REVIEW OF Lakefield College School BY parent, Bettina Siggelkow

(5) Student Experience

My son is now in his third year at Lakefield (LCS). He feels both challenged and supported in his strengths and weaknesses. It motivates him that the teacher/school focuses on developing his competencies rather than pushing on his weaknesses. He feels encouraged to make the most of his talents while also receiving the help he needs to overcome challenges. For example, my son often tells us that he experiences his teachers as highly motivated and truly invested in his success. They are consistently available to clarify questions during the organized Groove Time and even beyond. In class, they create an atmosphere of curiosity and engagement. Despite a full academic schedule, they never create a sense of stress; instead, they highlight each student’s progress and provide constructive feedback that motivates them further. As a boarding student, his "house" and "house father" play an important role. The engagement and sense of belonging created in the house where he lives together with the other boys make a huge difference for him. The community within the house, and the leadership that each student, depending on their grade, is able to take over, helps to create a home away from home.

Why Lakefield College School?

Coming from Europe, my son applied to two or three schools. Several factors ultimately tipped the scales in favour of Lakefield College School. Beyond the excellent academic reputation and strong student outcomes, the school’s size felt ideal—not too small and not too large—which was important to us. We also welcomed the approach to balance the number of Canadian students and the diversity applied for selecting international students. What truly distinguished LCS, however, was the ability of the staff to clearly convey the school’s philosophy and atmosphere. From the beginning, it was evident how intentionally the school prepares the ground for each student’s success. The mod-based learning schedule, the structured Groove Time, and the well-balanced offering of extracurricular activities all aligned with what we were looking for. We were also impressed by the school’s focus on developing leadership skills, encouraging self‑reflection, fostering diversity and integrating sustainability into the educational experience. These were key elements we valued highly, and LCS demonstrated a strong and authentic commitment to each of them.

Expectations vs. Reality

All of our expectations have been fully met. The academic environment, the support structures, and the overall school culture align exactly with what we were hoping for. The only area where we have encountered some challenges is when students become ill. In those situations, the school is not always immediately prepared to provide support or adjust the academic schedule in a way that helps students keep up without added pressure. However, once parents step in and communicate the situation clearly, the school responds and works collaboratively to find appropriate solutions. Aside from this, our experience has been entirely positive.

Your Advice

I can wholeheartedly recommend LCS. Students grow into independent, self‑reflective, and self‑confident young people who are exceptionally well prepared to take the next step in their education after high school. The school creates an environment where they learn to take responsibility, understand their strengths, and develop the resilience they will need later in life. As a European parent, one important piece of advice I would offer is to align early with the home‑country requirements for recognizing the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. LCS is very willing to guide families through this process and can adjust the academic schedule significantly to meet both the Ontario standards and the requirements of the student’s home country. Starting this conversation early (latest in grade 10) ensures a smooth path and avoids unnecessary stress later on.

(5) School Leadership

What stands out most about the school leadership and administration at Lakefield College School is their clarity, responsiveness, and commitment to fostering a positive environment. Communication is fast, clear, and comprehensive. Parents receive regular updates, and important information is shared in a timely and transparent way, which creates a strong sense of trust. Although we have not personally encountered any discipline issues, what we have observed suggests that such matters are handled fairly and thoughtfully. The leadership team appears to approach challenges with a balanced perspective—firm when necessary, but always guided by the school’s values and the well‑being of the students. The administration also plays a key role in shaping the school’s positive atmosphere. They are visible, approachable, and engaged with both students and parents. Their presence at events, their openness to conversations, and their consistent communication all contribute to a feeling of stability and care within the community. Overall, the leadership and administration create a well‑run, supportive environment where students feel safe, respected, and encouraged to grow.

(5) Teaching

We are extremely happy with the teaching at Lakefield College School. The quality of instruction is consistently high, and the teachers are both passionate and deeply knowledgeable about their subjects. Communication is clear and effective, and teachers make a genuine effort to connect with students as individuals. Whenever our son has encountered challenges, the teachers have addressed them immediately—both with him and with us. Support is offered right away, often through additional explanations during Groove Time, which has been very helpful. For all of his work, he receives well‑balanced, personalized feedback. Teachers highlight his strengths with concrete examples and provide clear guidance on what he can improve for future assignments or classwork. The written feedback he receives regularly not only reinforces what he is doing well but also offers opportunities for him to stretch further. As parents, we also receive individualized updates from his teachers about his approach in class and his progress. The quarterly report cards are equally personalized and constructive, giving us a clear and nuanced understanding of his development.

(5) Academics

The academic program at Lakefield College School is rigorous, modern, and very well aligned with what we hoped for. One of the school’s greatest strengths is the depth and quality of its teaching. Subjects are taught not only theoretically but also through extensive practical work (e.g. in science with experiments, in economics by analyzing current economic and global issues...), which helps students truly understand and apply what they learn. The school cultivates an academic culture that encourages curiosity, independence, and critical thinking. The use of Harkness discussions teaches students how to engage in meaningful dialogue, listen actively, and contribute effectively—skills that are essential for university and for life. Students also learn up‑to‑date presentation techniques and are introduced to responsible and thoughtful use of AI. They are encouraged to use new technologies as tools for learning while also understanding their limitations and ethical implications. In terms of weaknesses, we have not identified any significant academic shortcomings. Our experience has been consistently positive. Overall, we feel confident that the academic program at LCS prepares students exceptionally well for their next steps—whether that is university or any other path they choose. The combination of strong academics, modern teaching methods, and a supportive learning environment equips them with the skills, mindset, and confidence they need for the future. What also needs to be mentioned is the strong link to outdoor activities - the daily activities in nature, the canoe trips, outdoor challenges and experience in nature challenges, but also provides a clear contrast to overcome stress and connect to nature.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

Yes, we feel that Lakefield College School offers a very wide range of extracurricular opportunities. The variety in sports, arts, outdoor programs, and student‑led initiatives is impressive, and there are meaningful options both for competition and for fun. Students who want to try new activities, explore different interests, or develop well‑rounded skills will find an excellent environment here. The school also encourages students to take initiative, and there are many opportunities to create or lead their own programs, which we see as a real strength. The only families who might find limitations are those looking for highly specialized, intensive training in a single area. For students who want a broad, balanced, and enriching extracurricular experience, LCS provides exactly the right context to grow into well‑rounded, confident young people.

(5) Students

The student body at Lakefield College School has a very positive and welcoming spirit. The school feels vibrant and connected, with students interacting naturally across all grades. One of the things that stands out most to us is how inclusive and supportive the atmosphere is. Our son has built strong connections not only within his own grade but also with older and younger students of all nationalities. The dynamic between students is genuinely positive—they interact with respect, invite each other to join activities during breaks, and show a strong sense of understanding and cooperation. There is a noticeable culture of kindness, openness, and mutual encouragement. There is no separation of students based on nationality; on the contrary, our son enjoys friendships with students from Canada as well as from all over the world. Overall, the student body feels like a community where students look out for one another and where friendships form easily across different ages and interests.

(5) School Life

The overall quality of student life at Lakefield College School is very high, and our son truly loves going to school there. The environment is supportive, engaging, and full of opportunities to grow both academically and personally. That said, his journey has not been without challenges. There was a period when he struggled with homesickness and with finding his place in a new environment. During that time, he even considered leaving LCS. What made the difference—and what we value deeply—was the way the Lakefield community responded. His teachers, house parents, and advisors worked closely with him, helping him rebuild his confidence and shift from a reactive mindset to a more active, self‑directed approach. Through their support, he learned to take ownership of his experience, and today he is 100% convinced that he is in the right place. This experience showed us how committed the school is to the well‑being and personal development of its students. The community does not simply offer a great student life when everything is going well; it also steps in meaningfully when a student needs guidance. For prospective families, it may be helpful to know that LCS is not only a place where students thrive socially and academically, but also a place where they are supported through the natural ups and downs of adolescence. The school provides a strong sense of belonging, a caring community, and an environment where students can grow into confident, resilient young people.

(5) Community

The broader community at Lakefield College School is warm, engaged, and genuinely welcoming. Parents are clearly invited to be part of school life, and there are several meaningful opportunities to get involved. For example, Volunteering Days, where parents can help through food donations, sharing of traditions; Career Day allows parents to share their professional experience and help students explore future pathways. Regatta Day brings together current families and alumni, creating a strong sense of tradition and community. During both the opening and closing weeks, parents are invited to attend ceremonies, meet one another, and connect with the school’s leadership team. We also appreciate that the leadership team actively fosters global community connections. They travel internationally to host local gatherings for alumni, current parents, and prospective families, which strengthens the sense of belonging far beyond the campus. And they offer regular update calls with the leadership, which not only helps keep the parents informed but also offers the opportunity for an open exchange. Overall, parents are welcomed, included, and encouraged to participate. The school provides a healthy balance—families can be involved without feeling obligated, and students still maintain their independence.

(5) School Location

What stands out most about the surrounding community of Lakefield College School is its exceptional setting. The campus is beautifully located on a lake, surrounded by forest, with extensive sports facilities and outdoor spaces. It offers a unique combination of natural beauty and a safe, focused learning environment. At the same time, the school is close enough to a small town that provides all essential infrastructure—stores, a bank, and other services—so students have access to everything they need. The town embraces the school, and there is a strong sense of connection between the two communities. Yet the school is also far enough from the town to maintain its own distinct atmosphere. Students are not distracted by an urban environment, which allows LCS to function as its own close‑knit community. In this sense, it is both connected and independent: students benefit from the local community while still enjoying the focused, immersive experience of campus life.

(5) Admissions

The admissions team does an excellent job. They are responsive, clear, and genuinely helpful throughout the entire process. What stood out to us was not only their professionalism but also their attitude—it reflected the culture and values of Lakefield College School in a very authentic way. This positive experience with the admissions team was actually one of the key factors in our decision to choose LCS. We never felt stressed or left alone; instead, the admissions officers worked with us to ensure that the school was the right fit for our son. One area where the admissions process could be even more supportive—especially for international families—is in proactively addressing the needs of European parents who may not be familiar with the Ontario education system. We have observed that some European families are unaware that the Ontario Secondary School Diploma can be officially recognized for university entry in many European countries. Sharing this information earlier, along with examples of how LCS has successfully guided European students in the past, could be very reassuring.

(5) University placement and counselling

The university counselling program at Lakefield College School is very strong, and we appreciate that it begins early, already in Grade 10. This early start gives students time to explore possible pathways and understand what different post‑secondary options might require. Students are supported through a variety of tools and opportunities. The school offers university fairs, assessments to help identify strengths and interests, and guidance on whether additional standardized tests, such as the SAT, are needed. Counsellors also assist with the entire application process: they help students stay on top of deadlines, review application materials, and identify potential scholarship opportunities. As this is embedded in the academic school schedule in grade 10 and grade 12, it is ensured that there is no conflict of interest with the ongoing academic subjects. Overall, the support is comprehensive and well‑timed. Students receive appropriate guidance early enough to prepare strong applications for their first‑choice programs. From what we have seen, the counselling team is proactive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping each student find the right path.