestic or CAD 87,580 international. For Years 11–12 they are CAD 83,270 domestic or CAD 89,570 international. New boarders also pay CAD 7,500 registration. These figures are not an all-inclusive budget: UCC directs families to its Financial Handbook for co-curricular and incidental charges.

The main day intake years are JK and Years 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9. UCC accepts applications for other listed years but says places are usually very limited. Its current day-admission page lists an application fee of CAD 200 through November 1 and CAD 300 afterward through December 1. Follow the guide for your entry year to confirm the relevant cycle, assessments and decision dates.

Boarding applications and decisions are rolling. UCC encourages applications by November 1 because of demand. Applicants complete an academic assessment, normally online, and selected candidates attend an interview with a parent or guardian. Contact admissions before booking travel from outside Ontario.

UCC reports close to CAD 7 million in annual financial assistance. Its published eligibility starts with Canadian citizens in Year 5; boarding families are directed to admissions for their eligibility rules. Applications go through Apple Financial Services and are reviewed separately from admission. The published deadline for new day families is December 31, 2026; boarding aid applications are rolling.

The family experience

Settling in and planning family life

For day pupils, supervision before and after lessons, late collection and parent updates can matter as much as the timetable when both parents work.

Boarding can provide continuity while parents live overseas. Weekend arrangements, school-holiday closures, guardianship requirements, healthcare and the costs of travel home all need settling before accepting a place. Ask who will contact you if your child is struggling academically or socially.