First Year Student Frequently Asked Questions 2024

As you get ready for your first year at our school you are likely to have a few questions. Here are some answers to the most common questions our new students ask!

What is a houseparent?

Students at KES who live in boarding will be placed in one of our 16 flats or satellite houses. The largest dormitories for boys and girls are attached directly to the main school building and cafeteria, while there are other smaller satellite houses around campus. Each flat or house has approximately 10-15 students and one houseparent, as well as residential staff covering weekly duty shifts. The houseparent is your “go to person” who will help and support you in many domains throughout the year. From taking time to talk about your day and helping with homework to cheering you on in the school play or on the sports field, your houseparent is someone you can count on day in and day out.

At King's-Edgehill School, we recruit teachers and houseparents who are caring, secure, and respectful humans – such teachers demonstrate a real concern for the emotional, social, and physical development of each individual. KES houseparents are often teachers and coaches who also have a remarkable passion for working with, listening to, and encouraging students. Houseparents and residential staff are in tune with each student’s wellbeing and equipped to help students work through difficulties. They work closely with the Health Services to make sure a student’s needs are being met.

How do I mail a package to a student at KES?

Everyone loves to get mail! You can address your letters and packages to a student c/o the school using the following address:

King's-Edgehill School
33 King's-Edgehill Lane
Windsor, NS, Canada, B0N 2T0

The student will be notified when a package arrives for them. Parents can also order birthday cakes for their child by contacting Food Services at chartwells@kes.ns.ca.

Click here to learn more about our dining program. 

What are some fun places to visit in Windsor?

Our hometown is the perfect location for you to go to school. It is a safe community that is alive with many recreational activities for all seasons. Windsor offers a variety of great amenities, including cafes, restaurants, bakeries, workout studios, and more. The surrounding communities also have plenty to offer, with unique attractions like Ski Martock, OnTree Adventure Park, and expansive farmlands and trails where you can explore the great outdoors!

Our international parents will appreciate that the town of Windsor is small with a population of under 4000, and is English-speaking. Your child will be speaking English as they interact in their local community. 

What is prep?

Prep, or study time, runs Monday to Thursday from 7:30 pm-9:30 pm. During this time, students work at their desks and in a quiet and focused atmosphere. The Dr. Martha Jodrey Centre for Success runs supervised prep Monday through Thursday for students who require extra support with their studies. What does prep look like? 

• Quiet, conducive, home study environment  
• Supported and safe atmosphere 
• Responsive to the needs of each student 

Do we have snacks during the day?

We sure do! In addition to three healthy meals with loads of options we have three snacks throughout the day, and the first snack is at morning break. After school snack is from 2:15-2:30 pm, giving students an opportunity to get some energy and fuel for sports practice. In the evening following prep, all students may go to the cafeteria where a healthy snack is available at 9:30 pm. 

What is there to do on the weekends? 

At King’s-Edgehill School we understand the importance of keeping boarding students engaged and energized. To keep things fresh and stimulating, the extracurricular activities available to KES boarding students vary in scope and include events on and off campus. Weekend activities are promoted throughout the week to KES students and sign-ups occur through the Reach app. Weekend activities are also available to day students. 

Weekend Activities

Leisure time on the weekends will involve on-campus activities, and outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, kayaking, zip-lining, skiing, swimming, and camping. We also offer off-campus excursions in smaller groups to do sightseeing and shopping. Students can always expect to see many planned events going on around campus, no matter the time of year. Events like theatre performances, concerts, community events, coffee houses, and tournaments are always keeping the campus alive on weekends! 

Town Leaves and Weekends

Students are able to sign out from campus. In small groups, students may walk to town to purchase necessities, enjoy time on the waterfront, or visit a local café or restaurant. Students also may sign out for a weekend leave to go home, or the home of a friend or relative.

What is there to do in my free time? 

There is no shortage of amazing extra-curricular offerings at KES. Our gym is open evenings and weekends and students can use the 25m pool and all workout and gym facilities which include basketball, badminton, volleyball, track, ping-ping, cardio and weight room, and more. Or enjoy evening intramural programs where students can compete in dodgeball, futsal, and volleyball.

More formal programming includes a huge selection of clubs, such as Robotics, Scrapbooking, Debating, Math Club, Piping, and Green Team. Clubs are not only a great way to meet people, but they also help us develop, grow, and learn new skills. Whether it be learning how to garden, organizing fundraisers, or building robots, there is something for everyone.

Many students embrace opportunities for volunteering at special events such as the Windsor Terry Fox Run, Windsor Elms Nursing Home, Harvest House Community Centre, Windsor Elementary School (Reading Buddies), and the local hospital. 

There is never a shortage of things to do! Sometimes it is the simple things our students enjoy, like cooking their favourite meals with friends or relaxing in the student lounge, or playing a game in the cafeteria with friends. 

From good morning to good night, KES students are active and engaged. 

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