Q1: How many students attend SAC?

A: The school has 546 students enroled in grades 6-12.

Q1: Where do your students come from?

A: Approximately half our student body consists of local area students. Our residential community is comprised of national and international boarding students. Our international boarding students hail from countries such as Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nepal, Spain, Trinidad and the United States. The remaining 50% of our boarding community are from Canada. In 2007-2008 we have boys from the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Q1: What are the advantages of an all-boys school?

A: There are many unique educational elements to an all-boys environment. In a single-sex environment, boys are more likely to participate academically and socially in the classroom. Generally, there is less trepidation and more willingness to express thoughts, feelings and emotion. For a more in-depth understanding of specific boys' educational needs please read Real Boys, William Pollack, Ph.D, Boys and Girls Learn Differently, Michael Gurian. An excellent site on the benefits of single-sex education can be found at http://www.singlesexschools.org/. Another excellent source of information and data on how boys and girls learn differently is Dr. Leonard Sax's book Why Gender Matters.

Q1: Will my son have a chance to meet and interact with girls?

A: On the social side there are numerous opportunities for boys to meet and socialize with girls outside of the classroom through leadership conferences, music and public speaking competitions, dances, pizza nights, coffee houses, and sporting events. We also have a program in place with an all-girls independent school for a coordinated academic project.

Q1: What test scores or academic average do I need to gain acceptance?

A: SAC does not believe in exact academic measurements for acceptance. Each element of our application is weighed equally in order to gain a complete understanding of a student and his ability. A boy’s character, interview, transcripts, teacher comments, school recommendation and involvement in co-curricular activities are all equally assessed. The primary objective of the admission process is to determine whether a boy can be successful at SAC.

Q1: How do I apply for financial aid?

A: A family must submit a Financial Aid for Canadian Students (FACS) form which is independently evaluated by Apple Financial Services. This organization validates the information and forwards a recommendation to the school’s Financial Aid Committee. Financial assistance is a grant towards tuition fees and is not required to be repaid by the family.

Q1: How much does it cost to attend?

A: Click here for the complete fee schedule.

Q1: What sports do you offer?

A: We play 24 sports and have 54 representative teams. First term sports run during the months of September and October and include:  Cross Country Running, Fencing (year round), Football, Soccer and Volleyball. Second term sports occur during the months of November through March and include:  Alpine and Nordic Skiing, Basketball, Biathlon, Curling, Hockey, Indoor Track, Squash and Swimming. The spring term runs from April through mid-June and spring sports include:  Badminton, Baseball, Cricket, Golf, Lacrosse, Rugby, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track & Field and Triathlon.

Q1: What if my son is not a strong athlete?

A: All boys are encouraged to try-out for teams. For those whose skill level is not at the representative level a wide variety of intra-mural activities are offered. S.A.C. believes strongly in the benefits of a sound body through participation and activity.

Q1: What is a typical day like?

A: Here is an example of a day in the life of an Upper School boarding student:
Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Chapel: 8:10 a.m. - 8:25 a.m.
1st Period: 8:30 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.
Activity Period: 9:50 a.m. – 10:25 a.m. (Clubs, Open Classroom, Ind. Advising)
2nd Period: 10:30 a.m. – 11:50 p.m.
Lunch: 11:50 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. (Cafeteria style)
3rd Period: 12:40 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
4th Period: 2:05 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
Sports: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Evening Study: 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Lights Out: 11:00 p.m.

Q1: Which co-curricular activities are available?

A: An extensive co-curricular program is offered at S.A.C. Boys are able to participate in Canoeing, Chess, Christian Fellowship, Debating & Public Speaking, Drama, Driver Education, Hiking, Music, Outdoor Camping, Scuba Diving, Skeet Shooting, Yearbook, and the internationally-renowned Duke of Edinburgh program.

Q1: How many of your graduates attend university and where do they go?

A: 

100% of our graduates are offered admission to post-secondary institutions. Our senior students are accepted at the some of the finest universities and colleges in the world. A sampling of post-secondary acceptances from the Classes of 2004, 2005 and 2006 include Acadia, Brown, Colgate, Columbia, Cornell, Dalhousie, King's College, London School of Economics, McGill, McMaster, Northwestern, Queen's, Simon Fraser, Stanford, Tufts, UBC, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and University of Western Ontario. Virtually all graduates have multiple acceptances.

Q1: Does SAC have a religious affiliation?

A: We are an interfaith school and embrace an individual’s right to observe their religious beliefs.

Q1: Where is the Town of Aurora and how many people live there?

A: Aurora, Ontario is located approximately 55 kilometres north of Toronto. For directions to SAC click here. Aurora has a population of 46,000 and is known as a vibrant, growing town that appeals to young professional families. For more information on the Town of Aurora click here.

Q1: Does SAC offer an English as a Second Language (ESL) program?

A: Students attending SAC must be proficient in English and have a satisfactory competence in reading, writing and comprehension. A moderate level of ESL support is available and some foreign students have individual tutors. All boys must pass a standardized literacy test in order to receive their Ontario high school diploma. Where a boy’s English skills are in question, a SLEP or TOEFL test may be required.

Q1: What is the Cadet program all about?

A: Our Cadet program was founded in 1905 and this year will mark its 103rd anniversary. The program is a great opportunity for developing student leadership. Boys learn to work in unison through platoon ranks and are led by fellow students. SAC has a deep Scottish heritage dating to 1899. All Upper School boys are outfitted with highland cadet dress and march on parade to the rhythms of our Pipes and Drums in our annual Cadet Inspection.

A student highlight is the evening Cadet Formal. Boys participate in Cadets once a week over the first two terms and daily in the third term. An academic credit is gained through the successful completion of this unique program. For more information on the #142nd Highland Cadet Corps click here.

Q1: What type of facilities and administrative staff do you have?

A: As a residential/day school our facilities and administrative staff are extensive. We have our own health centre, dining facilities, chapel, pool, four residential houses, campus housing for faculty, full administrative offices including an IT department, academic, athletic, admission, advancement, business & finance, guidance and food administration offices, and a maintenance and grounds department.