Frequently Asked Questions

List of 14 items.

• What are the entry years for Greenwood? Does Greenwood admit students in non-entry years?

  Our entry years are Grade 7 and Grade 9. Applications for admission to the school in September 2021 will be accepted for all grades. Students may be admitted in non-entry years as a result of attrition or because the applicant student is exceptional and will add much to the Greenwood community but an interview is not guaranteed. The admissions team will review all such applications and advise the applicant family whether an interview will be conducted.

• What is most important to Greenwood’s Admissions team in making its decisions?

  The Admissions team is particularly interested in prospective students’ character, personality, academic readiness and interest in personal growth. The Admissions Team seeks to learn more about these qualities through various means: the admissions application, progress reports, teacher recommendations, the Character Skills Snapshot, psychoeducational assessments (if any) and through the interview with both the student and their parents. We try hard to get to know our student-applicants and their families to determine whether the student will make a positive contribution to the Greenwood community and to ensure there is a fit between the applicant and their family and the school.

• What happens in the admissions interview at Greenwood?

  Interviews are intended to allow parents and students to learn more about Greenwood and for the Admissions Team to get to know you. A member of Greenwood’s Admissions Team will meet individually with the student and the parents, and with the student and parents together. If the student wishes, they may bring an item of personal significance to assist in the discussion at the interview.

• What is the school’s policy on the admission of siblings of current or past students?

  The decision to have a sibling apply to Greenwood is an ongoing commitment that is valued by the school. However, there is no guarantee that all siblings who apply will be accepted. Greenwood’s Admissions Team assesses the individual merits of each candidate for admission, whether or not they are a sibling of a current or past student at the school.

• Do applicants have to write the SSAT in order to apply to Greenwood?

  No, they do not. However, we do require that applicants complete the Character Skills Snapshot (CSS) administered by the Enrollment Management Association. Learn more about the CSS.

  
  The CSS must be completed before the applicant family can book an interview.

• Is it necessary for an applicant family to include psychological and educational assessments or individual education plans which, in the view of the family, no longer adequately reflect the student?

  Yes, it is necessary, although families should deliver only the most recent assessment completed for their child. Although a student may have shown considerable growth since the date of an assessment, it’s always helpful to read the most recent assessment and we are very experienced in doing so. Assessments are considered in light of comments from parents and students and the growth and maturity of students shown since the date of the assessment. Parents should indicate if an assessment is in progress.

  
  

  Greenwood’s application form requires applicant-families to include a copy of the most recent assessment completed for a student (if any) and to confirm that all requested documentation (including assessments) has been included with the application. Greenwood takes this requirement and confirmation very seriously.

  
  If the most recent assessment is more than three years old or, in the view of the family, no longer adequately reflects the student, the family should consider having a new assessment completed to include with the application. If they choose not to have a new assessment completed, the family should include the most recent assessment with the admissions application.

• What should an applicant family do if it’s not possible to obtain teacher recommendation forms?

  Some schools don’t permit their teachers to complete these forms. In that event, parents can ask teachers if they might speak on the phone with the relevant member of the Greenwood Admissions Team. Alternatively, parents can ask teachers from previous schools or other adults (coaches, tutors, camp directors, etc.) familiar with the student to complete the forms or to write a letter of reference. Any letters of reference should, as much as possible, address the areas listed on the recommendation form. If, in the end, you can’t obtain recommendation forms or reference letters, please return the form to us with a short note of explanation. Applicants are not penalized for this.

  
  Please note that an applicant family may not book an interview until the first of the two teacher recommendation forms have been received by the school. This form is typically from the student's homeroom teacher from the previous school year. 

• How does the wait-list process work at Greenwood?

  The admissions process at Greenwood is explained in detail here. As part of that process, Greenwood’s Admissions Team decides whether to accept, wait list or decline applicants. Wait-listed candidates are offered a spot at the school if one or more candidates who have been extended an offer, decline that offer. These offers may be extended by the school either before or after the cut-off date for families to accept or decline the original offers of admission.

  
  

  Greenwood seeks a mix of students that can develop into a diverse and mutually supportive community. As a result, the admission decision is not based solely on the qualities of the individual candidate, but also on the composition of the overall school community. As a result, wait-listed candidates are not placed in priority on the wait list; rather, as spots become available, the Admissions Team considers all the candidates on the wait list, and makes offers to candidates based on an assessment of the overall circumstances of the relevant grade group and the school and how the wait-listed candidates will contribute to the grade and the school. Grade-by-grade wait lists will be maintained until no later than Friday, March 26, 2021.

• What is the student:teacher ratio at Greenwood?

  Our student:teacher ratio is 7:1.

• What is the cost of attending Greenwood?

  Tuition for the 2020-2021 school year is $37,700. All new students are also required to pay a one-time, non-refundable Initial Enrolment Fee of $8,000 in addition to the tuition fee. Siblings of current and past Greenwood students receive a $3,000 deduction on this fee. See our tuition fees page for more information.

  
  

  The school issues tax receipts to Greenwood families for all students for whom child care has been provided by the school based on Canada Revenue Agency regulations. Greenwood includes in those receipts the portion of tuition fees that may be attributed to child care for supervision of students during regularly scheduled breaks and lunch periods.

  
  No other tax receipts are issued by the school in relation to tuition fees or the one-time enrolment fee of $8,000. If a student at Greenwood is receiving learning support and accommodations mandated by a psychological or educational profile prepared by a psychologist, Greenwood will issue a letter to the parents of the student confirming such accommodations. The confirmation letter from the school may be used by those families to support a medical expense claim.

• Which postsecondary schools do Greenwood graduates attend?

  Greenwood graduates pursue highly selective postsecondary programs across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Here is a sampling of institutions attended by our alumni:

  
  

  Canada: Dalhousie University, McGill University, Mount Allison University, OCAD University, Queen’s University, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, Western University

  
  

  United States: Berklee College of Music, Harvard University, Lynn University, Parsons The New School, Cornell University, Stanford University, Syracuse University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Vassar College

  
  United Kingdom: Durham University, Imperial College London, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, University College London, University of Edinburgh, University of St. Andrews

• Does Greenwood provide financial aid to students and their families?

  The Greenwood College School Foundation provides limited financial assistance to several current Greenwood students.

• Where do I park when I visit Greenwood?

  Limited visitor parking is available behind the school. Visit our Directions page for more parking options.

• Does Greenwood accept international students and/or does it offer an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program?

  International students who have the necessary English language skills to perform at the same level as students who have English as a first language are welcome to apply to Greenwood. Greenwood does not offer an ESL program.

  
  

  Please note that Greenwood does not offer a boarding or homestay program. ESL students may be required to write an English assessment such as the TOEFL test or the IELTS test.