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SMCS Outdoor Experiential Education Camp | Low ropes

Disconnecting and Sharing New Experiences Outdoors

<div class="page-inner">
 <h1>We Applied Well After the Admissions Deadline: A Family Q&amp;A</h1>
 Three sons.
 Three different academic journeys.
 Two paths that run through St. Michael&#8217;s College School (SMCS).
 One involved applying to SMCS in May of 2021, well after the standard Admissions cycle.
 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-2.webp" alt="SMCS Ongoing Admissions | Student reading book" width="1200" height="800" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9659" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-2.webp 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-2-300x200.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-2-768x512.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
 A current family shares what made their youngest son decide to switch schools and take on a roughly 75-minute daily commute by car and subway to attend SMCS.
 
 1. Why did you choose to apply to an independent school for your son?
 
 Schooling has always been important to our beliefs. Our goal was to have our children learn in a private setting with unparalleled quality education, an individual approach, celebrating all diversities, co-curricular opportunities, and a school that engages both students and parents.
 
 2. Why did you decide to apply after the normal Admissions cycle?
 
 We went through the normal admission process for Grade 7 however, our son was hesitant to come to St. Mike&#8217;s as the commute from Pickering is long and somewhat difficult. He decided to attend another private school for Grade 7. Midway through the year, he was not happy, and he did not feel he fit in well with the school. He asked us if he could apply to SMCS again for Grade 8. He knew that he would enjoy going to SMCS as his older brother did, and he thought he fit in better with the ideals and values of a Catholic education. I contacted the school admissions team the following day and because we had applied the year before, the process was not as difficult, and the staff were helpful and willing to work with us.
 
 3. What, if anything, did you know about the Ongoing Admissions cycle in the independent school landscape?
 
 
 We were very familiar with the process since all of our children went to independent schools from an early age. We were hopeful that when I contacted the school in April for our son, that spots were still available for his grade. I am happy that we decided to call and initiate the admissions process again.
 
 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-1.webp" alt="SMCS Ongoing Admissions | Students in hallway" width="1200" height="687" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9658" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-1.webp 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-1-300x172.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-1-768x440.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
 4. What did you know about St. Michael’s College School when you decided to apply? 
 
 Our eldest son attended SMCS from Grades 9 to 12. We knew that SMCS was a great school. We saw an environment that was welcoming, with a rigorous academic programme and sports-oriented. The teachers are caring, approachable, and want to help students succeed to their full potential. It is a school that reflects our core values — discipline, goodness, and knowledge.
 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-3.webp" alt="SMCS Ongoing Admissions | Student in music class" width="400" height="600" class="float-left size-full wp-image-9660" style="padding-bottom:5px;" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-3.webp 400w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-3-200x300.webp 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />
 
 5. Why did you apply to SMCS?
 
 We applied to SMCS because St. Michael&#8217;s College School has a great reputation, and we had a previous positive school experience with our older son. We knew that Luca would enjoy going to school in the city. SMCS would encourage him to be the very best he can be and give him the freedom to tap into his passions and give him opportunities to meet new friends and open doors which he would not have if he went to a public school in our area.
 
 6. What were your main resources you used to learn about the school?
 
 We went to the school website to find out about the admissions process, dates, and deadlines for the application. We also attended the open house/admission events at the school. Once we were interested, we also went for a school tour and Luca spent a day at the school shadowing ‘a day in the life’ of an SMCS student. This day was very helpful and made him feel special and important.
 
 7. What surprised you most during this journey?
 
 I think what surprised me the most during this journey was Luca&#8217;s courage and how he advocated for himself at such a young age. He transitioned from one independent school to another easily. He is very happy he decided to change schools and the staff at St. Mike&#8217;s were understanding and accommodating to his struggles, his needs, and his strengths. It is a school which allows him to grow and thrive and offers so much more.  
 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-4.webp" alt="SMCS Ongoing Admissions | Students in physical education" width="400" height="600" class="float-right size-full wp-image-9657" style="padding-bottom:5px;" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-4.webp 400w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parent-qanda-ongoingadmissions-4-200x300.webp 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />
 
 8. What advice would you have for other families potentially contemplating a change of school for their child or entry to an independent school environment?
 
 I would encourage other families who are potentially contemplating a change of school for their child or an independent school environment to give it a chance if they can, to do their research and attend the open house events, meet the principal, teachers, and other families. Parents need to get involved in the school community as a way to bridge school and home life.

 
 9. How would you describe your son’s experience so far?
 
 Our son&#8217;s experience has been extremely positive. He enjoys going to school every day. He wakes up happy, he looks forward to seeing his friends, he plays sports at school, he has become more independent (taking the subway, transit to and from school and home), and has already made long-lasting friendships. 
 Related links:
 Learn more about the <a href="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/admissions/application-process" aria-label="Application Process">Application Process</a>.
 Book an in-person <a href="https://register-now.stmichaelscollegeschool.com/book-your-personal-tour/" target="_blank" aria-label="tour" rel="noopener">tour</a> of the school.
</div>

SMCS Ongoing Admissions | Students in hallway

We Applied Well After the Admissions Deadline: A Family Q&A

<div class="page-inner">
<h1>The Impact of the Big M Lottery 2022</h1>
After a two-year hiatus, St. Michael&rsquo;s College School (SMCS) was excited to once again host the Big M Lottery, featuring a brand-new format.
&ldquo;We were very excited for the opportunity to once again offer the Big M Lottery to our community, especially in an electronic format,&rdquo; says Kimberley Bailey, Director of Advancement. &ldquo;The process took a little longer to receive eligibility and the lottery license, however, the pandemic afforded us with the necessary time.
&ldquo;In qualifying for a lottery with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the school was able to offer ticket sales online. This was an important step for us as we had learned through feedback surveys that participants were consistently asking for an online purchasing option over paper form.&rdquo; 
<h2>Why a lottery?</h2>
The proceeds of the Big M Lottery directly benefit the SMCS Financial Assistance Programme, enabling students who qualify based on financial need, the opportunity to attend the school. Since 2002, St. Michael&rsquo;s has awarded approximately $27.9 million in bursary assistance to a total of 2,562 students.
The initiative also provides an opportunity for the winners to either receive funds towards a SMCS education or to take a cash alternative. This year&rsquo;s lottery saw current parents win all three prizes.
Congratulations to our winners:
<h2>1st prize &#8211; $21,500 Erin Carvalho</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-erincarvalho.webp" alt="SMCS Big M Lottery | 1st place winner Erin Carvahlo" width="1200" height="801" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9600" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-erincarvalho.webp 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-erincarvalho-300x200.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-erincarvalho-768x513.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
 &ldquo;We have bought lottery tickets for the past three lotteries as a way to help support the school never really thinking we would win. I can honestly say we have never won anything like this before so when the school called to inform us that we had won I was in total shock. Shock turned to joy at the fact that we&#8217;d won a prize at all and for the full tuition amount. The plan is to redirect the winnings right back towards next year&#8217;s tuition!&rdquo;
<h2>2nd prize &#8211; $10,750 Mike Annese</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-mikeannese.webp" alt="SMCS Big M Lottery | 2nd place winner Mike Annese" width="1200" height="801" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9602" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-mikeannese.webp 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-mikeannese-300x200.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-mikeannese-768x513.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
 &ldquo;When we bought the ticket, we thought it would be a nice way to support the financial assistance programme that has been so generous to our son Max. Never in our wildest dreams did we think we&rsquo;d win. We were shocked to receive the call. Thank you to St. Michael&rsquo;s for being such an amazing and supportive environment for our son. We appreciate this wonderful gift and will do our best to pay it forward.&rdquo;
<h2>3rd prize &#8211; $5,375  Barbara Lockhart</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-barbaralockhart.webp" alt="SMCS Big M Lottery | 3rd place winner Barbara Lockhart" width="1200" height="801" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9599" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-barbaralockhart.webp 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-barbaralockhart-300x200.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-bigmlottery-barbaralockhart-768x513.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
 &ldquo;It was a wonderful surprise when Kimm called me only a few hours after I purchased my tickets to tell me I had come third in the Big M Lottery. My main objective as a parent of a current Grade 11 student, Jacob Keller, was to support the school. Having my ticket drawn is just the icing on the cake.&rdquo;
The success of this year&rsquo;s lottery will provide an opportunity for two young men to realize their dream of becoming St. Michael&#8217;s Men.
 Thank you to the entire SMCS community for their support of this event, which further enables the Basilian Fathers&#8217; mission to be fulfilled.
Related links:
<a href="/admissions/tuition-financial-assistance#financial-assistance" aria-label="Financial Assistance Programme">Financial Assistance Programme</a>
<a href="/smcs-give" aria-label="SMCS Give">SMCS Give</a>
</div>

SMCS Big M Lottery | 1st place winner Erin Carvahlo

The Impact of the Big M Lottery 2022

<div class="page-inner">
<h1>The Impact of Parental Pressure: ParenTalks Postscript</h1>
A conversation about the benefits and pitfalls of parental pressure on kids — one which started in the February edition of ParenTalks at St. Michael&#8217;s College School (SMCS) — continued in the final presentation of this series for this academic year.
The four-member panel which included a family physician, two psychologists, and an educator delved into how parental pressure can manifest in a child and what tactics parents may want to consider to positively motivate their son or daughter.
&quot;Parental pressure is defined from the kid&#8217;s point of view, doesn&#8217;t matter what the parents say,&quot; Dr. Heindrie (Hank) Weisinger shared during ParenTalks&#8217; May edition. &quot;If the kid perceives that the expectations that the parents are holding are unrealistically high — almost impossible to meet — that is the definition of parental pressure.&quot;
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parentalks-parentalpressure-zoom.webp" alt="SMCS ParenTalks | Parental pressure panel" width="1200" height="800" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9579" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parentalks-parentalpressure-zoom.webp 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parentalks-parentalpressure-zoom-300x200.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-parentalks-parentalpressure-zoom-768x512.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
Dr. Weisinger along with fellow panelist Dr. Christopher Thurber are both psychologists and co-authors of The Unlikely Art of Parental Pressure.
&quot;We want high pressure, medium pressure, low pressure, but think about how you style that pressure, how that is delivered,&quot; says Dr. Thurber. &quot;And that&#8217;s what&#8217;s going to make the difference. And the good news that goes along with that is, you can keep the same high standards, you can even raise the standards if you want. Because, if you&#8217;re delivering healthy pressure as opposed to harmful pressure, your child&#8217;s mental health is going to be better, therefore they&#8217;re going to be more resilient, they&#8217;re going to be capable of more, their performance will be better, everyone&#8217;s going to be happier. And it just makes a huge difference.&quot;
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Healthy and Harmful Parental Pressure: A Conversation" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&#038;i=nyewn-121d542-pb&#038;share=1&#038;download=1&#038;fonts=Arial&#038;skin=1&#038;font-color=auto&#038;rtl=0&#038;logo_link=episode_page&#038;btn-skin=7&#038;size=150"></iframe> 
Dr. Thurber serves as a psychologist at an independent school in New Hampshire.
The panel also featured regular ParenTalks medical contributor Dr. Mark Broussenko &#8217;07, who is a family physician and hospitalist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
&quot;&#8230; One of the things that you trust the school to do is you trust them to teach, while the other thing that you trust them to do is to assess well,&quot; says Dr. Broussenko. &ldquo;And at some point, if your child&#8217;s natural skill level is a B, you can only cheat that so much. They will eventually get to an environment where their abilities — if you&#8217;re doing all the things for them — their abilities will underperform in some sort of standardized testing or some sort of high-performance situation, where you&#8217;re not able to be there. Their abilities will underperform the expectations.&quot;
The event was moderated by John Connelly, Director of Student Affairs at SMCS.
Related links:
More about <a href="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/news-events/special-events/parentalks" aria-label="ParenTalks">ParenTalks</a>
ParenTalks in the <a href="https://nationalpost.com/sponsored/news-sponsored/st-michaels-college-school-opens-conversations-with-parentalks" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="National Post">National Post</a>

</div>

SMCS ParenTalks | Parental pressure panel

The Impact of Parental Pressure: ParenTalks Postscript

<div class="page-inner">
<h1>Cole Moore &rsquo;21 Commits to Bowling Green University</h1>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-cole-moore-gradphoto-2021.webp" alt="Cole Moore, SMCS alumni, former student-athlete" width="267" height="400" class="float-left size-full wp-image-9563" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-cole-moore-gradphoto-2021.webp 267w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-cole-moore-gradphoto-2021-200x300.webp 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px" />
Cole Moore, a member of the 2021 graduating class at St. Michael&rsquo;s College School (SMCS) has accepted a scholarship to Bowling Green State University (BGSU) to continue his hockey and academic journey.
&ldquo;During my visit to Bowling Green, I felt an immediate connection with the coaching staff,&rdquo; says Moore, a six-foot-five goaltender who will join the Falcons for the 2023-24 season. &ldquo;They have a very historic and&nbsp;successful hockey programme and the campus facilities are excellent. Also, the atmosphere at Slater Family Ice Arena is second to none.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Moore entered Grade 7 at SMCS in 2015, following in the footsteps of his father, Grant &rsquo;85.
&ldquo;My family is grateful to have had the opportunity to attend St. Mike&rsquo;s,&rdquo; says Moore. &ldquo;It is a special place and has prepared each of us for the challenges that lie ahead in our lives. I will always remember the great friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.&rdquo;&nbsp;
While at SMCS, Moore&rsquo;s over 90% average in Grades 11 and 12 earned him back-to-back Basilian Book Award honours. Further academic accolades came in Moore&rsquo;s Grade 12 year, receiving the St. Thomas More Society Award for making the Honour Roll each year at SMCS. At BGSU, Moore plans to pursue a business degree through Bowling Green&#8217;s Schmidthorst College of Business. 
&ldquo;St. Mike&rsquo;s has prepared me through a challenging six years of balancing&nbsp;academics and&nbsp;athletics,&rdquo; says Moore. &ldquo;The support I&nbsp;received from the school&rsquo;s coaches, teachers, and staff over the years helped me develop as a player, student, and overall as a person. I feel my&nbsp;experience at St. Mike&rsquo;s has prepared me for what is to come at Bowling Green.&rdquo;
<figure id="attachment_9565" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-9565" style="width: 1188px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-cole-moore-hockey-commitment-2.webp" alt="SMCS Cole Moore commits to Bowling Green for hockey" width="1188" height="1152" class="size-full wp-image-9565" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-cole-moore-hockey-commitment-2.webp 1188w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-cole-moore-hockey-commitment-2-300x291.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-cole-moore-hockey-commitment-2-768x745.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1188px) 100vw, 1188px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-9565" class="wp-caption-text">In addition to hockey, Cole Moore plans to pursue a business degree through Bowling Green&#8217;s Schmidthorst College of Business.</figcaption></figure>
In addition to his academic and hockey prowess, Moore also played on several intramural athletic teams as well as U14 basketball and U14 golf. In his Grade 12 year, Moore joined the St. Michael&rsquo;s Buzzers Jr. A hockey team after completing his AAA minor hockey career in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL).
&ldquo;Cole was an excellent student throughout his time at St. Michael&#8217;s College School,&rdquo; says Moore&rsquo;s former SMCS teacher, Joe Coccimiglio, who also serves as the trainer for the St. Michael&rsquo;s Buzzers. &ldquo;It was evident by Grade 10 that Cole was a very driven young man. He was a very mature and responsible student-athlete with a work ethic, attitude, and behaviour that was second to none.&rdquo;
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-cole-moore-hockey-commitment-1.webp" alt="SMCS Cole Moore commits to Bowling Green for hockey" width="1200" height="960" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9564" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-cole-moore-hockey-commitment-1.webp 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-cole-moore-hockey-commitment-1-300x240.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-cole-moore-hockey-commitment-1-768x614.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
Related links:
<a href="/programmes/athletics" aria-label="Athletics">Athletics</a>
</div>

SMCS Cole Moore commits to Bowling Green for hockey

Cole Moore ’21 Commits to Bowling Green University

<div class="page-inner">
<h1>We Applied a Week Before School Started: A Family&#8217;s Story</h1>
The plan was in place. Everything seemed set.
&quot;We were thinking about St. Michael&#8217;s for Grade 9,&quot; says Alfonso, referring to high school options his family was considering for their eldest child.
Alfonso and his wife Michelle began some preliminary research, knowing they had ample time — more than a year — to apply for admission.
Then the global pandemic and other factors intervened.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-2.webp" alt="SMCS ongoing admissions family story | student on laptop" width="1200" height="800" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9540" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-2.webp 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-2-300x200.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-2-768x512.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
&quot;I just found that he wasn&#8217;t as engaged as I think he should have been,&quot; says Michelle.  
&quot;I wanted him to be a bit more involved in everything — in the learning, in the whole school environment. There&#8217;s so much to take in when you&#8217;re part of a school. I just wanted him to take advantage of all of that,&quot; she says, thinking back to her son Michael&#8217;s experience in both Grades 6 and 7.
As his parents monitored their son&#8217;s scholastic journey, they knew it would be a hard sell. Michael had attended the same elementary school for nine years. 
&quot;The idea of change, especially for a young boy of that age or child of that age — it&#8217;s a big thing,&quot; says Alfonso. &quot;There&#8217;s always hesitation and fear and questions of the unknown.&quot;
As the end of August 2021 approached, Michael was still slated to go back to his elementary school for Grade 8. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-3.webp" alt="SMCS family story on applying for admission | student in hallway" width="1200" height="676" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9541" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-3.webp 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-3-300x169.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-3-768x433.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
His parents, however, continued questioning and researching.
&quot;I went online to look at the requirements just to see what we would be looking at for Grade 9,&quot; says Michelle. &quot;And that&#8217;s when I actually found out that enrolment was still open, and that there was availability for Grade 8. I didn&#8217;t even know that that was a possibility. Once I saw that I thought, &lsquo;oh, maybe this is a good option.&rsquo;&quot; 
By this time, Michael&#8217;s parents were clear about one thing — something would have to change. 
&quot;I wanted him to go somewhere where he was more accountable for his work and for his overall learning,&quot; says Michelle. &quot;And I wanted the accountability on both parts — with him and with the teachers in that school.&quot;
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-4.webp" alt="SMCS ongoing admissions family story | main entrance photo" width="1200" height="675" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9542" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-4.webp 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-4-300x169.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-4-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
In early September 2021, mere days ahead of the start of a new school year, the family formally applied for admission to SMCS. 
Using online resources, feedback from other parents, and after connecting with the school&#8217;s Admissions staff, the family felt confident in their decision to move forward.
If there was no space for Grade 8, they decided, at least the application process would prepare them for Grade 9.
The plan had deviated, but the effort would be worthwhile.
&quot;We knew that it was a strong academic programme,&quot; says Michelle, who also has a younger daughter.
&quot;We knew that there was more engagement with the parents overall. And we knew that Michael would be more engaged and that he would be more accountable. Let&#8217;s put him in an environment where he will thrive a bit earlier than planned and give them that bit of extra leeway,&quot; she says, recounting that nerve-wracking period.
&ldquo;A lot of people just assume oh well, it&rsquo;s too late and forget it,&rdquo; says dad, Alfonso, referring to applying for admission well after the standard deadlines. &quot;Meanwhile, you&#8217;re trying to deal with your child, and that&#8217;s an issue too. For other parents, I would highly recommend the journey. If you don&#8217;t ask, you&#8217;ll never know.&quot;
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-1.webp" alt="SMCS ongoing admissions story | students playing lacrosse" width="1200" height="800" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9539" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-1.webp 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-1-300x200.webp 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smcs-ongoing-admissions-family-story-1-768x512.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
Michael was offered admission into Grade 8 at SMCS in the first week of September 2021.
To date, the family is happy they followed their instincts and took the steps to seek out another solution for their son.
&quot;What really surprised me is how Michael has changed,&quot; says his mom. &quot;He has become much more independent. He&#8217;s taking the subway now, and he&#8217;s navigating through the school system and keeping on top of what&#8217;s happening when.&quot;
Michael is also participating in athletics, including hockey and lacrosse.
&quot;We&#8217;re very thankful,&quot; says Alfonso. &quot;We&#8217;re very thankful that there was still an opportunity.&quot;
And grateful for crafting a new plan.
DID YOU KNOW?
<ul>
 <li>The Ongoing Admissions cycle at St. Michael&#8217;s College School begins in mid-March. </li>
 <li>The Standard Admissions period ends in December. </li>
 <li>New applications are accepted as long as spots are available. 
 </li>
</ul>
Learn more about the <a href="/admissions/application-process" aria-label="Application Process">Application Process.</a>
Book an in-person <a href="https://register-now.stmichaelscollegeschool.com/book-your-personal-tour/" target="_blank" aria-label="tour" rel="noopener">tour</a> of the school.


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