Branksome Hall - Review #1

What made Branksome different for me was how the school encouraged you to try things, even if you had no idea what you were doing. The motto, "Keep Well The Road," is this old saying from a poem that I did not think about until graduation, and then it suddenly made sense. The campus itself is 13 acres in the middle of Toronto, and it has this ravine woodlot with a winding path that makes you forget you are in a city. Walking through there between classes to clear my head became a regular thing. The IB program was a lot of work, but it taught me how to think, not just memorize, and the community was genuinely supportive. Teachers knew you well and were there to help when you asked.

The biggest thing I gained from Branksome was confidence. I became much more comfortable asking questions, taking on challenges, and speaking up when I had an idea.

If I could do one thing differently, I would stop worrying so much about getting everything perfect. Things usually worked out and I would have enjoyed the experience more if I had stressed a little less. I also learned that it is okay to not have all the answers, and that asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness.

What I liked most about Branksome was the people. The academics were excellent but the friendships and the teachers are what I remember most. They challenged me, supported me, and made the school feel like more than just a place to study. The small moments like walking through the ravine with a friend or laughing during a cultural dinner, are the memories that will stick with me.

Don't spend your first month trying to look like you have everything figured out. Nobody does. Say yes to opportunities, even if they seem a little intimidating, like joining a new club or volunteering for an event. And when the IB workload starts piling up, take a break once in a while. Oddly enough, some of my best ideas came after a walk through the ravine instead of staring at the same page for another hour. Also, I wish I had tried the woodshop in the iCAST building earlier. It looked like a great place to build something with your hands.

The IB programme is demanding, and there were definitely weeks when it felt like everything was due at once. Looking back, though, I am grateful for it. It taught me how to manage my time and not give up when things got difficult. My teachers expected a lot from us, but they were always willing to help if we reached out. I remember my chemistry teacher staying after class to go over a concept I just could not grasp. That kind of support makes a huge difference when you are feeling overwhelmed by the workload.

Sports were a good break from academics. You did not have to be the best athlete to be part of the community. I swam in the saltwater pools after school some days and it was a great way to reset after spending hours in class. The coaches wanted everyone to improve, and practices were a chance to just move and not think about assignments for a while. It reminded me that not every challenge comes with a grade.

The arts are a big part of life at Branksome. There were always concerts, exhibitions, or performances happening, especially in the new iCAST building, which had a studio theatre for productions and a tension grid for lighting. I liked that people supported each other, even if they were not involved themselves. It made the community feel connected and celebrated creativity in all its forms.

There was no shortage of clubs or leadership opportunities. One thing I appreciated was that students were encouraged to start something new if they saw a gap. I remember some friends starting a club focused on specific cultural traditions, and the school supported them, which was great to see. It felt like ideas were taken seriously, which made it easier to get involved and make a difference.

Even if you already considered yourself independent, boarding teaches you a lot. You learn how to manage your own schedule, share space with other people, and solve little problems on your own. The boarding community of about 50 students from across Canada and the world is really kinda close like a family. Some of my favorite memories are just sitting in the common room after cultural dinners, where we would share stories from our homes and laugh about the day.

The dining hall became one of the places where everyone crossed paths. The best was when the boarding community hosted cultural dinners, and Chef Peter would prepare a special menu based on student suggestions, like making Longevity Noodles for the Lunar New Year. It was not just about eating; it was where we would catch up after classes, compare notes on assignments, and convince ourselves we would start studying right after lunch.

Being in Toronto was one of the best parts of Branksome. The campus is in the heart of the city, so there was always something to do after school or on the weekend. We would walk to the ROM sometimes, try a new café in the neighbourhood or just walk down to the waterfront. The city gave you the chance to step away from campus without going far, which was a nice balance.

Because the school is fairly all familiar, you get to know people across different grades pretty quickly. Between classes, clubs, and special events you are around the same people every day and those friendships become really strong over time. The community feels like a global village, with students from many different backgrounds, and it is fun to learn about each other's traditions.