The Giles School is both a private and independent non-denominational, not-for-profit school located in Toronto, Ontario.

In Canada, the term public school designates any school funded from tax revenue that is administered to some degree by government agencies (who consequently preside over policy decisions).

The Giles School is an independent French immersion private school.

As both a private school and an independent school, The Giles School benefits from financial, administrative, operational, and curricular self-determination as well as non-sectarian independence.

The terms independent school and private school are often used synonymously. In popular usage, the interchangeability of the labels independent school and private school points to an important overlap but conceals a crucial distinction.

Private Schools

Private schools in Canada are schools not run by local, provincial or Federal government. Private schools therefore retain the right to select their students. Private school funding is generated by tuition as opposed to government funds. Although generally exempt from most educational regulations, private schools tend to follow the spirit of curriculum guidelines while surpassing the educational standards available in public schools.

Independent Schools

Not unlike other private schools, an independent school does not rely on federal, provincial or municipal governments for financing. Alternatively, it operates through revenue from tuition fees, gifts and, in some cases, the investment yield from endowments. Independent schools may have a religious affiliation, but the term independent school more accurately excludes parochial and other schools with outside financial dependence. Religiously affiliated or denominational schools form a subcategory of private schools.

The principal distinction between independent schools and other private schools is independence in governance as well as finance. In other words, by owning and financing themselves, independent schools also enjoy self-government. In contrast, public schools are funded and largely controlled by governments; and the majority of parochial schools are owned, governed and financed by a church or religious organization.

Not-For-Profit

Not surprisingly, independent schools educate only a fraction of the school-age population, including only a small percentage of private school students. As a not-for-profit, independent private school, The Giles School channels all tuition revenue back into illuminating school programmes so that students benefit from the most exceptionally qualified teachers, enriched curriculum innovation and inspiring learning environment available. Through vigorous fundraising initiatives, the current rejuvenation of our independent private school offers individuals and organizations the opportunity to participate in an exciting learning project whose revolutionary results will reverberate through both the educational system and the life of every student at The Giles School.