REVIEW OF Lakefield College School BY Alum, Hana Kono

(4.5) Overall Experience

I really appreciated the strong sense of community at LCS and how diverse the student body was. Students came from many different countries and backgrounds, yet we were still very close as a community. Even after graduating from high school, many of us still keep in touch, which I am very grateful for. One thing I wish LCS could improve is its donation system. At times, I felt that students and parents were viewed mainly as potential donors, which created pressure to contribute to the school. Overall, LCS helped me grow and become more independent. However, I also believe the university guidance system could be improved. While I understand that some career guidance counsellors are excellent, my personal experience was not positive. Since university decisions can have a major impact on students’ futures, I believe stronger and more consistent support in this area is very important.

Looking Back

What stands out most from my time at LCS is the strong sense of community and diversity. Students came from many different countries and backgrounds, but despite our differences, we were very close and supportive of one another. Even after graduating, many of us still stay in touch, which is something I truly value and appreciate. I also remember how much my time at LCS helped me grow as a person. Moving away from home and studying in such an international environment taught me independence, adaptability, and how to connect with people from different cultures. Those experiences shaped me both academically and personally, and they are memories I will always carry with me.

Current Perspective

To be honest, I do not see the school very differently now compared to when I was a student. Looking back, I still appreciate how much the environment helped me grow. One of the biggest strengths of LCS was how it taught students to adapt to new environments and become independent. Since students came from many different backgrounds, it pushed us to become more open-minded and flexible. I also realized how much the school influenced my ambition and work ethic. During my time there, I learned that if I truly wanted to achieve something, I needed to put in real effort and challenge myself. That mindset has continued to help me even after graduation.

Your Advice

One honest piece of advice I would give to someone considering this school is that you need to be independent and proactive. The school provides many opportunities, but it is really up to you to take initiative, ask for help when needed, and make the most of your experience. I also think it is important to have some kind of passion or goal that motivates you. Being surrounded by ambitious and diverse students can be very inspiring, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. Instead of comparing yourself to others, I learned that it is better to compete with yourself and focus on your own growth and progress. Looking back, I wish someone had told me earlier how important self-motivation and initiative would be, not only academically but also socially and personally.

(4) School Leadership

Reflecting on my time at Lakefield College School, one of the strongest parts of the administration and student support system was the head of house and the dons, especially Ms. Wilcox. Since boarding school students spend so much of their daily life in the house environment, the relationships with house staff often shape students’ experiences more than academics alone. I personally felt that Ms. Wilcox and many of the dons genuinely cared about the students and worked hard to create a supportive and welcoming environment. Living away from home at a young age can be challenging, especially for international students, and having house staff who were approachable and understanding made a big difference. They helped create a sense of community and made the boarding houses feel more like a family environment rather than just a residence.

(4) Teaching

One aspect of teaching at Lakefield College School that I really appreciated was the small class sizes. Because classes were smaller, teachers were able to spend more one-on-one time with students and provide more personalized support. I felt that this created a stronger connection between students and teachers compared to larger schools, and it made it easier to ask questions, participate in discussions, and seek help when needed. I also enjoyed how interactive many classes were. I remember having debating sessions and open discussions where students were encouraged to share their opinions and think critically rather than simply memorize information. That environment helped me become more confident in expressing my ideas and communicating with others. Another part of the school that really surprised me at first was the outdoor education program. Coming from a different background, I was not used to that kind of experience in the beginning, but it became one of the most unique and memorable aspects of LCS. Through outdoor education, I learned survival skills, teamwork, resilience, and how to adapt to challenging situations. I realized those experiences were not only about outdoor activities, but also about personal growth and building confidence. In general, the relationship between teachers and students felt respectful and approachable. While teachers still maintained professionalism, many of them created a comfortable atmosphere where students felt supported academically and personally. I think many teachers were passionate about their subjects and genuinely wanted students to succeed. For prospective families, I think one of the biggest advantages of LCS is the learning environment created by the small classes, close teacher-student interactions, and unique programs like outdoor education. Students who are willing to participate, ask questions, and challenge themselves can gain a lot from the experience, both academically and personally.

(3.5) Academics

(5) Extracurriculars

I think the extracurricular program at Lakefield College School was one of the school’s biggest strengths. The school was very well-equipped and offered a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities, which allowed students to explore many different interests outside of academics. Because there were so many activities available, I had the chance to try new things that I probably would not have experienced otherwise. The atmosphere around extracurriculars was generally very positive and encouraging. While some activities and sports were competitive, there were also many opportunities for students to participate simply for enjoyment, personal growth, and learning new skills. Students were encouraged to step outside of their comfort zones and get involved, regardless of their previous experience level. I also believe the extracurricular program played a big role in developing leadership skills. Through team activities, clubs, sports, and school events, students learned how to work with others, communicate effectively, take responsibility, and support their peers. Those experiences helped many students, including myself, become more confident and develop leadership abilities in a natural and practical way. In addition, extracurricular activities helped students grow outside of the classroom by teaching teamwork, adaptability, time management, and resilience. Since students lived together in a boarding school environment, extracurricular involvement also strengthened friendships and created a strong sense of community. Overall, I believe LCS did a very good job of developing well-rounded students. The school emphasized not only academics, but also personal growth, leadership, independence, and trying new experiences. For me personally, one of the most valuable parts of the experience was having the opportunity to discover new interests, improve my leadership skills, and challenge myself in unfamiliar environments.

(4.5) Students

What stood out most to me about the student body at Lakefield College School was how diverse and close-knit the community was. Even though students came from many different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, there was still a strong sense of unity within the school. Because it is a boarding school, students spent a lot of time together both inside and outside the classroom, which created strong friendships and a unique community atmosphere. I would describe the “typical” LCS student as open-minded, independent, and willing to challenge themselves. At the same time, there was a wide range of personalities and interests among students. Some students were highly academic, some focused more on athletics or arts, and others were involved in leadership and extracurricular activities. I think the school encouraged students to explore different interests and become more well-rounded individuals. In general, the atmosphere among students was supportive and social. Of course, like any school, there were occasional conflicts or social challenges, but because students lived together and shared many experiences, people often became very close. Looking back, one of the things I appreciate most is how the environment taught students independence, adaptability, and how to build relationships with people from very different backgrounds.

(5) School Life

Overall, I would say my experience with student life at Lakefield College School was positive and meaningful. While there were definitely stressful moments, especially academically and personally as a boarding student living away from home, I genuinely appreciated the experience and the personal growth that came from it. Looking back, I think the school environment helped me become more independent, adaptable, and confident. One of the biggest factors that contributed to the quality of student life was the strong sense of community. Because students lived, studied, and participated in activities together, people formed very close relationships and friendships. The diversity of the student body also made the experience unique, since students were constantly exposed to different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. Even after graduation, many students still stay connected, which says a lot about the closeness of the community. If I could suggest improvements, I think continuing to strengthen mental health support, communication with students, and university counselling would make the student experience even better. I also think it is important for the school to ensure students feel valued as individuals, rather than feeling pressure in areas such as donations or fundraising.

(4.5) Community

What stands out most to me about the broader community at Lakefield College School is how connected and supportive it feels, even after graduation. Because students spend so much time together in a boarding school environment, the relationships built there often become very strong and long-lasting. One of the things I appreciate most is that many of us still keep in touch after leaving the school, despite living in different countries and pursuing different paths. From my experience, parents were also welcomed to be involved in school life, especially during school events, performances, sports games, and community activities. Since many students were boarding students and international students living away from home, I think the school tried to create a supportive environment not only for students but also for families. My experience with the alumni community has been positive overall. Although everyone has moved on to different universities, careers, and countries, there is still a sense of connection between former students. Social media and reunions help people stay connected, and I think there is a shared understanding among alumni because of the unique boarding school experience we went through together. Personally, I have kept in touch with many students from LCS, and I am very grateful for the friendships and memories that have continued even after graduation.

(3.5) School Location

(4) Admissions

My advice to someone applying to Lakefield College School would be to be yourself and spend time doing self-reflection before applying. It is important to understand why you are interested in the school, what kind of environment you are looking for, and how you hope to grow there. I would also recommend doing research about the school beforehand. LCS has a unique environment because of its boarding life, outdoor education, close community, and international student body, so it is helpful to know whether those aspects fit your personality and goals. From my own application experience, I was fortunate to meet one of the school representatives in Japan and had the opportunity to speak with her directly. That helped me understand the school better and made the process feel more personal. I felt that having a direct conversation was useful because I could ask questions and think more carefully about whether LCS was the right fit for me. Overall, I would tell applicants not to focus only on trying to impress the school, but also to think honestly about whether the school matches who they are and who they want to become.

(2) University placement and counselling

The university counselling experience at Lakefield College School was mixed for me. I do believe that some counsellors were very supportive and knowledgeable, and I know some students had positive experiences. However, personally, I struggled a lot with the support I received from my assigned counsellor. During the university application process, I was very nervous and uncertain about my future, and unfortunately, I often felt that my counsellor was also unsure about what he was doing. That made the process much more stressful for me. Since my parents do not speak English fluently, I especially needed a strong support system and clear guidance throughout the application process, but I did not feel adequately supported. I think university counselling is extremely important because these decisions can significantly affect students’ futures and life paths. Looking back, I feel there should have been a stronger and more consistent structure within the counselling system to ensure that all students receive reliable guidance and support, regardless of which counsellor they are assigned to. At the same time, the school did provide resources and opportunities related to university applications, and students who were proactive could still find useful support. However, I believe the overall system could improve by providing more consistent communication, clearer guidance, and stronger emotional support during what is already a very stressful period for students and families. For prospective families, I think it is important to understand that students may need to advocate for themselves throughout the university application process and actively seek additional support when needed.