While some Grade 9 students describe the transition from middle school to high school as an exciting new stage after middle school, others call it a complete culture shock. Most are coming from middle schools in Toronto, but some have arrived from countries across the world. From learning how to find your way around the large building to figuring out how to fit in, every new student has their own story of how they are adjusting to life at Harbord.

Being new anywhere isn’t easy. You walk into a place where everyone knows everyone, where people are chatting & laughing, and you just don’t quite know where to fit in. For the locals, it’s a new stage in their academic journey. For international students, it’s more than that, it's a cultural shock and a new beginning. 

Walking through Harbord’s front doors for the first time can feel like stepping into another space. With crowded hallways, dozens of clubs, and a building that seems to have a staircase in every direction, it’s no surprise that new students describe their first days as “overwhelming, but exciting.” 

I was no exception. In the first few days at Harbord, my timetable was checked over and over, and the number of “Excuse me, where’s the restroom?” moments were countless. 

The most noticeable thing about Harbord is its energy; the chatter, the laughter, the paint on the lockers, the only issue is, how do I fit in? How do you muster up the courage to talk to someone? How do you make sure you don't do anything wrong or silly in the process? 

Turns out, I wasn’t alone in feeling this way; many other grade 9’s had the same sentiments.

“It was kind of lonely in my first few days,” said Fade, a student from Nigeria. “People are really nice here, and my teachers were quite helpful, because I didn’t really know anybody. I didn’t even know what to wear on the first day, because we had uniforms in my last school!”

“I was nervous because my last school was really small,” shared Sheelo. “Everyone here was super friendly though, because everyone wanted to find friends. The building was the biggest challenge. I just used to ask around and try not to get lost too much.”

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Even for students familiar with Toronto’s school system, the shift to high school feels like a step up. Longer classes, larger spaces, and new teachers mean everyone is starting fresh in their own way. 

“I thought it would be different from middle school, but it’s pretty much the same. It’s more work, but not unbearable. I’m getting similar grades as before, and since almost everyone from middle school came to Harbord, there wasn’t really an issue finding friends,” said Ella King.

Comparing life at Harbord to schools abroad, I noticed many differences — from the relaxed, student-centered teaching style to the emphasis on support and balance. Teachers here don’t just teach; they listen. They offer one on one help, during class, during lunch, and even after school. 

Guidance counselors also offer support for each student — a small thing that makes a big difference, especially for new students adjusting to a new environment and language. 

“You just have to keep showing up. Once you start talking to people, it stops feeling scary,” shared grade 9 student Sheelo.

For many new students, that seems to be the key. To all those students who’ve just arrived here, give it time. One day, you’ll look around and realize you’re no longer the “new kid.” You’re part of the Harbord story now.

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