Read more details about Branksome Hall on their 2025-26 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
What makes Branksome Hall stand out for me is how it pushes you to balance excellence in more than one area of your life. It isn’t a school where you’re expected to just be a strong student or a good athlete but you’re encouraged to be both, and more. For me, that meant getting up before sunrise to row while also committing myself fully to my academics and leadership roles. It’s not easy, but the school culture normalizes discipline and hard work in a way that feels empowering instead of overwhelming. Branksome showed me that the skills you build in one area of your life like perseverance from rowing can absolutely carry over into academics, leadership, and beyond.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
The best thing that happened to me at Branksome was realizing how much more I was capable of than I thought. Rowing taught me resilience, and leadership taught me confidence. Together, those experiences shaped me into someone who’s ready to face challenges head-on.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self not to be intimidated by the intensity of Branksome. Ofcourse it’s tough, yes, but it’s also transformative. My advice to future students is don’t be afraid of early mornings, heavy workloads, or leadership roles. Lean into them, because that’s where the growth happens.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
What I loved most about Branksome was the culture of excellence paired with support. You’re pushed to your limits, but you’re never doing it alone. That’s rare, and it’s something I’ll carry with me forever.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
For incoming students, embrace the challenge, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey. If you’re an athlete, the rowing erg room might become your second home but also make time for friends, clubs, and spontaneous campus moments. My favorite ritual was grabbing a snack after evening practices and just laughing with teammates. It’s the little things that make the big memories.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The IB program at Branksome was tough, but it was also deeply rewarding. My Higher Level Economics class was what really lit a spark for me academically. Every lesson felt like a window into how the world works from markets, policies, human behavior to all things that impact real lives. I loved that it wasn’t abstract; it felt alive and relevant. The teachers at Branksome never let you coast, they expected you to think critically and push yourself but they were also supportive. The workload could be heavy, especially when balanced with rowing, but I honestly feel like it set me up perfectly for the demands of Duke.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
The athletics culture at Branksome is competitive, but also deeply community oriented. Rowing is not a sport you can do halfway, and my coaches knew how to bring the best out of each of us. What I appreciated most was the professionalism of the program, the quality of coaching, the facilities, and the fact that our training mirrored what you’d expect at the university level. At the same time, there was always an emphasis on teamwork and resilience, not just results. I leave Branksome knowing that I can handle whatever NCAA rowing throws at me because of the foundation I built here.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
While most of my time was spoken for with rowing and leadership, I always admired how alive the arts community was at Branksome. Whether it was a musical production, an art showcase, or a concert, there was always something creative happening on campus. It gave balance to the school’s culture, yes, academics and athletics are strong, but the arts remind you that expression and creativity are just as valued. Some of my closest friends were involved in theatre, and watching them on stage gave me so much respect for the range of talent Branksome nurtures.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
Serving as Clubs Prefect meant I got to see just how diverse Branksome’s extracurricular offerings are. There’s a club for practically everything, from robotics to sustainability initiatives. What stood out to me was how much student leadership drives these groups. It isn’t adults dictating how clubs should run but it’s students creating, organizing, and leading. That environment gave me the chance to practice real leadership in a way that felt authentic and meaningful.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Living in residence while juggling rowing and academics was definitely a challenge, but it was also the place where I built my strongest friendships. Dorm life taught me independence in a very real way. You can’t hit snooze when your boat is waiting for you at 5:00 a.m.! But it also gave me community. My roommates and floormates became the people who cheered me on, who stayed up late quizzing me before exams, and who celebrated after long days. The dorm staff were supportive too, making sure we were balancing health with ambition.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
The dining hall became a routine anchor for me. As a rower, fueling properly is critical, and I appreciated that Branksome’s meals offered both nutritious options and comfort food when we needed it. Early breakfasts before practices, quick lunches between classes, and lingering dinners with friends are some of my fondest memories. The food was consistent, but it was really the conversations around the table that made dining special.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
Being in Toronto meant that whenever I had free time (which was rare), I could explore an incredibly vibrant city. From grabbing coffee in local cafés to attending community events, there was always something to do. Having access to the waterfront was especially meaningful as a rower, it made the city feel like an extension of our training ground. Toronto offered both excitement and opportunity, and I think it gave me a strong appreciation for urban life that I’ll carry with me.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
Social life at Branksome can be as full as you want it to be. For me, most of my social world revolved around my team, my clubs, and my dorm, and that was more than enough. There’s something about bonding through 5:00 a.m. practices or late-night study sessions that creates friendships for life. What I liked most was how inclusive the community felt, you could always find your people, whether through shared interests or just a willingness to connect.
Read more details about Branksome Hall on their 2025-26 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
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Branksome Hall taught me early that being an international student isn’t a limitation rather it’s a strength. Moving from Branksome Hall Asia to Toronto in Grade 9, I came with uncertainty, but Branksome welcomed me. . .
Branksome Hall stands out because of how it pushes you to grow both inside and outside the classroom. For me, the unique combination of the IB curriculum and the encouragement to connect academics with personal. . .
Branksome Hall has been so much more than just a school for me; it’s been the place where I found both my confidence and my voice. I think what makes Branksome unique compared to other. . .
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