Interview with Greenwood College School Alum, Robin Ahmed

I graduated from Greenwood in 2017, and since then, I’ve been studying civil engineering at the University of Toronto. I just finished my third year, and I’m starting a 12-month internship co-op with Ontario Power Generation. I’ll head back to school to finish my fourth year in the fall of 2021. I’m involved in a couple of design teams at U of T—I'm on the concrete canoe executive team and also part of the seismic design team, which takes up a lot of time. I work part-time in a water microbiology lab focused on mining wastewater, and I also lifeguard and teach swimming lessons at the pool. So that all keeps me pretty busy.

At the end of Grade 10, my guidance counsellor at Greenwood encouraged me to apply for the Shad Valley program—it’s a month-long STEM enrichment program at different universities. I went to UBC in July 2015 and learned a lot—not just about engineering but also business, working in labs, and being around students who were like-minded. That was the first time I really heard about engineering as a university program. My parents are both lawyers, so science wasn’t really something I heard about from them. After that, I took mostly math and science electives in Grades 11 and 12. My guidance counsellor in Grade 12 really pushed me to consider engineering. I was deciding between U of T and Western, and between my parents and my teachers, I was encouraged to think about the challenge of engineering science at U of T. I ended up switching to civil engineering later, but Greenwood—especially the teachers—played a huge role in getting me there.

Greenwood, in my experience, really encourages students to be as well-rounded as they can be. There are a lot of opportunities for leadership, community service, outdoor ed, arts, sports, and academics—all the usual high school things, and more. I was on the swim team, and I ran the Host and Ambassador teams, doing lots of tours and such. I was really into math and science—I took chemistry, biology, physics, the three maths, and Grade 12 English. I didn’t do a lot of humanities extracurriculars, although they were definitely there. That sense of well-roundedness has stuck with me in post-secondary. The leadership experience I gained—both formal roles and through peer tutoring and volunteering—has been really valuable.

If I had to pick one thing I was really proud of, it would be completing the Gold level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Greenwood encouraged all of us to do the Bronze, and I kept going with the Silver and Gold. You have to do an adventurous journey, an athletic component, a skill component, and a volunteer service piece. It tied in well with what I was already doing at school but also pushed me to get involved outside of it. I ended up volunteering at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital for the last three or four years of my time at Greenwood, and I really loved it. I still go back when I can.

Personally, I really liked that it was co-ed—I didn’t want to go to an all-girls school and then switch to co-ed again for university without having done group work in high school. I also loved how small it felt. The student-to-teacher ratio was around 7:1 when I joined. You walk in, and it feels like a little community. 

You go straight to camp at the start of Grade 7, which is an amazing way to connect right away. My parents were a bit unsure at first, especially my dad, who’s a big traditional math guy, because of the blended learning approach. But after talking to someone in admissions, they were convinced, and we felt like part of the community from day one.

Every teacher I had was incredible—I still know all their names, and they knew mine. The teachers who started with you in Grade 7 and continued into high school, those relationships really stick. They’d be with you in class and then also come on outdoor ed trips or community service days. And then for me, especially in Grade 12, my guidance counsellor, Ms. Lilly, really helped me figure out my next steps. I was in her office a lot that year. Greenwood’s teachers are what set it apart most for me.

Greenwood doesn’t just do academics, arts, and athletics—it also builds in community service. Every week, we had a couple of hours set aside for it. Even Grade 7s were going to do reading buddies in Regent Park. That continues through all six years. I think it’s especially important in a private school setting, where most of us come from pretty fortunate backgrounds. That kind of community engagement helps with character development, and Greenwood really builds it in as a core part of school life.

If Greenwood were a person, I’d say it’s inclusive, encouraging, and adventurous. I helped start the school’s Jack Chapter in Grade 12, which focuses on youth mental health. There’s a big focus on learning about diversity and supporting each other. The school also encourages students to push themselves—whether that’s through academics, public speaking, or trying new things. And the outdoor ed program is a huge part of that—canoe tripping, dog sledding, sea kayaking, even a Costa Rica trip in Grade 12. Those experiences are things you don’t really get as an adult.

Greenwood’s biggest goal is to help students become well-rounded people who are kind, caring, and engaged with the community around them. They have four character pillars—I think they’re civic, moral, intellectual, and performance. I might be forgetting one, but the idea is that the school develops students as people, not just as academic achievers.

What surprised me most was how sad I was to leave. I always liked school, but I didn’t expect to be crying on graduation day. It’s an incredible community, and even though I still feel connected to it, you do move on. I didn’t realize at the time just how many relationships I’d formed, or how much I depended on that support network every day.

I definitely think Greenwood shaped who I am. Those are important years—ages 11 to 17—and I still talk to friends from Greenwood every day. I’ve gone back to teachers for references years later. It’s a school that challenges you. I remember being scared of heights and crying in Grade 8 when someone wanted me to climb the rock wall. I think I finally did it in Grade 11. Whether it was failing a test or dog sledding in the freezing cold, you learn a lot from those moments. You learn to push past your boundaries and go further than you thought you could. That still applies to me now.

Personally, I liked the small-school feel, but I know some friends would have preferred more AP courses or more competitive sports teams. Because Greenwood is smaller and newer, it can’t offer as wide a range as some of the older, bigger schools. For me, that wasn’t a downside, but it’s something to consider.

My sister’s now in Grade 11 at Greenwood, so even though I’ve graduated, I’ve been able to see how the school continues to grow. I think I realize even more now how lucky I was to be there. The one-on-one support from teachers, the outdoor trips, the chances to try new things—it’s pretty special. You don’t always get that in everyday life.

Greenwood students are engaged, friendly, and involved. You're not just going to class—you’re part of clubs, teams, and committees. You know everyone’s name. I remember the head girl knew my name in Grade 7 and would ride the bus home with me. That kind of welcoming spirit is part of the culture.

The first reason I’d recommend Greenwood is its sense of community. You build real relationships with classmates, teachers, and staff. Second, the leadership opportunities. Because it's a smaller school, you can get involved from the start—whether that’s running for grade rep or leading a club. Third, the support. Whether you're looking for academic challenge, extra help, or just someone to talk to, the support is there. And it finds you—you don’t always have to go looking for it.

It’s not just students who become part of the school; families are involved too. Whether it’s formal committees or just going to events, teachers reach out. My parents feel like part of the Greenwood community and are really happy that both my sister and I went there.