Ashbury College - Review #2

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 was the Centre for Science & Innovation with cutting‑edge labs, maker spaces, and robotics workshops. I was drawn to STEM, and having a 3D‑printer room and laser‑cutter access in Grade 10 was incredibly rare. Those resources made research feel like real work rather than homework.

My best experience is seeing our school solar panels turned on during the 2022 Earth Day assembly. I saw something I initiated come to life. I grew academically, ethically, globally.

If I did anything differently, I would’ve taken more IB art or theatre electives earlier. My advice for new students is join something outside your comfort zone right away, and let teachers like Dr. Boulianne know your interests because they actually listen.

What I liked most was the balance between rigorous academic preparation, deep extracurricular engagement, and strong ethical grounding. Ashbury taught me to think like an engineer and act like a global citizen.

Walk the science wing at dusk, labs lit up look like MIT. Try the pantry’s spring rolls. And attend one faculty led weekend speaker event and you’ll see professors who know your name.

Academically, Ashbury was rigorous. The IB diploma classes are demanding, with a global perspective. I loved Theory of Knowledge seminars where we challenged current events and ethics, and higher‑level physics classes where experiments felt university‑level. Workload was heavy, yes, but teachers like Dr. Boulianne and Mr. Hall guided us with patience. They helped me refine research questions and structure my Extended Essay, which ultimately led to my Cornell application success.

Sport at Ashbury wasn’t mandatory, but strongly encouraged. I fenced for two seasons and rowed both regional and school crews. The coaches weren’t there just to win; they were excellent mentors who helped us find balance with studies. I appreciated having such varied choices and a respectful competition culture.

Though I was more science‑focused, I got involved in the Theatre Tech Crew for two plays by helping manage lighting and sets. Ashbury’s facilities are professional-grade, and theatre teachers encouraged cross-disciplinary involvement. It was meaningful to see the school support STEM students who wanted to volunteer in the arts.

Outside sports and arts, I co‑founded the robotics team and lobbied for solar panels via the environmental group. I represented Ashbury at Model UN and debate tournaments. The range of clubs meant you could actually try things like coding club, photography, or wellness initiatives without being judged for not being “talented.” That ethos shaped my sense of community.

Though I was a day student, weekends with boarding students felt inclusive such that campus events, dinners, and retreats were open to all. I visited boarders’ dorms during Global Week activities; I valued the diversity and exchange of perspectives from peers across Canada and the world.

The Dining Hall offered rotating international menus such as South Asian curry nights, Mediterranean bowls, etc. always fresh and healthy. No assigned tables meant I could sit with different friends each day. Coffee and snacks were available in the common areas during after‑school study times.

Ashbury sits in a peaceful residential area of Ottawa close to museums, Parliament Hill, and the Rideau Canal. Lots of teams or classes took trips downtown. For weekend downtime, a walk to the canal or coffee in the Glebe neighbourhood was perfect.

Student socials ranged from cultural festivals, talent shows, Model UN retreats to casual board‑game nights in the common room. It felt inclusive as students organized events professionally but warmly. I felt connected even if I wasn’t in every club.