Interview with Northmount School PARENT, Joanne Romas
Joanne, parent at Northmount School, shared her views on the school's welcoming community, character-building focus, strong academic program, and daily physical education. She praised the teachers' dedication, leadership development, and opportunities for boys to practice their Catholic faith.
Highlights from the interview
When we learned about Northmount School for Boys, we emailed the school and immediately got a response, and were asked to come in for an interview and a tour of the school. Our son actually got to spend a few hours with his peers and the teachers while we met. During that time, the teachers were able to assess whether he'd be a good fit in the classroom, and he was able to see firsthand the environment and begin meeting new friends. I remember him saying how much fun he had and couldn't wait to go back. We completed the application process and were given approval and an admission offer within a week.
In regards to his character development, we have seen my older boy grow into a great young man, understanding respect, developing confidence and independence. The teachers and staff provide opportunities for the boys to develop their leadership skills, which I see at home with my older son when he plays with his younger brother and sister. The school, along with their mentors and us parents, work together to develop each of our children's character. This includes things like responsibility, perseverance, kindness, respect, and sincerity.
From an academic perspective, my younger son has started to read and write in JK. My older boy, now in grade six, has flourished at Northmount. We see him as a critical thinker, asking a ton of questions. Both boys look forward to going to school and spending time with their buddies. My older boy has accelerated and done so well because of the school's accelerated academic program. He has been published three years in a row in the Polar Expressions writing contest.
The boys have an opportunity to practice and learn about the Catholic faith, and this is important to us and our family. Northmount is the only independent Catholic boys' school that goes from JK to Grade 8 in Toronto. Boys have opportunities to participate in Mass as altar servers, have confession, develop mentorships with the seminarians, and learn about virtues that will make them great men, fathers, husbands, and leaders of tomorrow.
One thing I really appreciate is that both my sons get physical education every day, regardless of their grades. This helps them release their energy, which is so important for boys their age. My older son recently won the Physical Education Award for his grade, and he has developed not only athletically but also in terms of sportsmanship, learning to be gracious whether winning or losing.
The sense of community at Northmount has been one of the most surprising and pleasant aspects of our experience. The friendships we've created with other families have been amazing and lifelong. The parents and children often hang out together both at school and outside of school, whether at pick-up time, in local parks, or even camping together in Ontario’s provincial parks. The school also has a fantastic parent association with lots of opportunities to get involved.
The teachers at Northmount are truly amazing. My older son loves his teachers, and I tend to agree. They are very detail-oriented and strive to meet the academic goals of their students. What’s unique about Northmount is that after school, you’ll often find teachers playing soccer or basketball with the students. They are always helping to build the boys’ character based on love rather than punishment.
The school head offers an open-door policy. He makes you feel so comfortable approaching him and immediately helps to resolve any issues we bring up as parents. He’s also very friendly and available for the parent community. We see him every morning greeting us when we drop off the boys, which makes the whole experience feel very welcoming and supportive.
For families considering Northmount, I would recommend going on a tour during a school day to get a feel for the school. I would also suggest speaking to other parents with children in the same grade to ask any questions they might have. The school holds many events, so attending one would be a great way to see the community firsthand and decide if Northmount is a good fit for their child.
