LCBI High School - Review #1

The Lutheran Collegiate Bible Institute is an historical independent school in Saskatchewan, celebrating over 110 years of serving students and families from across the province, country, and world. The small class sizes, caring staff who truly know and understand their students, and rigorous academic standards do a great job preparing students for post-secondary learning.LCBI truly excels in providing a holistic educational and life experience for students who live and learn on campus. Competitive athletics, extensive musical programs, volunteer opportunities, mission trips, campus life activities, and a Christian focus allow students to recognize their own talents and place in the world. Students leave knowing that they are a part of an alumni family and that they are always welcome at LCBI.

The absolute best thing that happened to me was the chance to explore different aspects of my personality and find my passions. Leadership opportunities, multiple activities, chapels and Christian life, all provided me with the confidence I needed to successfully navigate university, be successful in my educational career, and have a rewarding life. I am not sure where I would be in my life right now if I didn't go to LCBI. It was a life changing experience for me.

My advice for anyone going to boarding school is to take advantage of all it has to offer. Use that time away from parents, siblings, former friends, and peer groups to discover who you are, what values will drive your decisions in your life, and how you can live your life to the fullest.

LCBI is like a family, a home where you are always welcome back. Many students have grown up and had their children and grandchildren attend. My mother and aunts went to LCBI, boarding there in the 1950's and early 1960's. I went in the 1980's and my daughter graduated in 2024. Traditions and relationships run deep, with graduates returning for honoured Homecoming years. Alumni stay connected with the school and will often come out to cheer on LCBI sports teams or the choir tour in different provinces.

"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." – A. A. MilneGraduating and leaving the staff/students who became family was difficult but I felt that LCBI had prepared me for life in a way that living at home could never have done.

While I attended many years ago, the academic rigor continues to be high compared to other schools in the province regardless of size. The work load was more than I experienced at my previous school but daily evening SUPE (supervised study hall) helped me obtain better study skills and assignment completion.Small class sizes were also a blessing as I knew all of my teachers and they understood me as a person, learner, and writer. Staff were very approachable in providing extra assistance or tutoring as necessary. Most students were very academically driven so the environment was both competitive and stimulating for discussions and debates.

Being at a boarding school brought perks of having access to the gymnasium at all hours to play sports with friends. It also provided an opportunity to try different sports that I hadn't tried prior to my time at LCBI.The walls of the gymnasium are filled with provincial banners in all sports. The quality of coaching was excellent and their were great traditions in the school of highly competitive teams in volleyball, basketball, and track & field. These traditions continue and have expanded to include competitive football and provincial level soccer in recent years.Also in recent years, students from across the province come to attend summer sports camps, run by quality coaches (provincial and national level) while living in the dorms. This is a unique and valuable experience to those who attend.

When I attended LCBI, I was involved in choir as an alto and was also in drama. Our choir was provincially ranked and provided an opportunity to sing both secular and spiritual/sacred selections. We toured throughout the province with our choir and I loved the camaraderie that developed with my fellow musicians.In recent years, when my daughter attended, the musical opportunities have just continued to expand. She was able to not only sing in the choir but also a further auditioned chamber choir. Both groups toured at different times through both Saskatchewan and Alberta. She also had the opportunity to be part of drama in the house-plays and the yearly musical. The productions are of excellent quality with live music accompaniment and fantastic lighting/staging. Other musical opportunities include jazz band and handbells with all students required to choose a musical option in the first term. LCBI has developed a unique and musically rich environment to help students find their passion.

While I did not participate in the formal student leadership opportunities during my time at LCBI, there were student "houses" for any extra-curricular participation. Campus wide games, sports and fine arts participation earned points for your house. More recently, houses are responsible for organizing chapel time, campus life activities, and year end drama plays. Other leadership opportunities include Residence Assistants in dorm, Leadership group, Take Out Tuesday community volunteer participation, and both national and international Mission Trips .Acts of service and volunteerism are integral to the school mission, vision, and values. Students have many opportunities to share their time and talents with local service groups, churches in the community, and people of need. This is where LCBI truly shines and nurtures their students to become leaders in the community.

Dorm life has not changed much since I was at LCBI with students sharing daily life activities with each other. In girls dorm, students have expectations to keep rooms clean and complete their dorm duties. Dorm devotionals are held nightly to support them in their spiritual growth. There is a general access kitchen (including microwave, oven, sink, fridge) for the students to use with a living room/lounge area in the dorm.Campus life activities are often held in the co-ed lounge with access to a movie area, pool table, fooseball, concession (at times). There is also a garage band area set up with amps, keyboards, drums, guitars, etc. for students to enjoy and jam. Beach volleyball and a large fire pit with bleachers complement the planned campus activities.Dorm life can be challenging at times, with different personalities all living in one dorm. Dorm parents, the school counselor, and the Dean of Campus Life help with the transition of living independently from family. This is a great time to practice life skills such as collaboration, patience, communication, and laundry.

Meals are served cafeteria style and available for dorm students with a nominal fee charged for day students. Food services also provide to-go meals for tournaments or travelling to out of town activities. Standard cafeteria fare is served but fresh options are always available. Most importantly, the food services staff are fantastic and an integral part of the school staff. Special formal suppers such as those celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring, boys hosting the Girls Night Out and girls hosting the Boys Night Out are held throughout the year. The caf also provides meals for purchase at Homecoming and other alumni or special events such as graduation.

LCBI is on the outskirts of Outlook, Saskatchewan and on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. While it is a small town, there are a couple of grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, hardware store, bakery, skating rink, and outdoor pool. There are a number of walking paths and a scenic golf course alongside the river.

Campus life and daily living with other students in the dorm are 24/7 social life. Quiet times in your room and during evening SUPE time are balanced with planned activities, hanging out in the school commons area, playing beach volleyball, spike ball, and other school wide games. You get the chance to truly know people when you live with them so friendships formed are often life-long friendships.Weekend and special activities can include hopping on a LCBI fan van to cheer on the teams at out of town tournaments, shopping trips to the city, hiking trips to the mountains, canoe trips to Northern Saskatchewan, and specialty trips to other parts of Canada during longer breaks.