Our Campuses
Distinctive Programs
Experiential Learning
Field trips are an integral facet of the private school experience at MacLachlan, spanning from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. We believe that having experiences outside of the classroom enriches student learning and gives students an invaluable opportunity to explore their community, their country and other parts of the world.
There are many day trips throughout the school year with overnight trips beginning in Grade 6. Opportunities for international travel are offered in intermediate and senior grades.
There are many day trips throughout the school year with overnight trips beginning in Grade 6. Opportunities for international travel are offered in intermediate and senior grades.
-
Day Trips
Ancaster Old Town HallAndrew’s Scenic Farm
Art Gallery of Ontario
Burlington Centre for the Arts
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Canlan Ice Sports
Chudleigh’s Apple Farm
Confundrum
Crawford Lake
Cube Ultimate Challenges
Downey’s Farm Market
Dundas Valley School of Art
Factory Theatre
Glen Abbey Community Centre
Harbour Front Centre
Humber Arboretum
Kelso Conservation
Kortright Centre
Legislative Assembly - Queen’s Park
Legoland Discovery Centre
Little Canada
Little KitchenMcMaster University - Nuclear Reactor
Medieval Times
Mississauga Living Arts Centre
Mohawk College
Niagara Power Plant
Oakville Galleries
Oakville Museum at Erchless Estates
Oakville Safety Village
Ripley’s Aquarium
Rogers Centre
Royal Botanical Gardens
Royal Ontario Museum
Shaw Festival
Slime Lab
Springridge Farm
St. Lawrence Market
Stratford Festival
Theatre Francais de Toronto
The Village at Black Creek
Toronto Zoo
University of Waterloo
Westfield Heritage Village
Young People’s Theatre -
Travel Grade 6 - 12
Past travel experiences include:Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Egypt
England
France
Greece
ItalyJapan
Kenya
Montreal
Nepal
New York
Onondoga Camp
Ottawa
Quebec City
Spain
Washington
Outdoor education adventures through the Duke of Edinburgh program
Leadership
Instilling the importance of service is simply part of the culture at MacLachlan. Developing the quality of generosity in our students has a very positive impact in our own community and throughout the world.
Students learn that the giving of one’s time is a very rewarding and compassionate endeavour. It not only brings awareness of the needs of others, it helps students understand that they have the power to make a difference.
Students learn that the giving of one’s time is a very rewarding and compassionate endeavour. It not only brings awareness of the needs of others, it helps students understand that they have the power to make a difference.
Round Square
Round Square is an internationally diverse network of 200 like-minded schools in 50 countries on six continents that connect and collaborate to offer world-class programs and experiences to our students.
In March 2020, MAC became a Round Square Global Member School.
MacLachlan has a diverse community and incorporates internationalism, the celebration of different cultures, tolerance and acceptance within our school. We are a school that believes in collaboration and innovation and work together, as a community, to cultivate intellectual curiosity in our students and inspire them to be active contributors to our ever-changing world.
Being a Round Square school, MacLachlan shares in their beliefs and approach to education, which is built around six themes, or IDEALS.
In March 2020, MAC became a Round Square Global Member School.
MacLachlan has a diverse community and incorporates internationalism, the celebration of different cultures, tolerance and acceptance within our school. We are a school that believes in collaboration and innovation and work together, as a community, to cultivate intellectual curiosity in our students and inspire them to be active contributors to our ever-changing world.
Being a Round Square school, MacLachlan shares in their beliefs and approach to education, which is built around six themes, or IDEALS.
-
View IDEALS
- Internationalism
- Democracy
- Environmentalism
- Adventure
- Leadership
- Service
MacLachlan is committed to challenging and exploring the limitations of traditional education by developing a bold and creative vision that promotes an entrepreneurial, success-driven and future-oriented mindset that is integrated into every aspect of school life. Being a Round Square school builds on our strategic direction and vision to provide a unique and highly progressive independent school that educates and graduates students that are prepared for anything as they step into their future.
Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was founded by His Royal Highness, Prince Phillip Duke of Edinburgh in 1956.
In 1988 Canada became a founding member of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association and remains one of the fourth largest National Awards Authorities. Since 1990 MacLachlan has been a member of the program to enhance its commitment to excellence and support exceptional student experiences. There are four areas of endeavour in the Award:
In 1988 Canada became a founding member of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association and remains one of the fourth largest National Awards Authorities. Since 1990 MacLachlan has been a member of the program to enhance its commitment to excellence and support exceptional student experiences. There are four areas of endeavour in the Award:
-
View four areas
- Community Service
- Expedition/Exploration
- Skill Development
- Physical Fitness
Students work through three levels of increasingly rigorous requirement: Bronze; Silver and Gold. Students are eligible to register for the D of E in grade 9. After Bronze is completed, students can then decide whether they want to continue to Silver and Gold Award levels.
Designed to develop independence, resourcefulness, courage, initiative, endurance and perseverance, it provides a unique opportunity for MacLachlan students to develop into people who “make a difference”. This is a challenging and rewarding program and is very much a personal undertaking and not a competition against others.
Designed to develop independence, resourcefulness, courage, initiative, endurance and perseverance, it provides a unique opportunity for MacLachlan students to develop into people who “make a difference”. This is a challenging and rewarding program and is very much a personal undertaking and not a competition against others.
Academic Competition
Many of our students enjoy the comradery and challenges of academic competitions. They complement the academic curriculum and provide enriching experiences for students outside the classroom where they can further explore their passions and interests and demonstrate their mastery of specific skills. These competitions give students the opportunity to learn from each other, share interests and support their peers. It also provides a tremendous level of school spirit and pride in students to represent MacLachlan.
Listed here are some of the activities in which MacLachlan students vigorously and successfully compete, several of which they have earned top honours:
-
Competitions
ACMUN - Appleby College Model United Nations ConferenceAmerican Mathematics Competition 8, 10 and 12DECADramaFestKing’s MUN Model United Nations ConferenceNational Youth Remembrance ContestPolar Expressions Writing CompetitionThe Battle of the BooksThe Commonwealth Overseas International Essay CompetitionThe Festival of Oral PoetryThe Fulford Debating LeagueThe Great Canadian Geography challengeThe Independent School International Public Speaking CompetitionThe Kiwanis Festival Choir CompetitionThe McMaster University Science and Engineering FairThe Nora McRae Public Speaking TournamentThe Ontario Student Debating UnionUniversity of Waterloo Canadian Computing CompetitionUniversity of Waterloo Mathematics Competitions: Gauss, Pascal, Cayley, Fermat, Euclid
Community Service
Community service is an important part of the MacLachlan experience, supporting the development of compassionate, responsible, and engaged students. Through a variety of programs and initiatives, students are encouraged to make meaningful contributions both locally and globally.
Students participate in service opportunities throughout the year through initiatives such as Service in Action in the Lower School, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme, school-wide drives, and student-led projects. These experiences help students develop a strong sense of social responsibility while building leadership, empathy, and a commitment to giving back.
MacLachlan also provides opportunities for senior students to participate in international service experiences.
Through these initiatives, students have supported a range of organizations, including Kerr Street Mission, the Round Square Discovery Fund, and other local and international partners.
Wellness & Emotional Intelligence
Students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 6 participate in the “Healthy Minds” Program. Mindfulness helps students learn to take a pause when they feel upset or overwhelmed, during which thoughtful responses can replace impulsive reactions. This supports students’ self-care and increases their success when working and interacting with others.
Through our Emotional Intelligence Program, students learn a wide range of strategies for problem solving and coping with stress as well as developing a common emotional language to express themselves effectively. Building upon our strong and successful mindfulness program, students are supported in becoming balanced, tolerant and well-rounded individuals who are prepared for life’s challenges.
Through our Emotional Intelligence Program, students learn a wide range of strategies for problem solving and coping with stress as well as developing a common emotional language to express themselves effectively. Building upon our strong and successful mindfulness program, students are supported in becoming balanced, tolerant and well-rounded individuals who are prepared for life’s challenges.
MAC Traditions
MacLachlan College upholds a number of traditions that build connections between current students and alumni through shared experiences. Since 1978, the phrase "Where Tradition and Vision Meet" has signified that many more recent, innovative initiatives are soon becoming our newest traditions for the student generations to come.
-
Traditions
- Welcome Back BBQ
- Upper School Picnic
- Spirit Week
- Student/Staff Sports
- Showcase
- PYP Poetry Festival
- Winter Concert
- Wellness Week
- We Love Literacy Week
- Wordfest
- Spring Talent Show
- Alchemy
- Blossomings
- Mac Olympics
- Year-end celebration trips
About
To prepare future-ready individuals, we need to share and instill common values across our school community and embed these values in everything we do.
Lower School
Upper School
2794 South Sheridan Way
Oakville, ON L6J 7T4, Canada
© 2026 MacLachlan College. All Rights Reserved