Merchiston Castle School campus in Edinburgh, Scotland

Merchiston Castle School

Edinburgh, ScotlandDay · All-BoysGrades Preschool – 12Est. 1833
Grades
Preschool – 12
Enrollment
400
Day Tuition
CA$24,000/yr
Founded
1833
Gender Policy
All-Boys

About Merchiston Castle School

To provide a caring community for your son, which treats him as an individual, unearths and nurtures his talents, encourages him to pursue excellence in all he does and enables him to flourish.

Merchiston Castle School is a private boys boarding school in Edinburgh, providing a caring community that nurtures individual talents and encourages excellence. The school emphasizes personal growth and academic success within a supportive environment.

Core Values

IntegrityExcellence

Teaching Philosophy

Merchiston Castle School employs a rigorous academic philosophy that prioritizes individual development within an all-boys environment, aiming to unearth and nurture each student's specific talents. By offering a diverse curriculum including IB and AP programs alongside specialized focuses in STEM, languages, and elite athletics, the school encourages students to pursue excellence across both academic and extracurricular disciplines. This approach is supported by a caring community culture that values integrity and provides the facilities necessary for students to flourish in the arts, sciences, and sports.

What Makes Merchiston Castle School Special

  • 100% A Level pass rate.
  • No. 1 UK tennis school.
  • World Leading Schools Association member.

Academics

Curriculum

Merchiston Castle School offers IB, AP, and Other curriculums, with specializations in STEM, Languages, and Sports.

Academic Environment

Academic Culture
Rigorous

Programs & Extracurriculars

Arts Programs

4 programs
ActingMusic (instrumental)Music (vocal)Visual arts

Sports

8 programs
BasketballFootballGolfHockeyRugbySoccerTennisTrack and field

Clubs & Activities

3 programs
DebateDramaStudent government

Campus & Facilities

Merchiston Castle School features a campus with Science lab, Theatre, and Art studio.

Photo Gallery

Tuition & Financial Aid

Day Tuition

CA$24,000

per year

Boarding Tuition

CA$50,706

per year

Above average for Scotland private schools (~CA$15,000/yr)
Financial Aid
Available

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Admissions

Requirements

  • Application form
  • Report cards
  • Interview
  • Entrance exam

Community & Culture

Merchiston cultivates a community centered on individual attention and personal excellence. The school emphasizes knowing each boy well and understanding what makes him tick, enabling tailored support that motivates him to strive for his best. The culture produces what the school describes as well-mannered, considerate yet determined young gentlemen who stand out for their attitude and behavior. Wellbeing underpins everything the school does, recognizing that without it, boys cannot achieve their best. The school offers distinct sections—from The Forest (ages 3-11) where learning happens naturally, through Juniors, Middle Years, and Sixth Form—each designed to support boys through different developmental stages.

Diversity & Inclusion

Merchiston welcomes international pupils, with approximately 20% of the school comprising international students from over 25 different countries. The school describes itself as a global community and commits to supporting international boys practically and emotionally as they settle in, make friends, and explore cultures. The school holds a Silver Award Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA) and is a member of the World Leading Schools Association. However, broader diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives beyond international enrollment are not prominently featured on the website.

Parent Involvement

Parent involvement details are not prominently featured on the website. The site emphasizes the admissions process and encourages families to visit and speak with current parents, but specific information about parent committees, volunteer opportunities, or ongoing engagement programs is not described. The school does mention offering open events, personal visits, and opportunities to speak with current parents during the admissions journey.

Accreditations & Recognition

IBMinistry-inspectedOther

Contact Merchiston Castle School

Address

294 Colinton Rd, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Phone

+44 131 312 2200

Email

admissions@merchiston.co.uk

Website

Visit School Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Merchiston Castle School

Merchiston Castle School serves students in grades Preschool-12.

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