Academics: Navigating Winter Term Milestones

20 February 2026Claire Allen

As the halfway point of the school year is behind us, the second term is in full swing. For many students, this period represents a “fresh start”—a chance to build on the successes of the first part of the year or pivot toward more effective habits.

For our Grade 12 students, this season is a whirlwind of “final” milestones. As university decisions arrive, focus is shifting toward the logistics of the next chapter: monitoring portals, making residence deposits, and navigating course registration windows. Some are even finalizing exciting plans for gap years—deciding how they will spend their time and how they will finance the journey.

For students who will not be returning to Brentwood next year, we hope they embrace these final months. Whether they took a course they never would have tried elsewhere or discovered a new passion in a specific subject, art, or sport, these experiences are precious memories they will take away with them.

For our returning students, the course selection process is underway. We encourage you to ask your child about these choices over Spring Break. A simple but vital question to ask is: “Why?” The spirit of #ChooseToBe applies directly here; we want students to ensure their path is built on their own interests and necessary prerequisites. Please reach out to your child’s University Counsellor with any questions regarding their academic map.

~ Claire Allen, Deputy Head – Academics

Where Students Choose To Be