Read more details about Pickering College on their 2026 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Pickering College shaped how I think about learning and community in a way few places did before. I came to Pickering knowing I wanted a space where words and ideas mattered. I found that in classrooms and in student voices initiatives. Teachers here didn’t just assign work, they talked with you about why it mattered. I saw that most clearly when excerpts of my writing were featured on the student life page and faculty took time to talk to me about narrative choices and structure after it was published.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
The best thing that happened to me was learning how to trust my thinking. Early in senior year I won first place in a writing competition for my piece “The Duet Between The Body & The Mind,” and seeing my voice published felt affirming. That moment helped me see writing not only as something I practiced but something I could share. I grew more assured about expressing ideas and about engaging in public conversation.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
If I had to do something differently, I wouldm ask for feedback more often in science and math earlier on, not just in humanities. My advice is find one activity that stretches your comfort zone and show up consistently. Small progress adds up
4.) What did you like most about your school?
I appreciated that Pickering expected thought, not silence. Teachers and peers pushed me to articulate why I believed what I did and that shaped how I approach problems now.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Bring a notebook. Use it for quick notes during classes and during quieter meals. Sit in the library corner facing the east window. Talk with dorm parents about your schedule early on. Those small moves help you settle faster than you think.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Academics at Pickering were demanding but fair. I learned early on how important preparation was. Teachers wanted evidence of thought. My English and humanities teachers spent time pushing me to refine my voice. In science classes I learned how to structure a lab report carefully. Math felt like a puzzle that required patience.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
I was not on a varsity team but I attended school fitness sessions and casual group runs. Some of my closest conversations with classmates happened on those walks. The coach talked more about persistence and personal improvement than winning. That meant joining didn’t feel intimidating. I didn’t keep a training log but I did notice the effect it had on how I handled stress around tests.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
I wasn’t a performer but I often sat at the back during theatre nights or arts presentations. Watching peers engage with their craft was inspiring. The arts department offered spaces where students could try something new without pressure. I remember one night in the art studio after classes when a small group of us gathered to work through a poetry exercise.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
Volunteer work was everywhere at Pickering. I signed up to help with paired reading sessions with younger students at local elementary schools. Once a month I rode with a small group to read with Grade 2 and Grade 3 classes. Those mornings were slow to start but rewarding once we saw the kids’ faces light up when they read a tricky sentence out loud. I also helped coordinate a donation drive for local shelters during winter. Seeing a pile of collected items grow week by week made the community feel active and connective.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Boarding was a mix of routines and human moments. Study periods were built into each evening. I learned how to block time around heavier assignments. Dorm parents checked in often without hovering. Some nights, two or three of us sat at the large common table working through homework and sharing ideas for upcoming discussions. Other nights were quieter. I struggled with homesickness early on but our house team was patient with my pacing and encouraged regular check-ins.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
The dining hall was where conversations often started and ended. Tables weren’t assigned rigidly, so you could sit with different groups and hear new perspectives. Some lunches were quick affairs before afternoon meetings. Dinners were full meals with moments of laughter, planning and catching up. I noticed how the dining staff remembered preferences and made small changes when students gave feedback. That mattered more than I expected.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
Newmarket felt calm. I walked to a nearby cafe a few times during free afternoons and chatted with classmates there. A short bus ride went to shops or a local bookshop. The surroundings helped make breaks from school feel simple and grounding. We weren’t in a big city so time outside campus felt restful and uncluttered.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
Pickering’s social rhythm was not loud but it was steady. Friday nights meant movie screenings or group meet-ups in the common room. Weekends offered optional trips to nearby parks or community events. I formed friendships through whispered exam-week check-ins and shared snacks. I learned how to balance social time with tasks ahead. Those little choices mattered when I struggled to stay focused.
Read more details about Pickering College on their 2026 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
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Pickering College shaped how I think about learning and community in a way few places did before. I came to Pickering knowing I wanted a space where words and ideas mattered. I found that in. . .
Pickering College shaped me in steady ways. Some grew slowly, some felt immediate. The school places strong attention on respect and personal responsibility. I noticed this in Morning Meeting, where we gathered to listen, to. . .
Pickering College felt like a place built for thinkers, doers, and people who care. The school always emphasized kindness, integrity and community. When I arrived as a boarder, I immediately felt the “circle of care”. . .
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