Rundle College

Kindergarten – Grade 12

At Rundle College, students become leaders, scholars, scientists, artists, musicians, athletes, humanitarians, philanthropists and more by discovering their passions and potential across a broad range of opportunities. Rundle students thrive in a safe, caring and kind environment.

Following Rundle’s Pathways to Learning philosophy, students’ high academic achievement is fortified by a multitude of co-curricular, character, and leadership-building programs.

Interested in Rundle College? Sign up for an on-demand info session today to learn more about the College program!

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Rundle Academy

Grade 4 – Grade 12

Unique among independent schools in Canada, Rundle delivers parallel College and Academy programs on two separate campuses. The Academy program meets the needs of students who have a diagnosed learning disability, with or without ADHD. Our students are in the average to above-average range of intellectual functioning but have difficulties with specific academic activities and skills.

Rundle Academy is a caring learning community where students have the space to develop confidence, self-esteem and motivation to excel academically and grow in their love for learning.

In September 2026, we will open our doors to an expanded Rundle Academy building. When the project is complete, 175 more students with diagnosed learning disabilities will have access to our tailored and specialized education.

 

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Rundle Studio

Grade 10 – Grade 12

Rundle Studio provides:

  • a dynamic, interactive online learning environment for students in grades 10–12
  • a learning space built to help students with diagnosed learning disabilities thrive
  • a program designed to meet personal learning styles
  • a platform that can be accessed from anywhere

If you are interested in learning more about Rundle Studio, please sign up today to connect with our Enrolment Coordinator and to join us for an Open House.

 

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Demystifying the SSAT & CSS: What Rundle College Applicants Need to Know

Published on September 10, 2026

Standardized assessments are often the most talked-about part of the admissions process, but they don’t have to be intimidating. When applying for Rundle College, we use the SSAT and Character Skills Snapshot (CSS) not as barrier metrics, but as tools to understand your child’s unique academic abilities and individual character traits.

The Secondary School Admission Test (CSS)

The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is a standardized academic assessment administered by the Enrollment Management Association (EMA). For Rundle College, submitting SSAT results is a required component for applicants entering Grades 7 through 12, demonstrating core academic readiness in math, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. A complete application requires official SSAT results.

While the SSAT provides valuable data, it is only one component of Rundle College’s holistic evaluation process. Admissions decisions are never based on a single score; instead, Rundle considers your child’s complete profile. If you have concerns about your child’s results, please contact an enrolment officer before registering to retake the exam.

What the SSAT Measures

The Middle Level (currently in Grades 5–7) and Upper Level (currently in Grades 8–11) exams take about 3 hours and cover four core components:

  • Quantitative (Math): Two separate 30-minute sections testing mathematics, basic algebra, geometry, and problem-solving without a calculator.
  • Verbal: Tests vocabulary through synonyms and verbal analogies.
  • Reading Comprehension: Short fiction and non-fiction passages evaluating main ideas, inferences, and vocabulary in context.
  • Writing Sample: An unscored writing prompt sent directly to Rundle’s enrolment team to evaluate clear, organized writing.

How to Prepare for the SSAT

  • Learn the Wrong-Answer Penalty: Unlike many school tests, Middle and Upper Level SSAT exams deduct a 1/4 point for wrong answers (1 point for correct, 0 for left blank). Teach your child to eliminate wrong options and leave pure blind guesses blank.
  • Practice No-Calculator Math: Focus on mental math, fast mathematics, estimating answers, and core pre-algebra/geometry concepts.
  • Build Vocabulary and Analogy Awareness: Practice common middle/high school root words, prefixes, and word relationships (e.g., part-to-whole, cause-and-effect).
  • Take Practice Tests: Build endurance and time management using official practice materials on ssat.org, or explore the many free practice tests available online from reputable test preparation resources. You do not need to rely solely on paid EMA materials.
  • Maintain a Stress-Free Approach: Frame preparation as a chance to practice rather than a high-stakes obstacle. Reassure your child that scores are only one component of their overall profile and that Rundle looks at who they are as a whole person.

Where and How to Take the SSAT

  1. Register: Go to ssat.org and create a student account.
  2. Choose Your Format:
    • In-Person Test Centre: Written on designated national test dates at participating local test sites. Rundle College is a local test site, but your child does not have to write it at Rundle.
    • SSAT At-Home: Online testing administered on a computer with remote proctoring.
    • Prometric Test Center: Written on a computer at an official Prometric testing center.
  3. Submit Scores: Select Rundle College (School Code: 6198) from the score recipient menu on the dashboard so EMA directly releases the SSAT report to the Rundle enrolment team. Please follow up with your enrolment officer to confirm results have been received.

 

The Character Skills Snapshot (CSS)

The Character Skills Snapshot (CSS) is a standardized, non-cognitive online assessment managed by the Enrollment Management Association (EMA). Rundle College uses this for students applying to Grades 7–12 to measure soft skills, emotional intelligence, and situational judgment, giving enrolment committees a holistic view of an applicant. Submitting CSS results is a mandatory requirement for a completed application.

What the Snapshot Assesses

The assessment evaluates 7 core character traits across 3 categories:

  • Intellectual: Intellectual Engagement and Open-Mindedness.
  • Intrapersonal: Initiative, Resilience, and Self-Control.
  • Interpersonal: Social Awareness and Teamwork.

How to Prepare for the CSS

  • No Academic Studying: The assessment consists of forced-choice items (e.g., Most like me / Least like me) and situational judgment scenarios with no right or wrong answers.
  • Authenticity: Applicants should answer honestly; trying to guess the “ideal” answer can trigger flags for inconsistent reporting.
  • Environment: Set aside 20–30 minutes in a quiet space with a stable internet connection for a single, uninterrupted testing session.

Where and How to Take the CSS

  1. Register: Log into your student account on the official SSAT portal at ssat.org.
  2. Access: The CSS becomes accessible in the student’s SSAT online dashboard upon test registration or account setup.
  3. Complete Online: The student completes the 25-minute test at home via a web browser.
  4. Designate Recipient: Select Rundle College (School Code: 6198) from the score recipient menu on the dashboard so EMA directly releases the CSS report to the Rundle enrolment team. Please follow up with your enrolment officer to confirm results have been received.

Remember, the SSAT and CSS are just two pieces of your child’s overall application. We look forward to reviewing their complete profile and seeing all the unique strengths they can bring to our community!