Interview with Blyth Academy The Glebe, Ottawa Alum, Emmanuelle Crites

I was really surprised at how the teachers adapted their teaching styles to mine and helped me do essays in English, which I didn't know how to do. In public schools, it was very bland; they didn't really explain how to do essays or presentations that would be useful in university. But Blyth really helped me do that in-depth. Going to university was really easy, and I had a lot fewer troubles than many of my peers.

They really supported my creativity and let me expand on it as much as I wanted with the support that they had. I decided to go into private school because I wanted more of the education part of it. I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to continue my music because it was just all school. I also asked if I could start a little choir with a small number of people, and he said that was fine too.

The teachers really supported everyone's individual progress, and individual attention was made to that. I really wanted to get my grades to a higher level, higher than the 80s; I wanted to get to the 90s, 95s. I wanted to enrich my abilities in everyday life, to have better communication skills, better reasoning, things like that. I graduated with honors and excellence, which was a big goal of mine. I graduated with a few scholarships, and they really helped me get to that point that I didn't think I would be able to reach.

The sense of community at Blyth was remarkable. All the teachers knew the students, and we had very small classes where everyone knew each other and supported one another. In normal high schools, there's often bullying and little groups like the popular and not very popular. But at Blyth, everyone from completely different backgrounds made this beautiful community where everyone talked to each other on a humane level. It was so different and peaceful; you felt safe in that environment.

The schooling at Blyth is personalized, not one-size-fits-all, which was great for me because I wanted to really learn and understand in-depth things. Blyth Academy's schooling is very different from public and Catholic schools. Blyth offered options and different classes like criminology in high school, which many high schools don't offer. I found it fun because I could explore anything I wanted.

The sense of independence and support at Blyth was significant. The staff provided support without babying the students. If you asked a teacher for help, they would teach you how to do it yourself instead of doing it for you. This approach prepared you for university or college, teaching you to be independent while knowing help was available if needed.

There was definitely no tolerance for bullying at Blyth Academy. I never saw bullying during my two years there. Of course, disagreements and drama happened, but they were always dealt with promptly. The environment was inclusive, with students from different backgrounds feeling like they belonged. The sense of safety and the supportive community were highlights of the Blyth experience.

I still go back to Blyth Academy, even though I'm in university. I continue to visit the staff and teachers because of the profound influence they had on my life. None of my friends from other schools go back to their public or Catholic high schools as much as I do to Blyth Academy. The connection and respect within the Blyth community remain strong, making it feel like a second home.

Blyth taught me the ability to adapt quickly to different environments without changing myself. The welcoming nature of the school helped me adapt to different people and situations. Going to university alone, without knowing anyone, I wasn't scared of sitting in a 400-person classroom. Blyth taught me that it's okay to do your own thing, and if you need help, you can always ask the person beside you.