Roundtable Q&A Discussion About Northmount School (2020)
Northmount School alumni, current students, and parents shared their insights on the school’s culture, values, strengths, and weaknesses. Hear what Matthew, Rozz, Robin had to say about the school.
Highlights from the Q&A discussion
Matthew — alum
Matthew, an alum of Northmount School, shared his perspective on supportive teachers, meaningful community, academic challenge, confidence-building opportunities, and how stepping outside his comfort zone contributed to personal growth and success.
The thing that I appreciated most about the school was how the school really dialled down and made you feel like you were one of the star kids there.
Northmount really capitalizes on its extra help, making sure that students are comfortable and confident in academics and in the social aspect of things… Teachers always made sure you were playing all the games and everything, and then you get a really good friend group going.
The first thing I noticed was the teachers. Immediately, I noticed how enthusiastic he was, how energetic he was, and how he was really going to shape up the year.
I noticed how social the kids were and how easy they were to talk to. All these kids were very social, made you feel very comfortable, and made you feel like you were part of the community early on.
Northmount is a very sports-related school, but it's also a very academic school. A lot of kids, including me, learn a lot about themselves through challenges they get put in, and Northmount provides a lot of challenges.
The best advice I can give to a new student entering Northmount is to step outside your comfort zone. Join a club you’ve never joined before. Join the sports team you always wanted to, but never had the courage to.
Northmount makes you feel confident, and that allows you to go and ask teachers for things. That support can be written support or emotional support.
During the school year, the opportunities you take advantage of are what determine what happens later. That's why it's important to have courage.
Rozz — current parent
Rozz, a parent at Northmount School, shared her perspective on the nurturing environment, strong community values, small class sizes, single-gender benefits, individualized support, confidence-building experiences, and meaningful student connections.
We had been in a small facility before this, and what struck me when we came to the school, as well as the other moms, was that when you walk in, the building is very comforting and not daunting. So, if you have a boy who takes a little time to ease into things, it’s a really comforting place to just slide in.
Another aspect that surprised me, and that I thought was a unique element, was the chapel right in the school. I’m not of the Catholic faith, but I do think it’s important in terms of values and character that there is that aspect. So it was another nice element in the physical space that attracted me to the school.
The size of the school, that 120–130 students ranging from JK to grade eight, is nice if that’s what you’re looking for. In grade one, it was a really nice number. The class size was around 15 at the time, and now it’s grown to 16 or 17, but that’s where it maxes out, and I think that’s a good number.
One thing that really stood out in the first year was how the school spans JK to grade eight altogether. There isn’t a separate middle school or lower school.
I think the single-gender feature, which is not for everyone, has its definite pros, especially for boys in the junior school. They have that whole gamut of interaction, and I think the social aspect has had the biggest impact on my son.
The school is easy to navigate. The little ones race around like they've been there for years.
If I had to summarize my experience in three words, mine would be: nurturing, challenging, and academic. It’s a nice environment, and at the end of the day, it is a school and it has an academic center to it.
For the values of the community, I actually think they’re the same three words: generous, supportive, and ambitious.
Robin — current parent
Robin, a parent at Northmount School, shared her perspective on the school’s strong academics, nurturing community, character development, individualized support, and meaningful cross-grade relationships that help boys grow confidently.
We first learned about the school at the OUR KIDS Conference. We decided to try public school first, but shortly after, we realized it wasn’t meeting our needs.
Based on what we knew before enrolling, we expected a strong academic program, and that expectation has been met. The class sizes are excellent: small enough to be focused and intentional, but large enough for group work, experiments, and collaboration.
What surprised us was the level of cross-grade connection. When Sloan first started, after only a few weeks, an older boy greeted him by name. I thought he was joking, but he wasn’t.
Another pleasant surprise was the truly well-rounded programming; not just academics, but art, music, physical fitness, theatre, and a wide range of enriching experiences. It creates a 360-degree approach to growth.
One of the biggest impacts has been the character development woven into everything. He’s learning confidence, self-awareness, and consideration, like waiting rather than blurting out answers..
Northmount feels like a safe space. The closest environment outside our home where our boys can figure things out.
If I had to describe the school in three words, they would be: Uplifting, Outstanding, Supportive.
The community reflects the same values. Support is evident whether through volunteering, contributing to drives, or showing up. Parents are busy, yet still engaged, and the boys notice.
There is strong collaboration between parents, teachers, and administration.
Finally, the individualized approach stands out. Because class sizes are appropriate and the teachers know the boys well, they understand their personalities, quirks, and learning needs.
