Getting into London Ontario’s best private schools takes more than a strong report card. This guide covers the main types of private schools in London, what they cost, the strongest options across the city, and what families comparing London schools against nearby Hamilton, Kitchener, or Toronto should know.
Why London Ontario Parents Choose Private School
London is a mid-sized university city, home to Western University and Fanshawe College, and its school landscape reflects that character — a mix of faith-based independent schools with deep community roots, a small secular independent sector, and generally well-resourced public and Catholic schools. The population is large enough to sustain genuine private school options but small enough that the market looks quite different from the GTA.
Parents in London choose private school for broadly the same reasons families do elsewhere in Ontario: smaller class sizes, a specific academic pace, faith integration, or a school culture better suited to their child than what the local public or Catholic system offers. A more London-specific reason that comes up frequently is university preparation — with Western University in the city, there is a distinct local culture of academic ambition in certain family networks, and private schools that have strong university placement records appeal to that community.
For families weighing the private vs public decision from first principles, our guide to private or public schools covers the key considerations before getting into specific schools.
Types of Private Schools in London Ontario
Independent Secular Schools
London has a small but real secular independent school sector. These schools position themselves primarily on academic outcomes, class size, and educational environment rather than religious affiliation. The most prominent, London District Christian Secondary School aside, are genuinely non-denominational.
Faith-Based Schools
Faith-based schools make up the majority of London’s independent school sector, as they do in most mid-sized Ontario cities. Catholic independent schools (distinct from the publicly funded Catholic district board), evangelical Christian schools, and a small number of other faith-affiliated schools serve families for whom religious integration is a genuine priority alongside academic preparation.
Montessori Schools
London has a handful of Montessori schools at the elementary level. Most run to Grade 6 or 8, with families then transitioning to either public secondary or one of the independent secondary schools. Montessori suits some children very well and is worth considering at the elementary level for families with younger children.
Specialty and Therapeutic Schools
A small number of London independent schools specifically serve students with learning differences — dyslexia, ADHD, and other exceptionalities. These fill an important gap for families whose children have not thrived in a conventional classroom setting, and the quality of these programmes varies enough that direct visits and specific questions about outcomes are essential.
How Much Do London Ontario Private Schools Cost?
London’s private school fees are meaningfully lower than GTA schools, reflecting the lower cost of operating in a mid-sized city and a more price-sensitive local market.
| School Type | Annual Tuition Range |
|---|---|
| Faith-based elementary | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Faith-based secondary | $8,000 – $14,000 |
| Secular independent (day) | $12,000 – $22,000 |
| Montessori (elementary) | $8,000 – $15,000 |
These figures cover tuition only. Activity fees, uniforms, technology, and in some cases a registration or capital fee add to the total annual cost.
Financial aid is available at most schools but more limited than at the larger, more endowed Toronto schools. Families who need bursary support should raise it early and directly — London’s independent schools generally operate with smaller bursary budgets than GTA counterparts, and these are typically allocated on a first-come, first-assessed basis.
For families who are considering London private schools but also open to nearby alternatives, it is worth noting that Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, and — for secondary — Toronto schools all become possibilities for families willing to consider boarding or a longer commute. The cost differential between a London day school and a GTA boarding school is substantial, but the academic profile of the most selective GTA schools is also notably higher. For a full Ontario picture, see our guide to private schools in Ontario.
Top Private Schools in London Ontario
London District Christian Secondary School (LDCSS) is one of the most academically respected independent schools in the London area, serving Grade 9 through 12 students with a Christian ethos and a genuine academic programme. Well-regarded for university preparation and consistent results in senior mathematics and sciences.
Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts operates as a public school but deserves mention as an alternative for artistically inclined students — it draws from across London and functions more like a specialist independent programme in terms of the focus and culture it offers, though technically within the public system.
Académie de la Capitale and several smaller Montessori and independent schools at the elementary level serve families in London seeking alternatives to the public and Catholic district boards for younger children.
Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School and schools within London’s Catholic district board system are publicly funded rather than private, but serve as a reference point families often compare against when weighing the private school decision — particularly for families with Catholic faith backgrounds who are weighing independent Catholic schools against the publicly funded alternative.
It is worth being direct about London’s private school landscape: compared to GTA, Hamilton, or even Kitchener-Waterloo, London’s independent school sector is relatively limited at the secondary level, particularly for academically selective secular options. Families with genuinely high-achieving students who are seeking the kind of competitive academic environment found at Toronto’s top schools may find that London’s options, while solid, don’t fully match that ambition — which is a real consideration when weighing staying in London versus a broader Ontario search. For a broader regional comparison, our best private schools in Ontario guide covers the full provincial picture.
Faith-Based Private Schools in London Ontario
London’s faith-based independent school sector has genuine depth, particularly in the Christian school community.
London District Christian Secondary School bridges faith-based and academically rigorous — it is not a school that treats academic outcomes as secondary to faith formation, and its results at the senior level reflect this. For families who want both genuine Christian community and serious university preparation, it is the strongest option in the city.
Parkwood Mennonite School and London Christian Elementary School serve the broader Christian community at the elementary level, with a strong focus on character development alongside academics.
Académie Catholique Assomption is a French-language Catholic independent school serving London’s francophone community — a distinct option for families seeking French-language independent education.
Across the faith-based sector, the consistent advice holds: ask directly about university placement, senior course offerings, and academic outcomes rather than relying on faith affiliation alone as a proxy for academic quality. London’s faith-based schools range from genuinely rigorous to community-focused-but-less-intensive, and knowing which you’re choosing matters.
How Admissions Work
London’s independent schools follow broadly the same admissions framework as the rest of Ontario, though with some practical differences that reflect the smaller market.
Application timelines are generally less compressed than in the GTA — most London schools accept applications through to the spring for September entry, rather than closing in January as the most competitive Toronto schools do. That said, starting the process in the autumn of the year before your intended entry is still sensible, particularly for schools with smaller classes where places can fill.
Entry points commonly include JK or Grade 1, Grade 5 or 6 (middle school transition), and Grade 9. At the secondary level, some schools also accept mid-year applicants if places are available.
Assessments. The use of the SSAT is less uniform in London than in Toronto — some schools use it, particularly for senior school entry, while others rely on their own assessments or a combination of assessment and interview. Confirm directly with each school what they require. For schools that do use the SSAT, our SSAT Guide for Canadian Students covers how it works and how to prepare.
Transcripts and references are standard across the sector — current school reports and teacher references are typically required for any senior school application, and carry more weight at London schools than in more test-focused admissions processes.
Interviews are standard for secondary school entry at most London independent schools, generally involving both the student and parents. The focus tends to be on fit, motivation, and family alignment with the school’s values — particularly at faith-based schools.
London Ontario Private vs Public: What Parents Say
Parents who have made the switch from London’s public or Catholic district boards to private schools consistently mention a few themes.
Class size makes a tangible difference. London public secondary schools routinely have class sizes of 25–30 students. Independent school classes are typically 14–20. Parents report that this translates directly into more teacher attention, faster identification of gaps, and a less anonymous experience for their child.
Pace and academic culture vary significantly. London’s most academically rigorous private schools move faster through curriculum content and have higher expectations for independent work than a typical public classroom. For some students this is exactly what they need; for others it is a difficult adjustment without the right academic foundation going in.
The faith dimension matters to families who choose it. Parents who specifically chose faith-based London schools generally describe that community dimension as the primary driver, with academic outcomes a secondary but genuine consideration.
The cost is real and ongoing. Unlike Toronto, where the private school premium comes alongside a marked gap in academic quality and resources over the public alternatives, London’s public and Catholic district schools are solid enough that the case for paying private school fees needs to be made on something more specific than a general belief that private is better. The families who are most satisfied with the decision generally have a specific reason — faith, a particular learning environment, or a child who needs a smaller class and more individual attention — rather than a vague sense that private school is inherently superior.
For more on weighing these considerations, see our guide to private or public schools.
How to Prepare Your Child
Think Academy works with students in Grades 1–12 to build the academic edge private schools expect — and in a market like London, where the best schools have smaller classes and faster-paced academic programmes, arriving with strong foundations makes the transition significantly smoother.
Mathematics is the most reliable differentiator. Across London’s independent schools, strong math performance signals academic readiness more clearly than almost any other subject, partly because it’s more objectively comparable between schools than humanities marks. Students who are working above grade level in math are noticeably easier to place in the most academically demanding independent school environments.
Know the Ontario curriculum benchmarks. Understanding what grade-level performance actually looks like — and where your child sits relative to it — is the starting point for any preparation plan. Our guide to the Ontario math curriculum is a useful reference for understanding what’s expected at each grade level.
Prepare specifically for the assessment format the school uses. Whether that’s the SSAT or an internal assessment, familiarity with format and timing reduces test-day anxiety and improves performance. Don’t leave this preparation to the last few weeks before the application.
Build independent study habits. The adjustment to a faster-paced private school environment is easier for students who already know how to manage their own study time and identify where they need help, rather than waiting for a teacher to catch a gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best private schools in London Ontario?
London District Christian Secondary School is the most consistently academically respected independent school in the city for senior students. At the elementary level, London Christian Elementary School and Parkwood Mennonite School are well-regarded faith-based options.
How much do private schools in London Ontario cost?
Fees range from roughly $5,000–$10,000 at faith-based elementary schools to $12,000–$22,000 at secular independent day schools. These are notably lower than equivalent schools in Toronto or Ottawa.
Do private schools in London Ontario require the SSAT?
Not all of them. Use of the SSAT varies more across London’s independent schools than in the GTA. Some use it for secondary school entry; others rely on internal assessments and interviews. Confirm directly with each school.
How does London Ontario compare to Toronto for private school options?
London’s private school sector is smaller and less academically selective at the upper end than Toronto’s. Families with genuinely high-achieving students who want the most competitive academic environment in Ontario will generally find stronger options in Toronto, Hamilton, or Kitchener-Waterloo, though London’s schools are solid for a mid-sized city.
Is it worth choosing private school in London if the public schools are decent?
It depends on what you’re looking for. London’s public and Catholic schools are generally solid, which means the private school premium needs to be justified by something specific — class size, faith integration, pace, or a particular programme — rather than a general assumption that private is better. The most satisfied families have a clear, specific reason for making the switch.
See our related guides: private schools in Ontario · best private schools in Ontario · private or public schools · Ontario math curriculum · SSAT guide for Canadian students
Ready to give your child the academic foundation London’s top private schools expect? Think Academy offers structured, curriculum-aligned math programmes for students in Grades 1–12. Book a free trial lesson and see what a difference the right preparation makes.
