While private schools often offer advantages such as individualized learning, specialized programs and a wide range of extracurriculars, they also allow parents to align a child’s interests and learning style with a particular school’s philosophy.
asserted
parents → offer → philosophy
Here are five famous Canadians who attended very different private schools, but all went on to achieve great things — from award-winning writers, actors and musicians, to a politician who has broken barriers and an athlete that has gone down in the history books for his leadership.
asserted
that → attend → leadership
The Canadian actor, writer, director and producer attended Montcrest School in Toronto.
asserted
actor → attend → Toronto
Levy got his start as a host on MTV Canada, but gained international stardom for his portrayal of David Rose on the CBC sitcom “Schitt’s Creek,” which he co-created and co-starred in with his famous father, Eugene Levy.
asserted
he → get → father
Levy made history in 2020 by becoming the first person to win four Emmy Awards across categories (for acting, writing, directing and producing) in a single year.
asserted
Levy → make → year
He’s since starred in and co-created the Netflix show “Big Mistakes” and is widely recognized as an LGBTQIA+ advocate.
asserted
He → star → advocate
Founded in 1961, it’s known for its small class sizes, experiential education beyond the classroom and an inclusive, progressive curriculum focused on inquiry-based learning.
asserted
it → found → learning
The Sri Lankan-born Canadian poet and author — one of Canada’s most celebrated contemporary writers — attended Bishop’s College School in Sherbrooke, Que.
asserted
poet → bear → Sherbrooke
Ondaatje is perhaps best known for his 1992 novel “The English Patient,” which was adapted for the big screen and went on to win nine Academy Awards.
asserted
which → adapt → Awards
Ondaatje’s own list of awards is equally impressive: he won the Booker Prize and Golden Man Booker Prize for “The English Patient” and the Scotiabank Giller Prize for “Anil’s Ghost.”
asserted
he → win → Ghost
Founded in 1836, Bishop’s College School is one of Canada’s oldest independent boarding and prep schools for students in Grade 7 to 12.
asserted
School → found → 12
It offers the International Baccalaureate diploma programme, which is recognized globally by universities and employers.
asserted
which → offer → universities
The multiple Juno Award-winning musician and founding member of Blue Rodeo — one of Canada’s most iconic bands — completed his final years of high school at Toronto’s Upper Canada College.
asserted
musician → win → College
Cuddy, who co-founded Blue Rodeo with long-time collaborator Greg Keelor,
asserted
who → co → Keelor
He’s also recorded several solo albums and been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
asserted
He → record → Fame
Upper Canada College, founded in 1829, is a prestigious all-boys independent school, known for producing generations of Canadian political, business and cultural movers and shakers.
asserted
College → found → movers
The former NHL hockey player and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs honed his skills at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Sask.
asserted
player → hone → Wilcox
Selected first in the 1985 NHL entry draft, he went on to play 13 of 15 NHL seasons with the Leafs, where he served as team captain from 1991 to 1994.
asserted
he → select → 1994
During his time on the ice, he earned the nickname ‘Captain Crunch’ for his willingness to drop the gloves — even when facing players much larger than himself.
asserted
he → earn → himself
Athol Murray College of Notre Dame is a private co-ed boarding high school known for its elite ice hockey program.
asserted
College → know → program
Founded in 1920, the Notre Dame Hounds have produced more than 215 NHL-drafted or affiliated players, as well as numerous Olympians.
asserted
Hounds → found → players
While attending high school in Edmonton, Canada’s former deputy prime minister earned a merit scholarship to United World College (UWC) Adriatic in Italy.
asserted
minister → attend → Italy
Freeland, a former journalist who held positions at the Financial Times, The Globe and Mail and Reuters, transitioned to politics in 2013 and rose to high-profile cabinet positions within the Liberal Party.
asserted
who → hold → Party
She served as Canada’s deputy prime minister from 2019 to 2024 and minister of finance from 2020 to 2024 — the first woman to do so.
asserted
She → serve → 2024
After resigning in January 2026, she now serves as an economic adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
asserted
she → resign → Zelenskyy
It was the first United World College to be established in a non-English-speaking country and now welcomes students from more than 80 countries to engage in diverse perspectives.
asserted
It → establish → perspectives
The Aporia
