How Blyth Academy set student on the path to illustrious marine biology program

I am proud to have joined the Blyth Academy Lawrence Park community in September 2020. For many students, COVID presented enormous educational uncertainties, so I was excited that Blyth Academy LP could ensure the continuity and rigor of my studies. As one of only a few students to ever be in both the Honours Math, Science & Technology (HMST) program and the Advanced Program for Gifted Athletes (APGA) at Northview Heights Secondary School, I needed to ensure that I could maintain both my enriched STEM courses, training hours and the opportunity to graduate early. Blyth Academy LP offered all this and much more.
  
I was grateful and excited to work with Blyth Academy to maintain the integrity of my coursework at the highest levels, have teachers with deep subject knowledge, seamless in-person and online classes, as well as benefit from more in-person labs, engaging well-resourced student clubs, and a timetable to balance all extracurriculars.
  
Blyth Academy staff, guidance department and teachers enthusiastically supported me to introduce my own initiatives, ideas and dive into classrooms and clubs to enhance course learning and make a community impact. I was supported to self-study/write AP exams, compete in University of Waterloo math contests, as well as be offered flexible, rigorous, upper level STEM course options to help me graduate early and at the top of my class.
  
Graduating early allowed me a once in a lifetime opportunity to complete a coveted scientific research and Divemaster internship with the Gili Shark Conservation Team in Gili Air, Indonesia from April to June 2022. As a future marine biologist, interested in chemistry and genetics, having a rigorous academic foundation was pivotal to compete for top marine science programs around the world. I was proud to have been offered admission to 18 top ranked schools in the USA, Canada and Australia (including UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, USC, Duke, U of Miami, Tulane, UBC, Dalhousie, U Queensland), along with multiple Presidential Merit Scholarships. I have ultimately chosen to attend James Cook University in Australia, in their Bachelor of Advanced Science in Marine Biology (Minor in chemistry) program, having been awarded a 100% Vice Chancellor's Scholarship.
  
I value the curriculum, continuity and care that Blyth Academy provided and I have made many forever school friendships too! I now look forward to my undergraduate studies with the Great Barrier Reef as my classroom!

Justice Balfour, Blyth Academy Lawrence Park Alum
James Cook University, Bachelor of Advanced Science in Marine Biology