Leadership interview with Steve Clarke, Armbrae Academy

When I arrived at Armbrae, I was careful not to impose my old context on the new one. What I quickly saw was the strength of Armbrae’s caring culture. Our ceremonies, from pre-primary through high school, show how deeply the community knows and supports each child. Our students often have 8 to 12 significant adults in their circle of care. Families stay for 15 years, and graduates embody a mix of competitiveness and collaboration that is unique: striving for excellence while cheering on their peers. That balance is part of why students and families remain so committed to Armbrae.

Early in my time here, we updated the school motto to 'Be Kind, Work Hard.' It’s simple, but it resonates from age 3 to age 17. We give monthly awards based on kindness and work ethic, and students nominate one another, presenting the awards in front of the entire school. We also hold weekly assemblies where students make announcements, perform, and take on leadership roles, with parents often in attendance. These traditions build confidence, alleviate anxiety, and foster belonging.

We have also invested in intentional social-emotional learning through a scheduled advisory program. Lessons range from study skills to strategies for dealing with anxiety. We’ve added professional staff—counselors, learning support, and an EAL director—to broaden the range of support we offer. These investments help us respond in real time to students’ academic and emotional needs.

Enrollment has grown, and the growth has brought Armbrae to a size where students have more opportunities without losing the close-knit community. Athletics have flourished, with the senior boys’ volleyball team going undefeated and winning provincial and national championships. Success in athletics feeds school spirit, strengthens belonging, and even draws younger students into relationships with older role models.

We’ve also undertaken a strategic planning process to reinvent our high school with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, partnering with Future Design School. At the same time, we are working with our board and community to envision a future facility that would bring everyone back together on one campus. This next phase will require fundraising and community engagement, but it represents Armbrae 2.0.

At the heart of Armbrae are the relationships between teachers and students. Teachers have built enough goodwill that when conflicts arise, students know they are being guided by adults who are invested in their success. For larger issues, we have a team of specialists in learning support, language support, social-emotional support, and inclusive education, along with guidance and direct involvement from me when needed. As Halifax becomes more diverse, sensitive issues occasionally arise, but authentic relationships with families, built every day on the front steps of the school, allow us to work through conflict constructively.

Parents often tell us that they chose Armbrae because of how it felt, something no brochure or website can capture. For families exploring independent schools, the first filter I would recommend is accreditation through CAIS, which guarantees rigorous standards. Beyond that, the right school depends on the child’s needs and aspirations—whether in academics, arts, athletics, or leadership. Visiting the school is essential. Facilities and data are important, but nothing substitutes for how a child feels walking through the halls.

There is no single 'Armbrae student.' The community is diverse, and friendships form that might not exist anywhere else. That diversity, combined with care, opportunity, and excellence, is what makes the school unique. Armbrae is a very special place.