REVIEW OF Brentwood College School BY Alum, Benjamin Abro

Overall Experience 4.5

Having been from Vancouver originally and always having an analytical bent, I was drawn to Brentwood originally because of its great reputation for STEM and business courses. But what really cinched the deal for the school was a visit over Regatta weekend. I remember being struck not just by the coast village quaintness of Mill Bay, but also by the observation that students seemed so intently focused on whatever they were working on, whether managing concession stands as part of their Entrepreneurship class, supporting their rowing clubs, or constructing elaborate art installations in the Centre for Arts. I required a school that did not place students in a box. At Brentwood, I saw students doing math problems on one day and performing in musicals the next. That balance spoke to me. I knew that I could develop my interest in mathematics and statistics, and develop new ones. And in good conscience, I'd heard from several third- and fourth-years, one of whom went on to study Actuarial Science like I'd originally planned, about how incredibly individualized Brentwood's university counseling was. That really sealed the decision for my family and me.

School Leadership 5

Brentwood leadership truly excelled with their concern and approachability. I always sensed that the administration cared about students and went out of their way to create a positive, good community. Mr. Patel was often present at school events and was easy to talk to, which made his leadership feel personal and engaged. Discipline was fair and focused on learning from your own errors and not on requiring obedience. Communication with the students and parents was timely and clear, leaving me trusting in their decisions. Overall, the leadership was responsible for a respectful and open environment in which students felt supported and valued throughout their education at Brentwood.

Teaching 5

The teaching at Brentwood College School was truly one of the best parts of my experience. Instructors were not only extremely competent and extremely passionate about their subjects, but also highly committed to assisting students to succeed. The classroom atmosphere was respectful but relaxed enough to accommodate freely exchanged questions and discussion, so learning was always stimulating and accessible. I liked how teachers explained things clearly and gave positive feedback that challenged me to do my best academically. They challenged us to do our best and fostered an actual love for learning. My Biology teacher, Mr. Miller, left a strong positive impression on me, opening my eyes to inquiry through experimentation and relating it to real life. This instilled critical thinking and an appreciation for the sciences. All in all, the personnel at Brentwood established an environment of care, inspiration in which students were encouraged to achieve both scholastically and as a person.

Academics 5

At Brentwood College School, I experienced an enriching academic life that adequately equipped me for what was to come. The administration, as well as the excellent teachers like Mr. Miller, were keenly committed to student success and made it difficult to learn in all subjects. The academic environment mixed healthy competition and cooperative working. Students competed and also worked with one another. I appreciated the fact that small class sizes gave one-on-one attention, and the school encouraged critical thinking using projects and experiential learning, especially in mathematics and science (Regatta). This developed me with a good study habit set and self-esteem that easily translated to university. The learning environment was rigorous but also supportive, with plenty of resources like tutoring and teacher office hours. For prospective families, Brentwood offers a demanding but nurturing atmosphere where students are challenged and motivated to grow.

Extracurriculars 4.5

Brentwood College School offers a wide range of extracurricular activities from serious sports like rowing and basketball to arts and clubs. Though I did try rowing myself, it didn't pan out as I'd expected. However, I loved the friendly and accommodating environment that encouraged students to try other things. The extracurricular environment is not competitive for those not involved in varsity teams. Students could take it seriously or just join for fun and personal growth. Such programs help in nurturing well-rounded skills like leadership and teamwork. Prospective families can expect a fair program that boosts academics through nurturing different talents.

Students 5

Brentwood's student body was more like one big family, even though the school is not super gigantic. I really loved that everybody was so diverse and there were people who came from all these various backgrounds, and it made for this rich, open atmosphere. There were generally diligent and polite students, as well as grounded and willing to help out. What was most impressive was that kindness and unadulterated respect were what actually earned your respect among your peers more than anything. The environment wasn't competitive; instead, students genuinely wanted to see each other thrive and grow. In retrospect, I enjoyed how easy it was to become friends and be a part of something larger. Join Brentwood and expect to be part of a supportive, vibrant community of students that will challenge and inspire you.

School Life 5

My years at Brentwood were actually very good. I generally looked forward to going to school every day. What made student life so enjoyable was how hard people worked at making the community fun and supportive. There were also many events and activities that the Student Activity Council put on, like Spirit Week, bonfires, and Senior Spring Formal, that kept things fun and gave a good break from schoolwork. The school also did an excellent job of encouraging kindness and community service through clubs like SPARC and BEAT, and this had a huge effect on the feeling of community that I had. While students definitely worked hard and sometimes were stressed, there was also a real sense of passion and support on campus. If Brentwood were going to alter anything, it would perhaps be to add a few more laid-back hang-out spots, but overall, it was a healthy and balanced environment.

Community 5

One thing that I believe truly distinguishes Brentwood is the community that persists long after graduation. I've kept in touch with many of my classmates, and the Brentonian Connect app has made it so easy to reconnect, find mentors, or just see what everyone is up to. It really does feel like you're a part of something that doesn't end at graduation. I was reminded of a quote from John Wooden: "You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you." That philosophy lives at Brentwood. From alumni who mentor Grade 10s to those who contribute to bursaries, it's all about paying it forward. The community is unassuming, nurturing, and genuinely caring. It taught me that achievement isn't just personal; rather, it's about helping others rise.

School Location 5

Brentwood's location on Vancouver Island is absolutely one of its best-kept secrets. The school sits literally on the ocean, and waking up to that each morning never ceased to surprise me. While the campus itself contained everything we could ever need, we were still able to make it out to the surrounding towns of Mill Bay and Duncan, mostly on the weekends. Some of us would venture out for coffee, volunteer within the community, or just take a walk beside the water to reflect. That aside, Brentwood was indeed bubble-like, a good one. It was self-sustaining, making focusing, relating, and feeling safe that much easier. But this engagement with the larger world was definitely there, whether through service projects or corporate partnerships. The scale was perfect.

Admissions 5

If you're thinking about applying to Brentwood, my absolute best advice is: be yourself. The admissions committee isn't just looking for perfect grades or a heavily loaded résumé; instead, they're trying to get a feel for who you are, what you're like, and whether you'll succeed in Brentwood's very specific environment. When I applied, I was really surprised by how personal the process felt. I was initially apprehensive, but the admissions team was nice and actually took the time to get to know me and my interests and history. It wasn't about meeting some kind of mold, it was about arriving as your true self. I remember being asked to talk about both my strengths and areas that I needed to improve. Being in that frame of mind helped me see Brentwood as a school, but also as an institution that could shape who I was to become. So if you're applying, just be truthful, honest, and eager to embrace something new. They're not choosing students, but they're building a community.

University placement and counselling 5

The counseling at Brentwood University was helpful, especially on technical things related to applications, such as deadlines, letters of recommendation, and getting transcripts to where they had to go. The counselors were friendly and willing, and it was no problem to get appointments to go over your options. I never felt hurried and always had the impression they could spare time for me, even during the busiest times of the year. Having said this, I do think some part of the process could've started a bit earlier, specifically on exploring different career choices or lesser-known university programs. It would have been great to have more one-on-one talks in Grade 11, not Grade 12, in order to genuinely look for what I really wanted to do, instead of just focusing on the "hype" schools.