Ashbury College - Review #1

When I first arrived at Ashbury College, what struck me most was how seamlessly it blended tradition with innovation. The campus felt classic, nestled in Ottawa’s Rockcliffe Park, but everything inside, from smart boards in classrooms to that green roof above the Junior School all felt forward-thinking. What set Ashbury apart for me was its commitment to international engagement through the IB curriculum and Global Citizenship programs. We weren’t just learning chemistry or literature, we were invited to look beyond textbooks, take part in service projects, and treat empathy and action as academic outcomes.

Looking ahead, I pursued golf seriously at Laurier, becoming a two-time OUA First Team All-Star and representing Canada internationally. If I could go back, I’d join more creative clubs earlier, even if just to figure out what I liked. At Ashbury, don’t wait to feel “qualified.” Just dive in.

Ask questions early. Build something, even a tiny club or project. Lean into the arts or environmental initiatives.

What I loved most was the trust Ashbury placed in students to lead and shape the experience. IB challenged me intellectually, small classes made it personal, and the extracurricular culture encouraged real-world impact. It wasn’t a school that stayed inside its walls, it was a launching pad for action, connection, and growth.

Walk through the science wing at dusk cos it’s quiet, lit up, and peaceful and makes you feel like possibilities are endless. And don’t skip on spring rolls, they’re unexpected comfort food. Most importantly, if you see a gap in student life, try to fill it. That’s how Ashbury becomes not just a school, but your school.

Academics at Ashbury were intense but they never felt impersonal. With class sizes under 18, teachers knew us by name and often adjusted assignments to match our interests. I’ll never forget Mrs. Boulianne in biology, who let me propose a lab experiment based on the algae I saw in the canal. The IB programme pushed me to think critically and write clearly, but also to explore creativity in subjects like Theory of Knowledge and Visual Arts. I went into IB thinking I was no “science person,” but after slapping on safety goggles and working in those real labs, I discovered a discipline I genuinely enjoy.

Sport became a significant part of my story. Although I didn’t start Ashbury as a golfer, I grew up playing hockey and I eventually found my path in golf thanks to the school’s broad support. At Ashbury, I participated in rowing and intramural sports, but the school encouraged all levels. The coaches were encouraging, not pushy but they made sure you felt supported, whether you were a beginner or a captain. That attitude helped me transition confidently into competitive sport later at Laurier and eventually represent Canada at the FISU World University Championships

Though I wasn’t on stage, I spent many nights backstage. Lighting crews, set construction, and poster design: I helped in all those ways. Ashbury showed me that arts aren’t limited to the spotlight; community happens behind it too. The school gave serious respect to student-run creativity so everyone had a role, from poster artist to soundboard operator.

Ashbury offered a wide array of clubs from environmental advocacy to debate to media and you could always start a new one. Leading the environmental action team was one of my proudest experiences: we lobbied successfully for solar panels, organized speaker events, and inspired real changes on campus. It was freedom to act on ideas that made me feel the school truly trusted us.

I was a day student, so I joined dorm events sometimes but didn’t live on campus. Still, I had a good view: I saw how other students lived together late night brainstorms, coffee-fueled study sessions, shared room challenges, and building friendships fast in Medhurst or Connaught House. It wasn’t rigid, it was a caring community with rhythm, structure, and space for connection.

Meals ran from hearty breakfasts to family-style dinners in Maclaren Hall. The international menu kept it fun Asian stir-fry, curry nights, Mediterranean bowls. I was always rooting for spring rolls from the pantry, they were secret study-session fuel. The dining hall was more than a meal spot, it was where students gathered, shared stories, and breathed life into community.

Ottawa offered a peaceful yet dynamic backdrop. Ashbury’s location in Rockcliffe Park gave quiet green spaces, but just minutes away were the Rideau Canal, museums, and downtown. I spent weekends filming short projects by the canal or exploring galleries, and sometimes those experiences turned into school initiatives or creative ideas.

Social life at Ashbury felt grounded in real connection not just social events but shared purpose. Friendships often grew out of clubs or volunteer work, not just cafeteria seating. Whether we were rehearsing for a drama show, planning an environmental week, or preparing rowing race snacks, friendships were built on collaboration and action.