REVIEW OF King's Christian Collegiate BY student, Nyla Mandal

(5) Student Experience

I have loved my experience at King's so far! I remember my first day at school sitting alone at a table because I didn't have any friends yet, and a prefect (a student leader who helps welcome new students) started talking to me and led me to a games area where I could meet and have fun with new people. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, and throughout the year, I've met so many kind new people, including my friends, classmates, and teachers. The teachers, to start, are so helpful and encouraging. They always answered my questions, talked with me, were super friendly, and were just so fun to spend a class period with. If there is one thing I wish I'd known about King's before coming here, it's how welcoming and friendly everyone is. I was nervous coming into high school, especially coming from a much smaller school, but the way the staff and older students helped me and other new students acclimate was an incredible surprise (and now I realize that I had no reason to be worried at all!). I honestly don't know what I'd change about King's... It's been a joy going here, and I've had a very well-rounded experience in terms of academics, athletics, and participation in clubs.

The Best Part

The best part about being a student at King's is the number of opportunities and fun clubs you can join. Throughout the year, you can join or try out for art clubs, band and choir, tons of different sports teams, and even take on a role in the school play! All around me, I saw excited students looking forward to their different school events, whether it was a track and field competition or a choir concert. I'm really glad that I got to grow as a person through different clubs and sports teams this year!

Suggested Improvements

There is not much I would change, but I would probably add a few more elective options, so the choice is comparable to that of larger schools within the board. However, it's nice that I can still access some of these courses through other boards (in summer school, for example), even if King's does not offer these at the school.

Hidden Details

One thing that might surprise a new student about King's is that although it's a school with a strong academic focus that rewards academic achievement, different strengths are honoured and valued. For example, awards for kindness and character were given out at the end of the year, and it's really nice that different qualities are appreciated!

(5) School Leadership

I think the school leaders do a great job in supporting the students. The guidance counsellors and teachers always get back to me quickly whenever I have any questions, and they are really friendly, helpful, and always open to talking. They have helped make this school a super positive experience, and I've really enjoyed spending my class periods with my teachers. I think that they should continue to do what they are doing, showing care for each and every student, as that does not go unnoticed, even if students don't say it.

(4.5) Teaching

I don't think the teachers ask too much or too little of me. They encourage me to push myself and try my best, but they don't set me any tasks I wouldn't be able to accomplish or judge me based on my academic performance. However, I know that they're expecting me to try my best. I also think they could occasionally clarify the criteria a little better (although they do a great job of answering any questions I have). When my teachers talk about success, I think that they imagine not just academic success, but also growing as a person (both in character and in stepping outside of my comfort zone). Overall, I think the teachers are doing a great job here at Kings, and I'm really glad I had them as my teachers.

(4) Academics

I'd say the work is, for the most part, just right. However, in some subjects, such as math, the work could be tailored slightly more for students who are academically stronger. For example, when students find work too easy, a little bit of extra enrichment could be provided, while students who find the work too hard could continue to receive a bit of extra support. I also think teachers do a good job of describing why what we're learning is relevant in real life. We often have different assignments that help us connect course material to the real world, including the geography road trip project (where we planned a road trip based on what we'd learned), or designing a park project for math using geometry. Overall, I think the work is at a good level and that what we're learning will be useful later on in life.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

I was a part of many extracurriculars this year, such as the Yearbook Club that helps design the yearbook, the SPARK club, cross country, and tennis. If there were a club that I wished the school offered, it would be a creative writing club, where students who enjoy writing could connect and write fun stories together. I think that everyone has enough to do, since there are so many clubs offered at different times, so students with different interests and schedules can participate.

(4) Students

I'd say most of the students are really kind, friendly, and nice to be around. Even though there are only about 700 students at the school, which is smaller than a traditional public high school, there are still lots of people with different personalities and interests to connect with. It's also really easy to find friends, especially with older students (prefects) helping everyone connect. King's could feel like a city or a town, depending on the size of your friend group and whether you hang out in the busy atrium or quiet hallways. I think people who are more willing to get involved in the school culture do best at the school, while students who are a bit quieter have a bit of a harder time. However, everyone feels welcomed and included, especially since different talents and abilities are celebrated.

(4.5) School Life

If I were asked to give a tour of the school to visitors, I would take them first to the atrium. The atrium is always full of students enjoying their time together and laughing, having fun, and talking with their friends, and it gives a great glimpse into school life and culture. You can also see many different areas from the atrium, including the upstairs hallways (through the windows), the gym where students hang out and play sports, and the cafeteria where delicious food is served. Finally, the atrium has signs with King's main values: Be, Belong, and Contribute, along with posters that show other important qualities like forgiveness and faith. These signs are always nice to see and show the values that King's wants students to foster.

(5) Community

The school feels like home to me because it is a very welcoming, inclusive, and friendly environment. The prefects are specifically there to help new students acclimate and connect with other students. In addition, on the first day of school, there is a day for the grade 9s with pizza and celebrations in the prefect groups, and, later, a Grade 9 Day with fun, food, games, and lots of connection between students and teachers. The students and staff are all so nice, and everyone is appreciated for their different abilities. I think that everyone feels included and appreciated. I have seen students inviting other students who they don't know to join their groups for school projects or to sit with them at lunch, showing King's welcoming and appreciating community.

(4.5) School Location

I usually stay on campus, and I think most of the other students do as well, since there are not very many reasons to go off-campus. At school, we have a cafeteria if students want to buy food, along with spaces to hang out (including multiple spaces outdoors, the two gyms, the atrium and hallways). In addition, there are also many fun events that students can go to at lunch instead of going off-campus.

(4.5) Admissions

The admissions process at King's involves submitting an application (including essential documents), providing past report cards, and completing an interview with the admissions team. Advice I'd give to people who are applying to King's would be to think about why they want to go to King's and to be themselves in the interview. I would describe the interview process as fun, since it was nice to meet some of the staff at King's. The interview was very relaxed, and it was basically just me getting to know some of the King's staff and them getting to know me. I now know that the King's admission team mainly judges based on the character and values of the student applying.