About

Welcome to KES

There’s no simpler way to put it:

At King's-Edgehill School we help students be more than they thought possible.
How do we do this? By creating a world-class environment that supports our students to see more, do more, create more, compete more, and achieve more.
 
  • We know how much you are capable of becoming. We know how much you are capable of becoming. We know how much you are capable of becoming.
    It’s our job to create the kind of transformative environment that will inspire and support you to be the person you’ve always wanted to be, and live the life you’ve dreamed of leading.
     
    Lifelong friendships, an outstanding supportive education and a vibrant extra-curricular life are all part of what you’ll discover here.

Our Mission

We’re committed to the true meaning of education – to lead forth.
Except we’re not doing the leading – you are. Since 1788, our goal has been to create a stimulating and transformative environment that inspires students from all over the world to claim their true potential. Our balanced approach to student development means that all aspects of life are nurtured, from academics and athletics to public service and spirituality.

  • $2 Million

    We award more than $2 million in financial aid each year benefiting 1 in 3 students.

  • 10

    Guaranteed acceptance agreement with all 10 Nova Scotia universities.

  • 100%

    100% of our graduates are accepted to university.

  • 1788

    Canada's first independent school, founded in 1788.

  • 1979

    One of Canada's first International Baccalaureate schools, KES has been an IB world school since 1979.

  • 40

    Every student participates in daily sports and wellness programs offering nearly 40 options.
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  • 45

    Located in Windsor, Nova Scotia, and only 45 minutes from the vibrant port city of Halifax and Halifax International Airport.

  • 50%

    Talented, dedicated and empathetic faculty and staff. Over 50% of faculty/staff live on campus.

  • 8:1

    8:1 student/teacher ratio with an average class size of 13 students.

  • 92

    92-acre campus with 19 buildings, 4 playing fields, tennis courts, double gymnasium, swimming pool and fitness centre.

  • Arts

    Dedicated programs and studios for music, visual art, drama and dance.

  • Awards

    Meaningful community service and leadership programs highlighted by the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Program and the 254 Cadet Corps.

  • Bus

    We offer bus or shuttle service for Valley area, Chester, and Halifax Region.

  • English

    Comprehensive English Language Learning Program and dedicated language learning lab.

  • Financial Awards

    Graduating class has earned more than $1 million in university scholarships for the past 15 consecutive years.

  • Learning

    Centre of Excellence supporting students with learning differences.
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Founded in 1788, King’s-Edgehill is Canada's first independent School.

An International Baccalaureate School since 1980, we equip our students for university life around the globe, not only by developing academic rigour, but also by inspiring athletic and artistic excellence, strength of character and community leadership in a manner by which students know they are participating in "personal" and not just "private" education.
In 1886 horses pulled milk wagons up the long College Road, boys ran from the wooden schoolhouse up to the new chapel for service, and the Cadet corps had just begun. By the time a hand had scratched 1988 in the library's stone; cars parked beside new classrooms, several generations of students had fought in two World Wars, and the School was getting ready to celebrate its bicentennial.
 
Now over 230 years later at King’s-Edgehill School, our history and traditions are as alive and integral to our culture as the thud of rugby boots across the lower field, or the musky snap of clean, September air.
 
Founded in 1788, Kings College School was the first independent school in both Canada and the British Commonwealth outside of Great Britain. Today, we honour the remarkable traditions of excellence, achievement and leadership that have long defined our School.
 
The KES experience has always been about creating an environment where promising students become responsible, well-rounded leaders. More than two centuries later, this commitment to our students and their families remains unwavering.

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  • KES Timeline

    • 1787 - Dr. Charles Inglis arrives in Nova Scotia
    • 1788 - King's Collegiate School for boys opens with 17 students
    • 1789 - George III gives Royal Assent to KCS
    • 1800 - The boys of KCS adopt the game of hurley to the ice of Long Pond
    • 1863 - Convocation Hall is built, Canada's first library museum building
    • 1867 - Canadian Confederation: Among the Fathers of Confederation are 3 former KCS students
    • 1877 - Hensley Memorial Chapel opens on the first Sunday of Michaelmas Term
    • 1891 - Edgehill School for Girls opens with 27 resident and 15 day students
    • 1920 - Disastrous fire destroys the main buildings of the University of King's College
    • 1923 - The School and the university separate; King's College moves to Halifax
    • 1931 - Inglis House is erected on the foundation of the original 1790 College building
    • 1976 - Amalgamation to form King's-Edgehill School
    • 1980 - King's-Edgehill offers the International Baccalaureate Program, the sixth school in Canada to do so 
    • 2005 - The Ted Canavan Athletic Centre opens
    • 2006 - The Fountain Performing Arts Studio opens
    • 2013 - The School celebrates 225 years of leadership in education 
    • 2022 - The state of the art Tanna Athletic Facilities are opened 

Become a Highlander

King’s-Edgehill School is located in Mi'kma'ki, the unceded ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq People.