Interview with Armbrae Academy Alum, Ben Ur
- Name
Ben Ur - Grades (year)
Gr. 3 - Gr. 12 - University (major)
Dalhousie University (History & Political Science ) - Gender
Male - Enrolment
Day student - Job/Career
Teacher / Athletic Director
Ben Ur, an alumnus of Armbrae Academy and current teacher, shared his perspective on small classes, strong teacher relationships, academic challenge, community support, diverse student interests, and the school’s culture of belonging, growth, and excellence.
Highlights from the interview
What I appreciate most, I would say are the small class sizes and the communication with teachers were excellent in terms of fostering community and belonging. I would say that being able to engage with teachers on a level that allows for a more personalized approach to what you would like to do in the future, and exploring those options as well, was excellent.
I would say that in terms of putting challenges on students, demanding excellence, and having a wide range of academic courses for the students, the school is excellent. What the school has done is to create a preparatory university-type school in order to have students ready for the academic rigour of universities.
There was a diverse range of athletic opportunities and curricular opportunities. I would say there were similarities in terms of a group that likes to be challenged, that is competitive, and that has a diverse range of skills. I would say the differences are that they all have different passions and different ambitions as well, whether in sports, academics, or arts.
The community was very pleasant and engaging, and I am a teacher now, so it definitely had an impact on me in terms of looking forward to a profession that I wanted to take part in. I would say the support of the parents and the support of the community itself fostered a sense of belonging within each of the students. I think that sense of being an Armbrae student and passing that on going forward is important.
It is an amazing location if you are in and around the area, but also if you work in the area and are able to drop your children off close to downtown and other big facilities including Dalhousie. I would say that over time the facilities have improved a lot as well, expanding to other campuses.
The culture, the desire to create that sense of belonging, and the pursuit of excellence are major factors in recommending anyone to come to the school. I would say that finding ways of figuring out goals and ambitions in that small group is very beneficial to moving forward.
