Brentwood College School - Review #9

Brentwood College offered me more than a rigorous education,it gave me a community where people believed in me, even when I was unsure of myself. Moving from Edmonton to Brentwood for high school was a big change of new people, new pace, new expectations. What made Brentwood unique was its integrated approach, academics, arts, and athletics all mattered, and none of them came at the expense of the others. The oceanfront campus, the house system, and teachers like Ms. Claire Allen in mathematics and Mr. Gage in athletics made the environment feel both challenging and deeply supportive.

The best thing Brentwood gave me was the belief that I belong in challenging spaces. The rigorous classes, early morning practices (for runners), creative assignments, all pushed me to expand what I thought I was capable of.

If I could go back, I’d tell myself to get into discomfort sooner and ask more questions early, try more leadership roles, not wait for invitations but initiate. My advice to new students is your voice matters already. Speak it.

What I loved most about Brentwood was how it shaped not only what I know, but who I am. It grounded values of resilience, kindness, curiosity and helped me believe in myself. The faculty (people like Ms. Allen, Coach Gage, Mr. Hernández), the school traditions, the natural campus all combine to make something special.

If you’re coming into Brentwood, go in with an open heart and a willingness to try things that scare you. Join something you’ve never done before. Ask for help, not only academically, but in life. Treasure the small pauses of sunrise practices, dinners with friends, walks by the water. Those are the moments you’ll carry with you.

Brentwood’s academics were demanding. Teachers didn’t just teach but they also mentored. In courses like science and English, I had to not only get the content right, but explain why it mattered. The classroom wasn’t just a place to memorize, it was a place to argue, to question, to connect ideas. I loved that. I remember spending evenings in the study centre, asking Ms. Coull or Mr. Hernández questions until everything clicked. That rigor helped prepare me for the intensity of my studies at U of T Scarborough.

I participated in running meets and general fitness, not all varsity level, but enough to be committed. The athletic program at Brentwood pushes you, not necessarily to championship wins, but to build stamina, teamwork, discipline. The coaches are impressive especially, demanding but fair, always reminding you that consistency often matters more than raw talent. Those early-morning runs, the training in fog or drizzle, taught me resilience in small but growing doses.

While art wasn’t my strongest subject, I appreciated how Brentwood encouraged creativity. I often attended theatre productions and music concerts, cheering for friends, helping backstage, eating popcorn in the audience. If one of my quieter talents was listening, then in those moments I felt part of something larger. Seeing others shine in arts, and being welcomed into that space even as a spectator helped me appreciate the kind of person I can be.

Volunteering and helping in extra-curriculars were a big part of my growth. I volunteered outside school, helping with local community groups (Book Fairs, etc.), and within Brentwood, I believe I helped with peer-mentoring or leadership initiatives. These roles taught me responsibility, helped me build confidence in speaking up, organizing tasks, and working with others. They shaped how I view giving back, a value I carry into my work and studies today.

Being in residence (or spending time with boarding students) meant learning how to live independently managing my time, sharing space, practicing empathy with roommates. Even if I was a day student, those evening study groups or sleepovers in residence made me appreciate the warmth of dorm life. There’s something about being with peers late at night, exchanging ideas, helping each other with problem sets, that is deeply formative.

The dining hall was more than food; it was community. I remember walking in after a long day of sport, labs, or arts, hungry and tired, and finding friends at my table, talking about everything from who was ahead in math to upcoming debates. The food was good, and I always appreciated the variety. One of the comforts was when someone would recognize how long you were away at practice and just offer a kind word over dinner.

Mill Bay and the surrounding area are peaceful and inspiring. The natural beauty of ocean views, always a mist or fresh air helped me ground myself. Sometimes on weekends you’d head into town for cafés, library evenings, walks on the shore. Being relatively close to Victoria also meant opportunities for city culture without losing that small-community feel. That environment helped me recharge and find perspective amidst academic pressure.

My social life at Brentwood wasn’t perfect because there were moments of homesickness, uncertainty, feeling like I didn’t know where I fit in. But there were many more moments of belonging. Friendships formed over shared struggles (like understanding a tough physics concept), shared laughter, and shared meals. I had peers who supported me, who celebrated my successes, who comforted me in my off days. That network made all the difference.