That’s what stood out for student Titoluwa Maxwell. “There’s always something new, like visiting Arcadia Earth or making wind turbines during our two-week trip to South Korea, where we were able to visit our sister school on Jeju Island,” she says.
Experiences like these, surrounded by peers from all over the world, have helped her “become more open-minded, confident, and globally aware.”
Branksome boarders build lifelong friendships, enjoy each other’s traditions, and learn together every day. Source: Branksome Hall
Growing together at Branksome Hall
Branksome’s 13-acre campus lies along a wooded ravine in Rosedale, Toronto. A global hub for education and innovation and one of the world’s safest and most diverse cities, Toronto is a city that attracts students from around the world.
Among them are Maxwell and Montse Bustamante, who found a home through Branksome’s bespoke boarding programme. This boarding community, recognised by K12 Digest, welcomes over 50 students into its heritage homes. Within these walls, young women build lasting bonds and embark on journeys of self-discovery together.
“Our principal, Mrs. McCallum, always says that we’re the heart of the school, which I always appreciate,” Maxwell shares. “I’ve gained so much independence here, from doing my own laundry to grocery shopping and managing my schedule. It’s really helped me grow in ways most people my age don’t get to.”
For Bustamante, now 22, campus life was special because of the friendships she made. “My experience in boarding taught me the importance of what it means to be a good friend and showing up for my community,” she says. “These values have stayed with me, and I continue to apply them in the way I build and maintain friendships, both during my time at university and beyond.”
The IB programme nurtures curiosity and critical thinking, while equipping students for success at university. Source: Branksome Hall
A future-ready education
While Branksome’s boarding programme gives girls a home away from home, its academics give them the foundation to dream bigger. As Toronto’s only independent all-girls school to offer the IB programme exclusively, Branksome nurtures curiosity, independence, and resilience in students from an early age.
“What really stands out about the IB programme is how it challenges you to handle a lot of material while building your writing and critical thinking skills,” shares Bustamante. “Even though it was hard, I appreciated how it taught me to organise my workload, think independently, and approach problems from different perspectives.”
And when they reach Grades 11 and 12, the unique IB Select programme allows them to personalise their courses, encouraging them to explore interests, embrace diversity, and build the confidence to become compassionate leaders for the future.
The idea of pursuing such an ambitious path might feel overwhelming, but at Branksome, no one ever walks it alone. Leading this vision is Principal Grace McCallum, who joined the school in 2024. With almost two decades of IB teaching and leadership experience across four continents, she brings both expertise and heart. Passionate about empowering girls in STEM, leadership, and entrepreneurship, she helps them build the skills and confidence to thrive. Most of all, she loves mentoring young women, ensuring they are prepared for whatever lies ahead.
“The academic experience at Branksome is rigorous and demanding, but can also be very rewarding,” says Bustamante. “A big part of what made it manageable was the support of my Boarding Advisors. They were always there to help me with projects and homework whenever I needed, and their guidance made a huge difference.”
Beyond academics, supporting students means continually reimagining what learning can look like as well. That is why, in 2026, Branksome will unveil the state-of-the-art Karen L. Jurjevich Innovation Centre and Studio Theatre (iCAST), the first facility of its kind in Canada. This world-class hub will bring together students, teachers, and staff from across grades, alongside scholars, entrepreneurs, artists, and industry leaders. Inside, there will be a robotics studio, a STEAM studio, a theatre, and fabrication spaces. These facilities are set to spark collaboration and innovation, helping students turn creative ideas into reality while preparing to close gaps in STEM industries.
“As Branksome girls, we’re one really big community and it’s so special and unique to be part of it,” says Maxwell. “But more importantly, we come together with the determination to make a difference. If it’s going to be anyone, it’s going to be us. So, make way for Branksome girls.”
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