REVIEW OF Mater Boni Consilii Academy BY parent, David Borges

(4) Student Experience

Every day truly feels like a great day for my son at this school. He looks forward to learning and is eager to take on the challenges that come with new concepts in Math and Science, finding joy in discovering how things work and building his problem-solving skills. Beyond academics, he is also growing in character and learning how important virtue is, not only in class, but also on the playground with friends and in our home life. He especially appreciates the opportunities he has to mentor younger students, which helps him practice patience, kindness, and responsibility. Through hands-on projects, he is also developing valuable leadership skills that will serve him well in the future. He enjoys the encouragement and joy he receives from the teachers and staff, who create such a supportive environment. Fridays are a highlight of his week, as the Missionaries lead creative and fun activities that hardly feel like learning at all, yet deepen his growth and happiness.

Why Mater Boni Consilii Academy?

We are a Catholic family, and MBCA is the only private Catholic school available in our area. Before enrolling here, we homeschooled because it was important to us to integrate lessons on Catholic life and virtue into every subject.

Expectations vs. Reality

It aligns with our expectations as MBCA focuses on the integral formation, not just academic excellence, but also on developing virtues. MBCA exceeded our expectations because our son is also developing leadership skills and being challenged to set goals for himself that help him to be a better student, friend, etc.

Your Advice

MBCA is only in its third year of operation, with a small but dedicated staff supported by several volunteers. Enrolling your child at MBCA is more than simply sending them to school; it’s about embracing the vision and becoming part of a growing community. Families have the opportunity to contribute their generosity, time, and talents to help the school flourish and build a strong future together.

(4) School Leadership

The school leadership places a high value on open and consistent communication, which makes families feel supported and heard. When challenges arise, they approach each situation in a positive and constructive way, treating it as an opportunity for both students and the community to learn and grow. The well-being of every student is always at the heart of their decisions. Discipline is handled with fairness and respect, and the staff partners closely with families to ensure alignment, clarity, and understanding. The Head of School is approachable and makes herself available for in-person meetings whenever needed, which fosters trust and strengthens the sense of community. Parents can feel confident knowing that leadership is engaged, responsive, and deeply committed to the growth and success of each child.

(4) Teaching

The teachers at MBCA demonstrate a true spirit of collaboration and communion, which creates a strong and unified learning environment. While our son has one main teacher who guides him through most of his subjects, he also benefits from the expertise of other teachers in areas such as music and art. Each teacher brings their own passion and gifts, providing a well-rounded education that goes beyond academics. They set high yet realistic expectations, challenging him not only in his studies but also in daily habits—keeping his desk organized, treating his school books with respect, and learning responsibility in small but meaningful ways. Even music and art classes become much more than extracurriculars. They are opportunities to explore different cultures, deepen their faith formation, and develop creativity. Through these classes, he learns techniques, practices songs, and gains hands-on experience with various instruments, enriching both his skills and his appreciation for beauty.

(4) Academics

The academic program at Mater Boni Consilii Academy is both rigorous and well-rounded, designed to form the mind and the heart. One of its greatest strengths is how seamlessly academics are integrated with Catholic faith and virtue, so that lessons in Math, Science, Literature, or Art also become lessons in character, responsibility, and spiritual growth. The teachers set high but realistic expectations, encouraging students to develop strong study habits, such as keeping their work organized and treating school materials with care. Students benefit from collaboration among teachers, with specialists in music and art who enrich the curriculum by teaching cultural awareness, creativity, and faith through their subjects. The atmosphere is one of joy, encouragement, and support, where communication between families and school leadership is prioritized. While the school is young and still growing, its small staff—supported by volunteers—fosters a close-knit community that values generosity and shared vision. I believe the academic program is more than adequate to prepare my child, equipping him with not only knowledge and skills, but also the virtues and leadership qualities he will need for the next stages of life.

(4) Extracurriculars

While it's only in the 3rd year of operation, the staff and volunteers have gone above and beyond in providing opportunities for the students to go on field trips, weekly pizza days, and partnering with YMCA for weekly gym class. They also have events, such as the All Saints Day party, Christmas concert and end of year BBQ that are fun and engaging opportunities for the students and families.

(4) Students

The student body at Mater Boni Consilii Academy is still small, as the school is in its early years and continuing to grow. For our family, this has been a real blessing. The leadership is committed to maintaining small class sizes, and this has given our son the chance to form meaningful friendships with every student in his class, rather than just a select few. The dynamic among the children is warm, supportive, and encouraging, which creates a positive atmosphere for both learning and play. Because the school emphasizes living out virtue in every exchange, students are constantly reminded to be kind, respectful, and thoughtful—whether in the classroom, on the playground, or in shared activities. The small student body also allows teachers to know each child personally, offering individualized attention, guidance, and encouragement. This close teacher-student relationship not only supports academic growth but also nurtures the development of character and confidence, helping each child feel valued and understood.

(4.5) School Life

The overall quality of student life at Mater Boni Consilii Academy is truly excellent. Our son loves going to school each day and often comes home excited to share what he has learned or experienced. He thrives on the balance of academic challenge, faith formation, and opportunities to grow in virtue. The small student body has been a blessing, allowing him to form close friendships with classmates and enjoy a supportive, welcoming environment. Because the school emphasizes kindness and virtue in every interaction, the atmosphere is both joyful and respectful, whether in the classroom, on the playground, or during extracurricular activities. Teachers know each child personally and offer individualized guidance, which strengthens both confidence and character. Fridays are an especially joyful highlight, as the Missionaries come to lead fun, creative activities that don’t feel like traditional lessons, but still enrich the students’ faith and social growth. While the school is still young and resources are naturally limited, this also creates opportunities for families to be involved and shape the community with their time and talents. For prospective families, I would emphasize the sense of communion between teachers, students, and parents, and the deep commitment to forming the whole person—mind, heart, and soul. Mater Boni Consilii Academy offers not only a strong education but also a nurturing community where children can flourish academically, spiritually, and socially.

(4.5) Community

Parents aren't just welcomed to volunteer, they are encouraged, as MBCA relies on the generosity and talents of the parent community. MBCA is only in its third year of operation, with a small but dedicated staff supported by several volunteers. Enrolling your child at MBCA is more than simply sending them to school—it’s about embracing the vision and becoming part of a growing community. Families have the opportunity to contribute their generosity, time, and talents to help the school flourish and build a strong future together. There is a Parent Advisory Council and many opportunities to volunteer during fundraising events, school events, and even throughout the school day as a lunch monitor or on Pizza days, gym days, and field trips. It's an encouraging and generous community of parents that makes all the events and extra activities possible.

(4) School Location

The school is in a beautiful area of Oakville where students have a play ares in the front and back, but they also include visits to the library, and the YMCA for gym days. In the spring, they hold a lemonade stand, which has them interacting with community members. They also have opportunities for field trips to the local church, theatre, etc.

(4.5) Admissions

The admission process was very professional, and the bonus is that MBCA provides an opportunity not only for parents to visit the school during a regular school day, but also for the students to spend a day a the school so they get a foretaste of what a day at MBCA is like and can envision themselves there. The process itself also shows that the leadership team wants to be sure the student and families are a good fit for MBCA, ensuring the families can get behind the shared vision and fit well with the other families working to build the school community.