Interview with Upper Canada College PARENT, Christopher Allen

UCC is pretty much the most selective school in Canada. It attracts many applicants supported by substantial financial aid, which makes for an impressive student body that goes on to do all kinds of amazing things.

Our son dove in right from the start at UCC. He seemed in his element and quickly made friends. Teachers shared talents, social skills, and growth opportunities we hadn’t noticed before, and he developed a great sense of pride in UCC.

The one thing my son truly appreciates, and I think many students at UCC appreciate, is the camaraderie. There’s a lot of bonding between the students, from singing the school song together to spontaneous gestures like walking with arms around each other’s shoulders… Even in the upper school, older students mentor younger students, and classmates tutor each other with shout-outs at assembly, reinforcing a culture that “we’re stronger together than apart.”

UCC leans in pretty hard in terms of fostering respect across the community, and the school spirit really is the stuff of legend. The UCC community, students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni, is inspiring and engaging, with regular parent socials and opportunities to connect and learn from one another.

UCC stands for excellence. They stand for merit. They believe in leadership. They constantly innovate with teaching methods, facilities, and programs, such as bringing an IB mathematics teacher from Hong Kong, building a world-class boathouse for rowing, and introducing TED Talks for students. This culture of innovation inspires students to push their limits and achieve their best.

I'm convinced that UCC has the best University Counselling in the country, and the placement results speak for themselves. The counselling office is full of talented advisers who work closely with students, teachers, and admissions directors to ensure each application shines. They are skilled matchmakers and ambassadors, and discovering this depth and sophistication has been a very pleasant surprise.

UCC embraces high standards, pluralism, service, and leadership. They challenge the boys but also make them feel valued. They take volunteering seriously, and they give students real opportunities to lead and take risks. Those values show up in academics, extracurriculars, and in the day-to-day life of the school.

The best part of UCC is that there really isn’t a typical family. It’s a mosaic—families from the neighbourhood, from across Toronto, and from around the world in the boarding houses. Families volunteer together, go to events, and support one another. It’s a singular community, and you feel like you’re part of it for life.

When I look back at what we were searching for: great students, great teaching, and great university placement outcomes, UCC really delivers. After eight years there, I can confidently say those are three reasons I’d recommend the school. UCC has the values, the resources, the teachers, and the ambition to make those outcomes possible. 

Choosing a private school is a big decision, so take your time and follow your heart, but for us, UCC has been the right choice.