Every private high school tour ends with the same moment: a staff member asks if you have any questions. Most families ask one or two polite ones and leave.
Choosing a private high school works better when you treat the visit as an interview, with you asking the questions. The school has made its case in its brochure and on its website. The tour is your chance to test that case against what you see and hear.
Key Takeaways
Five points summarize what to ask when choosing a private high school.
Why Families Are Choosing a Private High School
More Canadian families are choosing a private high school than a few years ago. Statistics Canada reported that the share of students in private schools rose to 7.7 percent in 2022/2023, the second consecutive yearly increase. With more schools competing for those families, the questions you ask matter more than ever.
Academic Programs and Curriculum
Start with what students study and how they study it. Every Ontario school offering the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) follows the same provincial course codes, so the difference lies in how courses are delivered.
- Ministry status: Is the school inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education and authorized to grant OSSD credits?
- Course model: Does the school use semesters, quarters, or a full-year model?
- Teaching approach: How much class time goes to discussion, projects, and writing?
VEGA Academy, for example, uses a quarterly model with two courses per quarter and four quarters per year, so students study fewer subjects at once and in more depth.
University Pathways and Outcomes
If university is the goal, choosing a private high school should start with where its graduates go. Ask for specific examples, not general claims.
Questions About University Partnerships
Ask if the school has formal links with a university. At VEGA Academy, Grade 12 students can take up to six dual credit courses with IBU, subject to the Principal’s approval, and graduates who meet IBU’s admission criteria have guaranteed direct entry through the IBU pathway.
ASK FOR NAMES, NOT PERCENTAGES
A school that says most graduates go to university is making a claim. Ask which universities and programs recent graduates entered, and how the school helped them prepare.
Class Sizes and Student Support
When choosing a private high school, look closely at class size, because it shapes how much attention each student receives. In a class of 30, a quiet student can go weeks without one-on-one feedback. In a class of 16, a teacher notices sooner.
- Average class size: Ask for the cap, not the average, since averages can hide large classes.
- Extra help: Ask what happens when a student falls behind.
- Mentorship: Ask who a student talks to about goals and university plans.
VEGA Academy caps classes at 16 students and offers mentorship through the North Star Program and IBU peer mentorship.
Comparing Private High School Toronto Options on Culture and Community
Culture is the hardest part of choosing a private high school to judge from a website, and the easiest to see in person. Pay attention to how students talk to teachers, how they talk to each other, and how staff describe students who struggle.
Private High School Toronto: Why Location Matters
Location shapes daily life. A private high school Toronto families pick in the downtown core gives students easier access to universities, cultural institutions, and businesses. VEGA Academy’s campus at 80 Bloor Street West sits in that setting.
How Programs Like IBU Days Show What University Is Like
Some schools give students time on a university campus before graduation. At VEGA Academy, IBU Days let students sit in on classes at International Business University (IBU) and speak with faculty and current students. When choosing a private high school, ask how students get that kind of firsthand preview.
Questions Families Should Ask During a School Admissions Visit
Bring a short written list to every visit and ask the same questions at each school. Matching answers side by side makes choosing a private high school a fair comparison instead of a contest of tours.
School Admissions Questions to Ask
- Process: What are the steps in your school admissions process, and how long does each take?
- Interview: Is there a student interview, and what does it cover?
- Costs: What does tuition include, and are bursaries or scholarships available?
Questions for Current Students
- Workload: How many hours of homework do you have on a typical night?
- Support: Who do you go to when you are stuck?
At VEGA Academy, the admissions process runs from inquiry and application through an interview, offer, and enrolment, with 2026-27 tuition listed on the same page.
SAME QUESTIONS, EVERY SCHOOL
Write your questions down before the first visit and ask each school the same list. Matching answers make the comparison fair and keep a polished tour from deciding for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when choosing a private high school?
Look at curriculum delivery, class size, student support, university pathways, and school culture. Confirm the school is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education if it grants OSSD credits. Visit in person and speak with current students.
What questions should I ask on a private school tour?
Ask about class size caps, how students get extra help, where recent graduates went, and what tuition includes. Ask current students about workload and support. Use the same list at every school.
Are private schools worth it in Ontario?
The answer depends on what your student needs and what a particular school offers. Smaller classes, university partnerships, and mentorship are common reasons families choose private schools. Compare specific programs rather than private and public schools in general.
How does private school admissions work?
Most private school admissions processes include an inquiry, an application with transcripts, and an interview. Some schools also ask for references or a placement assessment. Timelines vary, so confirm each step with the school.
Leading the Interview
Choosing a private high school goes best when families lead the conversation. Ask how courses are taught, where graduates go, how large classes are, what the culture feels like, how students preview university, and how school admissions work. The answers will tell you more than any tour script.
Before your next school visit, write down five questions and decide which answer matters most to your family.
Visit VEGA Academy
Bring your questions to our admissions team.