The regions Bishop's College School offers busing from are:
Additional notes: BCS provides buses to and from the Montreal-Trudeau Airport (YUL), the Dorval Shopping Centre, and downtown Montreal (Windsor Station) for school opening and all school holidays and breaks.
How we see Bishop's College School
Bishop’s College School (BCS) was founded in 1836, becoming an all-gender school in 1972 through an amalgamation with King's Hall, Compton. That long history is apparent in the traditions that remain at the school, including chapel (now non-denominational) three times a week, the social organization of the school into houses, and a thriving and varied co-curricular offering. BCS has a strong culture of leadership, and students are encouraged to get out of their comfort zone and take on leadership roles in their house, within activities and committees, and through cadets. Athletics are an integral part of daily life at BCS: every student participates in an individual or team sport five days a week (and they also participate in three different sports a year). BCS has been a member of Round Square since 1986, something which provides a foundation for the diversity of the student population, one that includes students from over 40 countries despite an annual enrolment of around 270 students.
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How Bishop's College School sees itself
"Established in 1836 in Lennoxville, Quebec, Bishop’s College School (BCS) offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and course certificates along with Canadian curricula. Bordered by farmland and rolling hills on one side and the city of Sherbrooke on the other, BCS is a small, welcoming community with students from over 40 different countries. A well-rounded education of academics, athletics, arts, leadership development, and global citizenship prepares BCS students to become tomorrow’s leaders."
"No two students are alike and as such your BCS experience is unlike anyone else’s. Much like a ‘choose your own adventure’ book, your time at BCS is tailored to you, shaped by the classes you take, the sports and clubs you participate in, and the countless leadership and service opportunities you take advantage of. Our students graduate from BCS as caring, open-minded, confident, and engaged global citizens equipped to take on the world and excel in their pursuits."
"BCS is situated in the ideal location—it's the perfect balance of safe, small-town convenience and big city accessibility. With an average class size of 15 students, our students develop close relationships with their teachers who also serve as their coaches, advisors, and are part of the boarding houses. Students are further supported by a full-time school counsellor, nurse, physiotherapist, and strength & conditioning coach, as well as academic support in our R.D.W. Howson Enrichment Centre."
"Our elite hockey program comprised of a Varsity Team and a Prep Team is considered a ‘hidden gem’ in the hockey world. Three alumni of our hockey program have been drafted to the NHL in the past four years. Noah Dobson, BCS’18, Dawson Mercer, BCS’19, and Evan Nause, BCS’21, were all selected in recent NHL drafts. This year our Varsity team took home the MPHL championship and our Prep Team claimed the NISIC championship.
Discover our elite program that is taking players to the next level!"
"Location matters and our 250-acre campus in bilingual Quebec is perfectly situated at a short walk from the cozy borough of Lennoxville and a quick drive from bustling downtown Sherbrooke. Our region is called the Eastern Townships and we are lucky to be surrounded by beautiful hills, lakes, trails, and farmland. Our students enjoy skiing and snowshoeing in the winter and hiking and watersports in the spring. The Moulton Hill landscape is one of the things our alumni tell us they miss most!"
"-280 students: at BCS you’re a friend, teammate & important member of the community—and everyone knows your name.
-250-acre campus: optimal learning environment both indoors and outdoors.
-85% boarding: creates ‘home away from home’ close-knit connections.
-40+ countries represented: meet the world and be shaped/inspired by different perspectives, cultures, and ideas.
-55+ (and counting!) co-curriculars: get involved and get hands-on leadership, character-building, and service experience."
Bishop's College School operates summer camps and programs. Click here to learn about Bishop’s College School Summer Camps .
How people from the school’s community see Bishop's College School
Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone
Michel Lafrance, Head of School
As I enter my third year at the school, I value the connectedness of our community and the wonderfully diverse and vibrant individuals who contribute to the school every day.
The stories I hear from alumni and past parents all have a common thread: a deep love for the school, the friendships made, and the lessons learned inside and outside the classroom. For most, it has been life-changing and the influence of a teacher, houseparent, staff member, coach, or classmate has molded their personal and professional path.
BCS is a special place that offers a unique experience and we are committed to continuing to see the school thrive. We provide a multitude of opportunities for students to live and learn in a culture of equality, inclusion, and respect. These are highlighted by the school’s core values: Lead, Grow, Engage, Experience, and Explore.
We are proud that BCS is a leader in independent school education. We are proud that our faculty, staff, administration, and volunteers are committed to educating and shaping the next generation of global citizens and world leaders. We are proud that our students value and cherish respect, perseverance, independence, and leadership.
As we turn our attention to the upcoming 2022-23 school year, we are approaching it with excitement and anticipation as we purposefully design the best possible education and life experience for all our students. We also have many renovations and upgrades planned throughout our 250-acre campus this spring and summer and we look forward to unveiling these improvements when the students arrive in September.
It is an exciting time to join BCS and I invite your entire family to share in that excitement as you embark upon your BCS journey and begin living the experience of a lifetime. I hope you enjoy learning more about what makes our school unique, why students are happy here, and why our mission is to create a caring community of learning and development, where cultures connect and individuals matter. I wish you and your family health and happiness and a year ahead filled with joy and fulfillment.
Kind regards,
Michel Lafrance
32nd Head of School
Most big schools provide your extroverted child with plenty of social opportunities and the ability to interact with different peer groups with a wide range of personalities, interests, values, etc. A larger student population and more extracurriculars—including activities like team sports, arts programs, and debate—will give them a broader scope of opportunities to participate in events that scratch their interpersonal itch. “This may also give them the opportunity to hone certain skills,” say Ann and Karen Wolff of Wolff Educational Services. “For instance, they might run for student council to develop leadership and public speaking skills and learn to be a voice for other students.”
Throughout the continuum—from the Primary Years Programme (PYP) to the Diploma Programme (DP)—the IB offers plenty of group work, projects, and activities, which can be great for extroverts who often enjoy social and collaborative learning. Also, “Since IB schools have a strong emphasis on community service and activism, your child will have great opportunities to harness their outgoing and collaborative personality,” says Stacey Jacobs, Director of Clear Path Educational Consulting. These schools will also give your child the chance to interact and spend time with a bright, motivated, and ambitious group of kids who may have interests similar to them.
However, given the challenging curriculum and heavy workload of the IB, it can sometimes leave less time for socializing. This makes it especially important to ask about social opportunities at the school, including the ability to interact with different peer groups, both in class and out.
If you’re considering a language immersion school for your extroverted child, make sure it offers a wide range of social opportunities, including the ability to interact with kids outside of class. Since most of your child’s learning won’t be in their mother tongue, they may find it challenging at times to negotiate the complexities of social interaction in the classroom. This makes it especially important to ensure the school offers extensive extracurriculars—such as volunteering, sports teams, and arts programs—which will help your child satisfy their need to interact and make friends.
At a boarding school, your extroverted child will likely enjoy seeking out and interacting with peer groups from different backgrounds, away from home. In fact, studying and living with other kids for an extended period of time, as many alumni tell us, provides the unique opportunity to form close relationships that can last well beyond the school years. Many boarding schools also have large student populations and more extracurriculars—including activities like student council, team sports, and arts programs—which will give your outgoing child a broader scope of opportunities to feed off the energy of others, and possibly even become a leader, in a dynamic environment.
Keep in mind, though, “Being an extrovert can be a catalyst for getting involved in lots of activities, which can sometimes be hard to manage,” says Joanne Foster, Toronto-based education consultant and author of ABCs of Raising Smarter Kids. “For instance, a particularly extroverted child may try to end up juggling too many people and activities. While they still may thrive at a boarding school, it helps to know your child and how much social interaction they can handle comfortably.”
Make sure any prospective school, no matter what size, provides the right social environment to help your child feel at home, make friends, and develop confidence. This is especially important at big schools, which are sometimes more socially overwhelming and challenging for an introvert to find their bearings in. Of course, “Because larger schools usually have a more diverse student population, introverted kids are more likely to find a small group of people like them, a peer group they can relate to and find acceptance from,” says Dona Matthews, Toronto-based education consultant and co-author (with Joanne Foster) of Beyond Intelligence.
Bigger schools often have a broader scope of extracurricular activities, which is another way to help your child meet the right group of friends. “This may also give them the opportunity to develop certain skills,” say Ann and Karen Wolff of Wolff Educational Services. “For instance, they might run for student council to develop leadership and public speaking skills and learn to be a voice for other students. Remember, though, each child is different—so what works for one may not work for another.”
IB schools give your child the opportunity to interact and spend time with a bright, motivated, and ambitious group of kids who may have interests similar to them. Due to the IB’s heavy focus on group work, the programme offers a social and collaborative learning environment, which can help your introverted child overcome their shyness and get to know their peers well. This can relieve some of the pressure associated with having to take the initiative outside of class to make friends.
Just make sure any school you're considering offers enough independent work time for your introverted child—something which can vary widely between IB schools.
If you’re considering a language immersion school for your introverted child, make sure it offers plenty of social opportunities, including the ability to interact with different peer groups outside of class. Since most of your child’s learning won’t be in their mother tongue, they may find it challenging at times to negotiate the complexities of social interaction in the classroom. This makes it especially important to ensure the school offers extensive extracurriculars—such as student council, volunteering, and team sports—which can enable your child to connect with peers, make new friends outside of class, overcome their shyness, and develop critical social skills.
At a boarding school, your introverted child will be more motivated (and virtually compelled) to seek out and interact with different peer groups. Away from home and in a new environment, they’re more likely to take the initiative to form close friendships, which can boost their independence and confidence, and help them develop critical social skills.
"Consider, though, whether your child will be comfortable and confident while living away from home, and while having to navigate the various, and sometimes unforeseen social-emotional experiences, alongside the academic challenges,” says Joanne Foster, education expert and author of ABCs of Raising Smarter Kids. Finally, ensure support systems are in place to promote their social and emotional development, and that your child is willing and prepared to take advantage of them. Your child will often need to advocate for themselves at a boarding school, and they’ll need confidence and perseverance to do so.
THE OUR KIDS REPORT: Bishop's College School
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