REVIEW OF Lakefield College School BY parent, Michael Peach

(5) Student Experience

Sending three boys to Lakefield College School has been an extraordinary journey, as the school has masterfully embraced and nurtured each of their vastly different personalities and needs. While the boys enjoyed shared experiences and the unique culture of The Grove, each was supported in their journey to become the best version of themselves as a person, friend, student, athlete, learner, and artist. The one piece of advice each of the boys gave to the next member of the family to call Lakefield home was that, in order to be successful at LCS, it is important to be kind. The school's culture rewarded that advice tenfold; what our boys appreciate most is the genuine kindness and connection that defines the entire community. If there is any disappointment to speak of, it is only the bittersweet realization of how quickly their time there flies by. Watching all three of our boys succeed in their own unique ways—academically, artistically, athletically, and socially—has been a joy, and as parents, we truly cannot imagine a better school. As parents, we are grateful the boys had the opportunity to learn and grow from being great kids into the incredible individuals they have become. With two LCS graduates in the family, and a third on the way, the boys have commented that they hope they too will be able to have their own children attend Lakefield College School.

Why Lakefield College School?

Our decision to choose Lakefield College School ultimately came down to a perfect alignment of values, culture, and community. As a family, we were looking for a "true" boarding school that mirrored our family's commitment to both academic excellence and rich and varied student life experiences, while ensuring our boys would be appropriately challenged yet deeply supported. As an expat Canadian family whose children were born overseas, grew up overseas, and really only experienced Canada through winter and summer holidays, we wanted them to have a truly authentic Canadian education—one that embraced the outdoor education and the best of what Canada offers. While we considered other great schools, what tipped the scales in favour of Lakefield was undeniably the people. From our very first interactions, the students, faculty, and staff exuded a warmth and authenticity that we didn't find anywhere else. As parents living abroad, sending our children to a school where they would feel completely at home and genuinely valued was paramount. The community made it clear that our kids wouldn’t just be faces in a crowd; they would be in a safe, nurturing environment where they could confidently learn, grow, and thrive.

Expectations vs. Reality

Our introduction to Lakefield College School came over 25 years ago through a colleague whose three children—two sons and a daughter—attended the school. Just like our own boys, those three siblings were completely different from one another: one was highly athletic, one deeply artistic, and one intensely academic. Yet, despite their contrasting interests, all three of them had the best high school experiences of their lives and truly thrived. This shaped our baseline expectation when our own boys joined LCS. We hoped for a learning environment that could replicate that multi-faceted success for our family. We are incredibly happy to say that the school not only met those lofty expectations but exceeded them in many ways. Where the school aligned perfectly was in its rare ability to nurture three vastly different boys, helping each one find his unique path to success. Where it completely diverged from our expectations was in the sheer depth of its community spirit. We expected a great education and a supportive environment, but we did not anticipate the profound, lasting impact of the genuine kindness, the lifelong friendships with both day and boarding students, and the mentorship from faculty. LCS did more than just educate our sons; it shaped their character. We truly consider sending our boys to Lakefield to be an incredible gift and the opportunity of a lifetime.

Your Advice

The advice I would give any family considering Lakefield College School, or any other school around the world for their child, would be the same. Be sure to prioritize cultural alignment over reputation and take time to give the school a "test-drive". LCS, like every institution, is driven by its own unique set of values, core beliefs, and educational approaches. The ultimate key to anyone's long-term happiness and success is selecting a school that closely matches your own values, parenting philosophy, and personal expectations. When a school's daily environment mirrors the principles you value at home, your child can truly thrive without facing conflicting expectations. To discover if a school is the right fit, you must look beyond the brochures and experience it firsthand. When we started our search, this was the best advice we received. Start by taking the time to visit the campus yourself to observe the energy, the layout, and how the teachers interact with students during a typical day. More importantly, have your child spend an entire day there as a visiting student. Letting them attend classes, eat in the cafeteria, and navigate the daily routine provides an authentic glimpse into what their reality would look like. As a boarding family, our son had the opportunity to spend the night to see what life was like as a boarder. Finally, make sure this trial run includes participating in extracurricular activities, whether that means attending an after-school club, a music rehearsal, or a sports practice. A school is much more than just a place for academics; it is a community where kids grow socially and emotionally. Investing the time to deeply explore both the classroom and the culture upfront ensures that LCS, or any other school you choose, isn't just great on paper, but a genuine extension of your family. For us, Lakefield College School has been a genuine extension of our family for the last 8 years.

(5) School Leadership

The leadership and administration at LCS, AMK, DVD, and the entire leadership team truly stand out as kind, friendly, innovative, and deeply professional. They are successfully leading a learning community that families and staff can be proud of. As educators ourselves, we greatly admire their forward-thinking approach to teaching and learning, which brings a refreshing and innovative energy to the school environment. Through the COVID pandemic and the impact of AI on teaching and learning, LCS has navigated the ever-changing world of education with excellence and professionalism. A school's approach to discipline was a critical factor for us during our selection process. Lakefield's approach appeared to closely align with our own. While we have not had any personal disciplinary instances with our children, our strong impression is that the school handles these situations with a focus on learning, growth, and development. The leadership clearly understands that kids are at an age where they are testing boundaries and learning how to live in the world, and they treat these moments as vital opportunities for students to learn from their mistakes. Lakefield's leadership team, and AMK in particular, excels at communicating effectively and fostering a positive, supportive school culture. By treating families as true partners in education and maintaining an open, responsive dialogue, they ensure that both students and parents feel heard and valued.

(5) Teaching

The longer, intensive study created by the school's modular schedule helped my boys engage in meaningful learning while also helping them find a work-life balance. Harkness discussions and the support LCS has provided my boys in the responsible and ethical use of AI as a means of improving learning, and required evening study help establish the lifelong habits they needed for a stress-free transition to post-secondary education. As young men in high school, executive functioning would not have been considered a strength, but they did develop the requisite skills and attitudes that has enable them to reach their potential.

(5) Academics

As parents of kids who were interested in science, and who eventually continued their STEM interests at the university level, the AP and Ontario offering at LCS has opened doors and allowed them to pursue areas of study that most interest them. From Math and Physics to engineering and Health Sciences, all of the boys had great opportunities available to them.

(5) Extracurriculars

We were drawn to the 6-day schedule because of the opportunities it afforded them to participate in a variety of activities. With some days being dedicated to the arts and other days being dedicated to athletic interests, no one had to choose one over the other. They enjoyed the half days of school and afternoons that focused on more intensive pursuits. The boys always returned home tired, exhausted, and extremely happy.

(5) Students

All three of our sons met and became lifelong friends with their LCS classmates. They are kind, respectful, and supportive of each other, doing their individual best.

(5) Community

(5) School Location

(5) Admissions

(5) University placement and counselling

The university counselling program at LCS started well before our boys' final graduation year. LCS embeds this guidance seamlessly into the student experience and devotes time in their G12 schedule to support the application process. This process started early in the younger grades with strategic course selections that keep future doors open. Because of this proactive approach, my boys were given appropriate, timely guidance that ensured every post-secondary opportunity of interest was fully accessible to them when it came time to apply. As a boarding parent navigating this milestone from afar, we are grateful for the support provided to the boys to navigate the process with independence. The guidance team was there to help them every single step of the way, providing a safety net that allowed my boys to take ownership of their futures. This structure modelled the exact kind of self-advocacy and independence they will need in university, giving us peace of mind as parents overseas. If there is one aspect of the program we appreciated above all else, it is the philosophy driving the conversations. The guidance team did not push my students toward a specific "prestigious" Ivy League school or a status-driven program. Instead, the discussion is entirely centred on the individual student: What are you interested in? Where is the next place that will allow you to be your absolute best, doing what you love? Figuring out the next step is not easy—most teenagers don't know with any absolute certainty what they want to do with the rest of their lives. However, the breadth of support at LCS accommodates every possible path. Whether our boys were exploring Gap Years, Canadian universities, US colleges, or international institutions, the counsellors provided incredible, tailored support to help them find their way. The LCS experience gave my boys the exact guidance and confidence they needed to successfully transition to post-secondary programs where they can truly thrive.