Lakefield College School and this Blog

I have to admit, LCS is one of the finest boarding schools in the world. It is largely to do with what is known as "The Lakefield Difference" defined or mentioned by hundreds of grads in their chapel speeches over the years. But this blog is not just about LCS, it is about fit and every family finding the 'right' school for them. Over the next year, my hope is to delve into most of the components of fit in choosing a school. In discussing fit, surely LCS will form the basis for describing different aspects of fit but for every ying there is a yang, and what is important to one student or family may not be to another. Readers should use each post or example as food for thought and reflection about what is most important to them when choosing a school.

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To IB or not to IB? That is a question…

Having headed up the recruitment and enrolment mission at one of Canada's best International Baccalaureate (IB) schools for three and a half years, where all students have no choice but to take the IB Diploma Programme (DP), I know the challenge faced in recruiting boarding students in particular. The worst thing you want to do as an Admission Director is place a student in a position where they are not successful. As often as I was encouraging a family to apply for the IB, I was discouraging another when a student did not fit the experience of the school in delivering the Programme. Likewise, I would meet students so suited to the IB that simply were far too happy and successful where they were to undertake it (and good for them for knowing their best fit.) The IB DP is growing in popularity and the number of schools offering the…

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Choosing an independent school – respect deadlines but don’t feel you need to jump the gun

While searching for a boarding or day school, many parents and students get anxious and cloud their judgement by perceiving pressure or a need to conclude a process as quickly as possible (maybe just to be done with the stress of the search). My advice would be to remember that ultimately, the choice rests with a family over which school to attend.Ideally, a family should try to manage their various admission processes to coincide with one another. If say you have decided to apply to three schools, try to end up sitting with all three of your decisions at the same time so that you can make a decision without the pressure of conflicting response times.Toronto Day Schools/USA Common Offer DatesToronto day schools and many US boarding schools coordinate their offer dates to coincide with one another to help them manage their admission process. It also helps families to end…

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