REVIEW OF Braemar House School BY parent, Michelle Szarka

(5) Student Experience

Was an excellent experience for all three of my children. The school environment is positive and affirming, but with clear expectations of what it means to be a contributing, disciplined, and successful student. Teachers go above and beyond, and each student is made to feel special. Individual needs are assessed, and I felt each one of my children had a unique experience based on their own personalities and interests. I loved the extracurriculars and felt that arts, athletics, and STEM were equally weighted and prioritized. School spirit is excellent, and the emphasis on values, virtues, and social responsibility was evident in everything. The community involvement gave my kids a true sense of what it means to be a citizen and contributing member of society.

(5) School Leadership

School leadership is excellent. Administration and teachers were fair, and discipline seemed appropriate, progressive when necessary and always positive. The emphasis was always on a team approach to developing the best student possible. Communication was excellent, from the daily Remind app to the Braemar Broadcast. We are a busy family, and I was very grateful for the ongoing communication. Teacher interviews and curriculum nights were very informative, and any concerns or considerations with regard to academic performance were addressed early and with the intent to best support my children.

(5) Teaching

Teachers were excellent. We were only able to send our children for Grades 7 and 8, and we found a noticeable difference in their level of engagement and interest in current events, politics, math, sciences, and the arts when we moved them from the public system. Each of my children had a different reason for attending Braemar that made the cost of tuition worth every penny. For each child, Braemar filled a gap that was evident in the public system. Particularly as we navigated COVID, the smaller class sizes, no split grades, and one-on-one learning made it very clear how easy it can be for a student to get left behind without that attention. I felt my kids thrived at Braemar. I felt the teachers were innovative and consistent in meeting each where they were at, to keep them engaged and to gently prod them to a deeper understanding of many subjects—something a smaller group makes possible.

(5) Academics

My youngest has just graduated from Braemar, and I have no doubt that he will be as prepared for Grade Nine as his older siblings. Each of them entered high school with solid building blocks in math, science, language, and the arts that will set them up to pursue whatever avenue they wish. The emphasis on the importance and fun of academic learning, as well as pride in academic accomplishment, means that the students challenge and encourage each other to meet higher standards. The smaller class sizes allow teachers to recognize and encourage specific passions and interests of individual students and guide them to more robust learning. COVID was a challenging time for everybody, but I feel the school fared better than most in pivoting and overcoming the obstacles.

(5) Extracurriculars

As my children graduate, we will miss the Braemar Bears!! As an athletic family, we found Braemar a perfect complement to the intensity of community minor sports. While Braemar is not known as an “athletic school,” every student who wants to try has a place on the team, and every student ended up a better athlete than when they started. It was a joy to witness. As an artist myself, my favourite thing remains the school plays, which were just fantastic. Every student was engaged, and a true love of theatre was apparent. It was awesome. The visual art exhibits, STEM workshops, holiday concerts, and funfests were highlights.

(5) Students

Each of the classes was very different, but every one of my children felt welcomed and accepted when they transferred in Grade 7—not an easy thing to do at that age. Not one of them said they wished they hadn’t. From my perspective, the students got along well. That doesn’t mean there weren’t personality conflicts or natural disagreements, but I felt that the emphasis was always on respect, dignity for everyone, and appropriate and thoughtful conflict resolution. The general atmosphere of the student body is one of kindness, responsibility, and respect. I love how the older students mentor the Montessori students and recognize how important the example is that they set for the school. I think the small size of Braemar means that everyone feels known and seen.

(5) School Life

In my opinion, Braemar offers something for every student by offering a well-rounded and balanced academic and extracurricular program. This means that student life is good, as everyone gets a chance to shine and to excel. The alchemy of every group of students is different, but at the core of Braemar is respect and kindness. When students finish a cross-country run and go back to help a kid struggling, you know the school culture is good. When a little Montessori rushes up to meet a Grade 8, you know it’s a safe space for everyone. The Braemar B Points, which are awarded to kids for their community involvement and help to others, are awesome! My children have been proud to go to Braemar and know that it is a privilege to have been given the opportunity to attend a private school that gives them the extras that Braemar does.

(5) Community

Parents are encouraged and very welcome to be involved at the school, but I also appreciate the fact that I did not feel pressured either. I felt that the needs of my kids were being met and extras provided without me having to excessively fundraise or join all of the committees. As we are heavily involved as parents in our kids' minor sports and in their activities away from Braemar, I felt the staff appreciated that we struggled to balance it all. That being said, I found the parents who were more involved welcoming and appreciated very much the parents who organized the fun fests, uniform sales, fundraising, teacher appreciations, book fairs, etc. My husband was very involved in helping to coach basketball, and he loved it!

(4) School Location

The neighborhood around the school is good, and the kids make use of the Gretzky Centre and surrounding area as best as they can. Part of the grounds of the school are shared with the community, which ends up as a win-win for everyone. We needed to drive and pick up our kids, which added a lot of daily travel for us, but we feel it was worth it.

(5) Admissions

School admissions seemed organized, clear, and accessible. Enrollment contracts were sent out early, and packages were sent home in early September outlining the necessary forms and requirements for the year. Costs were clearly outlined, with multiple payment options available. The trial day was beneficial, and each of my children found that day very helpful in confirming that Braemar was the right fit for them. I found the administration very helpful in all aspects of admissions, and they were quick to answer any questions I had.