Interview with Ashbury College PARENT, Alexandra Howard

We always had the intention of sending our kids to Ashbury because we felt it was a wonderful school that had many of the qualities we appreciate in education. We loved how the school really values the whole person, not just marks or getting into university. Ashbury has always valued character above all else and cultivates honesty, kindness, and empathy. I also feel the school has always had a high standard of excellence and at its core has a very strong heart.

There is so much to participate in—sports, extracurriculars, and clubs, and a real sense of belonging where kids can amplify their strengths. Our children have absolutely thrived at the school. Both boys started in Grade 7, and there was an adjustment period because the school fosters organization, initiative, and independence early on. Eventually both of the kids thrived.

They really cultivate whole-person education. My children appreciate that it’s not just about the marks but about how the school cultivates the process of learning. When things get hard, there is still engagement, and at the end there is a huge sense of accomplishment. Kids build resilience, collaborate with classmates and teachers, and develop confidence that comes from the inside out. Ashbury gets to know the kids well enough to grow their agency while holding them accountable.

Another thing our kids really appreciate is the quality of their friends. It is such a wonderfully diverse school, and the kids are living diversity every day. They learn from classmates who come from many cultures and backgrounds.

The values of honesty, kindness, empathy, excellence, and achievement are central. The school is very warm and intimate, with a strong feeling of family and care. Kids and teachers have strong relationships with a lot of listening and openness. Kids are allowed to make mistakes, take responsibility, and grow. The school fosters kids who care, who have agency, and who develop intrinsic motivation and a love of learning.

I was surprised at how globally diverse the community was. You go into the cafeteria and see about 70 flags from all over the world. Students learn each other’s religions and cultures and often join one another for dinners or celebrations. There is a culture of gratitude and mutual respect. It is impossible to grow up at Ashbury without developing tolerance, curiosity, and a larger worldview.

There is a huge array of extracurricular activities. My kids love sports—soccer, basketball, rugby, and skiing—and both the boys’ and girls’ teams are exceptional. The theatre and music departments are also very strong. Kids begin theatre, art, and music early in Grade 7, and sometimes that sparks interests they wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. There are clubs every week, including debate, environmental clubs, and Round Square, so there is something for everybody.

The families are very diverse. You have a wide variety of families, including some who sacrifice enormously to send their children to Ashbury. It is a hardworking and appreciative community with a strong work ethic. There is a lot of gratitude and care, which is important to feel in a school.

My eldest son has been very involved in soccer and is proud of his team. He came in shy and quiet but over time stepped forward—becoming a student ambassador, speaking at assemblies, and taking on roles he once avoided. My youngest has also stepped forward, leading assemblies and joining the business club. At Ashbury you can’t really hide; you are pushed in ways that expand you and help you believe you can do it.

The teachers are fantastic at Ashbury. The junior school sets kids up brilliantly for the senior school. Teachers are engaged, communicative, empathetic, and open to dialogue. In the senior school, students become more independent, but the teachers remain available with an open-door approach. The only challenge is that kids sometimes need to step through that door.

Ashbury amplifies not just what your child knows but who they are becoming—their values, agency, and confidence. Know what the next edge is for them and whether the school supports that. Do your due diligence and feel into it. Wherever your child feels they belong is where they will thrive, get the marks, and go on to do brilliant things.