Meet Blyth Academy The Glebe, Ottawa's admission team at the Private School Expo: Toronto (Oct 04), Halton-Peel (Oct 19), Ottawa (Sep 28). RSVP NOW
The big picture on Blyth Academy The Glebe, Ottawa
We summarized the school ourselves
Sam Blyth founded Blyth Academy in an understanding that, as the world changes the needs of students change, and education therefore must to evolve to meet them. Throughout the decades of its life, Blyth Academy has consistently proven its ability to meet that mandate. It began by offering a global curriculum, one that covered the basic literacies as well as collaborative and leadership skills. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar campuses, Blyth Academy Online, launched in 2014, offering asynchronous courses that students can start at any time throughout the calendar year. In response to the COVID crisis, Blyth Academic Orbit added a synchronous virtual school to the offering, bringing all the schedules, teachers, peers and relationships of a traditional academic experience, the only difference being that all was mounted entirely . In all, it’s hard to imagine a school more suited to our time, or making more out of the technologies available for program delivery. Blyth Academy is now effectively the largest single private school network in Canada, the student experience remains intimate; in the both the physical and virtual synchronous classrooms there are never more than 15 students. True to Sam Blyth’s original vision, there remains a focus on global learning, citizenship, and ethical leadership. There might have been a time when Blyth was an anomaly within the world of education—smaller schools, virtual offerings, an agile approach to learning—though it certainly isn’t now. It’s hard to imagine a school better suited to our time and the needs of the current generation of learners.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"We pride ourselves on small class sizes, lead by passionate teachers. Our high school quadmester system ensures that students focus on two courses at a time, creating deeper understanding and subsequent learning. Students looking for flexibility, such as athletes or artists, can benefit from options like our in-person part-time classes, live virtual classes and online asynchronous courses. With our central location in The Glebe, students enjoy abundant experiential learning opportunities."
Average class size of 12 students
Individualized approach to learning
Certified, enthusiastic and caring teachers
Strong student support
Comprehensive, one-on-one guidance support
Emphasis on post secondary preparation
Experiential learning approach
Partnerships with community organizations
A proud 'Legacy School' by the The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
Part of community of eight Blyth Academy campuses in Ontario
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"There is no student that gets lost in the crowd or is overlooked in the classroom. Staff quickly make sure they know each student’s learning style and academic needs. Beyond...(more)
"There is no student that gets lost in the crowd or is overlooked in the classroom. Staff quickly make sure they know each student’s learning style and academic needs. Beyond that, the supportive guidance department has an extremely low student to guidance counsellor ratio, ensuring that each individual has as much time as they need to discuss academics or social/personal challenges."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
Information not yet available.
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
Information not yet available.
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
Information not yet available.
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"We keep our class sizes small so students get regular and personalized teacher attention. This helps them feel comfortable asking questions and collaborating with their peers and...(more)
"We keep our class sizes small so students get regular and personalized teacher attention. This helps them feel comfortable asking questions and collaborating with their peers and their teachers. Teachers quickly learn the strengths and weaknesses of their students and are able to tailor their lessons to the various learning styles of their students, and implement accommodations effectively when necessary."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"The level of flexibility that we can provide with our four-term structure and our various course delivery options ensures that we are able to accommodate most schedules and...(more)
"The level of flexibility that we can provide with our four-term structure and our various course delivery options ensures that we are able to accommodate most schedules and academic requirements. Students can be in a classroom with 10 others during first period, followed by a private course where they benefit fully from the attention of their private teacher. Students study only two courses per term intensively without the distraction of multiple teachers, transitions and assignments daily."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Students often look at a private school as a formal environment where teachers talk at the students and the students sit, listen and take notes. This could not be further from the...(more)
"Students often look at a private school as a formal environment where teachers talk at the students and the students sit, listen and take notes. This could not be further from the truth in our case. While they do get an excellent, enriching education, they do so in a relaxed environment where they learn while engaging with peers and teachers, having fun, participating in school clubs and school-wide events. All this leads to a feeling of belonging which aids in their overall academic success."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
Information not yet available.
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
Gr. 12 (current) — I've attended numerous schools throughout my life, where I've met a variety of teachers who used a variety of teaching methods. Blyth Academy The Glebe in Ottawa is by far my favorite school, and here's why: The school is small, everyone knows each other, and moving between classes is quick because the school is just one compact building. The teachers are also fantastic. I've had a lot of bad teachers in the past, and many of them were often rude and disrespectful, but here, every teacher treats every student with respect and genuinely cares about our well-being. Being a person who prefers a small environment and dislikes being among lots of people this school was truly the perfect fit for me. Even my friends who I've met from previous schools wish they could be in this school.
Gr. 9 (current) — If I could describe Blyth Academy it is a remarkable place to go. I started back in the ninth grade and have met such wonderful friends and made wonderful memories. I have also learned a lot along the way. The teachers were very accommodating! The school gives you a new opportunity to improve your skills and work. I would not change anything! I wish I had come here sooner since the school was so nice! I wish I had come earlier because all my friends are very nice and I wish I knew them longer and everything! To be fully honest I love it here since the teachers are very helpful and accommodating and the students are very friendly and I would recommend it to everyone I know.
Gr. 9 (current) — I personally enjoy the school as it is and the school is very cozy and small. The one thing I would change about the school would be to have a longer lunchtime since 30 minutes is just not enough time for students to eat or go and get food. When I did an interview for this school and was shown around, I really liked how it felt. The people looked very friendly and welcoming and they still are. The only thing I noticed was I'm so used to big classrooms, having six or seven students wasn't very fitting for me. I just needed to get used to it and when I did, it became normal.
Gr. 9 (current) — From the very start, my child has certainly noticed and appreciated the excellent teachers at Blyth Academy The Glebe, Ottawa. The teachers get to know the students and invest in their education. Since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, students at Blyth Academy have enjoyed more field trips and off-campus activities, which have really boosted their morale, heightened their interest in the subject matter being studied, and allowed students those key social interactions. The new campus in the Glebe also deserves special mention. It's a beautiful, bright space with plenty of natural light, modern facilities in the classrooms and comfortable lounge spaces for the students. There are two kitchens, private, fully accessible washrooms, lockers, and even a ping-pong table! It's really a stunning environment to learn in.
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