Read more details about Ashbury College on their 2025 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
1. Unique campus set up, a good blend of both academic life and dorm life
2. Programs to encourage volunteer work as well as involvement programs for dorm residents
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
Just the amount of people I've met and built rapport with. I've never experienced anything like it before or ever since.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
Go on a visit before attending the school. The school will arrange a student to take you around to all the classes, as well as dining hall for lunch hours and snack hours. Know that this is the lifestyle you want before heading into it just because of academics.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
The connections that I'm able to build with many that last beyond my high school years. These will serve great importance down the road.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Check out the dining hall! It's magnificent. Sit and eat with some students - you'll see why this school places emphasis on building connections that last way beyond high school life.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The academics are very intense. There are plenty of good professors who are there to facilitate learning, and are genuinely interested in helping the students. Course choices are very diverse, and even though some lack depth, most are good learning experiences. Overall, the environment is fairly competitive, but through hard work, it's not hard to emerge out on top. Workload is very reasonable, thus it's fair to say that one can still have fun in such a learning-oriented environment.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
This is likely the best athletics program in the Ottawa area. For a student athlete, this is a good school. Must be noted that because it's a boarding school that's private, the student population is smaller, and thus for a lot of its athletics and sports, the school competes in divisions of smaller schools. To my knowledge, the football program is the biggest, and the basketball program is the most successful. For those who are not necessarily varsity athletes, there are still plenty of intramural and casual sports options. Facilities are top-notch, and coaches are the best of the best - they definitely know what they're doing.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
Was only involved in the music program, not the visual arts and theatre program. However, the theatre and visual arts programs often host shows or exhibitions that the whole school is involved in, and therefore is very facilitating and encouraging for students interested in this field. The productions are also very good. The music program is consistently one of the best in the area - all of the students involved in either junior or senior bands have fair music background and very qualified. A lot of these students actually play for orchestras outside of school such as Ottawa Youth Orchestra.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
There are plenty of extracurricular opportunities - theatre, band, jazz band, and not to mention the plethora of sports options. Also, the duke of ed program encourages participation in volunteer work and students are recognized for their work. Community service is also very integral part of student life here.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Rooms are very spacious and roommates are generally very reasonable. There is good access to food, albeit a little pricey. Selection is largely randomly assigned.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
Some of the best food around, and cafeteria has extended hours so athletes who stay after school for sports practices still have access to them. They're open from breakfast time all the way until end of day. No assigned seating, there are plenty of roundtable seatings that encourage association and conversation. The cafeteria set up includes different sections for different foods and entrees and has lots of variety of foods that cater to all taste. Slightly pricey.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
This school is in the best area in Ottawa, surrounded by embassy housing. This is likely the most expensive area in the city. Very quiet and peaceful neighborhood, no chaos or crime whatsoever. Very safe neighborhood. A short walk down the hill can reach most foods and groceries and other services.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
All the students know that they're there to build valuable connections for life in addition to studying academics. It's easy to meet similar minded people.
Read more details about Ashbury College on their 2025 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Ashbury College’s long heritage and IB‑focused curriculum mark it as unique. I appreciated how inquiry‑based learning was baked into daily routines and whether through research projects or outdoor field trips. But what really stood out. . .
Ashbury gave me the space to find my own balance between structure and independence. It wasn’t a cookie-cutter school, it encouraged individuality, while still challenging us to aim higher. What really stood out was the. . .
Ashbury, to me, will always be that rare place where I never had to choose between being an athlete and being a student. Most schools say they support balance, but Ashbury lived it. The school. . .
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