Albert College - Review #8

If I had to sum up Albert College from first grade to graduating in one thought, it would be how personal everything felt. From memory, I never once felt like just another student. Teachers actually knew me and not just my grades, but how I was doing, what I cared about, even when I was struggling. I think the small size of the school was a big part of that, but it was also the culture. Everyone seemed invested, and that made all the difference.

When I think back, the biggest change was in how comfortable I became in my own skin. If I’m being honest, I came in pretty shy, hesitant to put myself out there. By the time I left, I was standing on stage as Advancement Prefect, speaking to the whole school. That shift didn’t happen overnight but it was a slow build of support from friends, teachers, and even little moments, like being trusted to plan events.

If I could go back, I’d tell my Grade 9 self to stop worrying so much about what people think.

The trust. Teachers didn’t just teach us but they trusted us with real responsibilities, real decisions. That sense of being taken seriously as a teenager made a huge difference.

If you’re new, don’t just walk past the chapel. Sit in there for five minutes when it’s empty, you’ll understand what I mean. It’s where the weight of the school’s history and community really hits you. And if you’re in the dining hall, try the pasta bar. Trust me on that one.

Looking back, I think the IB program shaped me more than I realized at the time. Courses like HL Economics and English Literature pushed me to think critically, not just memorize. If I recall correctly, some teachers would stay after class almost every other day to walk me through concepts I overcomplicated. That patience gave me the confidence to pursue harder classes at university. The workload wasn’t light, but it taught me how to organize myself which honestly has been one of the most practical takeaways.

I wasn’t a varsity athlete, but I did play intramural badminton for a couple of seasons. It was never about medals for me, but about having that physical outlet after long academic days. From memory, the gym was always buzzing after classes with people shooting hoops, practicing volleyball, or just fooling around. I appreciated how athletics at Albert weren’t just for the superstars but open to everyone.

Choir was my home of homes. Singing at chapel assemblies, Christmas concerts, and graduation gave me this sense of tradition that I still get nostalgic about. I also helped backstage once for a school play but I wasn’t in the spotlight, but I learned how much work goes into making performances happen. The arts weren’t an afterthought here if we are to say but they were celebrated.

Serving as Advancement Prefect was probably my proudest contribution. Planning the Terry Fox Run, Orange Shirt Day, and the Christmas Banquet showed me how much responsibility students were trusted with. From memory, staying late to hang decorations with friends felt less like work and more like building a community. That trust from the school helped me grow into someone who isn’t afraid to step up.

I was a day student, but from memory of visiting friends in residence, there was always this warm chaos of people cramming for tests in common rooms, night laughter echoing down hallways. Even though I went home after classes, I still felt included.

I think food is always a hot topic in high school. Some people complained, but honestly, I have good memories of the dining hall. There was this pasta bar (if I recall correctly, Thursdays?) that always had a lineup, and that’s where half the best conversations happened. Mrs. Brown, who worked in the kitchen, always slipped me an extra cookie when she knew I’d had a rough day. It sounds small, but those gestures made it feel like more than just a cafeteria.

Belleville wasn’t big or flashy, but that worked in our favor. We’d walk downtown on weekends for bubble tea or sit by the water when the weather was nice. I remember once during Grade 11 exams, a few of us escaped to Zwick’s Park just to breathe and laugh, that’s what Belleville gave us, space to exhale. It was never overwhelming, and I think that’s why I grew to like it so much.

Because the school wasn’t huge, you ended up knowing everyone. That didn’t mean everyone was best friends, but it did mean you were never invisible. From memory, Spirit Days were always the highlight with wild costumes, loud cheering, and a level of school spirit that caught me off guard in the best way.