The Pickering College Difference

At Pickering College, students are known, challenged, and supported. We set high academic expectations and pair them with exceptional guidance, ensuring learning is personal, purposeful, and connected to the world beyond the classroom. Through a strong academic foundation and enriched co-curricular opportunities, students develop character, leadership, and confidence, shaped by their strengths, interests, and goals. 

Our community is built on collaboration among students, educators, families, and partners, within a safe and inclusive environment. Programs such as the Teacher Advisor system, Morning Meeting, family-style lunches, and family-based boarding foster belonging and connection, while authentic, community-engaged learning experiences encourage independence, reflection, and real-world application. As a result, students graduate as capable, well-rounded individuals ready to thrive beyond Pickering College.  

Why invest in a Pickering College education?

A Pickering College education is an investment in your child’s future opportunities. Our graduates leave with the academic foundation, confidence, and adaptability required to succeed at top universities and in an evolving global workforce. Within a small, supportive learning environment, students are known and challenged through meaningful, hands-on experiences that develop independence, leadership, and global perspective. Close relationships with faculty ensure high expectations are matched with strong support, while learning alongside motivated peers from Canada and around the world prepares students to thrive well beyond graduation.  

Pickering College is a proud CAIS School

Pickering College is accredited by both the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), ensuring our programs meet rigorous provincial requirements while exceeding them. Ministry standards provide a recognized academic foundation, while CAIS accreditation applies nationally and internationally benchmarked expectations for teaching quality, student support, and continuous improvement. Together, these standards ensure a credible, high-quality education enriched by exceptional practices beyond the classroom. 

Learn why accreditation matters
 

Educational Partnerships

Educational partnerships are a cornerstone of the Pickering College experience. We intentionally collaborate with universities, industry leaders, cultural institutions, and community organizations to create authentic learning opportunities that give students purpose and real-world relevance. These partnerships enrich academic programs, deepen experiential learning, and help students develop the skills, perspectives, and confidence required for success in post-secondary pathways and future careers. 

Select Community Partners Include: 

• Queen’s University – experiential education and professional learning partnerships 
• Durham College – applied learning, technology, and sustainability initiatives 
• York Region Food Network – community engagement and social impact learning 
• UNESCO Associated Schools Network – global citizenship, sustainability, and intercultural learning 
• Trees for Life – environmental stewardship and land-based learning 
• 7 Generation Legacy Project – Indigenous perspectives and reconciliation-focused education 
• Facing History & Ourselves – equity, ethics, and civic responsibility education 
• Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center – social justice, human rights, and combating antisemitism 
• The Critical Thinking Consortium – inquiry-based learning and critical thinking development 
• Institute for Global Learning – global competence, intercultural understanding, and purpose-driven learning experiences 
• Newbiotics Robotics – robotics, automation, and hands-on STEM learning through applied engineering challenges