The Mabin School
The Mabin School is a private, progressive JK-Grade 6 co-educational elementary school in downtown Toronto, serving approximately 150 students with a deliberately small, inquiry-based curriculum anchored in the 4Rs philosophy and Ashoka Changemaker designation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersToronto, Ontario, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Mabin School does
The Mabin School is a private, independent, co-educational JK-Grade 6 progressive elementary school located at 50 Poplar Plains Road in downtown Toronto, Canada, founded in September 1980 and operated as a registered charity under The Torch Educational Foundation. The school is deliberately small, with a capped community of approximately 150 students served by roughly 33 staff including classroom teachers, specialist teachers, a 5-person Learning Strategies Team, and administrators. Its core product is a student-led, inquiry-based academic curriculum covering Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Music (Carl Orff approach), French (starting JK), Visual Arts, Physical Education, STEM, and Library, supplemented by distinctive programs including the Habits of Mind framework, the MabinLEADs two-year Leadership Academy for Grades 5-6, an Intergenerational Art Program, and an Extended Care Program running 3:30-6:00 PM. The curriculum is anchored in the school's "4Rs" philosophy (Reading, 'Rithmetic, 'Riting, and RELATIONSHIP) with a social-emotional curriculum woven through every subject daily.
The business model is tuition-driven: returning student tuition is $37,400 per academic year for 2026-2027, set annually in January by the Board of Directors, supplemented by a $200 non-refundable application fee, a one-time New Student Registration Fee, Extended Care Program subscriptions, and tax-deductible charitable donations through The Mabin Fund (annual giving) and a recently completed $4 million capital campaign ("The World Needs More Mabin"). Financial assistance is administered via Apple Financial Services, with a $1M endowment from The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation in 2025 establishing The Inclusion Fund for socioeconomic diversity. Go-to-market is a structured, relationship-driven admissions process: online inquiry via Veracross portal, personalized school tour, formal application, family interview, and acceptance, with Fall Open Houses (October 16 and November 12, 2026) and "Choosing Time" sessions for younger children serving as top-of-funnel acquisition events. The school holds CAIS accreditation, Platinum membership in the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools, and Canada's first independent Ashoka Changemaker School designation.
The Mabin School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Mabin School
- Legal name
- The Torch Educational Foundation/The Mabin School
- Website
- https://mabin.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Mabin School is a private, progressive JK-Grade 6 co-educational elementary school in downtown Toronto, serving approximately 150 students with a deliberately small, inquiry-based curriculum anchored in the 4Rs philosophy and Ashoka Changemaker designation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Mabin School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Elementary Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Curriculum Design & Scope/Sequence (School-Led) (EDAJAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Career Readiness & College Prep (In-School) (EDAJAFAM)
Keywords
Where The Mabin School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto, Ontario
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Mabin School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition fees. The tuition for 2026-2027 academic year for returning students is $37,400. There is a one-time non-refundable New Student Registration Fee due upon acceptance. The Board of Directors sets tuition each year in January.
- Application Fee: Non-refundable application fee of $200 per application, paid online during the application process.
- Extended Care Program: After-school care program running from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM on all school days. A healthy snack is provided daily at 4:00 PM. The program offers activities including arts and crafts, indoor/outdoor sports, games, and baking. A 24-hour notice period is appreciated for regular users.
- The Mabin Fund (Annual Giving): Annual fund that supports operating extras including science, math, French, art, and technology resources, school trips, visiting artists, and expert presentations. Donations are tax-deductible as the school is a registered charity.
- Capital Campaign: Completed $4 million capital campaign ('The World Needs More Mabin') to build a Community Learning Lab and redevelop facilities, adding 25% more space. The school continues accepting donations for this project.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Returning Student Tuition 2026-2027 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | New Student Application Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | New Student Registration Fee |
| Subscription | Monthly | Extended Care Program |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
The Mabin School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Mabin School delivers a progressive, co-educational JK-Grade 6 elementary education through a student-led, inquiry-based curriculum rooted in Inquiry, Integration, and Reflection. The program covers Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Music (Orff approach), French, Art, Physical Education & Health, and STEM, and is augmented by the Habits of Mind framework, the MabinLEADs two-year Leadership Academy for Grades 5-6, an Intergenerational Art Program, Extended Care (3:30-6:00 PM), Athletics, Co-Curriculars, and a four-House System. Enrolment is capped at approximately 150 students to maintain a family-like atmosphere.
Product overview
The Mabin School is a progressive, co-educational independent elementary school (JK-Grade 6) in downtown Toronto. The school's educational offering centers on a student-led, inquiry-based academic curriculum complemented by distinctive programs including the Habits of Mind framework, the MabinLEADs Leadership Academy for Grades 5-6, an Intergenerational Art Program, and an Extended Care Program. The school also offers athletics, co-curricular clubs, and a house system. Together, these programs aim to develop original thinkers, adaptive leaders, and caring citizens who are changemakers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Strong transition outcomes: Graduates are academically prepared, emotionally ready to expand horizons, and have developed emotional intelligence, inclusiveness, and communication skills second nature.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Mabin School
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Mabin School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Mabin School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Apple Financial ServicescoreApple Financial Services provides financial assistance application services for families seeking tuition support. The school directs interested families to their website for financial aid applications.
- Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (OISE/UT)coreMultiple staff members have experience teaching at this renowned laboratory school. Several current teachers previously held positions there, and the school has connections for teacher candidate placements and collaborative research opportunities.
- Ryerson University / Toronto Metropolitan UniversityminorEarly Childhood Education students from the university complete placements at The Mabin School, supervised by Early Childhood Educators.
- George Brown CollegeminorEarly Childhood Education students from George Brown College complete placements at The Mabin School, supervised by trained Early Childhood Educators.
- Camp OochigeasminorSome staff have experience at Camp Ooch (now Campfire Circle), a camp for children with and affected by childhood cancer. Kenneth Bemister previously served as In-Hospital Program Specialist at Campfire Circle.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Mabin School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The York School: Toronto-based progressive, co-educational independent JK-12 school with inquiry-based curriculum and small cohorts. Closely comparable to Mabin on progressive pedagogy, urban Toronto location, and small-by-design positioning, but extends through Grade 12 versus Mabin's JK-6.
- Toronto French School (TFS): Independent JK-12 school in Toronto with French immersion and progressive approach. Comparable on premium tuition, downtown Toronto location, and inquiry-led pedagogy; differentiated by its French bilingual curriculum and larger size.
- Hawthorn School for Girls: Independent JK-12 school in Toronto with focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, and individualized learning. Comparable to Mabin on premium tuition, progressive curriculum, and small-class differentiation in the Toronto market.
- The Linden School: Toronto independent girls' school with progressive, feminist pedagogy focused on social justice and social-emotional learning. Comparable to Mabin on progressive education philosophy and small-by-design positioning, though Linden serves girls only and extends through Grade 12.
- Waldorf Academy of Toronto: Toronto Waldorf independent school offering play-based, arts-integrated curriculum in early years. Comparable to Mabin on progressive, holistic pedagogy targeting affluent downtown Toronto families with a small-school ethos.
Broad incumbents
- Branksome Hall: Independent JK-12 girls' school in midtown Toronto with IB and leadership focus. Comparable on premium tuition and Toronto independent school market; broader incumbent with extensive facilities and full K-12 coverage.
- Upper Canada College (UCC): One of Canada's most established independent boys' schools (SK-12) in Toronto. Comparable on premium tuition, urban Toronto location, and strong brand; a broad incumbent serving a much larger and broader market than Mabin's JK-6 niche.
- Crescent School: Independent boys' school (Grades 3-12) in Toronto known for leadership development. Comparable on premium tuition and emphasis on leadership/character outcomes; a broader incumbent operating across multiple grades with a wider catchment.
- Bishop Strachan School (BSS): Independent JK-12 girls' school in Toronto. Comparable on premium tuition and urban Toronto independent school positioning; broader incumbent with longer grade span and larger footprint than Mabin.
Regional players
- Hillfield Strathallan College: Independent JK-12 school in Hamilton, Ontario (Greater Toronto Area periphery). Comparable on premium independent school model with progressive elements; regional player serving a different geography than Mabin's downtown Toronto core.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Mabin School social profiles
Digital presenceThe Mabin School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Mabin School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
The Mabin School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Mabin School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Mabin School
What does The Mabin School do?
The Mabin School delivers a progressive, co-educational JK-Grade 6 elementary education through a student-led, inquiry-based curriculum rooted in Inquiry, Integration, and Reflection. The program covers Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Music (Orff approach), French, Art, Physical Education & Health, and STEM, and is augmented by the Habits of Mind framework, the MabinLEADs two-year Leadership Academy for Grades 5-6, an Intergenerational Art Program, Extended Care (3:30-6:00 PM), Athletics, Co-Curriculars, and a four-House System. Enrolment is capped at approximately 150 students to maintain a family-like atmosphere.
Is The Mabin School a public or private company?
The Mabin School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Mabin School founded?
The Mabin School was founded in 1980. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Mabin School based?
The Mabin School is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The Mabin School make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are application Fee, extended Care Program, the Mabin Fund (Annual Giving) and capital Campaign.
Who are The Mabin School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The York School, Toronto French School (TFS), Hawthorn School for Girls, The Linden School and Waldorf Academy of Toronto. Broad incumbents are Branksome Hall, Upper Canada College (UCC), Crescent School and Bishop Strachan School (BSS). Hillfield Strathallan College is listed as a regional player.
Does The Mabin School have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Mabin School.
What industry is The Mabin School in?
The Mabin School's product category is Independent Elementary Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAFAA, Curriculum Design & Scope/Sequence (School-Led), with a secondary code of EDAJAFAM, Career Readiness & College Prep (In-School). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.