Braemar House was founded in 1996 by a group of parents looking for a school for their children centred around their shared values and beliefs. That’s great of course, as are the specific values that they had in mind: citizenship, stewardship, and community. When we think of education, we think of academics, though those initial families were aware that academics, while important, are only one part of the bigger picture. The school has grown and formalized since then, as with the creation of the Citizenship Program in 2005, as well as the creation of the Virtues Project, which contribute to the other character building initiatives within the delivery of the core curriculum. There is of course an abiding attention to delivering a strong academic program—there has been a significant attention to developing 21st century literacies—though it’s the attention to values that remains, rightly, an important draw. The ideal student is one operating at the top of his or her peer group, able to thrive in a vibrant educational atmosphere.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Braemar House School is more than a school—it’s a community where curiosity thrives, character is shaped, and potential is unlocked. Our strong academics, small classes, and dedicated teachers create a nurturing environment where every child feels seen and supported. With vibrant extracurriculars, leadership opportunities, and a focus on character education, we inspire well-rounded learners who grow into confident, compassionate students."
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Braemar House School offers an enriched education in a non-denominational community. This is realized through our delivery of the curriculum, educational resources (ex....(more)
"Braemar House School offers an enriched education in a non-denominational community. This is realized through our delivery of the curriculum, educational resources (ex. Chromebooks, manipulatives, & other resources), citizenship programming and extracurricular activities like sports and clubs. We are more than a house, it’s a home. Our classrooms & school have a feeling of community; there is a real sense of school spirit. We deliver excellent educational programming in a caring environment."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"We continue to prioritize small class sizes and straight grades to ensure we maintain our commitment to knowing our students and we are able to program for them. As well, focusing...(more)
"We continue to prioritize small class sizes and straight grades to ensure we maintain our commitment to knowing our students and we are able to program for them. As well, focusing on the specific grade curriculum and developing well-rounded students who have been exposed to academics, arts, citizenship, and S.T.E.A.M. to name a few. We also provide a vibrant character education program and leadership opportunities. It also adds to our caring and home-like, intimate feeling. This is a part of our culture. We offer an academic program in a caring environment."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
"Braemar House School was started in 1996 by a group of parents looking for an alternative educational experience for their children. In early 1997, Braemar House School...(more)
"Braemar House School was started in 1996 by a group of parents looking for an alternative educational experience for their children. In early 1997, Braemar House School incorporated, and obtained not-for-profit status.
The school moved to our current location in August 1997. We bought the building in April 2001 and have added on with 4 modular classrooms in two phases (2007 and 2011). Over the years we've renovated classrooms, added a school food garden and outdoor classroom, maintained (ex, new roof) and added to the physical building(ex. cooling systems in the older part of the school).
Strategically we have developed our arts program (ex. annual musical, music lessons & art show), early learning programs (Pre and Junior Montessori & Prep One), citizenship, and Information Technology. Braemar received the Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award in Technology in May 2014 and the program continues to evolve to include smart TVs , Chromebooks, Google Classroom & STEAM."
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"Students must be willing learners, who are open to learning and like to be academically challenged. They enjoy a variety of subjects and embrace leadership opportunities, get...(more)
"Students must be willing learners, who are open to learning and like to be academically challenged. They enjoy a variety of subjects and embrace leadership opportunities, get involved and are active participants in the school community. They are also kind, patient, tolerant and respectful. When students appreciate education and understand the opportunity their parents have provided them that leads to a positive experience.
A positive home-school partnership is important. It is critical that parents understand and support our program and policies."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
"We are an academic school running a traditional program. We do offer hands-on learning, manipulatives, and S.T.E.A.M. programming, but we are not a Waldorf or outdoor education...(more)
"We are an academic school running a traditional program. We do offer hands-on learning, manipulatives, and S.T.E.A.M. programming, but we are not a Waldorf or outdoor education school. Students need a high level of independence, and interest in academics to successfully and independently navigate our our program. We do not offer 1:1 programming for students."
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"What we hear from parents: they are looking for small class sizes, strong academic programming, enrichment, citizenship and the feeling of a school community. They want their...(more)
"What we hear from parents: they are looking for small class sizes, strong academic programming, enrichment, citizenship and the feeling of a school community. They want their children to love school and have an overall positive and fulsome experience. This is what our student’s experience."
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
"We receive a lot of compliments about our students when they are on field trips or are volunteering in the community. They are friendly, courteous and demonstrate their...(more)
"We receive a lot of compliments about our students when they are on field trips or are volunteering in the community. They are friendly, courteous and demonstrate their knowledge, curiosity and interest in participating. They are great ambassadors for themselves and the school."
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"The school culture is something that is undervalued. At Braemar, we offer an enriched academic program in a nurturing environment. The culture is something that is unique, and...(more)
"The school culture is something that is undervalued. At Braemar, we offer an enriched academic program in a nurturing environment. The culture is something that is unique, and it is important and something we work to cultivate. There is a community feeling at Braemar and it has a positive impact on learning. There is a sense of everyone pulling together and wanting the best for each other. This is really valuable for students for their learning and social-emotional development."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Once families join Braemar, and they have spent some time at the school, families experience how the school as a community is emphasized. Everyone takes care of everyone. They...(more)
"Once families join Braemar, and they have spent some time at the school, families experience how the school as a community is emphasized. Everyone takes care of everyone. They experience what small classes allow – a chance for students to have time with their teacher and their teacher to get to know them. Families also truly see the dedication of teachers and staff. Our staff work hard and offer wonderful programming, a well-rounded educational experience and a caring, nurturing environment."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"In 2021 the school celebrated its 25th Anniversary! A commemorative book was created to mark this milestone. In addition, students that year created a video of the 25 things...(more)
"In 2021 the school celebrated its 25th Anniversary! A commemorative book was created to mark this milestone. In addition, students that year created a video of the 25 things they love about Braemar and a rock garden was created. We also hosted a large Family Fun Fest, to celebrate. This event was so much fun, and appreciated by families that it has become an annual tradition.
During the 2022-2023 school year, the Braemar Legacy Trust reconvened and invested in a short-term project for the school. Smart TVs were purchased and added to the Grade 5-8 classrooms, and a new 3D printer was purchased. Continuing our commitment to technology and STEAM.
In June 2024 we celebrated 25 Years of Braemar Graduates with a reunion for all Braemar Graduates. We welcomed the opportunity to connect with alumni.
Over the summer in 2024, new flooring was laid in Grades 7/8, finishing off the refreshing of flooring in the extension. Lighting in the gym was changed, by adding LED lightbulbs."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
JK to Gr. 2 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Jaime Jagt to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Braemar House School.
Gr. 5 (current),Gr. 1 (current) — We have two children at Braemar House School, and each experiences the school in a unique way.
My son loves his small class, where both his teacher and peers know him well, and he knows them too. He feels safe and happy at school, and that sense of comfort helps him do his best every day, even on the more challenging ones. He also enjoys the many learning opportunities beyond the classroom, such as field trips, experiential learning, outdoor school events, and track and field. He looks forward to these experiences and always comes home excited to share what he’s learned.
My daughter appreciates how her teachers have empowered her in the higher grades to take responsibility for her own learning. She values the freedom to use her creativity to design and direct her academic pursuits, like writing portfolios and STEAM projects, with supportive guidance rather than rigid structure. She thrives under the expectation that she can plan, manage, execute, and evaluate her own progress and work. While she enjoys her small class, she would welcome a few new, friendly faces to broaden her social circle.
JK to Gr. 8 — During my time at Braemar, I felt like I was in an inclusive environment where I felt safe and accepted. The teachers did a great job in preparing students for the journey into secondary education and encouraged the students to set goals for themselves and their futures. During the 10 years, I spent at Braemar, I remember feeling like I could truly belong in this community. I was constantly eager to go to school to learn and see my friends. Teachers were serious about learning, however, they still managed to make learning fun to keep students engaged in class, which is essential to keep students interested in learning. I believe that Braemar House School has not only made me the best learner I can possibly be but also a better person. I began my time at Braemar at the young age of 3 years old, so I learned to be a kinder, more sympathetic, and compassionate person.
Gr. 6 (current) — The inclusive and supportive atmosphere at Braemar House School is just one of the many amazing things about this school that I love. Success at Braemar isn’t all about grades, it’s about learning different skills ranging from studying to leadership and centered around building a strong character. When I joined Braemar I was fortunate to know many of my classmates beforehand which helped me settle into class a lot easier. One of the main reasons for my joining Braemar House School was the people I had already known, and from them, I learned about the amount of homework, the interesting subjects, as well as the projects that will be done during the year. As you get older, there is more self-direction and flexibility. Now that I am in Grade 8, I can bring my own tech devices into class, and have more choices in the extracurriculars I want to do. Other than that, if I could change one thing about Braemar it would be the frequency of Student Parliament meetings where different events are planned. If we had more meetings we could plan more fun events for casual days.
Gr. 2 (current) — I love it here at Braemar House School. Everyone is included and everyone has a place. We have lots of fun activities and friendships here. I couldn't imagine a better school environment. If I could change one thing about the school it would be to have a few retired teachers back. They were amazing, though the staff still is amazing. I love everything here, the students, the teachers, the building, and the park. I don't really like change, and I've been here since Gr. 2, so this is my comfort zone. I always want to be at school. The environment is more like a friend study group than a classroom, which makes you feel included and welcomed. There is never any bullying as we have a strict policy for that.
Gr. 1 (current) — Braemar House School has felt like a second home to me ever since I can remember. The passion, dedication, and hard work that goes into making students feel welcome and safe is hard to find anywhere else. If there could be one thing I wish I had known before arriving at Braemar, it would be that there is a big change in student behavior. Before Braemar, I experienced kids being harsh and disrespectful to their classmates and staff. At Braemar, this has never been a problem. I have only ever faced kindness, cooperation, and generosity while interacting with other schoolmates. I have never had to worry about bullying or disrespect. Every day when I enter the building, I know that I’ll be greeted by people who care about me and will be there for me no matter what. Braemar House School is an outstanding experience that has taught me numerous valuable lessons.
Gr. 7 to Gr. 9 — Our son has attended Braemar House School on two separate occasions. The first was when we returned from an overseas assignment and returned to Canadian schooling. Since there was no school close to our home, we had Will attend as a day student through Grade Prep 1 to Grade two. We moved back into the catchment area when he was in Grades 7 & 8. We found Braemar House an excellent preparation for High School. In fact, on attending High School in a local area, we elected to try the public system instead of driving 1.5 hours to attend school in London. Our Son is top of his class in every subject area due to the excellent preparation by Braemar House. We could not be happier with the decision we made with Braemar House School.
JK (current),JK (current) — Our two children are currently in grades 6 and 8 at Braemar House School. They both joined Braemar when they were four years old in the Montessori program. Our children look forward to going to school and are always excited, when they return home, to share about their day’s activities and learning. The school has created a great community that the children love. The staff are very caring, the students are very friendly, and the children feel like they are part of a wonderful community. Our children have great relationships with their teachers and school staff as well as with other students. They are accepted and supported and know they belong there. Our children appreciate that students are always willing to help one another. One aspect of Braemar that stands out for our children is that all the students know each other by name. The students have virtue clans that group students together from different grades during special school events. Our children enjoy working with the younger students and getting to know them. Braemar offers small class sizes, and this is an important aspect for our children. This allows the students to connect more closely with one another and become more comfortable in the classroom. From the time our children were in primary grades they were excited to take part in many well-organized clubs offered by the school. They also look forward to the many school events that are held for students and their families.
I attended Braemar from grade 6 to grade 8 and I really loved my time there. Braemar has a great school environment/community, academics, and extra-curricular activities (I especially enjoyed participating in our yearly musicals). I was able and encouraged to seek out leadership opportunities within our school community. Many special traditions and activities make Braemar unique, including the monthly assemblies, holiday celebrations (i.e. the Thanksgiving lunch and winter holiday concert), opportunities to interact with our local community, clubs and trips, Braemar Bonanza (a recess program where older students would help organize games for younger students), and student leadership (student's council, morning announcements, running Tuck Shop, student recycling, etc). Braemar definitely prepared me for high school both academically and socially. During my transition to high school, I felt confident to talk to my teachers and seek clarification and didn't struggle to learn new material, as I had already seen some of it in grade 8 (especially in language and math classes).
My experience at Braemar was always a positive one. Everyday at school the teachers greeted people with a smile, and it was always evident that they really enjoyed teaching. There's a real sense of community within the school, and it feels like family. I really enjoyed that I had the opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment. My favourite part of the year was the annual school musical. The whole school participates in some way, and it brings everybody together. The one thing that I would change is adding crewneck sweaters to the uniform, as it often got cold in the winter. Braemar definitely prepared me for high school. Most of my Grade 9 year was strengthening my understanding of topics that I had already learned in Grade 7 or 8.
We have two boys that attend Braemar House School, currently in grades 4 and 2. They both began at Braemar in the Montessori program. This was a new pedagogy for our family and it suited my active, inquisitive kids very well. They had the freedom to move through the activities but with a structure that showed them responsibility at a young age. There were many hands-on activities that promoted fine and gross motor skills, a favourite was the Roman Arch. Both boys learned how to read by the middle of Prep One (SK) which was an absolutely incredible thing to see develop as a parent.
The friends they have made in their classes are the most important people in their world, and the small class sizes have given them a chance to bond closely with them. The smiles on their faces every day when they get to school and see their friends are reassuring and heartwarming.
My son in Grade 4 is very excited this year to be learning about different civilizations, and especially proud of the gold sarcophagus that was part of the Ancient Egypt unit. My son in Grade 2 is proudly getting his story ready for a public speaking assignment. Both boys love their phys ed classes, especially when they can be outside. They like the equipment at the school- snowshoes, scooter boards- and going to the on site park to play.
Braemar House School is like another home for our child. She feels not only supported there, but also cared for, as if the students and faculty were an extension of her family. She is proud to bring home and share new skills and knowledge that she learns. She has also gained confidence to try new activities and to tackle unfamiliar and increasingly complex problems. In the two years that she has attended, she has made many new friends. She loves the varied activities during the physical education classes, such as the yoga and swimming. One of her favourite events are the monthly assemblies that bring together the whole school community. Seeing the students together with the faculty as well as some of the parents (who are always welcome!) creates a positive atmosphere that really resonates with her. It’s a small school, and so she knows many in the school community by first name; she is excited to tell us who she greeted that day.
I have two children at BHS. My youngest joined the school and had selective mutism, he had not spoken directly to a teacher through his kindergarten experience and preschool was not much better. He joined BHS in Grade 1 and in that first year he chose to join the talent show. I have no idea what it was that, for the first time in his young life, he felt safe enough, secure enough, to not only start to speak with adults and participate in class but to put himself on stage in front of the entire school. Clearly the environment was amazing and supportive. And the talent show was amazing!
My oldest joined in Grade 5, after a year of anxiety that seemingly came out of nowhere. He gained confidence, security, a sense of belonging, and teachers who took an interest in the individual, not just a student number. He has done exceptionally well throughout his time at BHS and is set to graduate this year. He was comfortable enough to try every sport offered, take part in the school productions, and become a different person from when he started.
I credit BHS with encouraging a caring, safe, environment where students are allowed to be themselves, make mistakes (and correct them) and where they are taught to own their actions.
I believe that both of my children feel supported, not a number but not under a magnifying glass either. They have the space and freedom to make choices and are encouraged on a regular basis.
Our children's experience at Braemar House School was a positive one for many reasons. Our children really enjoyed the school environment, interactions with other students and staff, extracurricular programs, sports programs, and the various social opportunities throughout the school year.
Braemar House School is a very welcoming school environment and gives families the sense of a community feeling. The staff and students are eager to welcome new students to the classrooms.
There are many extracurricular and sports programs to engage every different type of personality. From craft groups, Lego league, reading clubs, environmental clubs, to the extensive list of sports team opportunities, there really was something for each student.
Our children also enjoyed the various social opportunities that really built that community feel. The Welcome Back BBQ, Thanksgiving Lunch, Music Concert, Art Show, Science Fair, and the School Play were all noted as favorites.
I believe my child appreciates that the environment at Braemar House School allows her to be herself. She enjoys all the opportunities and activities offered, both within and outside of the school. From the expansive arts experiences (wide range of visual art creation, musical instrument education, dramatic arts musical performance) to the clubs and academic extras (robotics, chess, Me to We) and the greatly supported athletic teams and events. She appreciates the dedication of the staff to support and enhance her educational experience. The school's commitment to virtues and positive citizenship is also high on her list of enjoying her educational environment. She likes that her peers are focused, dedicated learners who value their education and work hard on assignments and tasks. It's a fun, productive place to grow and learn.
Both my kids attend Braemar, and both started when they were three. In our first year, as the mother of a very shy, very young child, I was nervous about how our transition would go. I had no reason to be nervous. In Braemar my children have found their second home. They are loved and supported to be exactly who they are by not only their classroom teachers, but the entire staff. The net effect is that they, along with their classmates, feel safe and happy. As an educator, I know that these are the best conditions for learning. My children do not complain about going to school, but rather look forward to it, and celebrate all the milestones throughout the school year (trips, concerts, plays, special events). The staff go well above their job description to provide ample enrichment and special activities. We could not have asked for a better experience for our children.
Our son enrolled in Braemar House School in Sep 2018. We had considered Braemar for many years, but thought it was important for our son to go to our neighbourhood school. After some sub-par experiences at our neighbourhood school we considered Braemar House School again and after meeting with the Executive Director, the principal and an educator we enthusiastically enrolled our son! He enrolled in grade 6 in September 2018 and we have found the education level to be far superior to his previous school, the athletics plentiful and the family atmosphere so enjoyable! Our son is really enjoying the other children, the respect they show and how they are all there to learn. Our son in absolutely loving it and thriving and we haven't looked back - only regret we did not come to Braemar House School years ago!
We have been lucky enough to have two children at BHS. Each value different aspects of the school. Our daughter appreciated the small class size and the one-on-one attention. Teachers are able, on a daily basis, to spend personal time with each student- helping, encouraging, correcting and directing them to help make their academic experience unique and personalized. The small class size also made it possible to conduct interesting chemistry experiments, cooking lessons, complete amazing geography projects and explore many forms of fine art. Field trips are plentiful and interesting and end-of-year class trips are well organized and executed- all due to the ability of the teachers and school to focus on the wants and needs of the small class that they have! Enrichment opportunities abound due to this aspect of the school as well. Our daughter had many opportunities to deepen her understanding and appreciation of academic, social, political and cultural issues that arose during her time at BHS because of the extra effort and time that teachers spend with their classes. Our son appreciated the varied teams/clubs/sports as well as the opportunities for social interaction that BHS offers. All varsity sports are offered and coached enthusiastically. Coaches from outside the school are brought in to assist and encourage, and teachers/coaches travel to away games/meets to supervise and cheer! The 'clan' system at the school combines students of all ages in groups to participate in varied activities and our son enjoyed mentoring younger students as he progressed through the programs. There are NO aspects of BHS that our children find disappointing- our daughter was sad to leave in grade 8!
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998
