REVIEW OF The Sterling Hall School BY Alum, Colin Fraser

Overall Experience 4.5

My experience at Sterling Hall was incredibly meaningful and helped shape who I am today. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed by both the students and teachers, and I quickly became part of a close-knit community where everyone genuinely cared for one another. The school did a great job of encouraging us to get involved, whether through sports, clubs, leadership opportunities, or school-wide events, and I loved how different everyone’s interests were while still sharing the same school spirit. The academics were challenging, but the teachers made learning feel exciting and supportive, always making time for extra help without adding pressure. I really valued how the focus was on understanding and curiosity rather than just grades. Leadership was also a big part of my time at SHS, and by Grade 8, being on a leadership team and speaking in front of the school felt like something I was ready for because of how well the school prepared us. The campus itself played a huge role in my experience, too, with plenty of outdoor space to run around, play sports, and unwind with friends. Sterling Hall also did an amazing job of ensuring every single Grade 8 student had the resources to find the best high school for them, as they would host a school fair every fall and help to get you in touch with the admissions offices of those schools. Even now, as an alumnus, I’m still connected to SHS through alumni events and friendships that have lasted into university. Looking back, Sterling Hall was more than just a school; it was a place where I grew, found my passions, built lifelong friendships, and became part of a community I’ll always be proud to belong to.

School Leadership 5

The school does a great job in teaching its students how to lead, encouraging them to put themselves out there and help their classmates or the younger students. All the teachers and administration do a great job of instilling the right values and morals, and they set clear expectations for the character they believe each student should have. By Grade 8, every single student is on a leadership team. I was appointed the role of House Captain, meaning I got the opportunity to represent a quarter of the school, which was both an amazing opportunity and an important responsibility. Leading Plumb house was a great lesson in bravery, compassion, and responsibility. Like all Grade 8 leadership teams, the house leaders were given a chance to organize an event and run an assembly. While this was nerve-wracking the first time I did it, the faculty around me helped us to be prepared and ensure we did our best. These opportunities were a great way to develop leadership and public speaking skills that have helped me so much later in life.

Teaching 4.5

The teachers at Sterling Hall have made a huge positive impact on who I am as a person and as a student. They did a fantastic job of inspiring a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world, which was supported through academics and extracurricular activities. My teachers at Sterling Hall truly cared if I was enjoying class; they put more of an emphasis on asking questions and learning rather than just getting the right answer, and they went above and beyond to ensure I truly understood what I was learning and why I was learning it. The teachers at Sterling Hall were also so supportive and encouraging, and were always there when I needed someone to talk to about school or anything going on in my life.

Academics 4.5

The academics at Sterling Hall were challenging; it always felt like I was learning something new or gaining a better understanding of the curriculum. I attribute this rate of progress to the ability to have 1 on 1 time with my teachers when I needed it; I was always able to reach out for extra help when I was struggling. It was during one of these meetings with my Grade 6 math teacher that I learned a valuable lesson in empathy and perseverance, as well as understanding of my algebra homework. Even during those moments where a subject wouldn’t click, there wasn’t any added pressure from my teachers to do better; I was instead encouraged and supported to succeed. The teachers still held us to high standards, but used encouragement and support to help us meet them. Because of this lack of pressure, academics never felt like they were the only important thing at the school, and I was able to participate in other things and enjoy myself without feeling too stressed. By not having to deal with overwhelming stress, I feel I was able to learn better inside and outside the classroom. By expecting the most out of us, they inspired us to do better by making us believe in ourselves, and we wanted to live up to their expectations.

Extracurriculars 5

Extracurriculars are a huge part of my education at SHS; they’re where I got to explore and grow by trying so many different things. The clubs and sports teams at SHS helped me discover what I love. SHS clubs are how I first learned to cook and bake, as well as play chess—things I still love doing. I even got to lead the cooking and baking club in my graduating year. The sports at SHS were an even bigger part of my experience, as I learned how to work as a team and persevere through challenges. I loved being able to participate in multiple sports each term; I got to expand my experiences and practice new skills. It was great to be part of different team dynamics, sometimes being a leader on the team, and other times learning how to support the team from the sidelines.

Students 4.5

One of the things I always appreciated about Sterling Hall was how different all the students were, yet how connected we felt as a community. Everyone had their own interests and passions, and the school really gave us the space to explore those. The school also did a great job of teaching us about each other's cultures and religions, which brought the entire student body closer together. The friends and classmates I had all shared a genuine sense of school spirit and house, despite being involved in completely different parts of the school. This spirit is what led to so many great memories of House Game competitions in physical education, where my fellow Plumb House classmates and I would work together to come out on top. Additionally, there was a strong sense of care and respect for the school, our teachers, and each other. When someone wasn’t feeling as engaged, it stood out, not because they were excluded, but because so many of us naturally encouraged one another to get involved. Like any school, there were occasional moments of distraction, but I think we did a good job of expecting each other to be kind and holding each other to a higher standard.

School Life 4.5

Life at Sterling Hall was such an important part of the school’s identity and community. I was always encouraged to get involved, whether it was joining a new club, participating in school-wide events, or simply helping create the positive, welcoming atmosphere SHS has. There was a real sense of connection between my classmates, the older boys in my house, and my teammates. I knew I could always count on my peers to support me and be enthusiastic. One of the things that made SHS special was how intentional the school was about making every student feel seen and valued. This created an environment where students wanted to stick around after school, join new activities, and be a part of the community beyond the classroom. Even during the busiest academic times of the year, I remember how important it was to be able to take a break, head outside with friends, share a laugh, and reset. It made it easier to come back to our work with more confidence and energy.

Community 5

Sterling Hall has such a strong community, and even as an alumnus, I am still connected to the school. After graduating, I’ve been able to participate in so many different alumni events to stay connected to my old classmates and teachers. This has been especially useful at university, as I have a few people I know I can reach out to for support or just to catch up. As a student at SHS, I remember how great the community was. There were so many different events at school where we would all come together and celebrate, and the Parents Association did a great job making many of these happen. The parents at SHS are all so involved and welcoming, and always ready to help each other out. A great example of this is the SHS bake sale, where volunteers from the Parents Association work for days in the SHS kitchen to make boxes and boxes of Shark Bark (Peppermint Bark) as well as all the other delish treats people would bring in.

School Location 4

Sterling Hall is located further away from the heart of the city than most of the other independent schools in Toronto, which means it's more difficult to get to. Walking or riding your bike to school is not an option for most students. Thankfully, the Sterling Hall community is always willing to help, and many of my classmates and I would carpool together, especially when arriving early or staying late because of sports. The fact that the school is further away means there's plenty of room for the school's large campus. SHS’s location allows it to have a massive outdoor space, including a garden for outdoor education, a massive grass field, 5 basketball courts, and a play structure. Having this outdoor space made my SHS experience amazing, it allowed me to get out my energy throughout the day and made focusing in class so much easier.

Admissions 4.5

I don’t remember too much of the admissions process, as I was admitted almost ten years ago. The two things I do remember felt really important to me as a new student. When I was first interested in the school, I remember I had a great tour of the school led by an older student and a member of the admissions team. It was great to see the students' perspective of the school and have them able to answer almost every question my family had, with the adult there to clarify anything the student wasn’t able to answer. After being admitted, I remember New Boys Day, when all the new students coming next year came to the school for a day to meet all our future classmates and teachers, as well as see what an SHS school day looks like. Additionally, all the new students came a day early before school started the next year, and we were paired with a returning student to help guide us through our first week at the school. This made my first days at Sterling Hall so much easier, as I already had many familiar faces.