Boarding Life at Lakefield College School

Grade	Boarding students as a percentage of total enrollment per grade
Lakefield College School	Median of all other boarding schools
Gr. 9	62%	40%
Gr. 10	70%	48%
Gr. 11	70%	53%
Gr. 12	71%	60%

Grade	Boarding enrollment
Lakefield College School	Median of all other boarding schools
Gr. 9	50	26
Gr. 10	73	28
Gr. 11	89	20
Gr. 12	83	11

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

Strong peer connections and a sense of belonging through the house system.

Observations from administrators and parents suggest that the integration of day and boarding students through the house model at Lakefield fosters a supportive and inclusive environment, encouraging deep connections and mutual support among students.

We have a house model at the school, and so I meet with students by house, and that’s something that I do throughout the year. Every fall I spend my evenings going into the houses and having snacks with them. So I get to see them in their environment. And then with our Day Students, I have them into my house for cookies and chocolate milk. And then in the winter, I have all the houses through into the living room.

—Anne-Marie Kee, Head of School (see full interview)

We wanted to break down the obstacles that were separating the Day Students and the Boarding Students, and so with the house model, now all of the Day Students will have a spot in one of the 12 houses. That way they’re going to get the benefits. I’m coming to the end of my third year as Head of School and in my first year I saw a really big divide between Day Students and Boarding Students in the younger grades. We’re a school that’s only Grade 9 to Grade 12, and by Grade 12 you couldn’t tell the difference between Day Students and Boarding Students—but you could in the younger years. So one of our big initiatives was with a house model.

—Anne-Marie Kee, Head of School (see full interview)

Now more than ever, I think it’s important that students have deep connections with kids from a variety of countries. The way to learn global competencies isn’t sitting in a training workshop. We’re from about 45 countries on this little campus of ours, so the more that the Day and Boarding Students can be integrated and together, I think that’s one of the huge benefits of a boarding school education. Nothing makes me happier than when I see that the kids are going to each other’s places on weekends or March Breaks or holidays. There’s a lot of that that goes on. I think that’s what we mean by ‘authentic learning.’ It’s real. This is about life—not just going to university.

—Anne-Marie Kee, Head of School (see full interview)

Lakefield is a community where your basketball coach is your head of house, your academic advisor is also your nurse, and where your grade 12 mentor could be leading your dance showcase. It truly is a family that works together to ensure the community succeeds and helps you grow as a person. ... The overall atmosphere of Lakefield is created largely in part due to the extensive hours the admissions team puts in to find great students that will not only succeed at Lakefield, but blend well, and give back to the community. LCS has been known for its small size of fewer than 400 students, which has started to grow due to the intense demand. What separates Lakefield from other private boarding schools other than its size is also the atmosphere. Because of the small population, everyone is destined to cross paths with each other at some point whether it be on the sports field, in class, in your residence, or in a club. These people see you at your very best and are there for you during the tough times.

—Bella Runza, alum (2013-2017) (see full review)

The boarding students are living in the house, which is mixed of different countries’ students from Grade 9 to Grade 12. Grade 12 students could have the opportunity to take student leadership roles within the house, or school student group to help younger students. The head of our son’s house is living in the house with his family. The setup of the house, now there is only a boys' house and a girls' house but there will be an all-gender house in the coming new school year, nurtures very close relationships among housemates, and some have developed into lifelong friendships. During the monthly break time, the school will arrange activities for those boarding students who could not return home. Last year’s Christmas time, our son stayed in his local day school friends’ home and enjoyed a wonderful holiday.

—Steven Sun, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

Houses have a good size and create enough intimacy to connect with the other students. Clubs bring kids with similar interests together. Sports provide opportunities to interact across generations. School provides alternatives to fulfill community service requirements fitting different personalities. There are plenty of activities to choose from but also the space for kids to have time on their own when they prefer so. In particular, LCS has done a terrific job in these years to provide alternatives when travel was not an option or was too risky, with staycations during long weekends and breaks. ... Our kids love LCS. The School provides a fun but still structured environment in which to enjoy with peers, a great balance between the freedom teenagers should enjoy and the learning of growing with responsibility.

—Elena Millon, parent (beginning 2020) (see full review)

Our son has had a terrific couple of years at LCS. He has been able to follow his passions (math and computing, areas in which he has traditionally excelled and the school has supported him in participating in Canadian competitions) while exploring new frontiers that have challenged him both on sports fields and academic ones. At all times he has felt supported by his house parent and his teachers, who have shown real care and understanding of his personality. He did also feel really at ease when he had to stay in the school for 10 consecutive months in his first year due to COVID restrictions. The school organized activities during every break and we as parents were always confident he could not be under better care.

—Elena Millon, parent (beginning 2020) (see full review)

Our son's experience in LCS is beyond expectations. He started boarding during the pandemic time, when restrictions ruled life. And still, he loved it. LCS had a way of welcoming the kids that is unique, they found ways of occupying them, making events and games outside. Also, the presence and dedication of the staff at any time were amazing. Post-pandemic, we discovered the true spirit of LCS. The sports offered, the events organized, the sense of community, and just the beauty of the amazing campus make the high school experience exceptional. On the academic side, he benefits from an excellent teaching staff, who takes time to comment on all of his homework and tests, with clear, honest and precise feedback. This helped him so much to improve and become a better student. He is enjoying dedicated advisory and very personalized help from the university counsellor. They helped him choose the appropriate classes for grade 11. LCS offers so many different options and AP classes, the possibilities are endless. He loves the "board house" solution LCS is offering. since he started LCS, he shares the same house with 24 boys from 14 nationalities and he ADORES it. They became a little family and he is truly living and enjoying diversity.

—Catherine Gell, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

The size of the school has grown since I attended in 1993 but they have kept it from getting too large. The day students are really well integrated with the boarding students now and many of my daughter's best friends are day students. This was not the case when I attended LCS so they have done a great job with this! They have many spirit events and they are all part of a house (including day students) and a 'paper house' which is different from their main house. This gives them the opportunity to interact with a whole other group of kids of different age groups. The dynamic of the students seems positive to me. It's always hard for a parent to really know, but our daughter has formed a strong group of friends from on and off campus and she is thriving socially. The school and staff spend time addressing mental health and wellness within their houses and the head of school addresses the whole school about how important it is to be kind and respectful to each other.

—Stacey Ambler, parent (beginning 1992) (see full review)

A holistic environment that nurtures well-rounded individuals.

Reports from students, parents, and faculty highlight Lakefield's focus on providing a well-rounded education that emphasizes not just academics, but also personal growth, leadership, and community engagement.

If you’re only interested in academics and then you want to go home at the end of the day so you can do all of your homework, this isn’t that place. You kind of are all in. We attract students who want a well-rounded education. We do Advanced Placement. We offer an incredible number of academic courses. At Lakefield, you buy into the relationships with each other, with teachers. You buy into the spirit events. You’re here on the weekend. This is your life. I think it pulls you out of your comfort zone, when you’re living in this kind of an immersive environment.

—Anne-Marie Kee, Head of School (see full interview)

As we have observed, both from the school’s teaching and programming system and individual teachers, LCS’s approach to education is excellent. LCS is doing a great job of quickly transforming the latest and most advanced education methodology into real teaching practices. And teachers are full of energy and passion to support students to achieve their potential. As international boarding student parents, we find out the school’s Edsby online system is a very powerful tool. It allows us to connect with each teacher almost in real-time with his or her teaching practices. Quite often, we are amazed and appreciate those comments and feedbacks teacher made on our son’s learning progress. That feedback is normally very direct and specific, and always encouraging. Developing a student to be a well-rounded person is central to the school’s value, and we see the value reflected in every aspect of the LCS teaching practices.

—Steven Sun, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

The academics are rigorous. The school offers AP classes and also has a wide variety of courses for students to select. We appreciate the school’s academic resources are always ready to support students’ individual needs. LCS's academic learning environment in student groups is healthy and somehow competitive. Our son is very motivated to reach his next academic level: he has aimed for the university he wants to enrol in and interested areas he would like to explore further in the university, so he likes the academic resources the school is providing to him, and helpful inputs from his academic advisor when they start Grade 11 course selection and university selection processes. As international boarding student parents, we are also very much involved in those processes, and our son’s academic advisor is always available to talk with.

—Steven Sun, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

Experiences that nurture independence and maturity.

Insights from parents and alumni indicate that the boarding experience at Lakefield helps students build independence, maturity, and a deeper appreciation for family, transforming the way they interact with their parents and siblings.

Living in a residential environment and being responsible for waking up, getting to places on time, completing his homework. One example would be the decision-making skills that he has developed. So, my son was a rep hockey player for the last eight years. That was our life. And then he goes to Lakefield and he phones us and says, ‘I might play basketball’. We were so surprised. He said ‘I’ve spoken with a coach and I’ve talked to some of the seniors, and I’ve looked at the schedule, and I’ve evaluated this, and this, and this, and this—and I’m going to choose basketball’. And to watch this 13- or 14-year-old go through that decision-making process is not something I would have seen in Grade 8. I don’t know that I would have seen it if he stayed here. There was just a new level of responsibility and decision-making skills.

—Maxwell McEachern, alum (see full discussion)

Lakefield changed me to be the best version of myself. I applied to Lakefield to just be my one-year experience. My mom was like, ‘There's no way for you to stay more than one year.’ I'm an only child, so you can't imagine. I'm a girl. And she saw me so happy that when I asked to stay all through high school, she was like, ‘Yes, I saw you so happy. I saw that you changed. You're so independent. How much you grew as a person!’

—Lisa and Sean, parent (see full discussion)

Our boys are becoming more and more adept at overcoming obstacles and challenges and turning those into successes, whether it's a personal one or an academic one or a social one. The school is helping guide them through that process like a parent would. And being so far away as an expat dad, that's really important to me. I think because of that, I've also seen both boys’ confidence continue to grow.

—Lisa and Sean, parent (see full discussion)

After attending Lakefield, they have a different appreciation for home, what that means, and just the family. I saw three boys leave each other, and every single time they came back, there was just this love and unconditional bond that is unbreakable now. All of a sudden, family has meant something more. They come back, and our family time is just that much more meaningful. So I've seen maturity. They've come back with an appreciation for their parents and family life. It's incredible. It just really is by far the best experience. We cracked the door for them, and they chose to walk through the door, but we have zero regrets. It's just made them that much more well-rounded.

—Jeremy and Catherine, parent (see full discussion)

I learned things that I didn't think I'd have to. I learned how to do my laundry, basically. Even though there's a laundry service, I still had to wash some of my own clothes, grocery shopping in town, leaving the campus with some friends to go out, going on road trips with all the students, having the coaches leave that opportunity for you to make your own choices as well was very important for me.

—Jeremy and Catherine, parent (see full discussion)

When we see them come together back in the family unit, it is remarkable the way that relationship has changed, the respect that they have for each other. I mean, they're still siblings and have disagreements, but the way they interact is entirely different now that they've had this out-of-home opportunity to kind of establish their own autonomy and their own independence and be their own people.

—Jeremy and Catherine, parent (see full discussion)

Lakefield does a really good job of communicating its values and then living it through its actions and through its words. In every interaction, I can say I've always felt it's been very authentic with the school, from the kids interacting with each other and how they work together and how they study or work as a team, to living in the dorm. It's always been very authentic and living the values that the school promotes. And I think that's pretty hard to do.

—Lisa and Sean, parent (see full discussion)

One of the things when we were looking at boarding school was understanding how schools handle missteps that kids make growing up. And is it punitive or do they focus on a learning experience? Because part of growing up, I think, is making mistakes and then learning from those mistakes, whether it's a poor choice with friends or a difficult choice around academics or choosing not to do something. Those are the values that we were looking for in how a school goes about approaching that. And I think Lakefield has done exactly what we had wanted; someone's been there to help them along the way.

—Lisa and Sean, parent (see full discussion)

My son loved going to school at LCS. He enjoyed the wide range of classes and extracurricular activities. He enjoyed the boarding experience and he gained independence and so many friends. The living away from home was a great way for my son to build independence, however, there is great support through the housing staff to help with settling in, academic support and meeting new people. They have a student body from the graduating class that all have leadership roles which also help with the younger students to become more comfortable and find their niche in the school body. My son had some issues with the specific study schedule as they had "study time" each night from 7 to 9pm. This is great to help instill the need to do homework daily, however, my son is a morning person and by 7 pm is fading in the ability to focus, work hard. So he woke early and did all his work then. Otherwise the school is very supportive of learning styles and needs.

—Jan Dunk, parent (beginning 2015) (see full review)

Our son attended Lakefield College School for Grade 12, instead of doing CEGEP in our home province of Quebec. LCS provided our son with independence, confidence and security all while allowing him to develop each of those skills on his own. Changing him into a confident, independent young man overnight. Instilling a good work ethic all while having fun in his school community. The staff would be our son's number one takeaway from LCS. The guidance, encouragement, community and family feel prepared him for university life. LCS campus provides the students with a home atmosphere the activities and house events give all students the opportunity to get involved. Our son appreciated the art sports facilities! His ONLY regret or disappointment would be that he didn't attend LCS sooner, one year was not enough in his opinion.

—Suzanne Scarrow, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

Lakefield College School allows the students to develop their own sense of independence all while ensuring the students are making good decisions along the way. LCS's leadership and administration team were in constant contact with the parent body. School newsletters, messages from head of school or weekly house updates from the house parents kept us in the "loop" almost daily. We had access to all levels of staff at any given time, like texting a friend. LCS has a no-tolerance mindset and is quick to discipline when required. The safety of their students is forefront always. Students are given the tools to develop a mature and responsible mindset. I appreciated LCS's approach to discipline, as a parent of a boarding student I never had to worry about his safety or actions - not once. Our son had lots of fun, will have his LCS memories forever.

—Suzanne Scarrow, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

A beautiful natural setting enriches the student journey.

Observations from students and parents highlight that Lakefield College School's stunning location by the lake and its proximity to a small town significantly enhance the student experience with nature-infused serenity and convenient amenities just a short walk away.

There’s a lot of beautiful things on this campus. The leaves are turning colours right now. It’s quite beautiful right now. What I tell my boys in Cooper House every day is to just take a deep breath. Just a deep breath. Because there’s a lot going on here, and I see them running a million miles a minute, running up and down the hallways. Taking a deep breath is also a bit of me, like, trying to manage them, but it’s also to look around at the environment that they’re in because it goes by quickly. And there’s so many incredible opportunities here.

—Maxwell McEachern, alum (see full discussion)

The school is located in a gorgeous plot of land on the edge of a lake. It is a beautiful location and has a small town right next door. Students enjoy going into town for a meal or ice cream. The school advertises that our nature brings out the best in their nature, and it truly does. The school residences are spread along the lake so many of them look out onto the water. The school building is further away but is surrounded by trees and beautiful views. So much of the school has large windows.

—Jan Dunk, parent (beginning 2015) (see full review)

Lakefield itself is a very small town. The LCS campus is located just on the edge of town providing its own seclusion and safety from the rest of the greater community, but still close enough to an urban environment where boarding students can venture into town for groceries, local shopping and dining, as well as community service initiatives. The city of Peterborough is about a 20-minute drive from campus, where on the weekend’s students are allowed to be in Peterborough for special dinner leave, attend hockey games, and just have a chance to leave the property.

—Bella Runza, alum (2013-2017) (see full review)

My daughter Judy has stayed in LCS for 3 school years. My wife and I can feel that she is happy and enjoys school life very much. She likes the beautiful school environment with a nice lake close to her dorm. Judy also enjoys the abundant facilities and places that the school provides which lets her learn and exercise with a firm foundation. The points she appreciates are the teachers and staff in LCS, they take care of my daughter very nicely and provide lots of warm activities for boarding students, especially on the days they are not able to come back to China during the holidays and quarantine periods. These days she's staying with us for the summer holidays and sharing with us lots of happy moments she experienced in LCS for the past school year. We could feel the education by LCS change and make her kinder and more sincere.

—YU RUIHUI, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

Our daughter was a proud student of LCS and is a proud alumnus. She realized quickly that the school was in a unique environment and had a lot to offer academically and with co-curricular activities. She felt fortunate to be at the school and thought the boarding facilities she had were excellent, and the grounds were spectacular. She particularly enjoyed running in the splendid rural setting and grabbing some quiet time by the lake. Our daughter grew up in Singapore and chose to join the Nordic Ski team in her first year. As the campus was equipped with its Nordic ski track, she could do a lot of extra skiing and thoroughly enjoy the exercise, learning the sport and becoming proficient at it during her stay at the school.

—Randall Fitton, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

The inclusive atmosphere supports connection and growth.

Insights from the Lakefield College School community reveal a strong sense of family and support, fostered by a diverse and small student body that connects deeply through various school activities and communal interactions.

I was talking to a parent not long ago about what they thought of Lakefield versus what they actually got out of Lakefield. And what they said to me was, ‘I was surprised at how supportive all the students were of each other’. She said she didn’t hear too much of, like, bullying and stuff happening at the school. And she’s like, ‘I’m not sure if I’m out of touch or if I’m naive’, but I would probably say that no, she wasn’t being naive, because bullies don’t really last long here at Lakefield. It’s a very supportive community. Lakefield students really want to have that supportive feeling in that community. We’re all part of these residential houses and we are pretty lucky that the students that are here want to be here.

—Maxwell McEachern, alum (see full discussion)

I think school should be kind. And the kids that go to school at Lakefield are kind. They're kind to each other. They're kind to the people who support them in their building. The people that take care of them in the dorms are kind. Their teachers are kind. Time and time again, through every interaction with every teacher or every student that I've met, you do get a sense of that kindness when you walk into Lakefield.

—Lisa and Sean, parent (see full discussion)

The school culture is made up of kids who've had many different upbringings and cultural differences, and yet we all still share at least one common experience no matter where we find ourselves on the world map: we all have created some of our best memories at LCS and call it our second home. Being at a school where I can learn in interesting, engaging ways but also make some of the best friends I'll ever have in my life is something I am so SO grateful for.

—stella mcaloon, student (beginning 2021) (see full review)

As it is a boarding school many parents cannot participate. However, those close enough to volunteer are welcome to join the parent crew called the grove society that helps out with many events throughout the year. This year the head of school Anne Marie Keys invited as many parents as she could to events at her house on campus to have round table discussions about the school. The school does workshops for the students and often includes parents to join in when they are about mental health, living independently, picking universities etc. When there are school events such as sports games, plays and concerts parents are welcome to come and cheer on the students. The staff quickly get to know the parents and make you feel welcome when you come to campus or an off site event.

—Jan Dunk, parent (beginning 2015) (see full review)

LCS in one word FAMILY. The student body is diverse with over 40 countries coming together on one campus. The vibe on the campus is contagious, everyone is supportive, encouraging, respectful and caring. I believe this is due to the confidence instilled in these students from their house parents, advisors, teachers and peers. When you feel good and are confident in YOUR person it's easy to be a cheerleader to others. Lakefield works hard to offer this to each person there (staff and students alike). The entire school is less than 500 students, allowing the feeling of family. Smiling, happy faces greet everyone that walks through the gates. As a parent, your biggest fear is not being there for your child in their time of need. LCS allowed me the breathing space to watch our son blossom. He has made lifelong friends, an extended family that will always have his back.

—Suzanne Scarrow, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

Building a strong and broader community is one of the high priorities of the LCS leadership team. In late 2021, LCS deployed a dedicated resource who can speak Chinese to strengthen the connectivity with the LCS Asia/Chinese community since most of the parents of this group of international boarding students live far away from the LCS. This is a great example that the school leadership highly values the community and broader community involvement. LCS does a lot of workshops and quite often they invite parents to join in. And there is live streaming of school events like sports games and theatre performances to allow parents to join remotely and see how their kids are performing. LCS is very good at utilizing the technology to connect with boarder community. Parents are given a lot of opportunities to support and sponsor community activities.

—Steven Sun, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

I'm not sure the exact word to use to describe the feeling of belonging at LCS. Maybe kinship? Kindness, joy, acceptance, loyalty? Whatever way describes a sense of home, even when you are hundreds of km from your real home. LCS is home to me because of the people: the staff, teachers, guidance team, administration, head of school, alum, house parents, nurses and students. We all share the same 315 acres of land for 10 months of the year. Through continuous discussions and activities in house meetings, classes, and advisor groups, LCS always emphasizes the importance of everyone's differences, but also inclusion, and how the two need to go hand in hand in order to create a healthy living space that feels comfortable for everyone, where you can be your true self and feel accepted.

—stella mcaloon, student (beginning 2021) (see full review)

From a student's perspective, no admissions process is exciting or enjoyable and tends to be stressful. However, the LCS admissions team really made this process less stressful. For me, I was sweating with nerves at the beginning of my interview, but the admissions staff made me feel so much more comfortable. It felt more like a conversation than being drilled with questions, which made it so much more natural and less intimidating than I thought it would be. And they took the time to also ask and learn things outside of me as a learner, but also who I am as a person. I would definitely encourage anyone applying to make a list of questions you may have. They will definitely be happy to answer anything, and you will leave feeling like you have a better understanding of the school and if it is a fit for you. Once you are accepted, you will fill out a form for dorm living preferences, and then submit a short, informal video that will help them pair you up with a roommate. I was SO nervous about this, but I ended up being roomies with a girl who is so, so different from me, and yet a perfect fit! Through her, I have found a best friend for life. And we are going to be rooming together again this upcoming year. We just finished face-timing actually to decide what bedding we're getting since we want to coordinate our colors this year and have the most epic room ever!

—stella mcaloon, student (beginning 2021) (see full review)

After investigating private boarding schools worldwide, LCS was our first choice, and the school did not disappoint. Our daughter started at the school in grade 10 after seven years of homeschooling, and the entire process was very supportive. She found all of the programs and staff, both academic and non-academic world-class, very supportive and caring. Having grown up in Singapore and an Asian food foodie, she and some of her friends did find they needed to go off campus to get their fill of authentic Asian cuisine and would have liked to see some of that in the dining halls. Overall our daughter would have to say that she has met some lifelong friends during her time at Lakefield and will always cherish that from her time at the school. They had a lot of fun and thoroughly enjoyed the environment and the experience.

—Randall Fitton, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

My daughter is of Canadian Chinese ethnicity and grew up in Singapore. Right out of the gate, the first thing she and we realized was how diverse the student body is. She could make friends from Germany, the USA, Korea, Japan and other parts of Canada. There were students from over forty countries, and we certainly feel this adds to the entire experience of being a student there. About 400 students were attending during my daughter's time which was just about the right size. Not too big and not too small, you could get to know and recognize most of the other students. The community bonding and the different grade levels with house events and the boarding houses were successfully managed. The time at LCS was unique in that our daughter was discovering more about her native Canada which she had never lived, and being immersed in the multicultural framework of an international boarding school.

—Randall Fitton, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

A strong sense of belonging inspires school spirit.

Insights from current students and their families reveal a strong sense of belonging and school spirit at LCS, driven by continuous efforts from the staff and teachers to create a comfortable and inclusive environment, making the school feel like a second home.

What the boys shared with me about Lakefield is that connection. One son, really early in the fall, went on a paddle with a group of Matthews House boys from somewhere in Peterborough to the school. He was just beaming and felt at home. Later, there was a Gladiator Day and he talked about how that was really the moment where he felt included, that he felt he belonged, that he was home.

—Lisa and Sean, parent (see full discussion)

There are so many opportunities for leadership regardless of the grade you are in. The way leadership is structured at Lakefield is not necessarily through a "hierarchical" system like most schools. Each grade 9-11 has a “grade representative” program where 2 boarding and 2 day students get elected to represent their class, meeting regularly with the co-head students and school life team to ensure the atmosphere of the student body and overall school spirit stays high. These representatives also work with the grade 12 class through retreats and other programming to practice their leadership skills in order to prep them for greater responsibilities in grade 12.

—Bella Runza, alum (2013-2017) (see full review)

I am in a unique position as I have played many roles at LCS. Started as a student, then worked as a staff member in communications (working closely with alumni), as well as doing residential coverage during the pandemic. What I have noticed by playing all of these roles is that the Lakefield atmosphere has not changed. I think that the amount of current staff who are alumni or have had previous connections with the school reflects the impact that Lakefield leaves you with. There is a separate parent group, known as the Grove Society that does various fundraisers for the school as well as hosts events during the year, sponsoring different student activities to encourage the engagement of parents; (largely because the parents envy the high school experience their child is getting). I completed my studies at Lakefield four years ago, and my current core friend group is still the group I was closest with in high school. Many of them have considered continuing their Lakefield involvement by giving back financially to the school, and even applying for residential positions because of how impactful their time at LCS was, and want to give the same experience to new students.

—Bella Runza, alum (2013-2017) (see full review)

Our son attended Lakefield College School (LCS) for Grade 9 and now he is a Grade 11 international boarding student. LCS is truly the home away from home, a caring community that allows our son to develop himself into a young man knowing and respecting people around him, making a lot of good friends, and growing himself into a more responsible community contributor and a future leader; LCS is also a continuous learning environment that is keeping push our son to challenge himself to reach next higher level and discover his potentials both on academic studies and competitive sports activities, and nurture him to find out his real interests he would like to pursue in future. LCS is really a fun place full of joys, happiness and kindness. Our son’s great experiences in LCS have our family decide to bring another boy to the school for Grade 9 study in 2021.

—Steven Sun, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

LCS has a great size and a nice mix of boarders and day students that creates a very close connection with the local community. The student body is diverse and balanced across geographies, providing a good opportunity of crossing cultures. Our kids have made great friends, some from their own houses some they have met in class or in extracurriculars. We have not heard a single bad experience in these two years, which we credit to LCS values, staff and culture that really appears to be able to develop well-rounded easy-going individuals. The best testimony was a few weeks ago during spring break when after 10 days at home it was evident they were ready to go back to their friends at their other home.

—Elena Millon, parent (beginning 2020) (see full review)

Lakefield College School has truly become a place I call home. From the staff that deeply cares and enriches my time at LCS by constantly checking in with me through advisor or house meetings, or nightly check-ins, I have felt an overwhelming amount of love and respect since coming to this school. As a student, I have grown in many ways academically, knowledge, and skills-wise, but also as a person, I have grown into a more independent, caring and kind, genuine person who has a love of learning and a deep respect for the people and place around me. LCS has helped me become these things, and day by day it continuously pushes me to take bigger risks, have more confidence, to be more. LCS has become a part of me, and it will stay with me forever.

—stella mcaloon, student (beginning 2021) (see full review)

The quality of life in LCS? If our son likes to go to school? Let me share a story. In January 2020, Canada was in shut down and a quarantine was mandatory to enter the country. The students would have online schooling but would have activities with the boarders of their house. At the same time, Switzerland had very few restrictions, and the ski areas were open. Our son preferred to go back to LCS. It says it all! We do believe that this enthusiasm is the result of a great mix: the students, the staff, the possibilities, the amazing campus, the infrastructure. If I would improve anything, it would be the renovation of some infrastructures in the boarding house. But we realized that our son did not care much about the “luxury” of the house, as long as the common room was big and comfy enough to hang out with his friends.

—Catherine Gell, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

Our daughter has wanted to attend LCS since she was a little girl. She saw her two nieces graduate from LCS and knew that I (mom) attended and loved it. She boards at LCS which has been an adjustment for her, but she has made many good friends and felt right at home from the beginning. She always looks forward to getting back to school after a break and is not wanting the school year to end! Fortunately, she will return next year! Our daughter spent her 9th-grade year at our local high school so the academics at LCS have given her a great challenge which she has risen to! There is always someone to help her if she needs it and all of the kids want to be successful so there is an overall positive attitude towards learning. She has loved the Outdoor Education course as well as all of the extra outdoor activities at the Northcote farm, and at nearby Outdoor centers. They seem to work hard and play hard and she is tired at the end of each day! She has loved all of her seasonal sports and was able to compete in OFSAA for Nordic skiing - a real highlight! She has grown immensely both academically, athletically, and socially. In one short year, she has become independent, determined, and mature. This has been a truly well-rounded education. The staff at LCS are a cohesive, supportive, caring team. The real bonus is the campus! She has loved enjoying Lake Katchewanooka sunsets and bonfires at the waterfront. LCS offers everything you'd get at a high-quality camp, combined with a rigorous academic curriculum. We couldn't be happier with the education our daughter is receiving at Lakefield College School!

—Stacey Ambler, parent (beginning 1992) (see full review)

A comprehensive support structure ensures student success.

Comments from parents and students reveal that Lakefield College School offers a structured but enjoyable environment with ample support from faculty and staff, as well as a wide range of activities and opportunities to cater to different interests and personalities.

After investigating private boarding schools worldwide, LCS was our first choice, and the school did not disappoint. Our daughter started at the school in grade 10 after seven years of homeschooling, and the entire process was very supportive. I had been concerned that coming from a home school environment in Singapore would be a hindrance. Still, all of the staff in admissions and guidance worked hard to educate us on what was required on our part and to assist my daughter in completing the admissions process. I must also impress that I was at the school investigating for several years before we decided to apply officially. During that time, patient support, friendly information sharing and tours were key factors in eventually helping us make the right choice and having our daughter apply to LCS.

—Randall Fitton, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

From what I can see the leadership and administration at LCS strive to be transparent. They work hard to address issues within the school community and share this with the parents as well as the students. When an incident arises, we hear about it promptly and if and when there is a mistake or an oversight, we quickly address it. Whenever I have a question for one of the staff, they respond right away and always ask if there is anything else they can do to clarify or to help. Our daughter's houseparent is great at providing newsletters with photos and updates of what they do in their house as a group. She and the Don have been very supportive, especially when our daughter was injured and needed extra attention. I also enjoy the monthly Zoom calls with the head of school and love the topics that she chooses to focus on, which are all relevant and helpful.

—Stacey Ambler, parent (beginning 1992) (see full review)

Our daughter was accepted into all the university programs she applied to during her final year at LCS. Due to that, she was able to choose her first choice program. The guidance activity was solid and timely and gave her the information and backing required to conduct her post-high school investigations thoroughly until she streamlined her thinking. The process was much more involved and better managed than my wife, and I have experienced previously, and we were thoroughly impressed. The support came from the guidance counsellors, and the don's in the boarding houses could also share their university experiences. The don in my daughter's house and my daughter's academic advisor had both graduated from my daughter's university of choice and were able to offer much practical advice.

—Randall Fitton, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

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