Merrickville, ON | Grades 9 - 12 | Shortlist
Merrick Preparatory School is one of those hidden gems of the academic world. Housed in an historical inn, nestled within a smaller Ontario town, it has all the benefits of being small as well all the benefits of being proximate to some of nation’s most prominent urban centres and a wealth of notable post-secondary institutions. The school is positioned to support the needs specific to students arriving from overseas, including ESL support and university placement services. The academic program is firmly focused on preparing students for success at university in North America. So, it checks all of the important academic boxes and then some. There’s also a sense that learning isn’t only about what we take away from the experience, but also who we are while we’re here; how we spend our days is how we spend our lives, and students at Merrick spend their days in a spotless, beautiful setting alongside mentors and peers who share the experience with them. It’s one of those schools that is so charming, inviting, and personal, that you just want to sit and stay. As such, it’s a particular draw for students arriving in Canada looking for an authentic experience of the life and culture of the country. It’s a school designed for students to feel known within, and to feel rooted and at home. It succeeds in all of that.
Merrick Preparatory School
It's nice. I love the place because of the love, spirit, and pride I feel when I'm in the building; it feels very "homey." The school treats the students as if they're family and they always strive better for their students as they focus on developing critical thinking, enhancing our creativity and making sure no one is left out. When I'm in the classroom, the classroom environment feels very supportive, the teachers make sure to engage us and that no one is left out on classroom activities; I f... View full review
I was awarded a scholarship to Merrick Preparatory School for Grade 9 as a day student for 2021-2022. So far, my experience has been exceptional: the teachers are involved and always available, the facilities are lovely, and there is no shortage of school and community spirit. There are plenty of opportunities within the school and local town of Merrickville to get things like volunteer hours and feel involved in the community. I like how the days are structured, especially the tumbling schedule... View full review
As our daughter hoped, she has found that the most rewarding aspect of being at Merrick Prep is the chance to meet and to learn with students from a variety of different backgrounds. She enjoys the sharing of different viewpoints and this is easily achieved in a school with such a student makeup. Furthermore she appreciates that learning occurs in more forms and ways than direct instruction and she knows that a school such as this allows for an enriching overall experience. Our daughter like... View full review
Joining Merrick Preparatory School changed my son into a responsible young man. Academically he improved so much with the small number of students it felt like one-to-one teaching. My son is so happy at MPS it’s like a 2nd family to him. He made friends with different age groups and multinational students had fun and played different sports from ice hockey to rafting...etc He worked on developing himself by listening to teachers and headmaster on ways to improve himself academically and pe... View full review
As an international student first arriving to Ontario, the school helped me a lot in overcoming the culture shock that comes with being a foreigner. Due to the fact that the students in the school are mainly international, you truly live the experience of meeting people all around the world. Getting to know the staff and the students and to feel comfortable with them is a must for the school, and they achieve this by having school activities throughout the school year. Out-of-school life is pre... View full review
The staff and the teachers are simply amazing. The care given to my son is second to none. The quality of education and effort given to make sure he excels is truly equivalent to what we give our child as parents. They have truly uplifted my son from an average student to one who excels in everything he does. And what is most amazing about MPS, is that he now loves academia. He thrives on working hard, doing well and keeping his teachers happy, and he truly behaves as if MPS is his second family... View full review
