Just the Facts

21 February 2013Clayton Johnston

Here are the facts: 74% of our school population this year is Canadian. 7% of our students are American and 19% are international (from 35 countries). When you consider that Brentwood is on the verge of becoming the largest boarding school in Canada (in terms of boarding numbers), these are interesting statistics. Why? Consider these points taken from the recent CAIS, Enrollment Data Report, 2012-2013: There are 28 boarding schools in Canada53.7% of students in these 28 boarding schools are international (in other words, not Canadian).This year, the top three countries represented by these international students in Canadian boarding schools are: China (26.8%), Mexico (14.3%). Hong Kong (8.7%). *(see below for Brentwood’s top three countries and comparatives).Trend? CAIS Boarding Schools have seen a shift in the demographics of their boarding student population with the influx of international student enrolments across the country. Canadian boarding school enrolments are decreasing in Canadian boarding schools (as stated, international students now make up 53.7% of all Canadian boarding school’s boarding enrolment).Over the last three years, international student enrolment in Canada has increased by 237 boarding students (**see below for Brentwood comparison).10 countries now make up 80% of CAIS Boarding Schools’ international boarding student enrolment Now consider this: There are 460 students at Brentwood this year.340 of our students are Canadian.We are 74% Canadian (340 students); each year more Canadians join our school (up 4% from last year).We are 7% American and 19% international (**down 3% from a year ago)The top three non-Canadian countries represented this year at Brentwood are:USA (7%) Mexico (3.4%)Saudi Arabia (2.1%) China and Hong Kong*? 0.4% of our student population are from China (2 students) 1.7% of our student population is from Hong Kong. For our International students, one reason they initially looked at Brentwood is because (among other things) they wanted a Canadian boarding experience. Our international students did not journey from Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Germany, Taiwan or Indonesia to be surrounded by too many students from their own country. For many of our students, when researching boarding schools, it was important for them to ensure that their boarding experience would be primarily Canadian. With 74% of our student population Canadian and over 80% North American, it was a differentiating factor for many families. The same is true of Canadians seeking a boarding school in Canada. A key factor for many of our students when looking at boarding school options was that the boarding population of a school would be primarily Canadian. The fact that 340 of our students are Canadian was important to them. Diversity: our international student population is an integral part of who we are. We are from over 35 countries around the world and expanding. Our international students love the fact that we are truly diverse; we buck the national trend as we are not simply from only a few countries. The richness of the experience created by this diversity is truly another differentiator. It is a delicate balance but it works: at Brentwood we celebrate both our diversity and the fact that we are truly a Canadian boarding school. We are very proud of the many ways in which Brentwood is unique. Demographics are only one area where Brentwood stands out from its peers; it is an important discussion point when researching schools.

Where Students Choose To Be