Havergal Difference

Who We Are

Havergal College is one of Canada’s preeminent independent schools for girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

At Havergal College, each student is supported to make empowering choices and become the architect of their education. An all-girls school (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12) in Toronto, Canada, Havergal offers a rigorous curriculum designed around the pillars of academics and wellbeing. Our students learn new ways to express themselves with creativity, enthusiasm and self-confidence. Havergal alumni graduate with inquiry mindsets, ready to solve problems and meet the demands of a rapidly-changing world.

Our Mission, Values and Vision

Founded in 1894 and rooted in Anglican tradition, Havergal’s mission is to prepare young women to make a difference. The hallmarks of a Havergal education are enriched, broad-based educational programs and rigorous academic standards, a stimulating and supportive learning environment and a strong community that fosters the qualities of leadership and good citizenship, underpinned by the school’s values of Integrity, Inquiry, Compassion and Courage. These pillars of excellence prepare our graduates as leaders of the future and have positioned Havergal at the forefront of women’s education for more than 125 years.

Learn more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Make Change

Meet Our Leadership

Paving the way for our students is a group of strong, inspirational leaders. They’re responsible for all aspects of school operations, finance, facilities, admissions, fundraising, alumni relations, communications and human resources.

Principal’s Message

Headshot of Katrina Samson.

“What are you going to do?” – Ellen Knox

This question was posed by Havergal’s First Principal and it remains one of the most powerful influences on the Havergal experience to this day. These simple words inspire action, encourage agency and focus on the future—all of which are integral to our mission to shape the future-ready leaders of tomorrow. Since Havergal’s founding in 1894, preparing young women to make a difference and responding to the challenge posed by Ellen Knox has been the foundation on which Havergal has grown into a global leader in girls’ education.

Our students, parents and alumni often speak about the magic of the Havergal experience. Step onto our campus and you’ll witness our mission in action as you visit our academic, athletic, art and innovation spaces. As you walk our halls, you’ll see that our students aren’t waiting until they graduate to make positive changes in the world; they’re committed to making a difference here and now.

Havergal also offers students a rigorous, contemporary academic program that prepares them for study at the world’s great universities. Our academic program is centred in a research-based framework that puts wellbeing at the heart of learning. Wellbeing is an umbrella under which our approach to academics, co-curricular, global and experiential education resides. 

Looking to the future, we believe a Havergal education never truly ends and we foster lifelong learning. Our faculty and community teach students to think critically, consider their role in the world and live lives of meaning and purpose. As they prepare to take on the world, we ensure our graduates have the skills, tools and knowledge to live in accordance with their values; to build positive, fulfilling relationships; and to prepare them to meet the challenges of tomorrow with confidence.  

As you explore our website, you’ll see the Havergal difference—our commitment to creating generations of women who are ready to be positive changemakers and who are up to the challenge Ellen Knox posed over 125 years ago. We can’t wait to welcome you to our campus—virtually or in person—and have you experience the Havergal difference for yourself.

Warmly,

Dr. Katrina Samson,
Principal

Anglican Affiliation

Havergal was founded in 1894 to provide a high quality education for girls in the Anglican church tradition. Today, we continue our affiliation with the Anglican faith while fostering respect for, understanding of and celebrating the religious traditions and teachings of other faiths that are meaningful to our school and global community.

Havergal’s Anglican affiliation provides a foundation for our spiritual life as a collective. We pair our school values of inquiry, integrity, compassion and courage, with the spiritual values of kindness, generosity, love, justice, humility, truth, hospitality, service, compassion, forgiveness and redemption. Our Anglican affiliation underpins our commitment to preparing young women to make a difference by deepening our sense of self, our commitment to our community and our responsibility to a higher good.  

Recognizing the power and importance of fostering a sense of belonging, we:

  • Welcome students and families from all faiths and beliefs at Havergal (diversity);
  • Seek ways to understand how our faith connections commits us to a responsibility to each other and the world, and our approach to injustice (equity); and  
  • How we can celebrate, respect, and work together across and through our beliefs and values, both faith-based and secular (inclusion).

Strategic Framework

We are excited to embark on a new cycle of planning to establish Havergal’s future direction. Learn more about our strategic framework development process as we shape our path forward to support the next generation of leaders.

History & Tradition

Since our early days, Havergal has experienced tremendous growth. We’re proud to look back at the milestones from our past as we continue to shape the future.

Notable Alumni

headshot of alumni dora mavor moore

Dora Mavor Moore

1899

Actor and director; key driving force in Canadian theatre; the Dora Awards are named in her honour.

headshot of alumni gillian apps

Gillian Apps

2001

Member of the Canadian women’s hockey team; three-time Olympic Gold medallist (2006, 2010, 2014).

headshot of alumni jane poulson

Jane Poulson

1970

Canada’s first blind physician.

headshot of alumni christine coutts clement

Christine Coutts Clement

1959

Astronomer and university professor; first Canadian woman to discover a supernova.

headshot of alumni betty kimbark ondaatje

Betty Kimbark Ondaatje

1947

International painter and photographer.

Parent Experience

At Havergal, parents are our partners in helping prepare our students for tomorrow. We respect and value the role they play and actively cultivate the parent-school relationship. Parents are an integral part of the Havergal community. We encourage their engagement with the school, as well as with other parents committed to a future-focused education for their children.

The Havergal College Parent Association (HCPA) is our parent volunteer organization that maximizes parent engagement, fosters community spirit and supports the school’s mission and strategic direction through social and fundraising initiatives. The HCPA creates a vibrant and caring community, bringing Havergal parents and students opportunities for connecting and engaging beyond the classroom.

Junior School

(Junior Kindergarten–Grade 6)

Exterior view of the Junior School dining hall.
A Junior School student looks through a microscope.
An illustration of the Havergal crest done in a light peach outline on a dark peach background.
A Junior School student in a green sweatshirt hula hoops with three hoops.
Two Kindergarten students completing a math equation on a white board.
Exterior view of the Junior School dining hall.
A Junior School student looks through a microscope.
An illustration of the Havergal crest done in a light peach outline on a dark peach background.
A Junior School student in a green sweatshirt hula hoops with three hoops.
Two Kindergarten students completing a math equation on a white board.

Junior School

(Junior Kindergarten–Grade 6)

Learn More

Learning

Middle School

(Grades 7–8)

Two students in a pool look right towards something off camera.
Exterior view of stained glass windows featuring an "H" motif.
Two students act in front of a red velvet curtain wearing pirate costumes.
Three students sitting at a picnic table work on an assignment.
An illustration of a daisy drawn in light blue on a dark blue background.
Two students in a pool look right towards something off camera.
Exterior view of stained glass windows featuring an "H" motif.
Two students act in front of a red velvet curtain wearing pirate costumes.
Three students sitting at a picnic table work on an assignment.
An illustration of a daisy drawn in light blue on a dark blue background.

Middle School

(Grades 7–8)

Learn More

Friends

Senior School

(Grades 9–12)

Exterior of Havergal's new wing at the Upper School featuring a copper and glass design.
Four students in field hockey uniforms facing a field while in discussion with each other.
An illustration of ivy leaves done in light green on a darker green background.
A student has a look of concentration while playing the violin.
A student signs a book at a podium during graduation. Her peers stand behind her. All are wearing white caps and gowns with green sashes.
Exterior of Havergal's new wing at the Upper School featuring a copper and glass design.
Four students in field hockey uniforms facing a field while in discussion with each other.
An illustration of ivy leaves done in light green on a darker green background.
A student has a look of concentration while playing the violin.
A student signs a book at a podium during graduation. Her peers stand behind her. All are wearing white caps and gowns with green sashes.

Senior School

(Grades 9–12)

Learn More

Experience

Boarding School

(Grades 9–12)

A bedroom in the Boarding School.
A student climbing a rock in climbing gear in an outdoor setting.
A student plays violin in front of a crowd in the Brenda Robson Hall.
Two students stand up paddling on a lake in a forest.
An illustration of a tree drawn in a light blue outline on a navy blue background.
A bedroom in the Boarding School.
A student climbing a rock in climbing gear in an outdoor setting.
A student plays violin in front of a crowd in the Brenda Robson Hall.
Two students stand up paddling on a lake in a forest.
An illustration of a tree drawn in a light blue outline on a navy blue background.

Boarding School

(Grades 9–12)

Learn More