Interview with Ridley College PARENT, Jo Hanna

With four children, we needed a school that was co-ed, because we have three boys and a daughter. We wanted a platform that offered a variety for each of our children's needs, and Ridley was such a good fit for that. We liked that it was an IB school. I enjoyed the history and traditional aspects—the chapel on Fridays, the Cadet program. The strong academics were a big draw.

When we came to Canada for our final decision, walking onto campus, we just knew. The campus is beautiful and very well-maintained. It’s hard not to imagine your kids walking on those grounds. There’s a really natural atmosphere. The old buildings, the ice rink, the boarding houses—it’s just stunning.

It’s such a great experience for boarders. Each house is run differently, with its own traditions. There’s Saturday school, house activities, and outings. It becomes a long-standing tradition—siblings and even generations follow into the same house.

Ridley has Homecoming every fall and spring. You see alumni return proudly, with their patched cardigans. When we first visited, we ran into an Old Ridleian who told our kids, "I live in New York now, but I came to visit because I just got engaged, and I can’t imagine getting married anywhere else. This is where my best memories were. Value what your parents sow into this experience—it’s worth it for your future." That was amazing to hear.

We've seen incredible growth. Ridley raises leaders. One teacher noticed my son wasn’t confident in public speaking and entered him into a Toronto competition. He coached him, picked him up, and spent the whole day with him. That same boy ended up being Grade 8 valedictorian. From avoiding speaking to addressing the whole school, it was just beautiful.

Classes are small. Teachers get one-on-one time. The IB program encourages attributes like risk-taking and inquiry. Teachers assess and celebrate those strengths. Ridley embraces well-being and helps kids use their strengths to build on their weaknesses.

We have an incredible relationship with the school. I’m involved in the Family Guild. Parents volunteer readily—everyone wants to help. Teachers give so much, so it's easy to give back. The community is strong and warm. Parent-teacher conferences involve the kids presenting their own work. That gives them ownership. We get reports from teachers, but also hear directly from our children.

Academics are probably the number one draw. But Ridley also offers a wide variety of sports. We’ve got squash courts, swimming pool, ice rink, tennis, rugby, basketball. It’s well-rounded—great academics, sports, music, drama. Teachers and coaches are passionate. What you put in, you get out—if not more.

Our children have found new interests. One son did cross-country and excelled. Others who never skated took up hockey and loved it. It was daunting, but exciting. A new culture and a new experience.

I use this analogy: PYP is nurturing, MYP builds independence, Upper School prepares them to fly. My son is a day student but stays until 9 p.m. sometimes. He has a room and a desk—he loves being there. I’d rather have him there, in a learning environment, than somewhere else. Upper School’s strength is the boarding program. They’re exploring how day students can participate more, even virtually. I think that’s an important direction.

Ridley really is a community in spirit. Their motto, Terar Dum Prosim—"May I be consumed in service"—is something they live out. Seeing my kids' strengths emerge helped me understand them better. It helped me grow as a parent. That has been a gift from the school. I would tell myself to do it earlier. I wish all my kids had started in JK. It would have made a difference in some of the challenges they faced earlier in life.