Testimonials

IPS Parents

Adine Mees ('08)

Going to IPS was not our daughter's choice, it was one of those decisions that we, as parents, made on her behalf. As she fought us those first couple of years, we questioned whether or not we had made the right choice for Juliette. During her final year, we could see just how important this decision was and how lasting the beneifts were going to be. Hearing her valediction at graduation, we knew that she felt and knew it too. She continues to be enormously greateful for her four-year term at IPS and credits the school and her teachers with her growing self confidence (she has since delivered two lectures at UBC to future teachers), her broader sense of global responsibility (she continues with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards program) and her success academically and in life (she is doing well and is happy!)

IPS Alumni

Kathryn Ovenell-Carter (’03)

When Kathryn was still in Grade 10, her Bowen Island friends kidded her for quite a while after she confessed that her favorite Christmas present that year was a book about DNA. Now the Governor-General bronze medalist is delighted to be studying molecular biology, biochemistry, and philosophy at SFU. The WVSS graduate passed up scholarships from McGill and Queen’s for the opportunity to study in Neil Branda’s chemistry lab in her first year, and she is eagerly anticipating the time when she can do a term in International Co-op.

Robyn Hooper (’03)

Robyn Hooper received the Loran Award from the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation when she graduated from WVSS. The award covered all of Robyn’s university expenses as well as providing a mentor and funding for summer programs in public policy, enterprise, international experiences. “It’s quite an important honour and I want you, and the rest of IPS to know, that my middle school education has had a large effect on my path and character. Without IPS I would not be the person I am today. Thank you!”
E-mail excerpt from Robyn to Dr. Spear

Kasara Toth (’02)

I feel privileged to be able to call myself an “IPS Alumni”. I attended the school for three years before graduating in 2002. Recalling my experiences, I can only come up with positive memories. By positive I do not always mean enjoyable; however, in hindsight these sometime uncomfortable moments were the experiences that made me into who I am today. Right from the beginning, in grade seven, my friends and I were encouraged to push ourselves to our limit.... and then some.

Each event, excursion, debate or discussion seemed perfectly planned and orchestrated with the specific intent of expanding our intellectual capacity. I feel that my understanding of situations now encompasses a much larger spectrum of ideas and solutions. Today as I meet challenges, I see them with a better “head on my shoulders”.

The Masterworks Program was the greatest stretch for me. It pulled from two separate directions. Of course, the first was the academic challenge. These projects can be huge and in comparison, make any high school assignment seem easy. The second, and most valuable, was the lessons I was forced to learn about myself. Not only did I choose and extremely complex topic, involving both scientific history and quantum physics, but I also chose an extremely large amount of subjects to research.

I definitely bit off more than I could chew and as a result I became aware of how often I do this. I realized how I found it hard sometimes to stick to it and keep going; while conversely I also understood how much will power I had to hold on to that vision of completion. These traits, and others, once identified were my saving grace through out high school. I was able to apply different parts of myself to different areas of study resulting in an all round healthy experience. I am now facing my graduation in three weeks time.

Once again looking back at my primary and secondary education, I feel that my time spent at IPS was a highlight. It came at the perfect time in my life and for the perfect reasons. I strongly encourage any young student to take two or three years out of his or her educational career and spend them doing something different. IPS was my choice and I can confidently say that those three years hold great memories for me of a time of growth, courage, adventure and expansion.

Emma Whitney (‘01)

An excerpt from Emma’s application to the medical program at McMaster University:
Q: Much of the medical program at McMaster is small group problem-based learning. Have you had any experience with this type of learning, and if so, what aspects of this style of learning have you enjoyed?”
A: “I attended a unique middle school that used problem-based learning as its main teaching tool. First we were taught how to use critical reasoning and argumentative discussions to find solutions, and then we applied these throughout the year. I remember and understand concepts better when I learn them through application or discussion, rather by rote. There is satisfaction in discovering answers with your peers that simply cannot be found in a textbook.”

Aidan Benson (’99)

IPS opened my mind to both intellectual investigation and criticism. The broad spectrum of ideas and techniques that were opened to me was at once fascinating and overwhelming, but the unparalleled esprit de corps of the students and the proximity to the teachers allowed for constant questioning and support.

We were consistently pushed towards our intellectual boundaries and beyond. The physical component of the school in the early years was just as rewarding and whether it was climbing mountains or walls, diving into pools or just hiking the awesomely steep and eroded hill to class in the pouring rain I wouldn’t have given it up for the world. I am currently a pre-med Chemistry Major at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. I am hoping to go into pediatric medicine. I am living in France with my family and will be working in a hospital in Scotland for this summer.

Sean Nixon (’99)

IPS encouraged community involvement during my first years of adolescence. This rural community experience in contrast to my subsequent urban high school experience, has allowed me to make an informed decision about the type of community that suits me. While effectively preparing me for later studies, IPS provided a plethora of open-ended projects that allowed me to pursue my interests. The bottom line is that IPS created an environment in which learning was exciting and fun; an experience I have ever since had difficulty recapturing in larger institutions.