Read more details about Albert College on their 2025 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
When I was selecting a boarding school to attend, I was looking for a school that had a welcoming community that I felt I would fit in with. I felt Albert offered a very well rounded academic, arts and sport scene and that there were many boarding students that would be sharing my same experience of being away from family.
One of the main features that drew me to Albert College was mandatory participation in school activities and this meant that I would be able to participate in activities, clubs and sports across a wide variety of experiences. This was very attractive to me since I was not 'super athletic' but like being involved. Albert was very inclusive and encouraged participation at all levels, this was very appealing to me. The school also had 'house' teams where every student was assigned a house, and participated in intramural as well as other fun activities where the whole school was involved. These events allowed houses to collect points for their teams and compete (in a fun way) to win at the end of the year.
I am not sure if other schools do this, but Albert college kicks off each year with an all school camp, where everyone goes away to sleep away camp. This included the day students etc... It was an amazing event filled with team building activities, sleeping together in one giant dorm room, campfires and sing alongs, and passing on school traditions and experiences. I unfortunately got sick while away at sleep away camp, so I spent more than half the time in the infirmary, but I remember the one day and night that I did participate as so much fun, and solidified friendships for the entire year. You really get to know your classmates when you have to cold plunge in the lake at 7am.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
The best thing about boarding school is that I got to experience being away from my family in a 'supervised' manner. Meaning I had support structures in place with lots of staff available during the school day as well as at the Manor where we boarded, that I never felt lost or alone, scared or uncertain. Additionally food and cleaning was all 'done behind the scenes'. Once at University, I quickly realized how lucky I was to have had all these supports. It definitely gave me a leg up when going off to University, being in a dorm with many others that had never left home before.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
Embraced all the opportunities to practice and become engaged in school life, community, extra curriculars and other opportunities. There are so many things to take advantage of to learn and to grow. You can still be having fun with your friends AND volunteer to chair a committee or event , often the fun is in the execution and collaboration with others on a shared project or goal, work can often be fun if you do it together.
I would definitely have been involved in more teams, activities, and school initiatives.
Join in and have fun!
4.) What did you like most about your school?
Excellence in academics, involvement in school life and dormitory living with students from all over the world.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Get ready to have fun at sleep away camp the first weeks of school, it is truly so much fun. Take lots of pictures because you will forget and it is always fun to remember the great times.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
I have always said that the academics and work ethic I learned in one year at Albert College set me up for success at University. I sailed through first year of University based on the strength of skills and habits I learned at Albert.
At Albert I took arts and humanities courses: English, Canadian History, Economics, World Issues, Sociology, & French. We had daily study hall during school hours as well as supervised study hall in the evenings after dinner. During study hall many teachers were also available to help if necessary.I really liked the smaller sized classes, this gave me 1:1 attention from teachers. If I was struggling, it wouldn't take long to connect with my teacher and have some coaching to help bring me up to speed. It also allowed for more class participation.We also were assigned an academic advisor that we could go to and discuss goals, areas of improvement, support, challenges and just about anything under the sun including any issues we may be having over at the boarding manor.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
I do remember having mandatory participation in sports. You had to pick at least one sport or athletic activity per term. I actually really liked this model, allowing for those that may not have been naturally athletically gifted to participate and improve my skills in sports. Wednesday afternoons were for traveling to sports games and away activities which was always fun to get off campus and engage with other schools and teams away from our main school.
I also remember the variety of sports and activities available to pick from e.g. swimming, badminton, soccer, field hockey, rugby, etc... there were lots of options.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
As mentioned above, the Musical theatre production was an amazing experience. One that I suggest everyone become involved in, even if you don't want to be on the main stage as an actor. There are so many different aspects to get involved in this production, it is one of the annual premier events!
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
One of the fun opportunities afforded to boarding students was the ability to babysit some of the resident staff's children. This was always fun for the kids and students babysitting. It afforded a few hours of non school 'normalcy' and exposure to favourite staff's kids and playing with younger kids.While I was at albert there was lots of opportunities to be involved in leadership activities and community events like newsletters and yearbook and other such community building activities. I was more focused on dorm life and social antics vs. leadership, but I remember there were many that appreciated these opportunities.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
By far the most fun thing about Albert College was Dorm life. I lived in the "Manor" (aka Victoria Manor) in the old wing on the bottom flat (aka floor). It was so much fun. We each had a double occupancy room, some prefects did have private rooms but it was rare. My room mate and I got along very well, and are still friends 35 years later!!! I actually am still great friends with about 6 of my dorm mates and keep in touch with over 12. Truly life long friendships are made in a short period of time.
Each room had a sink, 2 closets, 2 desks, & 2 beds, desk lamps and bed lamps and a window. The closets were huge and contained drawers and space to hang clothes. And we had storage in the basement for trunks and luggage. We brought all our own bedding (sheets, pillows, duvet, towels, bathrobe etc...) and our bedrooms were very much a reflection of who we were and what we liked. I had photos of my family cat all over my walls. But we were allowed to decorate how ever we wanted.I remember piling 4,5, 6, 10 of us across 2 beds chatting, laughing and being silly together. I remember 'dressing up' in funny costumes and having fashion shows for the whole manor. These for me, were a highlight not just for Halloween but for a regular Tuesday evening or Saturday night, especially if everyone needed a good laugh. We dressed up as nuns, as 'rock stars', as 'nerds', togas, 'dress like your roommate', and other funny themes. Usually involving makeup, hats, towels, and raiding each other's closets. My old room mate still likes to ask me if I want to see her closet.I also remember watching TV together on 'Must See TV' Thursday nights... dozens of girls would crowd together onto couches and across pillows on the floor to watch 90210 together as well as other popular shows of the time. In the basement there were music rooms for music practice, a big common TV room as well as smaller activity rooms you could use while you waited for your laundry to be done or just wanted a break and hang out. There were other smaller 'hang out areas' one with a piano, a kitchen, a more 'formal' common room where we would host birthday parties and bigger events.
Dating myself here, but 'back in the day' we had to book time to be able to use the phone for long distance calls. Once a week I would book a time to use the phone to call home to say hi to my parents and chat about home.The only thing I remember not liking about dorm life / being away at school was the lack of privacy in the bathrooms. There were some toilets on campus that were more private... go and find them and use them. Because the majority of the toilets are large multi stall washrooms, which were challenging for me, since I had anxiety around this. I would say this was one of the few negatives in terms of experiences I had while at Albert.Mostly, dorm Life was so much fun, it is where solid friendships were made over laughter and fun times.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
We had to sign into each meal, I remember missing some (sleeping in past breakfast) and getting in trouble (detention ?) for missing too many. We were assigned seats and rotated positions. With shared responsibilities for cleaning up and serving weekend meals.
Mostly I remember many options available at each meal, and there was always a salad bar, desert and different milk and juice options. The food was very good and you could always grab a piece of fruit if you were hungry during non meal times.
We ate at long dining tables with 12 students per table, and a prefect at the 'head' of each table.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
We were allowed to go into town on weekends. Sometimes we would head to town to see a movie at the movie theatre, head over to the park and waterfront to hang out and walk. And we would sometimes head as afar as the mall to do some shopping. We were lucky to be very close to downtown, where there was a movie theatre and lots of coffee shops and restaurants to 'hang' out in our spare time. Belleville is a decent sized community, and most things are within an easy walk of the main school campus.
In the warmer months (June) toward the end of school we would go swimming in the lake at the park just in front of the school, Zwicks park, it was a lot of fun.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
The friendships and bonds made with my boarding school class mates. Amazing experience.
Read more details about Albert College on their 2025 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
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Description
When I was selecting a boarding school to attend, I was looking for a school that had a welcoming community that I felt I would fit in with. I felt Albert offered a very well. . .
1. Responsible staffs that focus on all aspects of students’ development.
2. Large variety of activities to help students understand the Canadian culture. . .
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