Why Ridley?

Welcome to Ridley!

One of the favourite times of my day is when I have the opportunity to walk the halls of Ridley College, drop in on classrooms and watch active learning in action. At Ridley College, you will find that students are engaged in exploring new ideas, debating eternal questions and solving relevant problems. Learning is student-centred and exciting to witness!

In our Lower School, you will discover inquiry-based learning in all classrooms from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Students engage with ‘big ideas’ and pursue essential and enduring questions – "what is an economy and how does it impact the human experience?” You’ll see students Skype interviewing an anthropologist from Kansas. You’ll hear the excitement of innovation in the robotics lab.

In our Upper School, you will meet young adults who confidently pursue their passions – academic inquiry, athletic endeavour, or artistic expression. You will see focused and disciplined students leading a Socratic seminar in a literature class, singing a solo in Chapel or persevering through a two kilometre time trial in our indoor rowing tank.

Cultivating the full potential in each student requires a caring, committed and world-class faculty. The task also requires intimate relationships that are built day by day, year after year. At Ridley, you’ll find a community of adults who are excited to build those relationships. As a boarding school, Ridley provides students with a 24/7 experience that will help you cultivate those lifelong bonds with peers and adults alike – in the classroom, in the House, on the ice or in the theatre.

The reality is that one cannot be certain what children and young adults can do until we challenge them to be their best. At Ridley, students are surrounded by peers who share their sense of purpose, who believe in the value of hard work and who are building the courage to pursue their dreams. Add to this the experience and care of a community of adults who are dedicated to nurturing their potential, and you have the Ridley formula.

I hope that our website offers you a glimpse into the life of our unique community of learners and that you are inspired to look deeper into the Ridley experience. Check out our YouTube channel to get a real glimpse into the Ridley difference. Better yet, I invite you to visit the school, to soak in its idyllic setting, to experience classes in action, to meet teachers and Head of Houses and to talk with students. We warmly welcome you and your family to Ridley.

I look forward to greeting you on campus in the near future.

J. Edward Kidd

Headmaster